Electrical system and matrix assembly therefor
First Claim
1. A matrix assembly for an electrical system, said electrical system comprising an enclosure and a number of current carrying components housed by said enclosure, said matrix assembly comprising:
- a matrix member comprising a generally planar portion, a plurality of attachment points structured to attach said current carrying components to said genera planar portion, and a plurality of mounting points structured to attach said generally planar portion to a thermally conductive structure, wherein said matrix member is a thermally conductive liquid crystalline polymer,wherein said matrix member further comprises a number of heat sink structures,wherein said heat sink structures are a number of protrusions extending outwardly from said planar portion, thereby increasing the surface area of said matrix member; and
wherein each of said protrusions is structured to extend outwardly from a corresponding one of said attachment points to transfer heat generated by said current carrying components away from said current carrying components, andwherein said number of protrusions are a plurality of ribs; and
wherein said ribs extend between at least some of said attachment points and said mounting points thereby facilitating heat transfer from said current carrying components through said ribs to said mounting points and into said thermally conductive structure.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A matrix assembly is provided for an electrical system such as, for example, a power distribution unit for an aircraft. The electrical system includes an enclosure and a number of current carrying components such as, for example, electrical bus members, electrical switching apparatus, and/or fuses. The matrix assembly includes a matrix member having a generally planar portion, a plurality of attachment points for attaching the current carrying components to the generally planar portion, and a plurality of mounting points for attaching the generally planar portion to a thermally conductive structure such as, for example, an aluminum airframe structure. The matrix member is a thermally conductive liquid crystalline polymer. In addition to providing dielectric insulation, the matrix member also effectively transfers heat away from the current carrying components to the aluminum airframe structure, thereby reducing the temperature and corresponding electrical resistance within the electrical system and improving performance.
20 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A matrix assembly for an electrical system, said electrical system comprising an enclosure and a number of current carrying components housed by said enclosure, said matrix assembly comprising:
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a matrix member comprising a generally planar portion, a plurality of attachment points structured to attach said current carrying components to said genera planar portion, and a plurality of mounting points structured to attach said generally planar portion to a thermally conductive structure, wherein said matrix member is a thermally conductive liquid crystalline polymer, wherein said matrix member further comprises a number of heat sink structures, wherein said heat sink structures are a number of protrusions extending outwardly from said planar portion, thereby increasing the surface area of said matrix member; and
wherein each of said protrusions is structured to extend outwardly from a corresponding one of said attachment points to transfer heat generated by said current carrying components away from said current carrying components, andwherein said number of protrusions are a plurality of ribs; and
wherein said ribs extend between at least some of said attachment points and said mounting points thereby facilitating heat transfer from said current carrying components through said ribs to said mounting points and into said thermally conductive structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electrical system comprising:
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an enclosure; a number of current carrying components housed by said enclosure; and a matrix assembly comprising; a matrix member comprising a generally planar portion, a plurality of attachment points attaching said current carrying components to said generally planar portion, and a plurality of mounting points structured to attach said generally planar portion to a thermally conductive structure, wherein said matrix member is a thermally conductive liquid crystalline polymer, wherein said matrix member further comprises a number of protrusions extending outwardly from said planar portion, thereby increasing the surface area of said matrix member; and
wherein each of said protrusions extend outwardly from a corresponding one of said attachment points to transfer heat generated by said current carrying components away from said current carrying components, andwherein said number of protrusions are a plurality of ribs; and wherein said ribs extend between at least some of said attachment points and said mounting points, thereby facilitating heat transfer from said current carrying components through said ribs to said mounting points and into said thermally conductive structure. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification