# US 2018/0027693 A1 · Thermal cooling interface for electrical joints > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0027693 A1 - Document ID: US20180027693A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/216,393 - Filed: 2016-07-21 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-21 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Peter James Greenwood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180027693A1 ## CPC - H02G 5/10: Cooling - F28F 13/08: by varying the cross-section of the flow channels - H05K 7/2039: {characterised by the heat transfer by conduction from the heat generating element to a dissipating body (arrangements for increasing/decreasing heat-transfer, e.g. fins details, F28F13/00)} - H01R 25/145: {Details, e.g. end pieces or joints (H01R25/147 takes precedence)} - H02B 1/56: Cooling; Ventilation - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H02B: BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER ## Abstract An electrical joint is provided. The electrical joint includes a first conductive component, a second conductive component, and a thermal cooling interface positioned between the first and second conductive components, the thermal cooling interface including a base plate coupled to the first conductive component, and a plurality of walls extending orthogonally from the base plate towards the second conductive component, the plurality of walls defining a plurality of cooling channels that channel air therethrough to facilitate cooling the first and second conductive components, wherein the first conductive component, the thermal cooling interface, and the second conductive component are electrically coupled in series. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical joint comprising: a first conductive component; a second conductive component spaced from said first conductive component; and a thermal cooling interface positioned between said first and second conductive components, said thermal cooling interface comprising: a base plate coupled to said first conductive component; and a plurality of walls extending from said base plate towards said second conductive component, said plurality of walls defining a plurality of enclosed cooling channels to channel air therethrough to facilitate cooling said first and second conductive components, wherein said first conductive component, said thermal cooling interface, and said second conductive component are electrically coupled in series. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An electrical joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of walls define a plurality of substantially vertically oriented cooling channels. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An electrical joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of walls comprise at least one sidewall, said at least one side all having a plurality of apertures defined therethrough to increase air flow through the plurality of cooling channels. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An electrical joint in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a fastener coupling said first and second conductive components, wherein said thermal cooling interface comprises a compression limiting feature that defines a fastener aperture therethrough, and wherein said fastener extends through the fastener aperture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An electrical joint in accordance with claim 4, wherein said compression limiting feature defines a high pressure zone within one of the plurality of cooling channels, and wherein a wall of said plurality of walls includes a pressure relief aperture defined therethrough and proximate the high pressure zone to alleviate pressure in the high pressure zone. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An electrical joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein each wall of said plurality of walls comprises a top surface that contacts said second conductive component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An electrical joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein each wall of said plurality of walls comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein said leading and trailing edges have an aerodynamic profile to increase air flow through said thermal cooling interface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An electrical joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein said thermal cooling interface is integrally formed with said first conductive component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An electrical joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein said thermal cooling interface defines a current path in series between said first and second conductive components. ### Claim 10 A thermal cooling interface for electrically coupling a first conductive component to a second conductive component, said thermal cooling interface positionable between the first and second conductive components and comprising: a base plate coupled to the first conductive component when said thermal cooling interface is positioned between the first and second conductive components; and a plurality of walls extending orthogonally from said base plate towards the second conductive component, said plurality of walls defining a plurality of enclosed cooling channels that channel air therethrough to facilitate cooling the first and second conductive components, wherein the first conductive component, said thermal cooling interface, and the second conductive component are electrically coupled in series. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A thermal cooling interface in accordance with claim 10, wherein said plurality of walls define a plurality of substantially vertically oriented cooling channels when said thermal cooling interface is positioned between the first and second conductive components. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A thermal cooling interface in accordance with claim 10, wherein said plurality of walls comprise at least one sidewall, said at least one sidewall having a plurality of apertures defined therethrough to increase air flow through the plurality of cooling channels. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A thermal cooling interface in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a compression limiting feature that defines a fastener aperture therethrough. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A thermal cooling interface in accordance with claim 13, wherein said compression limiting feature defines a high pressure zone within one of the plurality of cooling channels, and wherein a wall of said plurality of walls includes a pressure relief aperture defined therethrough and proximate the high pressure zone to alleviate pressure in the high pressure zone. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A thermal cooling interface in accordance with claim 10, wherein each wall of said plurality of walls comprises a top surface that contacts the second conductive component when said thermal cooling interface is positioned between the first and second conductive components. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) A thermal cooling interface in accordance with claim 10, wherein each wall of said plurality of walls comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein said leading and trailing edges have an aerodynamic profile to increase air flow through said thermal cooling interface. ### Claim 17 A method of assembling an electrical joint, said method comprising: positioning first and second conductive components proximate one another; positioning a thermal cooling interface between the first and second conductive components, the thermal cooling interface including a base plate coupled to the first conductive component, and a plurality of walls extending orthogonally from the base plate towards the second conductive component, the plurality of walls defining a plurality of enclosed cooling channels that channel air therethrough to facilitate cooling the first and second conductive components; and coupling the first conductive component to the second conductive component using at least one of a fastener and a clamp, wherein the first conductive component, the thermal cooling interface, and the second conductive component are electrically coupled in series. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein coupling the first conductive component to the second conductive component comprises inserting at least one fastener through at least one fastener aperture defined in the thermal cooling interface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein positioning a thermal cooling interface comprises positioning the thermal cooling interface such that a top surface of each of the plurality of walls contacts the second conductive component. ### Claim 20 An electrical joint comprising: a first conductive component comprising a first thermal cooling interface portion having a first plurality of walls; and a second conductive component comprising a second thermal cooling interface portion having a second plurality of walls, wherein the first plurality of walls contact the second plurality of walls to define a plurality of cooling channels that channel air therethrough to facilitate cooling said first and second conductive components, and wherein the first and second thermal cooling interface portions define a current path between the first and second conductive components.