Electrical connectors – Interrelated connectors relatively movable during use – Having liquid contact
Reexamination Certificate
2009-07-17
2010-06-01
Ta, Tho D (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Interrelated connectors relatively movable during use
Having liquid contact
C439S013000, C439S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07726972
ABSTRACT:
A liquid metal rotary connector for a vehicle steering mechanism utilizes a conductive alloy comprising Gallium, Indium, Tin and Zinc to electrically couple stationary and rotary terminals of the connector. The alloy is a liquid at ambient temperatures, and has a melting point of −36° C., though testing has shown that it operates satisfactorily at temperatures as low as −40° C. In a preferred arrangement, the rotary connector provides a two-wire connection through which power is supplied from the steering column to the steering wheel, and electronic modules located in the steering column and the steering wheel support bi-directional data communication through voltage and current modulation of the supplied power.
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Brandenburg Scott D.
Gose Mark W.
Yeh Shing
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Funke Jimmy L.
Ta Tho D
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