High current capacity electrical connector

Patent · Tue Jan 13 00:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:862443

Bettis, Edward S ^[1]; Watts, Harry L ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge, TN
2. Lake City, TN

An electrical connector is provided for coupling high current capacity electrical conductors such as copper busses or the like. The connector is arranged in a "sandwiched" configuration in which a conductor plate contacts the busses along major surfaces thereof clamped between two stainless steel backing plates. The conductor plate is provided with a plurality of contact buttons affixed therein in a spaced array such that the caps of the buttons extend above the conductor plate surface to contact the busses. When clamping bolts provided through openings in the sandwiched arrangement are tightened, Belleville springs provided under the rim of each button cap are compressed and resiliently force the caps into contact with the busses' contacting surfaces to maintain a predetermined electrical contact area provided by the button cap tops. The contact area does not change with changing thermal or mechanical stresses applied to the coupled conductors.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 3932014
• Application Number: 05/560,428
• OSTI ID: 862443
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

current
capacity
electrical
connector
provided
coupling
conductors
copper
busses
arranged
sandwiched
configuration
conductor
plate
contacts
major
surfaces
clamped
stainless
steel
plates
plurality
contact
buttons
affixed
therein
spaced
array
caps
extend
surface
clamping
bolts
openings
arrangement
tightened
belleville
springs
rim
button
cap
compressed
resiliently
force
contacting
maintain
predetermined
tops
change
changing
thermal
mechanical
stresses
applied
coupled
major surfaces
electrical connector
electrical conductors
electrical contact
stainless steel
electrical conductor
contacting surfaces
belleville springs
major surface
spaced array
predetermined electric
mechanical stresses
mechanical stress
plate surface
predetermined electrical
stresses applied
contacting surface
current capacity
capacity electrical
coupled conductor
/439/