Electrical connector using a canted coil multi-metallic wire
View Patent ↗A canted coil spring made from multi-metallic wire to achieve combinations of desired material characteristics of different metals is discussed. Wire to be used in canted coil springs can have two or more metals oriented co-axially along such wire, such as an outer layer of one metal having one set of properties, and a core of a different metal having a different set of properties, that will achieve a single solid, multi-metallic wire with enhanced performance over a single material canted coil spring. Such features may be found advantageous in electrical applications, such as where both high electrical conductivity and high strength properties are desired.
1. A method for connecting and conducting electricity between a first body and a second body in an application above 200 degrees Celsius comprising:
inserting an elongated body of the second body comprising an external groove into a bore of the first body comprising an internal groove;
positioning a canted coil spring comprising a plurality of coils in a common groove defined by the first body and the second body so that the plurality of coils contact the external groove and the internal groove; and
applying electrical current between the first body and the second body and through the spring;
exposing the first body and the second body to a temperature greater than 210 degrees Celsius; and
wherein said spring comprising an inner core made from a highly electrically conductive material with a circumference and a secondary layer outside the core and completely surrounding the circumference of the core; said secondary layer comprising a high modulus and high tensile strength material.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the core is made from a copper material.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of coils contact two sidewalls of the internal groove.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the secondary layer is at least one of coated and co-drawn with or to the inner bore.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spring has two ends that are spaced from one another.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first body and the second body are disposed in a wind turbine comprising at least one rotatable blade.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first body and the second body is plated with a conductive material.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first body or the second body is directly or indirectly connected to a battery terminal.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the battery terminal is located in a water bearing vessel.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the internal groove of the first body comprises two sidewalls and a bottom wall that tapers relative to the two sidewalls.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the external groove of the second body comprises two sidewalls and a bottom wall located therebetween.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first body comprises an internal groove comprising two sidewalls and a bottom wall having a flat bottom surface.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising an outer layer surrounding the secondary layer.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the outer layer is made from a corrosion resistant material comprising titanium.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the spring is a radial canted coil spring.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the secondary layer comprises steel and the outer layer is a highly corrosion resistant metal.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the outer layer comprises silver or titanium.
18. A method for transferring electrical current between a first member and a second member at a temperature of 210 degrees Celsius or higher, the method comprising:
providing a common groove defined by surfaces of the first member and the second member,
disposing a multi-metallic canted coil spring comprising a plurality of coils in the common groove, said multi-metallic canted coil spring functions as a conduit for electrical conduction between the first member and the second member;
causing current to flow between the first member and the second member and through the canted coil spring;
exposing the first member, the second member, and the canted coil spring to a temperature of 210 degrees Celsius or higher; and
wherein the canted coil spring includes an inner core made from a highly electrically conductive material comprising a circumference and a secondary layer outside the core and completely surrounding the circumference of the core; said secondary layer comprising a high modulus and high tensile strength material.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising connecting a lead cable to at least one of the first member and the second member for carrying electrical current across a disconnectable interface.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein said canted coil spring has a wire outside diameter of less than 0.0035 inch, a spring ring inside diameter of less than 0.050 inch.
21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising an outer layer surrounding the secondary layer.
22. The method of claim 18 , wherein the core comprises copper.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the secondary layer comprises steel.
24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising a tertiary layer of a highly corrosion resistant metal outside and completely surrounding the secondary layer.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the tertiary layer comprises silver or titanium.