Self-shielding high voltage distribution box

• US 7,310,242 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Ramos, Sergio, Steele, Eugene M., Souther, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Levi, Dameon E.
• Application Number:
  US10/850,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20050259408A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 361/697, 361/702, 361/709, 361/730, 361/752, 361/753, 361/796, 361/800, 361/816, 361/818, 361/799, 174/350, 174/351, 174/353, 439/607
• US Class Current: 361/818
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0018 with provisions to reduce aperture leakages in walls, e.g. terminals, connectors, cables

Abstract

A distribution box for enclosing an electrical connection in an electrical wiring system includes a housing that is resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields and a plurality of electrical conductors that form the electrical connection. A mirror plate is disposed within the housing and generates mirror currents to suppress electromagnetic fields generated by current flowing through the plurality of electrical conductors.

Claims

1. A distribution box for enclosing an electrical connection in an electrical wiring system, comprising:

a housing that is resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields;

a plurality of electrical conductors that form said electrical connection having current flowing therethrough in a first direction; and

a mirror plate disposed within said housing having current flowing therethrough in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction and generating electromagnetic fields to suppress electromagnetic fields generated by current flowing through said plurality of electrical conductors.

2. The distribution box of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a removable lid that is resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields.

3. The distribution box of claim 2 wherein an upper edge of a perimeter wall of said housing is configured to mate with said lid to impede electromagnetic fields from passing between said housing and said lid.

4. The distribution box of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a material that is highly resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields.

5. The distribution box of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a plurality of ports for ingress and egress of said plurality of electrical conductors.

6. The distribution box of claim 5 further comprising a collar associated with each of said plurality of ports and that enable passage of at least one of said plurality of electrical conductors therethrough, said collars suppressing an emission of electromagnetic fields.

7. The distribution box of claim 6 wherein each collar includes a material that is highly resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields.

8. The distribution box of claim 6 wherein each collar extends from said housing a distance based on a diameter of an associated electrical conductor cable passing therethrough.

9. The distribution box of claim 1 further comprising a bus bar disposed within said housing and that is electrically connected to a first terminal of a power source.

10. The distribution box of claim 9 wherein said mirror plate is electrically connected to a second terminal of said power source.

11. The distribution box of claim 10 further comprising a fuse having a first terminal that is electrically connected to said bus bar and a second terminal that is electrically connected to one of said plurality of electrical conductors.

12. The distribution box of claim 1 further comprising an interlock safety switch that discharges voltage within the distribution box when said housing is opened.