Busbar
A busbar according to an embodiment includes an outer sheath enclosing a cavity and a metal foam contained in the cavity. A porosity formed within the metal foam is at least partially filled with a phase change material.
1 . A busbar, comprising:
an outer sheath enclosing a cavity; and
a metal foam contained in the cavity, a porosity formed within the metal foam is at least partially filled with a phase change material.
2 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the metal foam is connected to the outer sheath.
3 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the outer sheath has a wall thickness of at least 1 mm.
4 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein at least 60% of the porosity of the metal foam is filled with the phase change material.
5 . The busbar of claim 4 , wherein at least 80% of the porosity of the metal foam is filled with the phase change material.
6 . The busbar of claim 5 , wherein at least 98% of the porosity of the metal foam is filled with the phase change material.
7 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the porosity of the metal foam is at least 30% open-pored.
8 . The busbar of claim 7 , wherein the porosity of the metal foam is at least 50% open-pored.
9 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein a minimum porosity of the metal foam is at least 10 pores per inch.
10 . The busbar of claim 9 , wherein the minimum porosity of the metal foam is at least 20 pores per inch.
11 . The busbar of claim 10 , wherein the minimum porosity of the metal foam is at least 30 pores per inch.
12 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the outer sheath is formed of a plastic.
13 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the outer sheath and/or the metal foam include copper, a copper allow, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy.
14 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the outer sheath and the metal foam consist of a same material.
15 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the phase change material has a phase change temperature between 40 and 130° C.
16 . The busbar of claim 15 , wherein the phase change material has only a solid-liquid transition around the phase change temperature.
17 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the phase change material is based on a paraffin.
18 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the phase change material is biodegradable.
19 . An electrically powered motor vehicle, comprising:
a busbar in a current conduction path from a charging contact element to or into a battery of the electrically powered motor vehicle, the busbar includes an outer sheath enclosing a cavity and a metal foam contained in the cavity, a porosity formed within the metal foam is at least partially filled with a phase change material.