Method of induction brazing transformer strands to base plate

• US 6,333,494 B1
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Stroosnyder, Jason, Parker, Roy Cleveland, Oziminski, Edward James, Fischer, Todd Joseph, Nolan, John Francis, Parker, David Roy, Pilic, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): Leung, Philip H.
• Application Number:
  US09/729,656
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 219/615, 219/605, 219/603, 219/616, 219/617, 219/635, 219/85.1, 219/85.18, 219/85.14, 228/214, 228/224, 228/262.61, 228/262.9
• US Class Current: 219/615
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 1/002 Soldering by means of induction heating
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/38 Conductors

Abstract

A method of brazing a plurality of copper strands to a buss bar includes: a) cleaning the buss bar and the copper strands; b) positioning a filler shim on the surface of the buss bar; c) placing a copper strand on the filler shim, the filler shim and the strand having substantially equal lengths; d) stacking additional copper strands on the buss bar, with a filler shim between each adjacent pair of strands; and e) heating the filler shims utilizing an induction brazing coil to a temperature sufficient to cause melting of the shims and to thereby form a brazed lap joint between the copper strands and the buss bar.

Claims

1. A method of brazing a plurality of copper strands to a buss bar comprising:

a) cleaning the buss bar and the copper strands;

b) positioning a filler shim on the surface of the buss bar;

c) placing a copper strand on the filler shim;

d) stacking additional copper strands on the buss bar, with a filler shim between each adjacent pair of strands;

e) heating the filler shims utilizing an induction brazing coil to a temperature sufficient to cause melting of the filler shims and to thereby form a brazed lap joint between the copper strands and the buss bar.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said filler shims are constructed of a silver-based alloy.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said filler shims are heated to about 1300°

-1400°

F.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein each filler shim has a thickness of about 0.005 inch.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said filler shims are heated to about 1300°

-1400°

F.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein each filler shim has a thickness of about 0.005 inch.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein, during step e), discrete brazing coil sections are located on opposite sides of said buss bar and centered with respect to said copper strands.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said buss bar is in an assembly of multiple buss bars.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein, during step e), supplemental alloy material is added by way of a filler rod.

10. A buss bar and copper strand assembly joined according to the process of claim 1.

11. A method of brazing a plurality of copper strands to a buss bar comprising:

a) cleaning the buss bar and the copper strands;

b) positioning a filler shim on the surface of the buss bar;

c) placing a copper strand on the filler shim;

d) stacking additional copper strands on the buss bar, with a filler shim between each adjacent pair of strands; and

e) heating the filler shims utilizing an induction brazing coil to a temperature sufficient to cause melting of the filler shims and to thereby form a brazed lap joint between the copper strands and the buss bar;

wherein, during step e), discrete brazing coil sections are located opposite sides of said buss bar and centered with respect to said copper strands.