Full wave rectifier assembly

Claim 2

A three phase full wave rectifier assembly characterised in that the six semi-conductor diodes (22-27) from which the full wave rectified output is obtained in use, are all supported on, and are in heat exchange relationship with, a single common heat sink member (11).

Claim 3

A rectifier assembly as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that first and second conductive areas (14a, 13a) are provided on said heat sink member (11),said areas being electrically isolated from each other, the diodes (25, 26, 27) of a first set of three of said six diodes each having the same one of its two terminals electrically connected to said first conductive area (14a) and the diodes (22, 23, 24) of a second set, comprising the remaining three of said six diodes, each having their other terminal electrically connected to said second area (13a).

Claim 4

A rectifier assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said member (11) is provided with third, fourth and fifth conductive areas (15, 16, 17) electri- .cally isolated from each other and from said first and second conductive areas (14a, 13a) said diodes (25, 26, 27) of said first set are positioned on said first conductive area (14a) and have their said one terminals conductively bonded directly to said first conductive area (14a) and said diodes (22, 23, 24) of said second set are each positioned on a respective one of said third, fourth and fifth conductive areas (15, 16, 17) with their one terminal conductively bonded directly thereto, said other terminals of said diodes (22, 23, 24) of said second set being electrically connected by way of respective conductive links (33, 34, 35) to said second conductive area (13a) and, in use, the three phases of the supply to be rectified are applied respectively to the other terminal of a first diode (27) of said first set and said third area (15), the other terminal of a second diode (26) of said first set and the fourth area (16) and to the other terminal of the third diode (25) of said first set and the fifth area (17) whereby a rectified output appears across said first and second areas (14a, 13a).

Claim 5

A rectifier assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said diodes (25, 26, 27) of said first set are arranged on said first conductive area (14a) with their said one terminals directly bonded thereto, said diodes (22, 23, 24) of said second set are arranged on said second conductive area (13a), with their said other terminals bonded directly thereto and, in use, the three phases of the supply to be rectified are applied respectively to the other terminal of a first diode (27) of said first set and the one terminal of a first diode (22) of said second set, to the other terminal of a second diode (26) of said first set and the one terminal of a second diode (23) of said second set, and to the other terminal of the third diode (25) of said first set and -the one terminal of the third diode (24) of the second set, whereby a rectified output appears across said first and second conductive areas (14a, 13a).

Claim 6

A rectifier assembly as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 characterised in that the heat sink member (11) is provided with a further conductive area (21a) and said member (11) supports and is in heat exchange relationship with a third set of three diodes (28, 29, 31), the diodes (28, 29, 3 1) of said third set each having a common one of their two terminals electrically connected to said further conductive area (21a).

Claim 7

A rectifier assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said diode (28, 29, 31) of said third set are arranged on said further area (21a) and have their said one terminals bonded directly to said further area, the other terminals of the diodes (28, 29, 31) of the third set, in use, having respectively phases of the supply being rectified by said first and second sets of diodes (22-24 and 25-27) applied thereto.

Claim 8

A rectifier assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that said heat sink member (11) is formed from electrically insulating material and said conductive areas (13a, 14a, 15, 16, 17, 21a) are layers of conductive material supported by said member (11).

Claim 9

A rectifier assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that said heat sink member (11) is formed from electrically conductive material and carries a layer (12) of electrically insulating material on which said conductive areas (13a, 14a, 15, 16, 17, 21a) are provided, said areas being layers of conductive material on said layer (12) of insulating material and said layers being supported by said member (11).

Claim 10

A rectifier assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that said heat sink member (11) is formed from electrically conductive material and an exposed surface region of said member (11) defines one of said conductive areas 13a, 14a, 15, 16, 17 21a), the other conductive areas being defined by layers of conductive material on a layer (12) of insulating material carried by said member (11), said layers being supported by said member (11).

Claim 11

A rectifier assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said layers of conductive material are provided on said member by a printed circuit technique.

Claim 12

A rectifier assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said heat sink member (11) is tubular and said conductive areas (13a, 14a, 15, 16, 17, 21a) are on the exterior of the member.