US5517063A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three phase power bridge assembly
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1994-06-10
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Granted: 1996-05-14
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Expires: 2014-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A power bridge assembly for providing electric current to stator windings of an electric motor used in an electric propulsion system for an electric vehicle. The power bridge is assembled on a laminated bus bar. An upper plate of the bus bar connects to one side of a high voltage battery, a lower plate of the bus bar connects to the other side of the high voltage battery, and an insulation layer is sandwiched between the upper and lower plates. Electrical switches and capacitors sandwich the laminated bus bar. With this structure, two fasteners, one for positive voltage and one for negative voltage, can connect the bus bar, capacitors, and switches both electrically and mechanically. The sandwich structure eliminates parasitic inductance from the electrical connections.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Schantz, Jr.
- 👤 James H. DeOms
- 👤 Brian H. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:27
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L15/00; B60L15/007; B60L3/00; H; H02; H02M; H02M7/00; H02M7/003; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system, comprising: a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal; an electronic switch having a first terminal and a second terminal; a laminated bus bar having first and second overlapping sections; and means for electrically and mechanically connecting the first terminal of the capacitor, the first terminal of the switch, and the first section of the bus bar to one another; and for connecting the second terminal of the capacitor, the second terminal of the switch, and the second section of the bus bar to one another, said electronic switch comprising at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system, comprising: a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal; an electronic switch having a first terminal and a second terminal; a laminated bus bar having first and second overlapping sections; and means for electrically and mechanically connecting the first terminal of the capacitor, the first terminal of the switch, and the first section of the bus bar to one another; and for connecting the second terminal of the capacitor, the second terminal of the switch, and the second section of the bus bar to one another, said electronic switch comprising at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system, comprising: a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal; an electronic switch having a first input terminal and a second input terminal; a bus bar having a first electrically conducting section and a second electrically conducting section, the bus bar being sandwiched between the capacitor and the switch; first electrically conducting connecting means for connecting the first terminal of the capacitor, the first terminal of the switch, and the first section of the bus bar to one another; and second electrically conducting connecting means for connecting the second terminal of the capacitor, the second terminal of the switch, and the second section of the bus bar to one another, said electronic switch comprising at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system, comprising: a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal; an electronic switch having a first input terminal and a second input terminal; a bus bar having a first electrically conducting section and a second electrically conducting section, the bus bar being sandwiched between the capacitor and the switch; first electrically conducting connecting means for connecting the first terminal of the capacitor, the first terminal of the switch, and the first section of the bus bar to one another; and second electrically conducting connecting means for connecting the second terminal of the capacitor, the second terminal of the switch, and the second section of the bus bar to one another, said electronic switch comprising at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bus bar is U-shaped and wherein the switching assembly comprises a dual power bridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bus bar is linear and wherein the switching assembly comprises a single power bridge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch comprises first and second insulated gate bipolar transistors each having a collector and an emitter, the emitter of the first transistor being connected to the collector of the second transistor, the first input terminal being connected to the collector of the first transistor, the second input terminal being connected to the emitter of the second transistor, and the switch further comprising an output terminal connected to the emitter of the first transistor and the collector of the second transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: second and third capacitors; and second and third switches; wherein the bus bar is sandwiched between the second capacitor and the second switch and wherein the bus bar is sandwiched between the third capacitor and the third switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first section of the bus bar comprises an upper plate, the second section of the bus bar comprises a lower plate, and the bus bar further comprises an insulator sandwiched between the upper and lower plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second connecting means comprise screws.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch is encased in potting compound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the capacitor is encased in potting compound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
214 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system for converting input direct current to output alternating current for driving an electric vehicle propulsion system, comprising: a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal; an electronic switch comprising: first and second insulated gate bipolar transistors each having a gate, a collector, and an emitter, the emitter of the first transistor being connected to the collector of the second transistor; a first input terminal connected to the collector of the first transistor; a second input terminal connected to the emitter of the second transistor; and an output terminal connected to the emitter of the first transistor and the collector of the second transistor; a bus bar having an upper plate, a lower plate, and an insulator sandwiched between the upper and lower plates, the bus bar being sandwiched between the capacitor and the switch; first electrically conducting connecting means for electrically and mechanically connecting the first terminal of the capacitor, the first input terminal of the switch, and the upper plate of the bus bar to one another; and second electrically conducting connecting means for electrically and mechanically connecting the second terminal of the capacitor, the second input terminal of the switch, and the lower plate of the bus bar to one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
214 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system for converting input direct current to output alternating current for driving an electric vehicle propulsion system, comprising: a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal; an electronic switch comprising: first and second insulated gate bipolar transistors each having a gate, a collector, and an emitter, the emitter of the first transistor being connected to the collector of the second transistor; a first input terminal connected to the collector of the first transistor; a second input terminal connected to the emitter of the second transistor; and an output terminal connected to the emitter of the first transistor and the collector of the second transistor; a bus bar having an upper plate, a lower plate, and an insulator sandwiched between the upper and lower plates, the bus bar being sandwiched between the capacitor and the switch; first electrically conducting connecting means for electrically and mechanically connecting the first terminal of the capacitor, the first input terminal of the switch, and the upper plate of the bus bar to one another; and second electrically conducting connecting means for electrically and mechanically connecting the second terminal of the capacitor, the second input terminal of the switch, and the lower plate of the bus bar to one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 11 further comprising: second and third capacitors; and second and third switches; wherein the bus bar is sandwiched between the second capacitor and the second switch and wherein the bus bar is sandwiched between the third capacitor and the third switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second connecting means are screws.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the switch is encased in plastic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the capacitor is encased in plastic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bus bar is U-shaped and wherein the switching assembly is a dual power bridge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A switching assembly for an electric vehicle propulsion system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bus bar is linear and wherein the switching assembly comprises a single power bridge.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-14 | 1999-11-13 | 2000-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-14 | 2003-11-13 | 2004-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-14 | 2007-11-13 | 2008-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |