Zee electrical interconnect

US6293803A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• TRW Limited · US
• The United States of America as represented the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Thomas M. Rust · Agoura, US
• Edward M. Gaddy · Greenbelt, US
• Michael J. Herriage · Rancho Palos Verdes, US
• Robert E. Patterson · Radnor, US
• Richard D. Partin · Cypress, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 9, 2000
• Grant date: Sep 25, 2001
• Expiry date: Feb 9, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01R13/05
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An interconnect, having some length, that reliably connects two conductors separated by the length of the interconnect when the connection is made but in which one length if unstressed would change relative to the other in operation. The interconnect comprises a base element an intermediate element and a top element. Each element is rectangular and formed of a conducting material and has opposed ends. The elements are arranged in a generally Z-shape with the base element having one end adapted to be connected to one conductor. The top element has one end adapted to be connected to another conductor and the intermediate element has its ends disposed against the other end of the base and the top element. Brazes mechanically and electrically interconnect the intermediate element to the base and the top elements proximate the corresponding ends of the elements. When the respective ends of the base and the top elements are connected to the conductors, an electrical connection is formed therebetween, and when the conductors are relatively moved or the interconnect elements change length the elements accommodate the changes and the associated compression and tension forces in such a way t…