US 5,310,032 A · Power conductor rail

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a power conductor rail structure is provided using a multi-metallic construction. The composite rail of the invention includes an asymmetrical steel portion having a top flange thickness greater than that of the bottom flange in a generally I-shaped configuration with spaced apertures along the length of the web. Aluminum cladding is cast onto both sides of the web with a cold rolled high conductivity layer, such as copper disposed between the aluminum and steel on either side of the web and having holes corresponding in size and shape to the apertures of the web. The aluminum cladding extends through the web apertures producing a multi-metallic sandwich construction. The high conductivity layers provide a mechanical bond between the steel and aluminum and reduces transfer resistance and increasing overall conductivity. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the top flange is formed with openings with the aluminum cladding filling the openings so that the aluminum cladding forms part of the electrical contact surface, in one embodiment by additionally forming a continuous, longitudinally extending, aluminum filled groove in the contact surface of the rail.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A power conductor rail system comprising:

a steel rail including a longitudinal axis, a flange having an upper surface, a web integrally formed with the flange, and a groove formed in the flange, the groove penetrating the upper surface and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis;
and
an aluminum portion secured to the steel rail, the aluminum portion filling the groove so that the aluminum portion is substantially flush with the upper surface of the steel rail, the aluminum portion in the groove and the upper surface forming an electrical contact surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power conductor rail

Life of this patent

Power conductor rail

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11