Patent Application
20240409792
The present invention relates generally to the joining of metallic electrical conductors, such as busbars and the like.
In the production of high current carrying products, it is desirable to reduce the electrical resistance between two large metal conductors, such as busbars, at fastened joints. Typically, preload from a steel bolt or stud is used to create a significant amount of force, bringing portions of the metals into intimate contact. Aluminum busbars are preferable due to lower cost. However, naturally occurring oxides, including the extremely tough aluminum oxide, often reduce the conductivity of the surface.
Traditional solutions have included nickel, copper, silver, and tin plating, which is an expensive, wasteful, and environmentally challenging process. Other solutions have included the application of petroleum grease over the joint; however, grease-like compositions accumulate on surfaces and equipment, posing a hazard and challenge to manufacturing operations. In addition, grease-like compositions cannot be reliably applied to the underside of busbar substrates, limiting their application or process sequence options.
For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention are described herein. Not all such objects or advantages may be achieved in any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
The present disclosure includes curable electrical joint compositions, methods of using the compositions, and metallic electrical conductors (e.g., busbars) comprising the compositions.
In one aspect, a curable electrical joint composition is described. The composition comprises: at least one electrically conductive metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, tin, cadmium, nickel, platinum, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, palladium, rhodium, stainless steel and alloys thereof; and at least one curable polymer.
In some embodiments, the composition comprises the electrically conductive metal at a concentration of about 40-60 wt. %. In some embodiments, the at least one electrically conductive metal is a powder with a D50 particle size distribution of about 1-20 μm. In some embodiments, the at least one electrically conductive metal has a D50 particle size distribution of about 5-15 μm. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a low durometer elastomer. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition has a viscosity of about 10,000-250,000 cps. In some embodiments, the composition has a viscosity of about 100,000-200,000 cps.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition further comprises a curing additive selected from the group consisting of a catalyst, hardener, a crosslinker, a drying agent, a curing metal, a curing peroxide, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition comprises platinum. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition comprises a curing temperature of about 20-30° C.
In another aspect, an electrical joint assembly is described. The assembly comprises: two or more metal conductors; and a curable electrical joint composition disposed between the two or more metal conductors. In some embodiments, the two or more metal conductors comprise aluminum.
In another aspect, a cured electrical joint assembly is described. The assembly comprises, two or more metal conductors; and a cured electrical joint composition disposed between the two or more metal conductors, wherein the cured electrical joint composition comprises: at least one electrically conductive metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, tin, cadmium, nickel, platinum, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, palladium, rhodium, stainless steel and alloys thereof; and at least one cured polymer.
In some embodiments, the cured electrical joint composition comprises an electrical resistance of about 150-1,500 μOhms at a bolt clamp load of about 1-4 kN. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition comprises an electrical resistance of at most about 10 μOhms at a bolt clamp load of about 7-10 kN. In some embodiments, the device is selected from the group consisting of a vehicle powertrain, an energy storage device, a solar device, and a server electrical components device.
In another aspect, a method of fastening a first metal conductor to a second metal conductor is described. The method comprises: applying a curable electrical joint composition to a first metal conductor; and contacting a second metal conductor to the curable electrical joint composition and the first metal conductor.
In some embodiments, the methods further comprise compressing the curable electrical joint composition between the first metal conductor and the second metal conductor. In some embodiments, compressing comprising applying about 7-10 kN of force. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is applied through a squeeze-out application, a screen, a stencil, a dispensing application, dip coating, spray coating, a nozzle, an aerosol, an ink jet, a gravure, flexographic printing, manually, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is applied in a dot array on the surface of at least one of the two or more metal conductors. In yet some embodiments, the dot array ranges between 10 microns and 12 microns. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is applied to the underside of at least one of the two or more metal conductors without spillage, bleeding, dripping, or settling.
In another aspect, a method of curing an electrical joint assembly is described. The method comprises applying at least one of heat, light, pressure, and combinations thereof to the electrical joint assembly. In some embodiments, the curing is performed at a temperature of about 20-30° C. In some embodiments, the method further comprises bolting the first metal conductor to the second metal conductor.
The present disclosure relates to a curable electrical joint composition for the joining of metallic electrical conductors, such as busbars, while reducing the electrical resistance between two metal conductors and reducing the number of processes steps and material wastage. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition includes one or more electrically conductive metals and a curable polymer.
As used herein, “electrically conductive metal” means an element of any one of Groups 1 to 13 of the Periodic Table of the Elements plus tin and lead from Group 14, antimony from Group 15, and lanthanides and actinides, or a metal alloy of any two or more such elements. In some embodiments, the element or metal alloy may have a volume resistivity (φ at 20° C. less than 0.0001 Ohm-centimeter and an electrical conductivity (K) at 20° C. greater than 1×106 Siemens per meter (S/m). Examples of such elements are silver, copper, gold, aluminum, calcium, molybdenum, zinc, lithium, tungsten, nickel, iron, palladium, platinum, tin, lead, titanium, mercury, and blends thereof. Examples of such metal alloys are brass (a metal alloy of copper and zinc), bronze (a metal alloy of copper and tin), 67Cu33Zn, carbon steel, grain oriented electrical steel, MANGANIN (trademark name for a metal alloy of formula Cu86Mn12Ni2 by Isabellenhütte Heusler GmbH & Co. K G, Dillenburg, Germany), constantin (a metal alloy of 55% copper and 45% nickel), nichrome (a metal alloy of nickel, chromium, and optionally iron), and blends thereof.
In some embodiments, the electrically conductive metal may be, but not limited to, zinc, tin, cadmium, nickel, platinum, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, palladium, rhodium, stainless steel and alloys thereof. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive metal comprises or is zinc. A single electrically conductive metal may be used, or a plurality of electrically conductive metals may be used.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition comprises an electrically conductive metal of, of about, of at least, or of at least about, 25 wt. %, 30 wt. %, 35 wt. %, 40 wt. %, 41 wt. %, 42 wt. %, 43 wt. %, 44 wt. %, 45 wt. %, 46 wt. %, 47 wt. %, 48 wt. %, 49 wt. %, 50 wt. %, 55 wt. %, 60 wt. %, 65 wt. %, 70 wt. %, 75 wt. %, 80 wt. %, 85 wt. %, or 90 wt. %, or any range of values therebetween. For example, in some embodiments, the amount of electrically conductive metal in the curable electrical joint composition is or is about in any one of the following ranges: 20-40 wt. %, 40-60 wt. %, 60-80 wt. %, 45-55 wt. %, 46-54 wt. %, 47-53 wt. %, 48-52 wt. %, or 49-51 wt. % (based on total weight of the composition).
The electrically conductive metal used in the present disclosure may be supplied as finely divided particles having any one or more of the following morphologies: a powder form, a flake form, a spherical form, a granular form, a nodular form, a crystalline form, other irregular forms, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive metal may be a metal powder.
In some embodiments, the electrically conductive metal has a D50 particle size distribution of, or of about, 0.1 μm, 0.15 μm, 0.2 μm, 0.3 μm, 0.4 μm, 0.5 μm, 0.8 μm, 1 μm, 2 μm, 3 μm, 4 μm, 5 μm, 6 μm, 7 μm, 8 μm, 9 μm, 10 μm, 11 μm, 12 μm, 13 μm, 14 μm, 15 μm, 16 μm, 17 μm, 18 μm, 19 μm, 20 μm, 25 μm, 30 μm, 40 μm, 50 μm, 75 μm, 100 μm, 125 μm, 150 μm or 200 μm, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive metal has a mean particle size of, or of about, 0.1 μm, 0.15 μm, 0.2 μm, 0.3 μm, 0.4 μm, 0.5 μm, 0.8 μm, 1 μm, 2 μm, 3 μm, 4 μm, 5 μm, 6 μm, 7 μm, 8 μm, 9 μm, 10 μm, 11 μm, 12 μm, 13 μm, 14 μm, 15 μm, 16 μm, 17 μm, 18 μm, 19 μm, 20 μm, 25 μm, 30 μm, 40 μm, 50 μm, 75 μm, 100 μm, 125 μm, 150 μm or 200 μm, or any range of values therebetween.
In some embodiments, the metal powder punctures the busbar's native oxide layer. In further embodiments, the metal powder prevents the galvanic corrosion of the metallic electrical conductors.
The curable polymer may be or comprise an elastomer, such as silicone, polybutene, styrenic block polymer, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the curable polymer may be or comprise a low durometer elastomer. In some embodiments, the curable polymer is configured to form a matrix in which elements (e.g., the electrically conductive metal) may be suspended. In some embodiments, the curable polymer comprises or is a silicone matrix. In further embodiments, the curable polymer (e.g., elastomer) provides a durable seal which prevents further oxidation and contamination of the joint.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition comprises a curable polymer of, of about, of at least, or at least about, 25 wt. %, 30 wt. %, 35 wt. 0, 40 wt. %, 41 wt. %, 42 wt. %, 43 wt. %, 44 wt. %, 45 wt. %, 46 wt. %, 47 wt. %, 48 wt. %, 49 wt. %, 50 wt. %, 55 wt. %, 60 wt. %, 65 wt. %, 70 wt. %, 75 wt. %, 80 wt. %, 85 wt. %, or 90 wt. %, or any range of values therebetween. For example, in some embodiments, the amount of curable polymer in the curable electrical joint composition is or is about in any one of the following ranges: 20-40 wt. %, 40-60 wt. %, 60-80 wt. %, 45-55 wt. %, 46-54 wt. %, 47-53 wt. %, 48-52 wt. %, or 49-51 wt. % (based on total weight of the composition).
After curing of the curable polymer, a cured polymer is formed. The cured polymer of the present disclosure provides significant manufacturing process advantages compared to commercially available non-curable joint compositions. The cured polymer provides a durable seal to prevent further oxidation and contamination of the joint. In addition, the cured polymer of the present disclosure exhibit high resistance, until the joints are fully tightened.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition comprises a curing additive that aids in curing the composition. In some embodiments, the curing additive may be selected from the group consisting of a catalyst, hardener, a crosslinker, a drying agent, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the catalyst is a thermal catalyst, a photochemical catalyst, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the curing additive comprises a curing metal and/or a curing peroxide. In some embodiments, the curing metal comprises platinum. In some embodiments, the crosslinker comprises an epoxy resin. In some embodiments, the thermal catalyst comprises a heat stabilizer. In some embodiments, the photochemical catalyst comprises a UV absorber. In some embodiments, the photochemical catalyst comprises a light stabilizer.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition comprises an additional additive. In some embodiments, the additional additive is selected from the group consisting of a pigment, a dye, a surfactant, a pigment dispersion aid, a levelling agent, a wetting agent, an emulsifying agent, an anti-cratering agent, an antifoaming agent, an anti-sagging agent, an antioxidant, a filler, and combinations thereof.
The curable electrical joint composition comprises an electrically conductive metal and a curable polymer. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive metal (e.g., metal powders) is suspended in a polymer matrix (e.g., an elastomer matrix). In some embodiments, the electrically conductive metal (e.g., metal powders) are in a matrix form. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition has a viscosity of, of about, of at least, or of at least about, 1,000 cps, 2,000 cps, 3,000 cps, 4,000 cps, 5,000 cps, 6,000 cps, 7,000 cps, 8,000 cps, 9,000 cps, 10,000 cps, 11,000 cps, 12,000 cps, 13,000 cps, 14,000 cps, 15,000 cps, 16,000 cps, 17,000 cps, 18,000 cps, 19,000 cps, 20,000 cps, 21,000 cps, 22,000 cps, 23,000 cps, 24,000 cps, 25,000 cps, 26,000 cps, 27,000 cps, 28,000 cps, 29,000 cps, 30,000 cps, 40,000 cps, 50,000 cps, 60,000 cps, 70,000 cps, 80,000 cps, 90,000 cps, 100,000 cps, 110,000 cps, 120,000 cps, 130,000 cps, 140,000 cps, 150,000 cps, 160,000 cps, 170,000 cps, 180,000 cps, 190,000 cps, 200,000 cps, 210,000 cps, 220,000 cps, 230,000 cps, 240,000 cps, or 250,000 cps, or any range of values therebetween. For example, in some embodiments, the viscosity can be about 1,000 cps to about 10,000 cps, about 10,000 cps to about 25,000 cps, about 50,000 cps to about 150,000 cps, or about 100,000 cps to about 250,000 cps.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is configured to provide a metal (e.g., metal conductors, metal plates) protection against corrosion and oxidation. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is configured to provide metal protection for electrical conductors, such as copper and aluminum. In further embodiments, the cured electrical composition exhibits extreme durability under harsh environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the cured electrical composition is configured to provide superior adhesion on a range of metal substrate types compared to other joining compositions. In some embodiments, the cured electrical composition is configured to provide superior shear strength relative to other joining compositions.
After curing of the electrical joint composition, a cured electrical joint material is formed. The cured electrical joint material comprises the electrically conductive metal and a cured polymer. In some embodiments, the cured electrical joint material comprises additional compounds and/or elements included in the curable electrical joint composition prior to curing (e.g., curing additive). In some embodiments, the cured electrical joint material comprises a tensile adhesion strength of 0.5 N/mm2, 1 N/mm2, 2 N/mm2, 3 N/mm2, 4 N/mm2, 5 N/mm2, 6 N/mm2, 7 N/mm2, 8 N/mm2, 9 N/mm2, 10 N/mm2, 11 N/mm2, 12 N/mm2, 13 N/mm2, 14 N/mm2, 15 N/mm2, 16 N/mm2, 17 N/mm2, 18 N/mm2, 19 N/mm2, 20 N/mm2, 21 N/mm2, 22 N/mm2, 23 N/mm2, 24 N/mm2, 25 N/mm2, 26 N/mm2, 27 N/mm2, 28 N/mm2, 29 N/mm2, 30 N/mm2, 35 N/mm2, 40 N/mm2, 45 N/mm2, or 50 N/mm2, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the cured electrical joint material comprises a shear strength of 0.5 N/mm2, 1 N/mm2, 2 N/mm2, 3 N/mm2, 4 N/mm2, 5 N/mm2, 6 N/mm2, 7 N/mm2, 8 N/mm2, 9 N/mm2, 10 N/mm2, 11 N/mm2, 12 N/mm2, 13 N/mm2, 14 N/mm2, 15 N/mm2, 16 N/mm2, 17 N/mm2, 18 N/mm2, 19 N/mm2, 20 N/mm2, 21 N/mm2, 22 N/mm2, 23 N/mm2, 24 N/mm2, 25 N/mm2, 26 N/mm2, 27 N/mm2, 28 N/mm2, 29 N/mm2, 30 N/mm2, 35 N/mm2, 40 N/mm2, 45 N/mm2, or 50 N/mm2, or any range of values therebetween.
Curing of the electrical joint composition to the cured electrical joint material may be performed by curing the curable polymer. In some embodiments, curing is performed by imparting heat, light, pressure, or the like, to increase the adhesion force of the electrical joint material. In some embodiments, curing is performed through the use of a thermal catalyst or photochemical catalyst. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is cured at room temperature. In some embodiments, heat is applied to the electrical joint composition to cure or aid in the curing process. In some embodiments, curing is performed at a temperature of, of about, of at least, or of at least about, 20° C., 21° C., 22° C., 23° C., 24° C., 25° C., 26° C., 27° C., 28° C., 29° C., 30° C., 31° C., 32° C., 33° C., 34° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 110° C., 120° C., 130° C., 140° C., 150° C., 160° C., 170° C., 180° C., 190° C., or 200° C., or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is exposed to oxygen gas (e.g., air) to cure or aid in curing the composition. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is exposed to light (e.g., ultraviolet (UV) light) to cure or aid in curing the composition. In some embodiments, curing is performed in the absence of heat, light, or the like. In some embodiments, curing is performed under atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, curing is performed under a pressure of 2 atm, 3 atm, 4 atm, 5 atm, 6 atm, 7 atm, 8 atm, 9 atm, 10 atm, 11 atm, 12 atm, 13 atm, 14 atm, 15 atm, 16 atm, 17 atm, 18 atm, 19 atm, 20 atm, 25 atm, 30 atm, 35 atm, 40 atm, 45 atm, 50 atm, or 55 atm, or any range of values therebetween.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition comprises a first part comprising the electrically conductive metal and the curable polymer, and a second part comprising the curing additive. In some embodiments, the first part of the curable electrical joint composition and the second part of the curable electrical joint composition are stored separately. In some embodiments, the curing process initiates once the curable polymer contacts the curing additive. In some embodiments, the curing process initiates once the first part of the curable electrical joint composition and the second part of the curable electrical joint composition are mixed together. In some embodiments, the curing process initiates once the first part of the curable electrical joint composition and the second part of the curable electrical joint composition are mixed together and exposed to light.
In some embodiments, the electrical joint assembly comprises the curable electrical joint material disposed between two or more metal conductors. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint material is cured between two or more metal conductors. In some embodiments, the electrical joint assembly comprises the cured electrical joint material disposed between the two or more metal conductors. In some embodiments, the electrical joint material fastens the two or more metal conductors together. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint material is cured after being disposed and spread between the two or more metal conductors. In other embodiments, the curable electrical joint material is cured after the two or more metal conductors are bolted together. In some embodiments, the metal conductors are busbars. In some embodiments, the metal conductors are bare aluminum.
In some embodiments, the electrical joint assembly carries high electrical currents. In some embodiments, the electrical joint material reduces the electrical resistance between two metal conductors at the fastened joints. In some embodiments, a bolt clamp load is applied the electrical joint material of, of about, of at least, or at least about, 1 kN, 2 kN, 3 kN, 4 kN, 5 kN, 6 kN, 7 kN, 8 kN, 9 kN, 10 kN, 11 kN, 12 kN, 13 kN, 14 kN, 15 kN, 16 kN, 17 kN, 18 kN, 19 kN, or 20 kN, or or any range of values therebetween. For example, in some embodiments, the bolt clamp load applied the electrical joint material is or is about in any one of the following ranges: 1-16 kN, 2-15 kN, 3-14 kN, 4-13 kN, 5-12 kN, 6-11 kN, 7-10 kN, or 8-9 kN.
Some embodiments of the present application are related to methods for applying the curable electrical joint composition disclosed herein. The curable electrical joint composition may be applied to the joint surface(s) by various methods of deposition. Examples of suitable methods include printing through screen or stencil, dispensing, dip coating, spray coating, or other methods such as nozzle, aerosol, ink jet, gravure, flexographic printing, or manually.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition can be applied through a squeeze-out application. In some embodiments, it has been observed that the squeeze-out application of the curable electrical joint composition purges dust and other foreign objects on the joint by pushing any trapped debris to the extremities of the joint during the bolting operation. In some embodiments, the squeeze-out application of the curable electrical joint composition purges the joint of dust and other foreign objects. Some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein are free from plating electrical joints. In some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, the methods of applying the curable electrical joint composition to one or more electrical joints are free from plating the one or more electrical joints.
Low-force contact of plated materials can lead to a resistance sufficiently low enough to pass rapid manufacturing tests. However, such low-force contact of plated materials ultimately fail due to the insufficient clamp load. As shown in
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition can be dispensed in a dot array to achieve even spreading. In some embodiments, the dots can be applied at high aspect ratios. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is dispensed in a range of about 5 microns to about 500 microns. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is dispensed in a range of about 10 microns to about 250 microns. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is dispensed in a range of about 10 microns to about 12 microns. As shown in
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition can be applied to the underside of a busbar without exhibiting spillage, bleeding, dripping, or settling. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition allows for the assembly of metal conductors or busbars at any angle. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition can be applied in any orientation of a joint or busbar. In further embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition can be applied before final assembly and joint fastening.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is applied as a tape. For example, in some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is applied as a film with single or bi-facial adhesive with metal embedded in it. In further embodiments, the tape comprises a backing carrier film.
In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is applied to bare metallic electrical conductors. In some embodiments, the metallic electrical conductors are not plated. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is applied to bare copper. In some embodiments, the curable electrical joint composition is applied to bare aluminum.
The curable electrical joint composition described herein, and methods of using the same, may be utilized to a wide range of applications and devices. In some embodiments, the electrical joint composition is employed in circumstances where low electrical resistance is needed between busbars. In some embodiments, the electrical joint composition can be employed for fastening vehicle powertrain, energy storage (e.g., battery), solar, and server electrical components.
Curable electrical joint composition of the present disclosure may be prepared and utilized as disclosed herein. Additional embodiments are disclosed in further detail in the following examples, which are not in any way intended to limit the scope of the claims.
The curable electrical joint composition disclosed herein provide superior advantages than commercially available electrical grease. In this example, a curable electrical joint composition sample was prepared including zinc powder with a D50 particle size distribution of 10 μm, a curable low-durometer silicone matrix, and a curing metal of platinum. The curable electrical joint composition sample comprised the zinc powder at a concentration of about 50 wt. %. The curable electrical joint composition was applied and spread between two metal conductors. The metal conductors comprised bare aluminum busbars. The curable electrical joint composition was cured in the presence of oxygen gas (e.g., air), forming a cured electrical joint assembly. The resistance of the cured electrical joint composition was recorded over a range of forces applied to the cured electrical joint assembly.
The application process of the curable electrical joint composition further improved the fastening performance of the curable electrical joint composition, wherein a high aspect ratio dot or spot application of the curable electrical joint composition provided improved fastening performance due to the high shear forces induced during compression.
Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the PCT Request as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57, and Rules 4.18 and 20.6, including U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/296,781, filed Jan. 5, 2022.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2023/010102 | 1/4/2023 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63296781 | Jan 2022 | US |
