Actively cooled electrical connection

An actively cooled electrical connection comprising:

• a first electrical conductor assembly having a first conductor assembly flow channel;
• a second electrical conductor assembly having a second conductor assembly flow channel;
• a first electrical connector attached to the first conductor assembly, wherein the first electrical connector includes a first connector flow channel in fluid communication with the first conductor assembly flow channel;
• and
• a second electrical connector attached to the second conductor assembly and selectively connectable to the first connector, wherein the second electrical connector includes a second connector flow channel in fluid communication with the second conductor assembly flow channel, wherein the first and second connector flow channels are adapted to direct at least one flow of heat transfer medium through the first and second conductor assembly flow channels and through the first and second connectors, wherein at least a portion of the at least one flow of heat transfer medium is directed towards a separable interface between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector.

A method for providing electrical power comprising:

• providing an electrical connector connected to an electrical conductor assembly;
• actively cooling the electrical conductor assembly with a flow of heat transfer medium flowing substantially along a length of the electrical conductor assembly;
• and
• actively passing a desired current through the electrical conductor assembly and electrical connector, wherein the current is greater than a rated current capacity of at least the electrical connector without active cooling.

A actively cooled electrical connection comprising:

• a first electrical conductor assembly;
• a first electrical connector including a first mating surface extending along a longitudinal direction of the first electrical connector, wherein the first electrical connector is attached to the first electrical conductor assembly;
• and
• a second electrical connector including a second mating surface extending along a longitudinal direction of the second electrical connector, wherein one of the first and second mating surfaces includes a plurality of compliant electrical contacts adapted to selectively connect the first and second electrical connectors, and wherein the first conductor assembly and the first and second electrical connector are adapted to direct at least one flow of heat transfer medium through the first conductor assembly and the first and second connectors, wherein at least a portion of the at least one flow of heat transfer medium is directed towards the plurality of compliant electrical contacts located at a separable interface between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector.

An electrical connector block comprising:

• a housing;
• at least one electrical connector disposed in the housing;
• at least one heat transfer medium inlet disposed in the housing;
• and
• at least one connector block flow channel disposed in the housing in fluid communication with the at least one inlet and adapted to direct a flow of heat transfer medium through the housing, wherein at least a portion of the flow of heat transfer medium is directed towards a separable interface between the at least one electrical connector and at least one mating electrical connector when the at least one electrical connector and the mating electrical connector are connected.