US 4,533,798 AGranted

Current transfer shunt arrangement

AssigneeMcGraw-Edison Company

InventorsJoseph W. Yatchum, David F. Giegel

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Abstract

A high-current shunt is disclosed for carrying current between relatively fixed and movable terminals in a mechanism for controlling the transfer of electrical energy. In one embodiment a plurality of generally oval, flexible, ribbon-like electrical conductors are used to bridge the gap between two spaced apart coaxial base members. Each ribbon-like conductor is suspended between the two base elements so as to have a generally U-shaped configuration. By connecting the conductors to each base element at a single point, the two base elements may be rotated relative to each other to a limited degree. Stacking and nesting of the ribbon conductors increases the current carrying capability. Good electrical contact is established within a relatively small volume and relatively little force is required to rotate the two elements relative to each other.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A current transfer shunt, comprising:

(a) a shaft defining an axis of rotation;
(b) base means for rotatably mounting said shaft;
(c) a first support plate carried by said shaft at generally right angles to said axis of said shaft;
(d) a second support plate fixedly carried by said base means and disposed generally parallel to and axially separated from said first support plate;
and
(e) at least one generally oval, flat, flexible electrical conductor which when flattened defines two generally parallel and opposite sides and two semi-circular complementary sides disposed between and connected to said two parallel sides, said one conductor being suspended between and connected to said first and second support plates generally at the center of each semi-circular side with the plane of said semi-circular sides disposed generally parallel to and spaced apart from each other and at right angles to said axis of said shaft,
whereby upon rotation of said shaft one end of each semi-circular side is pulled away from one of said first and second support plates and the opposite end is urged against the same support plate.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.