Heatsink bus for electronic switch
First Claim
1. In combination, a metallic member composed of a thermally and electrically conductive material, said member comprising a unitary mass defining a heatsink and being free of mechanical or electrical transition joints,at least one switching means mounted on said member and in electrical and thermal contact therewith, control circuit means and electrical conductor means each mounted on said member and adjacent said switching means,said electrical conductor means connecting said switching means to said control circuit means, said metallic member acting as a heatsink for the switching means and as a conductor for current being switched thereby.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic circuit device includes a metallic member composed of a thermally and electrically conductive material and comprising a unitary mass defining a heatsink and being free of mechanical or electrical transition joints. Electronic switching devices are mounted on the member and in electrical and thermal contact therewith. A control circuit and a conductor are each mounted on the member and adjacent the switching circuit devices and electrical conductors interconnect the switching circuit devices with the control circuit. The control circuit and the conductor are thermally and electrically isolated from the metallic member. The metallic member comprises a heatsink for the electronic switching devices and a conductor for currents being switched thereby.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. In combination, a metallic member composed of a thermally and electrically conductive material, said member comprising a unitary mass defining a heatsink and being free of mechanical or electrical transition joints,
at least one switching means mounted on said member and in electrical and thermal contact therewith, control circuit means and electrical conductor means each mounted on said member and adjacent said switching means, said electrical conductor means connecting said switching means to said control circuit means, said metallic member acting as a heatsink for the switching means and as a conductor for current being switched thereby.
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6. The combination of a storage battery having primary cells and auxiliary cells,
first and second terminal means in circuit with the primary cells, and third and fourth terminal means in circuit with the auxiliary cells, and at least one switching means in circuit between said second and third terminal means and operative to place said primary and auxiliary cells in a parallel circuit relation, said switching means including a metallic member composed of a thermally and electrically conductive material, said member comprising a unitary mass defining a heatsink and being free of mechanical or electrical transition joints, at least one of said switching means mounted on said member in electrical and thermal contact therewith, control circuit means and conductor means mounted on said member and adjacent said switching means, and electrical conductor means connecting said switching means to said control circuit, said member acting as a heatsink for said switching means and as a conductor for current being switched thereby.
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11. In combination, a metallic member composed of a thermally and electrically conductive material, said member comprising a unitary mass defining a heatsink and being free of mechanical or electrical transition joints,
first electronic circuit means mounted on said member and in electrical and thermal contact therewith, second electronic circuit means mounted on said member and adjacent said first electronic circuit means, first and second terminal means mounted on said member, said first terminal means being connected in circuit with said member and constructed and arranged to be connected to a source of electrical energy and said second terminal means being insulated from said member and constructed and arranged to be connected to a controlled device, and electrical conductor means connecting said first and second electronic circuit means to each other and said first electronic circuit means to said first terminal means, said metallic member acting as a heatsink for the first electronic circuit means and as a conductor for current being controlled thereby.
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16. A method of manufacturing an electrical circuit assembly comprising the steps of:
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extruding an elongate shaped member formed of a metallic material having high thermal and electrical conductivity, severing a first predetermined length of said extruded member to provide a unitary member which defines a conductor and heatsink and is free of mechanical and electrical transition joints, mounting electronic circuit means in thermal and electrical contact with a surface of said unitary member, such that the unitary member provides current to the electronic circuit means mounting control circuit means and conductor means on said unitary member and adjacent said electronic circuit means, and electrically connecting said electronic circuit means to said control circuit means with said conductor means and electrically insulating said control circuit means and said conductor means from said member. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of manufacturing an electrical circuit assembly comprising the steps of:
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forming an elongate shaped member comprising a metallic material having high thermal and electrical conductivity, severing a first predetermined length of said member to provide a unitary member which defines a conductor and heatsink and is free of mechanical and electrical transition joints, mounting electronic circuit means in thermal and electrical contact with a surface of said unitary member such that the unitary member provides current to the electronic circuit means, mounting control circuit means and conductor means on said unitary member and adjacent said electronic circuit means, and electrically connecting said electronic circuit means to said control circuit means with said conductor means and electrically insulating said control circuit means and said conductor means from said member.
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Specification