US4538169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated alternator bridge heat sink
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1982-11-04
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Granted: 1985-08-27
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Expires: 2002-11-04
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided for sinking heat from the diodes of an alternator bridge whereby the heat is transferred directly to the alternator casting. A mounting base is mounted on the alternator case in a manner to provide both thermal and electrical conductivity. A thin layer of thermally conductive, but electrically isolating, epoxy is sandwiched between a plate and a portion of the mounting base. "Negative" diodes are placed on the mounting base and "positive" diodes are placed on the plate so that electrical contact is made. Heat from the "negative" diodes is transferred through the mounting base and from the "positive" diodes through the plate and mounting base to the alternator casting, thereby reducing the thermal resistance and eliminating a need for large, "finned" heatsinks. The "negative" diodes or "positive" diodes may comprise a low voltage avalanche die, thereby providing for high energy transient suppression in the alternator. Trio diodes and a radio suppression capacitor may be mounted directly on the mounting base or plate.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Smith
- 👤 Theodore R. Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:51
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W90/00; H10W40/00; H10W40/20; H10W40/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for transferring heat from one or more first electronic devices and one or more second electronic devices to a frame, comprising: a mounting base of heat and electrical conducting material thermally and electrically connected to said frame, said first electronic device connected to a first portion of said mounting base, said mounting base for coupling to receive a first voltage; a first layer of thermally conductive epoxy adjacent a second portion of said mounting base, said layer being electrically nonconductive; and a plate of thermal and electrical conducting material adjacent said layer, a first portion of said plate thermally and electrically connected to said second electronic device and for coupling to receive a second voltage, wherein heat generated by said first electronic device may transfer through said mounting base to said frame, heat generated by said second electronic device may transfer through said plate, said material, and said mounting base to said frame.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for transferring heat from one or more first electronic devices and one or more second electronic devices to a frame, comprising: a mounting base of heat and electrical conducting material thermally and electrically connected to said frame, said first electronic device connected to a first portion of said mounting base, said mounting base for coupling to receive a first voltage; a first layer of thermally conductive epoxy adjacent a second portion of said mounting base, said layer being electrically nonconductive; and a plate of thermal and electrical conducting material adjacent said layer, a first portion of said plate thermally and electrically connected to said second electronic device and for coupling to receive a second voltage, wherein heat generated by said first electronic device may transfer through said mounting base to said frame, heat generated by said second electronic device may transfer through said plate, said material, and said mounting base to said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a second layer of thermal conductive epoxy adjacent a second portion of said plate, said layer being electrically nonconductive; and one or more third electronic devices thermally and electrically connected to said second layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode being adjacent said mounting base so as to provide electrical contact therebetween, said second electrode being electrically connected to said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
154 words
An alternator bridge including three negative diodes and three positive diodes, each having an anode and a cathode, further including an apparatus for sinking heat from said negative diodes and said positive diodes to a casting enclosing an alternator having three stator windings, said apparatus comprising: a mounting base of thermal and electrical conductive material attached to said casting in a manner for providing thermal and electrical conductivity and having said negative diodes electrically and thermally connected thereto; a first layer attached to said mounting base next to said negative diodes, said layer being thermally conductive and electrically nonconductive; and a plate of thermal and electrical conductive material attached to said first layer in a manner for providing thermal conductivity, a first portion of said plate electrically and thermally connected to said positive diodes, said plate for coupling to receive a first voltage, and said mounting base for coupling to receive a second voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
An alternator bridge including three negative diodes and three positive diodes, each having an anode and a cathode, further including an apparatus for sinking heat from said negative diodes and said positive diodes to a casting enclosing an alternator having three stator windings, said apparatus comprising: a mounting base of thermal and electrical conductive material attached to said casting in a manner for providing thermal and electrical conductivity and having said negative diodes electrically and thermally connected thereto; a first layer attached to said mounting base next to said negative diodes, said layer being thermally conductive and electrically nonconductive; and a plate of thermal and electrical conductive material attached to said first layer in a manner for providing thermal conductivity, a first portion of said plate electrically and thermally connected to said positive diodes, said plate for coupling to receive a first voltage, and said mounting base for coupling to receive a second voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The alternator bridge according to claim 4 wherein said apparatus further comprises: a second layer of thermal conductive epoxy adjacent a second portion of said plate, said layer being electrically nonconductive; and at least three "trio" diodes thermally and electrically connected to said second layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The alternator bridge according to claim 4 wherein said apparatus further comprises a capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, said first electrode being adjacent said mounting base so as to provide electrical contact therebetween, said second electrode being electrically connected to said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The alternator bridge according to claim 4 wherein said apparatus further comprises terminals connected to each of said negative diodes and said positive diodes for direct connection to a stator of an alternator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The alternator bridge according to claim 4 further comprising one or more fins integrally mounted on said mounting base and extending into an airflow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The alternator bridge according to claim 8 wherein said fins extend through an aperture in said casting into said airflow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The alternator bridge according to claim 4 wherein at least three of said negative diodes and said positive diodes comprise a low voltage avalanche die.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-26 | 1989-02-25 | 1989-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-26 | 1993-02-25 | 1993-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-26 | 1997-02-25 | 1997-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |