System for insulating high current busbars

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016305036-A1
Application number	US-201315101352-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 3, 2013
Priority date	Dec 3, 2013
Publication date	Oct 20, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method of treating a surface of an aluminum busbar includes pre-conditioning the surface of the busbar, anodizing one portion of the surface of the busbar, and plating another portion of the surface of the busbar with at least one metal. A fixture used to secure a busbar for a treatment process is also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of treating a surface of an aluminum busbar, the method comprising:
pre-conditioning the surface of the busbar; anodizing one portion of the surface of the busbar; and plating another portion of the surface of the busbar with at least one metal.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein anodizing one portion of the surface of the busbar includes securing the busbar in a sealing jig.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein anodizing one portion of the surface of the busbar further includes de-smutting the busbar with an acid solution.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein anodizing one portion of the surface of the busbar further includes applying an anodizing agent.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein anodizing one portion of the surface of the busbar further includes coloring the busbar with a water/dye solution and sealing the busbar with water.

6 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising applying a protective layer on the one portion of the surface of the busbar.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the protective layer is fabricated from PTFE.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the sealing jig is removed after applying the protective layer.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the plating process includes plating the another portion of the busbar with at least one zinc coating.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the plating process further includes plating the another portion of the busbar with a nickel coating.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the plating process further includes plating the another portion of the busbar with a tin coating.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the plating process further includes neutralizing the another portion of the busbar, and subjecting the another portion of the busbar to a post dip step.

13 . A fixture used to secure a busbar for a treatment process, the fixture comprising:
a jig top configured to engage a top surface of the busbar; a jig bottom configured to engage a bottom surface of the busbar; and crab pliers configured to apply a force on the jig top and the jig bottom to secure the busbar in place.

14 . The fixture of claim 13 , wherein the crab pliers are permanently attached to the jig top and jig bottom.

15 . The fixture of claim 13 , wherein the jig top and the jig bottom are fabricated from solid material with good dimensional stability.

16 . The fixture of claim 13 , further comprising an anode for performing an anodizing process.

17 . The fixture of claim 16 , wherein the anode extends through the jig bottom so that an end of the anode is exposed on an upwardly facing surface of the jig bottom.

18 . The fixture of claim 13 , further comprising a directional pin to orient the jig in a correct position.

19 . The fixture of claim 18 , wherein the directional pin extends from an upwardly facing surface of the jig bottom, the directional pin being received within an opening formed in the busbar.

20 . The fixture of claim 13 , further comprising a seal provided on a downwardly facing surface of the jig top and a seal provided on an upwardly facing surface of the jig bottom.

Assignees

• Schneider Electric It Corp

Inventors

• Silberbauer Kristian
• Andersen Claus Aabjerg

Classifications

• C25D5/12

  at least one layer being of nickel or chromium · CPC title

• C23C18/54

  Contact plating, i.e. electroless electrochemical plating · CPC title

• C25D3/12

  of nickel or cobalt · CPC title

• C25D11/08

  containing inorganic acids · CPC title

• C25D11/005

  Apparatus specially adapted for electrolytic conversion coating (apparatus in general for electrolytic coating C25D17/00) · CPC title