Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
  • H01R13/621—Bolt, set screw or screw clamp
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
  • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
  • B22F7/00—Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting wherein at least one part is obtained by sintering or compression
  • B22F7/002—Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting wherein at least one part is obtained by sintering or compression of porous nature
  • B22F7/004—Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting wherein at least one part is obtained by sintering or compression of porous nature comprising at least one non-porous part
  • B22F7/006—Manufacture of composite layers, workpieces, or articles, comprising metallic powder, by sintering the powder, with or without compacting wherein at least one part is obtained by sintering or compression of porous nature comprising at least one non-porous part the porous part being obtained by foaming
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/02—Contact members
  • H01R13/03—Contact members characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/30—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member
  • H01R4/304—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member having means for improving contact

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the technical field of electrical connections and devices which make it possible to improve the electrical conductivity through these connections and concerns in particular a contact device adapted to facilitate the repair of bolted electrical connections.
• the electrical connections are subjected to currents of high intensity and high temperatures.
• the contact surfaces degrade due to erosion or oxidation, the electrical contacts heat up and the electrical losses only increase with time. Their renovation is essential.
• maintenance is also required for all electrical connections where metal parts are in contact and not only for connections with high currents.
• the contact device described in Applications Nos. WO2004049515 and WO2012007701 makes it possible to improve the electrical conductance of the electrical connections and to slow the degradation of the surfaces in contact.
• the contact device must have the size of the surface in contact with the electrical connection.
• the contact device When it is a bolted electrical connection, the contact device has a circular opening so as to pass the bolt. The installation of the contact device therefore imposes the complete disassembly of the bolted connection.
• complete disassembly of the contact is mandatory.
• the object of the invention is to provide a contact device to improve bolted electrical connections and lower their temperature and whose installation does not require the complete disassembly of the contact.
• the object of the invention is therefore a contact device adapted to be interposed between the two contact surfaces of two conductors of an electrical connection provided with at least one bolt, the device consisting of a metal foam plate high porosity and deformability to reduce the electrical resistance of the connection.
• the surface of the metal foam plate is at least equal to the surface in contact of the two conductors
• the metal foam plate comprises at least one circular opening intended to contain the bolt and at least one first precut located between the opening and an outer edge of the contact device, the precut being produced by cutting the foam plate on a part of its thickness so as to weaken and easily breakable along the pre-cut, the precut allowing the passage of the bolt during the establishment of the contact device between the two contact surfaces of the two conductors.
• FIG. 1 represents the device according to the invention according to a first embodiment
• FIG. 2 represents the device according to the invention according to a second embodiment
• FIG. 3 represents the installation of the device according to the invention according to the second embodiment in a bolted electrical connection
• FIG. 4 represents a bolted electrical connection equipped with the device according to the invention according to the second embodiment
• FIG. 5 represents the device according to the invention according to a variant of the first embodiment
• FIG. 6 represents the device according to the invention according to a variant of the second embodiment
• FIG. 7 shows the installation of the device according to the invention in an electrical connection with three bolts according to the first embodiment
• FIG. 8 represents the device according to the invention according to a third embodiment
• Figure 9 shows the implementation of the device according to the invention according to the third embodiment in a bolted electrical connection.
• the device according to the invention is a contact device 10 consisting of a metal foam plate 11 known under the name ECOCONTACT (registered trademark), of circular shape.
• the metal foam plate 11 has an opening 12 and at least a first precut 18.
• the precut 18 forms a straight segment whose first end is located on the edge of the opening 12 and whose second end is located on the lower outer edge of the foam plate 11.
• a gripping means 21 located outside the circular surface and along the outer edge of the foam plate 11 allows the grip of the element 10.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.
• the device according to the invention is a contact device 20 consisting of a metal foam plate 11 of rectangular shape.
• the metal foam plate 11 has a circular opening 12, a first precut 28 and a second precut 29.
• the two precuts 28 and 29 form two segments whose first ends are located on the edge of the opening 12 and whose second ends are located on the lower outer edge of the foam plate 11.
• the precuts 28 and 29 are parallel and distant with a width preferably equal to the diameter of the opening 12.
• a gripping means 21 located outside of the rectangular surface and along the upper edge of the foam plate 11 allows the grip of the element 20.
• the embodiment of a precut consists in cutting the foam over a part of its thickness so as to embrittle it and make it easy to score along the precut.
• the precuts are made by laser, by pressing, by punching or by any other means.
• the part of the foam plate delimited by the two precuts 28 and 29, a portion of the edge of the opening 12 and a portion of the lower edge of the foam plate forms a piece of foam detachable 23.
• the contact device 20 is designed to be interposed between two conductors 32 and 34 electrically connected by close contact thanks to a clamping means such as a clamping bolt 37 passing through the two conductors and the foam plate 11 through the opening 12.
• the shape of the foam plate corresponds to the shape of the surfaces in contact with the two conductors.
• the size and shape of the foam plate are adapted to the contact surface of the electrical connection.
• the gripping means 21 is of any shape provided that it protrudes from the electrical connection when the contact device is interposed between the surfaces in contact with the electrical connection. Thus for all the embodiments described, the gripping means is located outside the surface of the foam plate 11 intended to come into contact with the contact surfaces of the two conductors of the electrical connection.
• the bolt has been loosened in order to move the conductors a distance at least equal to the thickness of the foam and the detachable piece of foam has been removed. the foam plate 11.
• the operator holds it by its gripping device 21 and comes to interpose the contact device 20 straddling the bolt 37 until the bolt is placed in the location of the opening 12.
• the operator can also insert the piece 23 in the free space between the precuts 28 and 29 and tighten the bolt 37. Once these operations performed, only the device of gripping 21 of the contact device 20 protrudes from the electrical connection as can be seen in FIG. 4.
• Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment for a contact surface of a multiple bolt electrical connection.
• the device according to the invention is a contact device 30 consisting of a metal foam plate 11 of rectangular shape.
• the metal foam plate 11 has three openings 12 and at least one first precut 18 by opening.
• Each precut 18 is a straight segment whose first end is located on the edge of one of the openings 12 and whose second end is located on the outer edge of the foam plate 11.
• a precut 18 is connected to each opening.
• a gripping element 21 located outside the rectangular surface of the foam plate 11 allows the gripping
• the foam plate may also have two rounded corners as shown in Figure 5.
• FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the second embodiment intended for a contact surface of an electrical connection with several bolts.
• the device according to the invention is a contact device 40 consisting of a metal foam plate 11 of rectangular shape.
• the metal foam plate 11 has three circular openings 12 and at least one first precut 28 and a second precut 29 per opening 12.
• the two precuts 28 and 29 are straight segments whose one end is located on the edge of the opening 12 and whose second end is located on the lower edge of the foam plate 11.
• the precuts 28 and 29 are parallel and distant with a width preferably equal to the diameter of the opening 12.
• the device contact member 40 also comprises a gripping element 21.
• FIG. 7 shows the installation of the device according to the invention in an electrical connection with three bolts according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.
• the contact device 30 is interposed between the two conductors 32 and 34.
• the bolts 37, 38 and 39 have been loosened to separate the conductors by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the foam and the foam plate has been cut along its entire thickness along each precut 18.
• the operator spreads and folds slightly the two parts of foam on either side of each old precut 18 so as to spread their edges so that a bolt can pass between them.
• the operator holds the contact device 30 by its gripping device 21 and comes to interpose it between the two conductive elements 32 and 34, each opening 12 straddling the bolts 37, 38 and 39.
• the contact device is placed in place when each bolt is placed in an opening 12.
• the operator then serves the bolts and when bringing the two contact surfaces of the conductors 32 and 34 together, the foam plate 11 is flattened and the edges slightly bent parts of the and each other of each old precut 18 also flatten and cover the entire contact surface of the connection. Once these operations are performed, only the gripping device 21 of the contact device 30 protrudes from the electrical connection.
• the contact device 50 consists of a metal foam plate 11 of rectangular shape.
• the metal foam plate 11 has an opening 12, a first precut 18 and a second precut 19.
• the precut 18 is a straight segment whose first end is located on the edge of the opening 12 and whose second end is located on the outer and lower edge of the foam plate 11.
• the precut 19 is in the extension of the precut 18.
• the precut 19 is a straight segment whose first end is located on the edge of the opening 12 and whose second end is located on the outer and upper edge of the foam plate 11.
• a gripping element 31 located outside the rectangular surface of the foam plate 11 allows the grip of the
• the gripping means 31 is located on the upper outer edge of the contact device 50 and holds the foam plate even when it is cut along the entire length of the pre-cuts 18 and 19.
• the foam plate can also include an additional precut 16 parallel to the edge carrying the gripping means 31 and close to it. This precut 16 is preferably perpendicular to the pre-cut 19.
• the contact device 50 is interposed between the two conductors 32 and 34.
• the bolt 37 has been loosened to distance the conductors by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the foam.
• the foam plate 11 has been cut along its entire thickness along the pre-cuts 18 and 19 and comprises two foam parts 111 and 112 held together by the gripping means 31.
• the gripping means 31 is also a means of articulating the two portions of foam 111 and 112 between them and away from one another to interpose between the conductors and straddling the bolt 37.
• This embodiment is particularly suitable and advantageous when the spacing between the two Electrical connection surfaces can not be made greater than the thickness of the foam without risk of nut loss.
• the gripping means has the role of a hinge and is made of an elastic material and preferably electrically non-conductive such as rubber. If necessary, the foam plate can also be cut along its additional precut 16 so as to further facilitate the insertion of the foam plate between the two contact surfaces of the two conductors.
• the gripping means 21 and 31 protrude from the electrical connection when the contact device is interposed between the surfaces in contact with the electrical connection. Therefore, the gripping means 21 and 31 is a means for visually identifying the electrical connections equipped with metal foam.
• the gripping means 21 and 31 may be used as a referencing means by entering a batch number, a date or a reference to another data.
• the gripping means 21, 31 may also be equipped with a temperature indicator so as to provide an indication of the temperature reached in the electrical connection and in particular when the maximum temperature supported is reached in the electrical connection.
• the temperature indicator may be a band that changes color depending on the temperature.
• the metal foam of the contact devices 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 is an open cell foam composed of a metal foam skeleton selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel and their alloys directly coated with less a metal coating such as a coating of tin, indium or an alloy thereof.
• the foam is obtained according to the production processes described in the application WO2012007701.
• the structure of the foam 10 thus obtained is cellular and its physical properties are mainly a high porosity and deformability, which has the effect of reducing the electrical resistance of the connection, as well as a low density of the order of 400 g / m 2 .
• the thickness of the plates Metal foam devices according to the invention is of the order of 1 to 2 mm.
• One of the advantages of the device according to the invention is to sustainably lower the temperature of the electrical connections. This results in improved electrical efficiency, lower electrical circuit degradation, and increased safety.
• the contact device according to the invention has the advantage of providing the user with the choice of its use.
• the contact device according to the invention consists of a foam plate having three functions in one because the user has the choice between three alternatives:

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Composite Materials (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)
• Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
• Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
• Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=61873506

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Family Cites Families (13)

• 2017
  • 2017-11-13 FR FR1771210A patent/FR3073677B1/fr active Active
• 2018
  • 2018-11-13 CN CN201880073536.2A patent/CN111448714B/zh active Active
  • 2018-11-13 EP EP18811882.2A patent/EP3711116B1/de active Active
  • 2018-11-13 KR KR1020207015660A patent/KR20200085288A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2018-11-13 US US16/763,107 patent/US11075485B2/en active Active
  • 2018-11-13 WO PCT/FR2018/000249 patent/WO2019092330A1/fr unknown
  • 2018-11-13 CA CA3081396A patent/CA3081396A1/fr active Pending
  • 2018-11-13 AU AU2018363235A patent/AU2018363235B2/en active Active
  • 2018-11-13 JP JP2020544164A patent/JP7330991B2/ja active Active

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