Technique for joining dissimilar sized electrical leads

Abstract

An electrical joint is provided between first and second electrical leads having different inner diameters. It comprises an electrically conductive transition post including a disk-shaped a separation member, a first cylindrical mounting post having a first diameter integral with the separation member and extending away therefrom in a first direction, and a second cylindrical mounting post having a second diameter integral with the separation member and extending away therefrom in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. The separation member lies in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first and second mounting posts and has a diameter greater than that of either the first or the second mounting post. A first electrical lead is fittingly received on the first mounting post and a second electrical lead is fittingly received on the second mounting post. In each instance, the free ends of the electrical leads abut the separation member. Thereupon, the first and second electrical leads are welded to the first and second mounting posts, respectively, such that electrical continuity is achieved between the first and second electrical leads. In another embodiment, each of the first and second mounting posts may have a threaded outer peripheral surface for engageably receiving thereon an associated one of the electrical leads.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.