Electrical connection devices for composite structures having externally accessible ports
US6000977A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49222
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The electrical contact device establishes electrical contact with a tubular electrical port that opens through an edge surface of a composite structure. The electrical contact device includes a contact pad having opposed inner and outer surfaces. The outer surface is formed of an electrically conductive material, while the inner surface is formed of an insulating material. The electrical contact device also includes an electrically conductive pin attached to and extending outwardly from the electrical contact pad such that the pin is in electrical contact with the outer surface of the pad. Upon insertion within a tubular electrical port, the pin serves to establish electrical contact between the tubular electrical port and the conductive outer surface of the contact pad, while the insulative inner surface serves to insulate the electrical contact device from the composite structure. The tubular electrical port is also electrically connected to an electrical lead that is embedded within the composite structure such that the electrical lead is effectively connected to the contact pad upon insertion of the pin into the tubular electrical port. By aligning the edge surfaces of a pair o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.