Electrical Feedthroughs and Feedthrough Assemblies

Abstract

An electrical feedthrough (10) is disclosed that includes a substrate (12) with at least one through opening (13), at least one electrical conductor (18) disposed within the through opening (13) and secured within the through opening (13) via at least one insulator (20), which closes the through opening (13) and provides a seal against the conductor (18) and the walls of the through opening (13). The insulator (20) has at least one retention section (22) that seals against and retains the at least one electrical conductor (18), the insulator (20) has at least one creepage extension (26) surrounding, at a distance, a portion of the electrical conductor (18) that protrudes beyond the retention section (22), the at least one creepage extension (26) being integral with the at least one retention section (22) or being connected to the at least one retention section (22) in a material-bonding manner, in particular by glass fusion or bonding, the substrate at least partially surrounding the at least one creepage extension (26), and the substrate (12) being in contact with the creepage extension (26). Further aspects of the invention relate to feedthrough assemblies including such a feedthrough (10) as well as uses of the electrical feedthrough (10).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical feedthrough comprising a substrate with at least one through opening, in which at least one electrical conductor is disposed and fixed via at least one insulator, which closes the through opening and provides a seal against the conductor and the wall of the through opening. Further aspects of the invention relate to a feedthrough assembly comprising such a feedthrough as well as to the use of the electrical feedthrough. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrical feedthroughs, which have glass or glass-ceramic components that are penetrated by an electrical conductor and are themselves embedded in a metallic substrate, are used in numerous applications. These applications include deep-sea equipment, such as oil drilling or exploration equipment, or in chemically or radioactively contaminated environments, such as in the chemical industry or in energy plant and furnace technology. Further applications include, for example, manned and unmanned ships, such as submersible robots and submersibles, and special gas tanks, such as CO 2 H for vehicles with storage or fuel cells 2 Tanks, as well as aviation and spaceflight applications are also included.

[0003] In underwater applications, such as in oil extraction, high temperatures, pressures and / or corrosive media may place special demands on the electrical feedthroughs, especially considering a service life of about 20 years. In applications such as storage tanks, where media such as liquid gas or liquid hydrogen are used, the electrical feedthroughs may be exposed to extremely low temperatures. In reactor applications in the civil nuclear sector, such as high-temperature reactors, the electrical feedthroughs must sometimes withstand very high pressures, temperatures and / or radiation, especially over a service life of about 40-60 years. In the case of small modular reactors (SMRs), high pressures, temperatures and / or radiation also place special demands on the electrical feedthroughs.

[0004] In electrical feedthroughs, additional insulating components can be arranged between the substrate and the electrical conductor, in particular to provide a creepage distance extension. Such a creepage distance extension can ensure permanent insulation between the electrical conductor and the substrate, for example, even in the case of adverse environmental conditions that can lead to the accumulation of dirt or the formation of a water film. However, known creepage distance extensions made of plastics lack resistance, in particular to aging and high temperatures.

[0005] From DE 10 2014 218 983 A1 it is further known to arrange additional protective elements made of glass or plastic adjacent to the glass carrying the electrical conductors, but such measures only result in relatively short creepage path extensions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical feedthrough which can withstand continuous operation under difficult environmental conditions, in particular high pressure, high or low temperature, corrosive media and / or radiation exposure, and which has extended creepage distances compared to known feedthroughs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An electrical feed-through is proposed which includes a substrate with at least one through opening, at least one electrical conductor being disposed within the through opening and fixed therein via at least one insulator, the insulator closing the through opening and providing a seal against the electrical conductor and the wall of the through opening.

[0008] It is further envisaged that the insulation has at least one retaining section which provides a seal against and retains the at least one electrical conductor, that the insulation has at least one creepage extension surrounding at a distance a part of the electrical conductor which protrudes beyond the retaining section, that the at least one creepage extension is constructed integrally with the at least one retaining section or is connected to the at least one retaining section in a material-bonding manner, in particular by glass fusion or gluing, and that the base body at least partially surrounds the at least one creepage extension, in which case the base body contacts the creepage extension and thereby supports it.

[0009] The electrical feed-through can in this case contain exactly one electrical conductor or can contain several electrical conductors, for example three, four or five electrical conductors, in which case each electrical conductor is preferably guided in its own through opening.

[0010] The insulator comprises a retaining section, which contacts and holds the electric conductor, and at least one creepage distance extension. In this case, the at least one creepage distance extension preferably projects beyond the retaining section, where the insulator contacts the electric conductor, by at least 5 mm, particularly preferably by at least 10 mm, very particularly preferably by at least 20 mm. It is also possible to realize significantly larger creepage distances, where the creepage distance extension projects beyond the retaining section, preferably by at least 50 mm, particularly preferably by at least 100 mm or even by at least 200 mm. The creepage distance extension of the insulator surrounds the electric conductor at a distance and therefore does not contact the electric conductor.

[0011] Creepage distance extenders made of insulating material increase the creepage distance between the electrical conductor and the substrate, thereby increasing the operational reliability of the electrical feedthrough. If an inorganic material is selected here, the creepage distance extender can be particularly resistant to aging and can also be designed to be temperature-resistant. Alternatively, an organic material can also be selected for at least one creepage distance extender. This facilitates production, so that the creepage distance extender can be arranged with little effort.

[0012] Between the creepage distance extension and the electrical conductor there is a gap which defines a space in which the plug can be pressed into the electrical conductor for electrical contact connection. If the electrical conductor is cylindrical and the creepage distance extension is hollow cylindrical, a correspondingly cylindrical gap is formed. The size of the gap can be selected such that sufficient space remains for such a plug. For example, the size of the gap can be selected in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm.

[0013] The insulator with the retention section and at least one creepage extension may consist of one component or may consist of several components.

[0014] If the insulation is designed as a component, it can be designed, for example, as a tube. In this case, the retaining section can be designed as a section of the tube with a reduced inside diameter. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the electric conductor has an enlarged diameter in the region of the retaining section. In this case, it is possible for the tubular insulation to have a constant inside diameter and to contact the electric conductor only at the points where the electric conductor has an enlarged diameter. Alternatively to this, the tubular insulation can have a reduced diameter in the region of the retaining section, and the diameter of the electric conductor can be constant or only slightly enlarged in the region of the retaining section. The region of the tubular insulation that contacts the electric conductor is the retaining section. The part of the tubular insulation that protrudes beyond this retaining section is the creepage distance extension.

[0015] In the case of a multi-part design of the insulator, the retaining section is preferably formed by a first part with a through opening for contacting the electrical conductor. This first part can be designed, for example, as a disk arranged inside a tubular second part and connected to this tubular second part. In this case, the part of the second part protruding beyond the disk is the creepage distance extension. Alternatively to this, it is possible to combine the disk-shaped first part with one or more tubular second parts, in which case the disk-shaped first part is respectively connected to these tubular second parts at the opening of the tubular second part. In this case, the tubular second parts are the creepage distance extensions.

[0016] If several components are used to form the insulator, these are preferably bonded to one another in a material-bonding manner, so that a permanent and intimate bond between the individual components is ensured. If at least one of these components consists of glass or glass ceramic, it is preferred that this component is glass-fused to the other component by heat treatment. If both components consist of glass or glass ceramic, they can likewise be fused to one another by heat treatment, which can result in an intimate bond. If the creepage extension is manufactured from an organic material that cannot be glass-fused, gluing is preferred for the material-bonding bond. For this purpose, in particular, a sealing material can be used, which bonds the individual components forming the insulator to one another in a material-bonding manner.

[0017] By using tubular parts for the creepage extensions it is easy to create relatively large creepage extensions which may have lengths much longer than 20mm.

[0018] The wall thickness of the creepage extension of the insulator is preferably selected so that it has sufficient mechanical stability but occupies as little space as possible. For high mechanical stability, the wall thickness of the creepage extension is preferably at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.2 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.5 mm, very particularly preferably at least 1.0 mm, most preferably at least 1.5 mm. In order to occupy as little space as possible, the wall thickness is preferably selected to be less than 5 mm, particularly preferably less than 2.5 mm, most preferably less than 2 mm.

[0019] The creepage distance extension may be tubular, in particular cylindrical. Naturally, other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the creepage distance extension may be constant over its entire length. Alternatively, the inner diameter may vary. In this case, a conical shape of the creepage distance extension is preferred, the interior of which expands conically starting from the retention section of the insulation.

[0020] The diameter of the electrical conductor is selected inter alia depending on the required current strength. The diameter of the electrical conductor can be, for example, 6 mm.

[0021] Preferably, the base body has a feed-through section with a first diameter, in which case at least one retaining section is located inside the feed-through section. Furthermore, the base body preferably has an extension section on one or both sides of the feed-through section, which extension section has a second, smaller diameter and at least partially surrounds the creepage extension. However, as an alternative to this, the extension section can also be configured with the same diameter as the feed-through section or even with a larger diameter.

[0022] Further components may be arranged on the feed-through section, for example coupling means may be arranged, with which the electrical feed-through can be coupled to further components, such as a housing or a mounting flange.

[0023] Preferably, the base body completely surrounds at least one creepage extension. For this purpose, in particular, an extension section with corresponding dimensions can be provided, by which the base body is extended in the axial direction. In this case, the creepage extension is preferably in direct contact with the base body over its entire length, and no gap exists between the base body and the creepage extension. Advantageously, the base body can thereby protect the insulation from mechanical damage. The base body can in particular be used as a support for the creepage extension of the insulation, whereby the creepage extension can be constructed with a smaller wall thickness. In this case, it is preferably provided that the base body contacts the creepage extension over the entire surface lying on the outside of the creepage extension and thereby supports the creepage extension. However, it is also possible, alternatively, for the base body to only partially surround the creepage extension, in which case again the extension section can be provided on the base body.

[0024] The creepage extension may terminate flush with the substrate or with the extension of the substrate. Alternatively, the substrate may protrude beyond the creepage extension. Preferably, the protrusion formed thereby is at least 1 mm, particularly preferably 2 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, even more preferably 10 mm, and most preferably at least 20 mm. In this case, the length of the protrusion is preferably less than 50 mm, particularly preferably less than 20 mm, more preferably less than 10 mm, even more preferably less than 5 mm, and most preferably less than 2 mm.

[0025] In the region of the projection, the inner diameter of the through opening can be widened, resulting in a step, with the creepage extension then preferably terminating flush with this step.

[0026] The inner diameter of the through-opening of the base body may be reduced in the region of the feed-through section compared to the inner diameter in the adjacent extension section, where it is preferably provided that the transition from such a feed-through section with reduced diameter to the extension section having a larger diameter takes place continuously in the transition region.

[0027] Preferably, the first end and / or the second end of the electrical conductor are surrounded by one or more creepage extensions, which provides, inter alia, contact protection. Furthermore, it is possible to configure the creepage extensions in such a way that they also partially or completely surround the plug, which is fitted onto the electrical conductor. In this case, the plug connection is also protected against environmental influences, in particular against mechanical damage, via the feed-through.

[0028] Preferably, the electrical feed-through comprises at least two insulators, which are separated from one another by a hollow space and / or by at least one separating element and both seal for the same electrical conductor. In this way, the electrical conductor is sealed multiple times in the through-opening, and the safety of the feed-through is increased, because if an insulator is damaged, at least one other insulator can tightly close the through-opening. For example, two insulators are used for each electrical conductor to form a so-called double feed-through.

[0029] The separating element may have, for example, an annular or disc shape and completely or partially fills the space between the electrical conductor and the inner wall of the through-opening. Suitable materials for the separating element include, in particular, ceramics and glass ceramics. An example of a suitable separating element is a thin ceramic disk with an opening for the electrical conductor. The thickness of this ceramic disk may be, for example, less than 1 mm. Of course, thicker separating elements can also be used, especially when the separating element should fill the space between two insulators.

[0030] Preferably, in the electrical feed-through, the at least one through opening is hermetically sealed by at least one insulator.

[0031] In this case, the hermetic seal is defined as a helium leak rate of preferably 1·10 at a pressure difference of 1 bar. -7 mbar Is -1 lower, particularly preferably 1·10 -8 mbar Is -1 Lower, most preferably 1·10 -9 mbar Is -1 It is understood that the insulation provides a hermetic seal both against the electrical conductor and against the inner wall of the through opening.

[0032] In one variant of the invention, the material of the at least one creepage distance extension is preferably selected from organic materials, in particular from thermoplastics. An example of a suitable plastic is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0033] For the material-bonding bonding of the organic creepage extension to the retaining section, preferably an adhesive bond is used, for which preferably a sealing material is used. Suitable sealing materials include, in particular, silicone-based sealing materials.

[0034] If at least one creepage extension is made of an organic material, the latter is preferably fixed via a thread in addition to the sealing material, whereby, for example, an external thread can be arranged on the creepage extension and a corresponding internal thread can be arranged on the through-opening of the base body.

[0035] Preferably, the retaining section and the creepage distance extension each consist of an inorganic insulating material, the materials for the retaining section and for the creepage distance extension each being able to be selected differently or the same.

[0036] Preferably, the material of the retention section and / or the material of the creepage distance extension is selected from glass, glass ceramic or ceramic, or the inorganic insulating material comprises at least glass, glass ceramic or ceramic.

[0037] Insofar as the insulation is made up of several parts, the materials used are preferably selected in such a way that the thermal expansion coefficients of the individual parts are matched to one another. Preferably, in the different material selections, the thermal expansion coefficient of the creepage extension deviates from the thermal expansion coefficient of the at least one retention section by less than 20%, preferably by less than 10%.

[0038] Preferably, the insulation or the part of the insulation, which is or includes a retaining section, is obtained by sintering a glass or ceramic section. In this case, the section is preferably combined with the part used as the creepage extension before the heat treatment for sintering, so that during sintering, a material-bonded connection with the creepage extension is also obtained. For this purpose, the glass section together with the electrical conductor can be inserted into the creepage extension configured as a tube or can be arranged adjacent to one or more tubes used as creepage extensions.

[0039] The at least one creepage extension is preferably formed in the form of a glass tube. Suitable materials for the glass tube include, in particular, soda-lime glass and alkaline earth (barium) silicate glasses available from SCHOTT AG under glass numbers 8421 and 8061.

[0040] Particularly suitable is soda-lime glass, which is available, for example, in the form of AR glass tubes from SCHOTT AG. Glass tubes with a wall thickness of, for example, 1.2 mm, are suitable for use as creepage distance extensions for insulators.

[0041] In addition to the creepage extension, the holding section of the insulator can also be formed in the form of a glass tube or can be manufactured from a glass tube. For example, in a heat treatment step at a temperature above the glass transition temperature, a part of the material of the glass tube can be formed so that it forms the holding section. In such a heat treatment step, in particular, a forming tool can be used, which is removed again after the heat treatment.

[0042] To achieve a particularly good seal between the metal parts, i.e. the substrate and the at least one electrical conductor, and the at least one insulator, the feedthrough can be formed in the form of a compression glass seal. In this case, the thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate is selected to be greater than that of the insulator, so that after a heat treatment in which the insulator is glass-sealed in the through-opening, the substrate shrinks more than the insulator. A pressing force is thereby permanently exerted by the substrate on the insulator.

[0043] Correspondingly, the thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate is preferably greater than that of the at least one insulator, and particularly preferably, in the case of a compression glass seal, the thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate is selected to be at least 20% greater than that of the insulator.

[0044] However, as an alternative to a compression glass seal, it is also possible to match the thermal expansion coefficients of the substrate and the insulator to one another, with a difference of less than 20% in these thermal expansion coefficients being preferred for matching, and a difference of less than 10% being particularly preferred.

[0045] Furthermore, the force generated by the compression glass seal reinforces the material of the insulator, especially when a glass is selected that is preloaded by a pressing force. This increases the mechanical stability both in the area of ​​the retention section and in the area of ​​at least one creepage extension. This is particularly advantageous when temperature fluctuations occur, since the preloading avoids the development of undesirable tensile stresses that could lead to glass breakage. Furthermore, the increased mechanical stability is advantageous when the plug is to be mounted on or removed from an electrical conductor.

[0046] The material of the substrate is preferably selected from metals, particularly preferably the metal is steel.

[0047] Suitable materials for the at least one electrical conductor include metals, particularly nickel-iron alloys, cobalt-iron alloys, steel, particularly Kovar, aluminum, copper or combinations of two or more of these materials, one example of a combination being a copper conductor disposed within a nickel-iron tube.

[0048] In order to increase the pressure on the creepage extension, especially at the end facing away from the retaining section, an end sleeve can be arranged at each end of the creepage extension. The end sleeve can be connected to the end of the creepage extension laterally and / or can support the creepage extension from its inside. Pressure is applied to the creepage extension by the end sleeve, so that the creepage extension is not only pressed from the outside by the extension section of the base body, but also from the inside and / or laterally, and thus preloaded. This advantageously increases the stability of the creepage extension, especially when it is made of an inorganic material such as glass, glass ceramic or ceramic.

[0049] As materials for the end sleeves, in particular the same materials can be selected which are also suitable as materials for the base body.

[0050] Several of the electrical feedthroughs described herein, each comprising a substrate, may be housed in a common feedthrough assembly, such as a base having a plurality of through openings and each electrical feedthrough disposed in the through opening.

[0051] The base may be an integral part of the device or a housing for the device.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, a number of feedthroughs may be grouped together in a feedthrough assembly with a common substrate, the common substrate including a through opening for each of the feedthroughs.

[0053] The invention further relates to the use of an electrical feedthrough or an assembly comprising a number of these feedthroughs, in particular in applications involving pressures of at least 5 bar, preferably at least 10 bar, particularly preferably at least 20 bar, as mentioned above, and / or in applications involving temperatures of at least -273°C, preferably at least 300°C, particularly preferably at least 600°C, and / or in applications involving an exposure to gamma radiation of at least 1 kGy, preferably at least 1 MGy, particularly preferably at least 20 MGy, the above-mentioned values ​​of exposure to gamma radiation being understood in particular to apply over the entire operating period of the electrical feedthrough.

[0054] Furthermore, the invention relates to manned or unmanned vessels, such as submersible robots and submersibles, in particular as mentioned above, in deep sea equipment, for example oil and / or natural gas drilling or exploration equipment, and / or in chemically or radiologically contaminated environments, for example in the chemical industry or in energy installation and furnace technology, in particular in areas at risk of explosion, in energy generating or energy storing devices with housings or in encapsulations of energy generating or energy storing devices or reactors or storage devices for toxic and / or harmful materials, in particular as feed-through devices in the containment of a reactor or through the containment of a reactor, in particular a scientific or nuclear reactor, or in spacecraft or space probes, or in housings for sensors and / or actuators, in particular in manned or unmanned vessels, such as underwater robots and submersibles, and also in gas tanks, in particular CO 2 H also for vehicles equipped with storage or preferably fuel cells 2 In tanks or on manned or unmanned vessels, such as underwater robots and submersibles, as well as gas tanks, especially CO 2 H also for vehicles equipped with storage or preferably fuel cells 2 The use of an electrical feedthrough or an assembly with a number of these electrical feedthroughs in contact with the tank.

[0055] Finally, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrical feedthrough, particularly as described herein, in which a substrate having at least one through opening is provided. An insulator is then provided with an electrical conductor and inserted into the through opening. A heat treatment is then performed in which the insulator is glass fused or melted to the inner wall of the through opening and to the electrical conductor.

[0056] During this heat treatment or in a separate step, the insulator may be joined from one or more pre-components, the pre-components being used being bonded to one another in a material-bonding manner, for which purpose the pre-components are heated above their glass transition temperature, i.e. above 800° C. for normal glass, so that the materials of the pre-components mix and a tight material-bonding bond is produced.

[0057] For example, an insulator can be obtained consisting of a glass tube and a brace, the brace containing glass powder and / or ceramic powder. During the heat treatment, the brace is sintered and material-bonded to the glass tube. It can be envisaged to apply a force to the glass tube in the direction of the brace, so that the glass tube is partially submerged in the brace, thus forming an enlarged region in which the materials of the brace and the glass tube are mixed. This results in a particularly tight and stable material-bonded connection.

[0058] In another example, besides the creepage extension, the retention section of the insulator may also be formed in the form of a glass tube or may be manufactured from a glass tube, for example, in a heat treatment step at a temperature above the glass transition temperature, part of the material of the glass tube may be shaped so that it forms the retention section.

[0059] In the described heat treatment steps for shaping the insulator and / or for bonding the insulator to the substrate, in particular shaping tools can be used. These shaping tools can in particular be used for defining the gap between the inner wall of the creepage extension and the electrical conductor. After the heat treatment, these shaping tools are removed again. The removal of the shaping tools can be facilitated by the conical configuration of the creepage extension, whose inner diameter expands starting from the retention section. Furthermore, in order to avoid abrupt diameter changes, it is preferable to round off the transition between the creepage extension and the retention section of the insulator.

[0060] When manufacturing a feedthrough with an insulator consisting entirely or partly of a glass ceramic, the heat treatment can include a further step of converting the ceramizable glass of the insulator or parts of the insulator into a glass ceramic, which can be carried out at a temperature different from the step of glass fusing or melting and / or material-bonding joining of the parts of the insulator.

[0061] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter on the basis of the figures, without being limited thereto. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0062] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a feedthrough; [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a feedthrough; [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of a feedthrough; [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of a feedthrough; [Diagram 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of a feedthrough; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a sixth embodiment of a feedthrough. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a seventh embodiment of a feedthrough. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an eighth embodiment of a feedthrough. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a ninth embodiment of a feedthrough. [Figure 10] FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a tenth embodiment of a feedthrough. [Figure 11] FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an eleventh embodiment of a feedthrough. [Figure 12] FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a twelfth embodiment of a feedthrough. [Figure 13] FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a thirteenth embodiment of a feedthrough; [Figure 14] FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a fourteenth embodiment of a feedthrough. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a feedthrough with a creepage extension arranged on one side; [Figure 16] FIG. 2 illustrates a first example of a feedthrough assembly including multiple electrical feedthroughs. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 illustrates a second example of a feedthrough assembly including multiple electrical feedthroughs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0063] 1 shows a first embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 10. The feedthrough 10 includes a substrate 12 with a through opening 13. An electrical conductor 18 is inserted into the through opening 13. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electrical conductor 18 is much shorter than the length of the substrate 12, so that the electrical conductor 18 is completely inside the through opening 13.

[0064] The electrical conductor 18 is held in the through-opening 13 via an insulator 20, which fixes the electrical conductor 18 in the feed-through 10 and electrically insulates it from the base 12. For this purpose, the insulator 20 has a holding section 22 which is arranged in the feed-through section 14 of the base 12 and provides a seal for the electrical conductor 18. The insulator 20 further comprises a creepage extension 26, which is tubular and surrounds the electrical conductor 18, but does not contact it, so that a gap exists between the electrical conductor 18 and the creepage extension 26. The creepage extension 26 projects beyond the end of the electrical conductor 18, which is itself surrounded over its entire length by the extension section 16 of the base 12, which in the example shown does not terminate flush with the creepage extension 26 but projects beyond it. In the region of the extension section 16 which connects on both sides to the feed-through section 14, the base body 12 has a second diameter which is reduced compared to the first diameter of the feed-through section 14. The insulator 20 with the creepage extension 26 seals gas-tight against the inner wall of the through-opening 13, whereby the through-opening 13 is closed by the insulator 20 and the electrical conductor 18.

[0065] 1, the creepage distance extension 26 is configured as a single glass tube, and the retaining section 22 of the insulator 20 is formed by a sintered glass section 24 that is materially bonded to the glass tube. Correspondingly, in this example, both the creepage distance extension 26 and the material forming the retaining section 22 are inorganic. This allows, in particular, a particularly heat-resistant and age-resistant construction of the insulator 20.

[0066] The electrical conductor 18 has an enlarged diameter in the center, in the embodiment shown, where the electrical conductor 18 is held by the glass beam 24. In another variant, the electrical conductor 18 can be configured to have, for example, a constant diameter. Furthermore, the electrical conductor 18 includes, as shown in FIG. 1, connection sections 19 near its ends, which have a reduced diameter, by means of which, for example, a plug connector (not shown) can be locked.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, both ends of electrical conductor 18 are located completely within substrate 12, so that the connection between connection sections 19 formed on electrical conductor 18 and, if applicable, plugs or electrical conductors (not shown) connected thereto are mechanically protected by substrate 12 of feedthrough 10.

[0068] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 10. The feedthrough 10 comprises a substrate 12 with a through opening 13 into which an electrical conductor 18 is inserted, as already described with respect to the first embodiment of Figure 1.

[0069] The electrical conductor 18 is held in the feed-through opening 13 via the insulator 20 and is electrically insulated from the base body 12 by the insulator 20. The insulator 20 has a holding section 22 formed by a sintered glass strip 24, similar to the first embodiment. The glass strip 24 is arranged in the feed-through section 14 of the base body 12 and seals against the electrical conductor 18. Unlike the first embodiment, the glass strip 24 also seals gas-tight against the inner wall of the feed-through opening 13, so that the feed-through opening is hermetically closed by the glass strip 24 of the insulator 20.

[0070] The insulator 20 shown in FIG. 2 has two creepage extensions 26, 27 which are tubular and surround the electrical conductor 18 at a distance, so that they do not come into contact with the electrical conductor 18. The creepage extensions 26, 27 project beyond the ends of the electrical conductor 18, and are themselves surrounded over their entire length by the extension section 16 of the base body 12, which in the example shown does not terminate flush with the creepage extensions 26, 27, but projects beyond them. In the region of the extension section 16 which connects to the feed-through section 14 on both sides, the base body 12 has a second diameter which is reduced compared to the first diameter of the feed-through section 14. The creepage extensions 26, 27 also seal against the inner wall of the through-opening 13.

[0071] The two creepage extensions 26, 27 are each formed by a tube which is materially connected to the glass column 24. For this purpose, the openings of the tubes each impinge on the end faces of the disk-shaped glass column 24 and are fused thereto.

[0072] Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 10. The feedthrough 10 comprises a base 12 with a through opening 13 into which an electrical conductor 18 is inserted, as already described with respect to the first embodiment of Figure 1.

[0073] The electrical conductor 18 is held in the through opening 13 via the insulator 20 and is electrically insulated from the base 12 by the insulator 20. The insulator 20 has a holding section 22 where the insulator 20 contacts the electrical conductor 18 and seals against the conductor 18. The insulator 20 likewise seals against the inner wall of the through opening 13, so that the through opening 13 is closed by the insulator 20.

[0074] 1 and 2, the insulator 20 of the third embodiment is formed in one piece and consists of a single tube of inorganic insulating material, such as glass. The electrical conductor 18 has an enlarged diameter in the region of the holding section 22, so that the electrical conductor 18 contacts the insulator 20 only within this holding section 22. Alternatively to this, it is also conceivable to reduce the inner diameter of the tubular insulator 20 within the holding section 22.

[0075] Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the electrical feedthrough 10. The feedthrough 10 is configured as a double feedthrough and includes two insulators 20, 21 each configured similarly to the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 1. The two insulators 20, 21 each surround an identical electrical conductor 18 and are inserted together with the electrical conductor 18 into the through opening 13 of the base 12.

[0076] Each of the two insulators 20, 21 has a retention section 22 or 23, in which the insulator 20, 21 contacts the electrical conductor 18 and provides a seal to the electrical conductor 18. Furthermore, each of the two insulators 20, 21 has a creepage distance extension 26, 27, which consists of a tube of inorganic insulating material and protrudes laterally beyond the retention section 22, 23. In this case, the creepage distance extension 26, 27 does not contact the electrical conductor 18, so that a gap remains between the electrical conductor and the tubular part of the insulator 20, 21. Furthermore, the creepage distance extension 26, 27 is surrounded by the extension section 16 of the base body 12, respectively, similar to the cases of the first to third embodiments.

[0077] 4, the holding sections 22, 23 are each formed by a disk-shaped glass section 24, the electrical conductors 18 are each guided through openings in the glass section 24, and the tubes used for the creepage extensions each surround the glass section 24. The glass section 24 and the tubes are each connected to one another in a material-bonding manner, for example by melting or glass fusion.

[0078] Between the two insulators 20, 21, in the embodiment of Fig. 4, a hollow space 32 is arranged, so that the insulators 20, 21 are not in contact. In order to orient the two insulators 20, 21 in a defined manner, in the illustrated example the inner wall of the through opening 13 is provided with two shoulders 34, on which the separating element 30 and the insulators 20, 21, each configured as a thin ceramic disk, can be supported.

[0079] Fig. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the electrical feedthrough 10. The feedthrough 10 is configured as a dual feedthrough, similar to the fourth embodiment, and includes two insulators 20, 21, each configured similarly to the second embodiment described with reference to Fig. 2. The two insulators 20, 21 each surround an identical electrical conductor 18 and are inserted into the through opening 13 of the base 12 together with the electrical conductor 18.

[0080] The insulators 20, 21 each comprise a disk-shaped glass profile 24 serving as a retaining section 22, 23, which is in contact with the electrical conductor 18 and seals against it. Furthermore, the glass profile 24 also seals against the inner wall of the through opening 13. As creepage extensions 26, 27, each insulator 20, 21 comprises a tube of inorganic insulating material which is materially bonded to the glass profile 24 at one end of the glass profile 24, for example by melting or glass fusion. The creepage extensions 26, 27 thus protrude beyond only one side of the retaining section 22, 23, respectively, and surround the electrical conductor 18 at a distance, so that a gap is formed between the electrical conductor 18 and the creepage extensions 26, 27, respectively.

[0081] In the example of Fig. 5, the two insulators 20, 21 are separated from each other by two inserted disk-shaped separating elements 30. Alternatively to this, one separating element 30 can also be inserted.

[0082] Figure 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the electrical feedthrough 10. The feedthrough 10 is configured as a dual feedthrough, similar to the fourth embodiment, and includes two insulators 20, 21, each configured similarly to the third embodiment described with reference to Figure 3. The two insulators 20, 21 each surround an identical electrical conductor 18 and are inserted into the through opening 13 of the base 12 together with the electrical conductor 18.

[0083] The two insulators 20, 21 of the sixth embodiment are each tubular and contact the electrical conductor 18 only in the respective holding sections 22, 23. The electrical conductor 18 is in this case shaped in such a way that it has an enlarged diameter in the respective holding sections 22, 23. The tubular insulators 20 each seal against the inner wall of the through opening 13 and in the respective holding sections 22, 23 seal against the electrical conductor 18, so that the through opening 13 is hermetically closed.

[0084] Between the two insulators 20, 21, in the sixth embodiment, an annular separating element 30 is arranged, so that an annular hollow space 32 is formed between the separating element 30 and the electrical conductor 18.

[0085] 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the electrical feedthrough 10. The feedthrough 10 is configured as a double feedthrough, similar to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and includes two insulators 20, 21, each of which is made of a tube. The two insulators 20, 21 each surround an identical electrical conductor 18 and are inserted together with the electrical conductor 18 into the through opening 13 of the base body 12. In order to orient the two insulators 20, 21 in a defined manner, in the illustrated example the inner wall of the through opening 13 is provided with two shoulders 34, on which the separating element 30 and the insulators 20, 21, each of which is configured as a thin ceramic disk, can be supported. Between them, in this example a hollow space 32 is left.

[0086] The two insulators 20, 21 are constructed differently in this seventh embodiment, but are each manufactured from a glass tube. It can also be seen in the illustration of Fig. 7 that the electrical conductor 18 is formed asymmetrically. In the region of the holding section 22 of the insulator 20, the outer diameter of the electrical conductor 18 is enlarged, whereas in the region of the other holding section 23 of the other insulator 21, the outer diameter is not enlarged.

[0087] The first insulator 20 thereby has a wall thickness in the retaining section 22 which corresponds to the wall thickness of the first creepage distance extension 26. In the further insulator 21, its wall thickness in the further retaining section 23 is increased compared to the wall thickness of the second creepage distance extension 27.

[0088] The insulators 20, 21 shown in FIG. 7 are each obtained from a glass tube, which in a heat treatment step can be heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the glass used and thereby shaped. The two insulators 20, 21 are shaped using a mold arranged inside the glass tube by the action of an external force on the glass tube in the direction of the center of the feedthrough 10. In the case of the insulator 20, the wall thickness of the glass tube is substantially maintained, where a part of the glass passes by the holding section 22 and then solidifies. In the case of the other insulator 21, the glass material flows in the direction of the other holding section 23, where the wall thickness of the tube increases. After cooling below the glass transition temperature, the used mold can be removed again. In the conical configuration of the creepage extensions 26, 27, the inner diameter of the creepage extensions 26, 27 slightly expands outward starting from the holding sections 22, 23, so that the mold can be easily removed.

[0089] Figure 8 shows an eighth embodiment of the feedthrough 10, which, similar to the first embodiment of figure 1, is configured as a feedthrough 10 with one insulator 20 and one retaining section 22. In contrast to the first embodiment, however, the retaining section 22 is not formed using a glass blank 24, as shown in figure 1, but is obtained by deformation of a glass tube.

[0090] Analogously to what was explained with respect to the further insulator 21 of the seventh embodiment, the insulator 20 is obtained from a glass tube which is deformed under the action of heat and force. For the deforming, for example, a cylindrical hollow mould can be inserted into the through-opening 13 from both sides of the feed-through 10. By heating the glass tube and applying a force to it in the direction of the centre of the through-opening, the glass material flows in the direction of the holding section 22, so that the wall thickness of the tube increases there. After cooling below the glass transition temperature, the used mould can be removed again. With the conical configuration of the creepage extensions 26, 27, the inner diameter of the creepage extensions 26, 27 expands slightly outwards starting from the holding section 22, and the mould can likewise be easily removed.

[0091] Figure 9 shows a ninth example of the feedthrough 10. The feedthrough 10 shown in Figure 9 is a double feedthrough that is constructed similarly to the feedthrough 10 described with reference to Figure 7. In contrast to the seventh embodiment, the two insulators 20, 21 are constructed identically and their structure corresponds to the separate insulator 21 of the seventh embodiment.

[0092] The tenth embodiment shown in Fig. 10 corresponds substantially to the feedthrough 10 already described with reference to Fig. 3. The feedthrough 10 shown in Fig. 10 has an insulator 20 in which both the retention section 22 and the creepage extension 26 are obtained from one glass tube.

[0093] In order to improve the protection of the insulation 20, in contrast to the third embodiment, an additional end region 42 is provided adjacent one of the extension sections 16, which end region 42 has an enlarged inside diameter with respect to the adjacent extension section 16. As a result, a step 40 is formed at the transition between the extension section 16 and the end region 42, with the creepage extension 26 terminating in this example flush with the step 40 and thus flush with the end of the extension section 16.

[0094] In the example shown in Fig. 10, the creepage extension 26 terminates flush on the other side with the extension section 16, which in the example of Fig. 10 is not followed by a further end section. However, in other embodiments, the feedthrough 10 can of course be designed symmetrically and both extension sections 16 can each be followed by an end region 42.

[0095] The eleventh embodiment shown in Fig. 11 corresponds substantially to the feedthrough 10 already described with reference to Fig. 3. The feedthrough 10 shown in Fig. 11 likewise has an insulator 20 in which both the retention section 22 and the creepage extension 26 are obtained from one glass tube.

[0096] To reinforce the insulator 20, in contrast to the third embodiment, an additional metallic end sleeve 36 is arranged, which consists, for example, of a nickel-iron alloy. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the end sleeve 36 engages with the tubular creepage extension 26 from the inside and contacts the lateral end face of the tubular creepage extension 26.

[0097] The end sleeve 36 applies pressure to the glass of the creepage extension 26, so that the creepage extension 26 is not only radially pressurized and thus preloaded from the outside by the extension section 16 of the base body 12, but also internally and / or laterally, particularly axially pressurized and thus preloaded, thereby advantageously increasing the stability of the creepage extension 26, particularly when made of an inorganic material such as glass, glass ceramic or ceramic.

[0098] In the example shown in Fig. 11, the creepage extension 26 terminates flush with the extension section 16 on the other side, in which case no separate end sleeve is provided at this end of the creepage extension 26 in the embodiment of Fig. 11. Naturally, however, in other embodiments the feedthrough 10 can be designed symmetrically, in which case an end sleeve 36 is arranged on each of the two extension sections 16.

[0099] 12 and 13 respectively show embodiments in which the creepage extensions 26, 27 are not made from inorganic material, but are made from organic material.

[0100] The twelfth embodiment shown in Fig. 12 is similar to the second embodiment described with reference to Fig. 2 and has, inside the base body 12, an insulator 20 with a retaining section 22 obtained from a glass strip 24. The retaining section 22 retains the electrical conductor 18 guided therethrough and seals the through opening 13.

[0101] The insulator 20 further comprises two creepage extensions 26, 27 made of an organic material, such as a thermoplastic, for example in the form of a PTFE tube, which are arranged adjacent to the retaining section 22 and are connected to it in a material-bonding manner via a sealing material 28.

[0102] In order to further improve the retention of the creepage distance extensions 26, 27 inside the extension section 16 of the base body 12, the creepage distance extensions 26, 27 have male threads 39 at each end facing away from the retention section 22, which engage with corresponding female threads 38 in the extension section 16 of the base body 12.

[0103] In the example shown in FIG. 12, the creepage extensions 26,27 do not terminate flush with the ends of the extension section 16, and therefore the extension section 16 protrudes beyond the creepage extensions 26,27.

[0104] FIG. 13 shows a thirteenth embodiment of the electrical feedthrough 10, which is similar to the twelfth embodiment of FIG. 12, but which is configured as a dual feedthrough, in contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 12, but similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0105] FIG. 14 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of a fourteenth embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 10, which is similar to the eighth embodiment of FIG. 8. The feedthrough 10 of the fourteenth embodiment comprises a base body 12 with a through opening 13, into which an electrical conductor 18 is inserted and which is held in a holding section 22 of a single insulator 20. In this case, the insulator 20 seals the through opening 13 with its holding section. The holding section 22 can be obtained, for example, by deformation of a glass tube or via a glass compression member. If a glass tube is used as the raw material, the glass tube is deformed under the action of heat and force. For the deformation of the glass tube, for example, a cylindrical hollow mold can be inserted into the through opening 13 from both sides of the feedthrough 10. By heating the glass tube and applying a force to the glass tube in the direction of the center of the through opening, the glass material flows in the direction of the holding section 22, so that the wall thickness of the tube increases there. If a glass blank is the raw material, a cylindrical mould can also be inserted from both sides, in which case the insulator 20 is obtained under the action of heat from the blank. After cooling below the glass transition temperature, the used mould can be removed again.

[0106] In this case, the creepage extensions 26, 27 of the insulator 20 are formed in a conical shape, so that the inner diameter of the creepage extensions 26, 27 starts from the retaining section 22 and expands slightly outward. This assists in removing the mold during production. In addition, it is assumed that the transitions from the creepage extensions 26, 27 to the retaining section 22 of the insulator 20 are provided with a rounding 50. Furthermore, it is assumed here by way of example that a preload is applied to the insulator 20 in the axial direction via a step 52 at the base body 12. This axial preload is preferably supplemented to the pressing force applied to the insulator 20 by the base body 12, which acts in the radial direction. However, as an alternative to the step 52 at the base body, it is also conceivable to apply a pressing force, and thus a preload, to the insulator 20 in the axial direction via an end sleeve 36, as shown in FIG. 11, for example.

[0107] It can further be seen in FIG. 14 that in the fourteenth embodiment, the extension sections 16 of the base body 12, which connect to either side of the feed-through section 14, have the same diameter as the feed-through section 14.

[0108] Figure 15 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 10, in which a creepage distance extension 26 is arranged only on one side, starting from the feedthrough section 14 of the base body 12. In this case, only the part of the conductor 18 which is located to the left of the retention section 22 in Figure 15 is surrounded at a distance by the creepage distance extension 26. In contrast, the part of the conductor 18 which is located to the right of the retention section 22 in Figure 15 is exposed.

[0109] As in the previous embodiment, the base body 12 of the feedthrough 10 has a through opening 13 into which the conductor 18 is inserted and is held via a holding section 22 of the insulator 20. In this case, the holding section 22 of the insulator 20 seals the through opening 13.

[0110] In the embodiment of Fig. 15, the diameter of the through-opening 13 is not constant over its entire length, but in the transition region 54 it expands from a smaller diameter inside the feed-through section 14 to a larger diameter in the extension section 16. Since the base body 12 is in contact with and supported by the creepage extension 26 of the insulator 20 adjacent to the retaining section 22 over its entire length, the outer diameter of the insulator 20 also expands accordingly. This configuration with a variable inner diameter makes it possible to configure the free space between the conductor 18 and the creepage extension 26, which is provided for the formation of an electrical connection with the conductor 18, as large as possible, while at the same time making it possible to reduce the thickness of the insulator 20 in the retaining section 22.

[0111] Figure 16 shows an example of a feedthrough assembly 100 that includes multiple electrical feedthroughs 10. In the cross-sectional view of Figure 16, two feedthroughs 10 are visible.

[0112] The feedthrough assembly 100 comprises a base 110 with a number of through openings 13 into which one electrical feedthrough 10 is inserted in each case. In the example of Fig. 16, the base 110 is in this case a common substrate 12 for all feedthroughs 10. Alternatively to this, the feedthroughs may each have their own substrate 12, which in this case is hermetically joined to the base 110, for example by welding.

[0113] The base 110 used as substrate 12 completely surrounds the insulators 20 with the creepage extensions 26, 27 (see Figs. 1 to 6), respectively, which protects the insulators 20 from environmental influences, in particular from mechanical damage. In the example of Fig. 16, the creepage extensions 26 and the holding section 22 are manufactured from an inorganic material, for example a glass tube. This allows these insulators 20 to be configured to be particularly heat-resistant and aging-resistant. In the example shown in Fig. 16, the base 110 further comprises attachment means 112, which are configured here as threaded holes, by means of which the base 110 can be fixed, for example, to parts of a device or a housing.

[0114] The electrical feedthroughs 10 make it possible to conduct electrical current from one side to the respective other side of the feedthrough assembly 100. For this purpose, the electrical conductors 18 of the individual feedthroughs 10 can be brought into contact with each other, for example by means of a plug 150, to which a conductor, for example in the form of a cable (not shown in FIG. 16), can be connected.

[0115] In the example of FIG. 16, the through openings 13 open on one side into a common hollow space 130, which is formed by a recess in the base 110 and a retaining plate 120 which is connected to the base 110. In this case, the retaining plate 120 can be connected to the base 110 via attachment means 122, for example screws. If the electrical conductors 18 of the individual feed-throughs 10 are contact-connected via a plug 150 and a cable (not shown), the cable can be guided through the hollow space 130 and the retaining plate 120. In this case, the cable fastening 140 can close the hollow space 130, which is thus protected from environmental influences such as moisture. The hollow space 130 can be evacuated, for example via a closable exhaust opening 132.

[0116] FIG. 17 shows a second example of a feed-through assembly 100, which is constructed similarly to the first example of FIG. 16. In contrast to the first example, the individual feed-throughs 10 are constructed according to the twelfth embodiment described with reference to FIG. 12. Correspondingly, the insulators 20 are obtained from a glass blank 24 and thus each have a retention section 22 made of an inorganic material. The creepage extensions 26, 27 (see FIG. 12) are in contrast to this and are formed from an organic material, for example a PTFE tube. They are material-bonded to the retention section 22 via a sealing material 28. Furthermore, the creepage extensions 26, 27 are additionally mechanically fixed via an external thread 39 arranged at their end, which engages in a corresponding internal thread 38 of the through-opening 13.

[0117] The scope of the claims is not limited to the embodiments described herein, in particular numerous variations are possible in which the individual features of the embodiments described herein are combined with one another. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10 Feedthrough 12 Base 13 Through opening 14 Feedthrough section 16 Extended section 18 Electrical Conductors 19 Connecting Section 20 Insulators 21 Another insulator 22 Holding Section 23 Another holding section 24 Compression material 25 Another compression material 26 Creepage extension 27 Another creepage distance extension 28 Encapsulation material 30 separation elements 32 Hollow space 34 Shoulder 36 End sleeve 38 Female thread 39 Male thread 40 step part 42 End area 50 Rounded part 52 Step part 54 Transition Zone 100 Feedthrough Assembly 110 Base 112 Attachment means 120 Retaining Plate 122 Attachment means 130 Hollow space 132 Exhaust opening 140 Cable fastening part 150 Plug

Claims

1. An electrical feedthrough (10) comprising a substrate (12) with at least one through opening (13), At least one electrical conductor (18) is disposed in the through opening (13) and fixed in the through opening (13) via at least one insulator (20); The insulator (20) closes the through opening (13) and provides a seal against the conductor (18) and the wall of the through opening (13); The insulator (20) has at least one retention section (22) that seals against and retains the at least one electrical conductor (18), and the insulator (20) has at least one creepage distance extension (26, 27) that surrounds, at a distance, a portion of the electrical conductor (18) that protrudes beyond the retention section (22); the at least one creepage distance extension (26, 27) is formed integrally with the at least one holding section (22) or is connected to the at least one holding section (22) in a materially bonded manner, in particular by glass fusion or adhesive bonding, and the base body (12) at least partially surrounds the at least one creepage distance extension (26, 27), The base (12) is in contact with the creepage distance extensions (26, 27). Electrical feedthrough (10).

2. The substrate (12) has a feedthrough section (14) with a first diameter; The at least one retaining section (22) is located inside the feed-through section (14), and an extension section (16) is arranged on one or both sides of the feed-through section (14), the extension section (16) having a second, smaller diameter and at least partially surrounding the creepage distance extensions (26, 27). The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

3. the base (12) completely surrounds the at least one creepage distance extension (26, 27); the base (12) terminates flush with the at least one creepage distance extension (26, 27) or protrudes beyond the at least one creepage distance extension (26, 27); The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

4. The first end and / or the second end of the electrical conductor (18) are surrounded by one or more creepage distance extensions (26, 27). The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

5. The electrical feedthrough (10) comprises at least two insulators (20), which are separated from one another by a hollow space (32) and / or at least one separating element (30), and both of which seal against the same electrical conductor (18). The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

6. The at least one through opening (13) is hermetically sealed by the at least one insulator (20). The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

7. the material of the at least one creepage distance extension (26, 27) is selected from inorganic or organic materials, in particular from thermoplastics; The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

8. the at least one creepage distance extension (26, 27) made of an organic material is fixed to the base (12) via a sealing material and / or a screw thread; The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 7.

9. The holding section (22) is made of an inorganic insulating material, The materials for the retaining section (22) and the creepage distance extensions (26, 27) may be selected differently or identically. The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

10. the material of the retaining section (22) and / or the material of the creepage distance extensions (26, 27) is selected from glass, glass ceramic or ceramic, or the material of the creepage distance extensions (26, 27) comprises at least glass, glass ceramic or ceramic. The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

11. In different material choices, the thermal expansion coefficient of the creepage extensions (26, 27) deviates from the thermal expansion coefficient of the at least one retaining section (22) by less than 20%, preferably by less than 10%. The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 9.

12. The at least one holding section (22) is obtained by sintering a glass or ceramic composite (24). The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 9.

13. the at least one creepage distance extension (26, 27) is formed in the form of a glass tube; The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 9.

14. The thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate (12) is greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the at least one insulator (20). The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

15. the material of said substrate (12) is selected from metals, in particular from steel; The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

16. the material of the at least one electrical conductor (18) is selected from metals, in particular nickel-iron alloys, cobalt-iron alloys, steels, in particular kovar, aluminum, copper or combinations of these materials; The electrical feedthrough (10) of claim 1.

17. A feedthrough assembly (100), comprising: a base (110) with one or more through-openings (13) and an electrical feed-through (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, respectively arranged in said one or more through-openings (13), A feedthrough assembly (100).

18. 17. A method of using an electrical feedthrough (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising: in applications involving pressures of at least 5 bar, preferably at least 10 bar, particularly preferably at least 20 bar, and / or in applications involving temperatures of at least -273°C, preferably at least 300°C, particularly preferably at least 600°C; and / or In applications involving gamma radiation exposure of at least 1 kGy, preferably at least 1 MGy, particularly preferably at least 20 MGy; How to use.

19. 17. A method of using an electrical feedthrough (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising: deep-sea equipment, for example oil and / or natural gas drilling or exploration equipment, and / or in chemically or radiologically contaminated environments, for example in the chemical industry or in energy installation and furnace technology, in particular in potentially explosive areas, in energy generating or energy storing devices with housings or in encapsulations of energy generating or energy storing devices or reactors or storage devices for toxic and / or harmful materials, in particular as feed-through devices in or through the containment of reactors, in particular scientific or nuclear reactors, or in spacecraft or space probes, or in housings for sensors and / or actuators, manned or unmanned vessels, for example underwater robots and submersibles, and gas tanks, in particular CO ２ H also for vehicles with storage or preferably fuel cells ２ In tanks or in manned or unmanned vessels, such as underwater robots and submersibles, and gas tanks, especially CO ２ H also for vehicles with storage or preferably fuel cells ２ In contact with the tank, How to use.

Images