Rectifier bridge for use with an alternator

Claim 2

The combination comprising: an alternator including an electrically and thermally conductive housing portion having one surface exposed for direct air cooling and a second surface opposed thereto and a plurality of output lead means for delivering alternating current; electrically conductive means spaced from said conductive housing portion of said alternator and having a first surface located in spaced parallel relation to said second surface of said conductive housing portion of said alternator; means interposed between said first and second surfaces for providing a separate unidirectionally conductive path from each of said output lead means to each of said first and second surfaces including; means adapted to be associated with each of said lead means for receiving an alternating electrical current therefrom; first and second semiconductive pellets separated by said receiving means and each containing layer portions of opposite conductivity type forming a rectifying junction therebetween; said first semiconductive pellets associated with each of said receiving means having a first conductivity type layer portion lying in thermally and ohmically conductive relation with said conductive housing portion of said alternator; said second semiconductive pellets associated with each of said receiving means having an opposite conductivity type layer portion lying in ohmically conductive relation with said first surface of said electrically conductive means, glass passivant means peripherally surrounding and bonded to each of said pellets; unitary dielectric bonding means peripherally surrounding all of said semiconductive pellets for protection thereof; and means electrically isolated from at least one of said first and second surfaces for mounting said electrically conductive means and said interposed means in assembled relation adjacent said conductive housing portion of said alternator.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 in which said spaced electrically conductive means having a first surface includes an electrically and thermally conductive plate, a bolt is threaded to said alternator portion urging said plate into compressive association with said interposed means, an electrical output lead is urged into conductive engagement with said plate by said bolt, and means are provided for insulating said bolt from said plate and said electrical output lead.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 1 in which said first surface providing means is provided with heat dissipation fins.

Claim 5

The combination comprising: a plurality of output lead means; an electrically and thermally conductive housing member exposed for direct air cooling having a recessed portion providing a first surface; a second electrically conductive member spaced from said recess member and providing a second surface; means located within the recess and interposed between said first and second surfaces for providing a separate unidirectionally conductive path from each of said output lead means to each of said first and second surface portions including; means for receiving an alternating electrical current; first And second semiconductive pellets separated by said receiving means and each containing layer portions of opposite conductivity type forming a rectifying junction therebetween; said first semiconductive pellets associated with each of said receiving means having a first conductivity type layer portion lying in thermally and ohmically conductive relation with said first surface of said recessed member; said second semiconductive pellets associated with each of said receiving means having an opposite conductivity type layer portion lying in ohmically conductive relation with said second surface of said second member; and dielectric passivant means peripherally bonded to and surrounding each of said semiconductive pellets and lying within the recess for protection thereof against contamination; means sealingly cooperating with said first and second members peripherally of the recess for electrically separating said members and for providing supplementary protection for said semiconductive pellets; and means electrically isolated from at least one of said first and second surfaces for mounting said members and said interposed means in assembled relation.

Claim 6

The combination comprising: a plurality of output lead means; an electrically and thermally conductive housing member exposed for direct air cooling having a recessed portion providing a first surface; a second electrically conductive member spaced from said recess member and providing a second surface; means located within the recess and interposed between said first and second surfaces for providing a separate unidirectionally conductive path from each of said output lead means to each of said first and second surface portions including; means for receiving an alternating electrical current; first And second semiconductive pellets separated by said receiving means and each containing layer portions of opposite conductivity type forming a rectifying junction therebetween; said first semiconductive pellets associated with each of said receiving means having a first conductivity type layer portion lying in thermally and ohmically conductive relation with said first surface of said recessed member; said second semiconductive pellets associated with each of said receiving means having an opposite conductivity type layer portion lying in ohmically conductive relation with said second surface of said second member; and dielectric passivant means peripherally bonded to and surrounding each of said semiconductive pellets and lying within the recess for protection thereof against contamination; means sealingly cooperating with said first and second members peripherally of the recess for electrically separating said members and for providing supplementary protection for said semiconductive pellets; and means electrically isolated from at least one of said first and second surfaces for mounting said members and said interposed means in assembled relation.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 4 additionally including an aperture extending through one of said first and second members, a portion of each of said receiving means extending through the aperture, and means electrically insulating said receiving means from each other and from said one member.

Claim 8

The combination comprising: an alternator including an electrically and thermally conductive housing having an aperture therethrough defining grooves and lugs peripherally thereof, said housing defining a mounting surface surrounding the aperture; an electrically conductive plate including an opposed surface spaced from said alternator housing mounting surface having a bore therein aligned with the aperture; means interposed between said mounting and opposed surfaces including; a plurality of conductive strip means each including a first portion extending substantially parallel to said mounting and opposed surfaces and a second portion extending through the aperture; first and second semiconductive means associated with each of said strip means and each containing layer portions of opposite conductivity type forming a rectifying junction therebetween; each of said first semiconductive means including a first conductivity type layer portion ohmically and thermally conductively associated with said first portion of said strip means and a second conductivity type layer portion providing a major surface remote from said strip means lying in ohmically and thermally conductive relation with said mounting surface of said alternator housing; each of said second semiconductive means including a second conductivity type layer portion ohmically and thermally associated with said first portion of said strip means and a first conductivity type layer portion providing a major surface remote from said strip means lying in electrically conductive relation with said opposed surface of said electrically conductive plate; an insulative lock coupler associated with said second portions of said strip means and carrying peripherally spaced lugs for overlying said lugs of said alternator housing, said lock coupler having a threaded aperture therein; and a mounting bolt extending through the bore of said electrically conductive plate and being threadedly engaged with the threaded aperture of said lock coupler to compressively urge said opposed surface toward said mounting surface and against said interposed semiconductive means.

Claim 9

The combination comprising: an alternator including an electrically and thermally conductive housing having an aperture therethrough defining grooves and lugs peripherally thereof, said housing defining a mounting surface surrounding the aperture; an electrically conductive plate including an opposed surface spaced from said alternator housing mounting surface having a bore therein aligned with the aperture; means interposed between said mounting and opposed surfaces including; a plurality of conductive strip means each including a first portion extending substantially parallel to said mounting and opposed surfaces and a second portion extending through the aperture; first and second semiconductive means associated with each of said strip means and each containing layer portions of opposite conductivity type forming a rectifying junction therebetween; each of said first semiconductive means including a first conductivity type layer portion ohmically and thermally conductively associated with said first portion of said strip means and a second conductivity type layer portion providing a major surface remote from said strip means lying in ohmically and thermally conductive relation with said mounting surface of said alternator housing; each of said second semiconductive means including a second conductivity type layer portion ohmically and thermally associated with said first portion of said strip means and a first conductivity type layer portion providing a major surface remote from said strip means lying in electrically conductive relation with said opposed surface of said electrically conductive plate; an insulative lock coupler associated with said second portions of said strip means and carrying peripherally spaced lugs for overlying said lugs of said alternator housing, said lock coupler having a threaded aperture therein; and a mounting bolt extending through the bore of said electrically conductive plate and being threadedly engaged with the threaded aperture of said lock coupler to compressively urge said opposed surface toward said mounting surface and against said interposed semiconductive means.

Claim 10

The combination according to claim 6 additionally including lead means for conducting a rectified current interposed between said mounting bolt and said electrically conductive plate.