Electrical connectors – Interrelated connectors relatively movable during use – Linear movement
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-09
2001-09-25
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Interrelated connectors relatively movable during use
Linear movement
C174S069000, C174S09400S
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293803
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical interconnects, and more particularly to an interconnect for electrically connecting two conductors separated by some length which repeatedly expands and contracts.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An important source of electrical power for an orbiting satellite is its solar array. In the solar array, an electrical connection is typically made between the solar cell circuits, which convert solar energy into electrical energy, and an electrical wiring harness, which conducts the electrical energy into the spacecraft. Such connections and the substrates to which they are mounted are subject to cyclical, extreme variations in temperature. These variations occur as the satellite orbits the earth. They result from the satellite being in complete sunlight at some times and being in the shadow of the earth at other times. These temperature variations, along with the coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate, which carries the solar cell circuits and harness, cause a change in distance between those components. Similarly, the unstressed length of the electrical connection, which connects the circuits and the harness, changes, but by a different amount. As the substrate is generally stiffer than the electrical connection, the electrical connection is stressed.
In this regard it has been found that in certain solar arrays the electrical connection failed. Simply put, every hot to cold cycle slightly bent the electrical connection. Eventually, it failed due to mechanical fatigue.
A prior solution to the problem was the use of a conductor in the form of a ribbon electrical interconnect which had a half-loop formed intermediate to its ends to relieve stress. The stress relief improved performance compared to a flat conductor but was found inadequate for spacecraft that had many tens of thousands of repeated movements between the connected points.
What is needed, therefore, is an interconnect for electrically connecting the harness to the solar cell circuits that can accommodate the repeated changes in temperature. An additional requirement in some cases is that the interconnect must be low in height to accommodate the packing requirements for some solar arrays.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preceding and other shortcomings of the prior art are addressed and overcome by the present invention which provides an interconnect for electrically connecting two conductors in which the distance between the conductors and the length of the unstressed interconnect change relative to each other. The interconnect includes a base element, an intermediate element and a top element. Each element is comprised of an electrically conducting material. The elements are arranged in a generally Z-shape with the free end of the base element connected to one conductor and the free end of the top element connected to the other conductor. The intermediate element has its ends disposed adjacent to corresponding ends of the base and the top elements. Brazes electrically and mechanically secure the intermediate element to the respective base and top elements which proximate the corresponding free ends of the elements. This configuration enables the three elements to accommodate changes in the separation distance between the conductors and to absorb the associated compression and tension forces on the elements. In addition, the increased length of the conductive elements compared to prior art elements, enables them to be less stressed by dramatic changes in the temperature of the environment.
Equivalently, the present invention relates to an interconnect for electrically connecting two conductors separated by some length which remains fixed while the unstressed length of the interconnect changes, generally due to its coefficient of thermal expansion as it is heated or cooled. It also relates to an interconnect for electrically connecting two conductors separated by some length which expands and contracts while the unstressed length of the interconnect also expands and contracts, but at a different rate. More succinctly, the invention, having some length, reliably connects two conductors separated by the same length when the connection is made; but in which the one unstressed length cyclically changes relative to the other in operation.
The foregoing and additional features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the detailed description and accompanying drawing figures below. In the figures and the written description, numerals indicate the various elements of the invention, like numerals referring to like elements throughout both the drawing figures and the written description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2865979 (1958-12-01), Klassen
patent: 3488430 (1970-01-01), Holzhauser
patent: 3676572 (1972-07-01), Davies
patent: 5175398 (1992-12-01), Hofmann
Gaddy Edward M.
Herriage Michael J.
Partin Richard D.
Patterson Robert E.
Rust Thomas M.
Keller Robert W.
Sircus Brian
TRW Inc.
Webb Brian S.
LandOfFree
Zee electrical interconnect does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Zee electrical interconnect, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Zee electrical interconnect will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2437309