Self-contained transformer-rectifier assembly

Claim 2

A self contained transformer-rectifier assembly comprising: a tank having an upper opening; a dielectric and insulating liquid in said tank; a transformer received in said tank and immersed in said dielectric liquid; a massive heat sink of thermally and electrically conductive material mounted on said tank and having a first portion located out of said tank and a second portion extending downwardly into the tank through said opening and into the dielectric liquid; means for circulating a liquid electrically insulating coolant separate and distinct from said dielectric liquid within said first portion of the heat sink; a plurality of rectifier elements mounted on said first portion; and a means for electrically connecting the transformer and rectifier elements.

Claim 3

A self contained assembly accordiNg to claim 1, wherein the heat sink consists of a mounting block whose underside has a plurality of heat radiating parallel fins integral with the block, said fins dipping into the dielectric liquid.

Claim 4

A self contained assembly according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of fins include two reinforced end fins and intermediate fins, said end fins projecting downwardly from the underside of the block by an amount greater than the intermediate fins.

Claim 5

A self contained assembly according to claim 3, having dismountable electrically insulating means for connecting said transformer and end fins.

Claim 6

A self contained assembly according to claim 4, wherein said first portion is provided with means for receiving a lifting mechanism.

Claim 7

A self contained assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tank is of a material having poor heat conduction properties.

Claim 8

A self contained transformer-rectifier assembly comprising a tank for receiving a dielectric liquid and having an upper opening; a transformer in said tank; an electrically and thermally conductive heat sink having an upper portion and a lower portion integral with the upper portion; said lower portion being formed with a plurality of parallel heat exchange fins, said heat sink being mounted across the opening with its lower portion extending downwardly into the tank and its upper portion extending outwardly out of the tank; at least one row of solid state rectifying elements mounted on said upper portion and in thermal contact therewith; passage means formed in said upper portion in a direction substantially parallel to said row and transversal to said fins; and means for circulating a liquid coolant separate and distinct from said dielectric liquid along said passage means.

Claim 9

A self contained transformer-rectifier assembly comprising a tank for receiving a dielectric liquid and having an upper opening; a transformer in said tank; an electrically and thermally conductive heat sink having an upper portion and a lower portion integral with the upper portion; said lower portion being formed with a plurality of parallel heat exchange fins, said heat sink being mounted across the opening with its lower portion extending downwardly into the tank and its upper portion extending outwardly out of the tank; at least one row of solid state rectifying elements mounted on said upper portion and in thermal contact therewith; passage means formed in said upper portion in a direction substantially parallel to said row and transversal to said fins; and means for circulating a liquid coolant separate and distinct from said dielectric liquid along said passage means.

Claim 10

A self contained assembly according to claim 7, having two rows of said rectifying elements mounted one on each of two opposed surfaces formed on said outer portion.

Claim 11

An assembly according to claim 7, wherein said heat sink is a casting of a metal or alloy of high thermal and electrical conductivity.

Claim 12

An assembly according to claim 7, having electrically insulating connecting means securing said transformer and heat sink.

Claim 13

An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the tank and heat sink are so constructed and arranged that the major portion at least of the heat evolved by said rectifier elements and transformer is taken by said liquid coolant.

Claim 14

An assembly according to claim 7, wherein said tank is of a material such as plastics or reinforced plastics which is resistant to a corrosive environment.

Claim 15

A self contained transformer-rectifier assembly comprising a tank, a dielectric and electrically insulating liquid in said tank; a transformer received in said tank and immersed in said dielectric liquid; a solid mounting block of high thermal and electrical conductivity; electrically insulating means for connecting said block to the upper portion of said tank; solid state rectifying elements carried by said block and in thermal contact therewith; electrical connection means for connecting said transformer and rectifying elements; passage means formed in said mounting block; means for circulating a liquid coolant separate and distinct from said dielectric liquid along said passage means for cooling said block; and means for transferring heat from said dielectric liquid to said block.

Claim 16

A self contained transformer-rectifier assembly comprising a tank, a dielectric and electrically insulating liquid in said tank; a transformer received in said tank and immersed in said dielectric liquid; a solid mounting block of high thermal and electrical conductivity; electrically insulating means for connecting said block to the upper portion of said tank; solid state rectifying elements carried by said block and in thermal contact therewith; electrical connection means for connecting said transformer and rectifying elements; passage means formed in said mounting block; means for circulating a liquid coolant separate and distinct from said dielectric liquid along said passage means for cooling said block; and means for transferring heat from said dielectric liquid to said block.

Claim 17

An assembly according to claim 13, wherein said means for transferring heat from said dielectric liquid to said mounting block comprise means for circulating said dielectric liquid along a path a part of which is formed in said block.

Claim 18

An assembly according to claim 14, wherein said path is partially limited by fins integral with said block and projecting into the dielectric liquid through an upper opening of said tank.

Claim 19

An assembly according to claim 14, wherein said path comprises conduit means extending form said tank, inside the mounting block and back into said tank and pumping means for circulating sAid dielectric liquid along said path; said conduit means for the dielectric liquid being substantially parallel to the passage means for the coolant in said mounting block.