DC connection method

• US 6,068,513 A
• Filed: 08/19/1997
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Solar Inverters Usa, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Statpower Technologies Partnership
• Inventors: Venalainen, Jarmo Kalevi, Wong, Samson Chun-Tat, Cameron, Robert Fraser
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUVERNE, JEAN F
• Application Number:
  US08/914,617
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 439/620, 439/660, 174/50.53, 174/5.54
• US Class Current: 439/620.04
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/719 specially adapted for high frequency, e.g. with filters
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/142 Their counterparts

Abstract

An apparatus for high current DC conductor termination. The apparatus includes a base, an insulated terminal projection, first and second opposing connectors, and first and second bus bars. The base is securable to an electrical device. The insulated terminal projection extends from the base and has first and second opposite sides. The first and second opposing connectors are mounted on the opposite sides respectively of the terminal projection, the first and second opposing connectors being substantially in line and operable to connect to first and second conductors respectively. The first and second bus bars are connected to the first and second connectors and extend closely adjacent each other inside the base and are operable to connect to the electrical device for electrical current conduction.

Claims

1. An apparatus for high current conductor termination, the apparatus comprising:

a) a base securable to an electrical device;

b) an insulated terminal projection extending from said base, said insulated terminal projection having first and second opposite sides;

c) first and second opposing connectors on said opposite sides respectively of said terminal projection, said first and second opposing connectors being substantially in line and operable to connect to first and second conductors respectively.

d) first and second bus bars connected to said first and second connectors, said first and second bus bars extending closely adjacent each other inside said projection and being operable to connect to said electrical device for electrical current conduction, said first and second bus bars having first and second contact points

e) an electromagnetic interference filter electrically connected to said first and second bus bars, said electromagnetic interference filter being disposed closely adjacent said first and second connectors, said electromagnetic interference filter including first and second capacitive filters connected to said first and second bus bars in spaced apart relation, and a ferrite ring encircling said bus bars, said first capacitive filter including a first circuit board having first and second conducting pads operable to contact said first and second contact points respectively such that said first circuit board is connected directly to said first and second bus bars and said ferrite ring is disposed between said first and second capacitive filters.

2. A method of terminating high current conductors, the method comprising the steps of:

a) connecting first and second high current conductors to substantially in-line first and second opposing connectors respectively on opposite sides respectively of an insulated terminal projection connected to a base securable to an electrical device; and

b) conducting current to or from said first and second high current connectors to or from said electrical device by first and second bus bars extending closely adjacent each other inside said projection and terminating in said electrical device.

c) filtering signals on said first and second bus bars to reduce electromagnetic interference by encircling said bus bars with a ferrite ring and capacitively coupling the first and second bus bars together and to a signal ground terminal of said electrical device, by urging a first circuit board, on which capacitors are mounted against said first and second bus bars such that first and second pads in connection with said capacitors on said first circuit board are in direct electrical contact with said first and second bus bars respectively.