Disc Cell Assembly Fastener
The clamping device for disc cell assemblies allows for easy determination and calibration of clamping force using a central and perimeter fastener system, addressing the challenges of hydraulic presses and enabling on-site repairs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025531996
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-30
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing clamped disc cell assemblies face challenges in determining clamping force without hydraulic presses, which are expensive and require on-site retrieval for repairs, leading to high costs and downtime.
A clamping device comprising a first and second plate with disc springs between them, adjustable via a central fastener and perimeter fasteners, allowing for easy determination and calibration of clamping force without hydraulic presses.
Enables easy determination and calibration of clamping force, reducing costs and enabling on-site repairs, thus saving time and resources.
Smart Images
Figure 2026504258000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] (Claim of priority under 35 USC Section 119) This application for patent claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 18 / 071,845, filed November 30, 2022, entitled "DISC CELL ASSEMBLY CLAMP," which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] (Field) FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to clamping devices, and more particularly to clamping disc cell assemblies. [Background technology]
[0003] High-power disc cells, which may house thyristors or diodes, generally have high heat dissipation and, as a result, are often clamped between heat sinks that provide electrical and thermal conduction. The clamping force holding such disc cells is tightly controlled and is typically provided by a spring pack to multiple stacked disc cells in a clamped disc cell assembly. Such clamping force is often engaged and calibrated using a hydraulic press that compresses the spring pack with a known force. However, hydraulic presses are expensive, and determining the clamping force present in a clamped disc cell assembly without a hydraulic press can be challenging. Furthermore, repairing such clamped disc cell assemblies often requires retrieving the entire clamped disc cell assembly to a location with a hydraulic press, rather than repairing it on-site with minimal downtime.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a new clamped disc cell assembly design having a new disc cell assembly clamping fixture that addresses some of the current shortcomings, particularly those with limitations associated with hydraulic presses used to engage and calibrate the clamping force of clamped disc cell assemblies. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] (overview) The following presents a simplified summary related to one or more aspects and / or embodiments disclosed herein. As such, the following summary should not be considered an extensive overview related to all contemplated aspects and / or embodiments, nor should it be considered to identify key or critical elements related to all contemplated aspects and / or embodiments or to delineate the scope associated with any particular aspect and / or embodiment. As such, the following summary is intended only to present certain concepts related to one or more aspects and / or embodiments related to the mechanisms disclosed herein in a simplified form prior to the detailed description presented below.
[0006] Some aspects of the present disclosure may be characterized as an apparatus for clamping a disc cell assembly including a first plate, a second plate, and one or more disc springs between the first and second plates. The one or more disc springs between the first and second plates may be configured to apply a clamping force to the disc cell assembly when compressed. The apparatus may include a central fastener configured to adjustably compress the one or more disc springs that may pass through the second plate and into the first plate. The apparatus may include a plurality of peripheral fasteners configured to secure the second plate in place that may maintain the clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs.
[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure may be characterized as an apparatus for clamping a disc cell assembly including means for compressing one or more disc springs between a first plate and a second plate and applying a clamping force to the disc cell assembly, and means for securing the second plate in position and maintaining the clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs.
[0008] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may be characterized as a method for clamping a disc cell assembly including coupling a first plate to a disc cell assembly, coupling one or more disc springs to the disc cell assembly on the first plate, coupling a second plate to the disc cell assembly on the one or more disc springs, and securing the first plate, the second plate, and the one or more disc springs together with fasteners. The method may include inserting a central screw through the second plate into the first plate with no active force applied to the one or more disc springs, tightening the central screw to compress the one or more disc springs until a desired clamping force is provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs, and tightening the fasteners to fix the position of the second plate and maintain the desired clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary clamping disc cell assembly having an exemplary clamping device, according to one or more embodiments.
[0010] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the top portion of the exemplary clamping disc cell assembly of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments.
[0011] [Figure 3]FIG. 3 illustrates an upper portion of the exemplary clamping disc cell assembly of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments.
[0012] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an upper portion of an exemplary clamping disc cell assembly with end stops, according to one or more embodiments.
[0013] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for clamping a disc cell assembly, according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] (Detailed explanation) The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as being "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0015] The present disclosure may enable a clamped disc cell assembly having a disc cell assembly clamping tool whose clamping force can be easily determined when engaged without the use of a hydraulic press. Additionally, the present disclosure may enable engagement and calibration of a clamped disc cell assembly clamping force without the use of a hydraulic press, saving money and time by enabling field repairs, etc.
[0016] Some embodiments of the present disclosure may include an apparatus for clamping a disc cell assembly (i.e., a disc cell assembly clamp or clamping device) configured to provide a clamping force to the disc cell assembly. The clamping device may include a first plate, a second plate, and one or more disc springs mounted between the first and second plates and configured to apply a clamping force to the disc cell assembly when compressed. For example, the one or more disc springs may be compressed between the first and second plates at the top side of the disc cell assembly and press the first plate into the top side of the disc cell assembly when the second plate is held in place. The clamping device may further include a central fastener that passes through the second plate and into the first plate and is configured to adjustably compress the one or more disc springs. For example, the central fastener may be a central screw that passes through a central hole in the second plate and enters a threaded recess or threaded hole in the first plate. Such a central screw can be tightened to adjustably compress the one or more disc springs by bringing the first plate and the second plate closer together. The clamping device can further include a plurality of perimeter fasteners configured to secure the second plate in place and maintain the clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs. For example, the perimeter fasteners can include a threaded rod spanning the entire length of the disc cell assembly and passing through the first and second plates, and a nut coupled to each end of the threaded rod configured to secure the second plate in place and maintain the clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs.
[0017] In some embodiments, the clamping device may further include a third plate on an opposing side of the disc cell assembly relative to the first and second plates and configured to press into the opposing side of the disc cell assembly when the one or more disc springs are compressed and the second plate is held in place. For example, perimeter fasteners coupled to the first, second, and third plates may hold the second and third plates a fixed distance apart such that the disc springs apply a clamping force to the first plate, and thereby to the disc cell assembly.
[0018] In some embodiments, each fastener will hold one or more disc springs between the first and second plates. The disc springs may be held in series, parallel, in combination, or otherwise by the fasteners to achieve a desired clamping force on the disc cell assembly.
[0019] In some embodiments, the clamping force can be adjusted by a central fastener that is permitted to pass through a hole in the second plate and enter a recess in the first plate. The central fastener can be tightened to reduce the distance between the second plate and the first plate, thereby increasing the force applied to the disc cell assembly by the disc spring. The central fastener can be embodied as a screw that is tightened by rotating into a threaded recess in the first plate. Furthermore, the rotation of the central fastener can be measured by a dial mounted circumferentially around the fastener, which can indicate the amount of plate displacement and, in turn, the force applied by the spring. This can allow the disc cell assembly to be compressed to a desired preset clamping force by observing the rotation of the central fastener relative to a zero point.
[0020] In some embodiments, the clamping force applied to the disc cell assembly may be measured at one or more of the plurality of perimeter fasteners in addition to or as an alternative to the central fastener. The measurement method may include installing end stops between the first and second plates at or near one or more of the perimeter fasteners and tensioning the perimeter fastener until both the first and second plates strike the perimeter fastener, indicating that a specified clamping force has been achieved.
[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1 , shown is an exemplary clamping disc cell assembly 100 having an exemplary clamping device. The clamping device includes an upper base plate 104a, a clamping force plate 102, one or more disc springs 106, one or more peripheral fasteners, and a clamping portion. The peripheral fasteners comprise a threaded rod 112, a nut 114, and a washer 116. As shown, the threaded rod 112 passes through the clamping force plate 102, the springs 106, and the upper base plate 104a with the purpose of coupling each of those components together. The springs 106 are shown surrounding the threaded rod 112. Shown in the center of the clamping force plate 102 is a clamping portion comprising a central fastener 108 in the form of a screw and central fastener dial 110. The clamping force plate 102 includes a hole through which the central fastener 108 may pass, and the upper base plate 104a includes a threaded recess configured to receive the threaded portion of the central fastener 108. The central fastener 108 may be tightened to apply a clamping force between the upper base plate 104a and the clamping force plate 102, whereby the magnitude of the clamping force will be determined by the disc spring 106. The central fastener dial 110 will indicate the amount of displacement between the clamping force plate 102 and the upper base plate 104a as a result of rotation of the central fastener 108, thereby indicating the magnitude of the clamping force.
[0022] 1 depicts a design in which the plate includes four perimeter fasteners (one at each corner of the plate) each with a single disc spring 106. Those skilled in the art will understand that the number of perimeter fasteners and the number and arrangement of disc springs 106 coupled to each fastener can be adjusted as desired for the intended application. An exemplary arrangement and number of disc springs 106 can be six stacks in a three-by-three configuration in a convex or V-shaped configuration. Additionally, the perimeter fasteners can be arranged at various radii and angles relative to the central fastener 108, and the plate geometry can be adjusted to accommodate various arrangements of perimeter fasteners.
[0023] Shown below the upper base plate 104a is an upper insulator plate 118a that separates the upper base plate 104a from the upper bus bar 120a of the disk cell assembly. Shown in FIG. 1 is a specific arrangement for a disk cell assembly with a top bus bar 120a, a top heat sink 122a, a disk cell 124, a bottom heat sink 122b, and a bottom bus bar 120b stacked in series. The top bus bar 120a and the bottom bus bar 120b include holes through which the threaded rods 112 pass. The force provided by the disk springs 106 is then applied to the disk cell assembly as a clamping force. Shown below the bottom bus bar 120b in FIG. 1 is a second disk cell configuration similar to the first disk cell configuration. While FIG. 1 shows a clamped disc cell assembly including two disc cells, those skilled in the art will understand that such an assembly can be modified to contain fewer or more disc cells stacked in series depending on the desired application. Additionally, the bottom bus plate of one disc cell can be considered the top bus plate of the next, or other dividers can be used between the disc cells. Below the bottom bus plate is a bottom insulator plate 118b, which separates the bus bar from the bottom base plate 104b, which is coupled to the threaded rod 112. The top insulator plate 118a is configured to insulate the top base plate 104a from electrical current present in the disc cell assembly, and the bottom insulator plate 118b is configured to insulate the bottom base plate 104b from electrical current present in the disc cell assembly.
[0024] 2, shown is an exploded view of the upper portion of the exemplary clamping disc cell assembly of FIG. 1. The upper base plate 104a includes one or more peripheral holes 232, and the clamping force plate 102 also includes one or more peripheral holes 230, both of which are positioned so that when a desired clamping force is applied by tensioning the central fastener 108, one or more threaded rods 112 can pass through the holes and disc springs 106 for nuts 114 to hold the clamping disc cell assembly in place. While nuts 114 and washers 116 are shown to fasten the clamping disc cell assembly in this embodiment, one skilled in the art will understand that there are multiple ways to fasten the clamping force plate 102 in place along the threaded rods 112 and preserve the clamping force. Also shown in this exploded view is a central hole 226 bore through the center of the clamping force plate 102 and a threaded central recess 228 bore into the center of the upper side of the upper base plate 104a that is configured to receive the threads of the central fastener 108.
[0025] The peripheral holes 232 in the top base plate 104a have a larger diameter at the bottom than at the top and can accommodate such an insulating sheath while holding the threaded rod 112 in place. The bottom base plate 104b can similarly be adjusted to accommodate an insulating sheath over the threaded rod 112. Additionally, the coupling of the bottom base plate 104b to the threaded rod 112 can include various fastener methods, such as bore holes with washers and nuts, welding, or yet other methods.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, shown is the upper portion of the exemplary clamped disc cell assembly of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the central fastener 108 includes indicator notches 309 along dial markings 311 on the central fastener dial 110 to indicate the force applied to the spring as a function of rotation of the central fastener 108. The dial markings 311 are circumferentially positioned around the central fastener 108 such that each mark indicates a specific rotation of the central fastener 108. This rotation indicates the amount of displacement of the clamping force plate 102 relative to the upper base plate 104a, which adjusts the force applied to the disc cell assembly by the disc spring 106. The clamping force can thereby be precisely adjusted and applied to the disc cell assembly via rotation of the central fastener 108.
[0027] 4, shown is the upper portion of an exemplary clamping disc cell assembly having end stops. In this embodiment, a precise clamping force can be achieved by tensioning each of one or more nuts 114 until the upper base plate 104a and the clamping force plate 102 are spaced a distance defined by one or more end stops 407a, 407b. Such defined distance is associated with a predetermined clamping force desired to be applied to the disc cell assembly.
[0028] As one skilled in the art will appreciate, there are numerous alternatives to physical end stops and central screw dials that can be utilized to determine the distance between the plates. Distance can also be measured at multiple sites along the plates.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method 500 for clamping a disc cell assembly. The method begins by coupling a first plate to the disc cell assembly (502). One or more disc springs are then coupled to the disc cell assembly on top of the first plate (504). A second plate is then coupled to the disc cell assembly on top of the one or more disc springs (506). Fasteners are then added to secure the first plate, the second plate, and the one or more disc springs (508). Next, a central screw passes through the second plate and into the first plate (510) with no active force applied to the one or more disc springs. The central screw is then tightened to compress the one or more disc springs until the desired clamping force is provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs (512). Finally, the fasteners are tightened (514) to fix the position of the second plate and maintain the desired clamping force provided by the one or more disc springs to the disc cell assembly.
[0030] For disc cell assemblies requiring high clamping forces, it is anticipated that the method may be modified so that, instead of steps 512 and 514, the method may include tightening a central screw and fasteners in combination to compress one or more disc springs until the desired clamping force is provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs. In either case, an additional step of removing the central screw from the clamped disc cell assembly may be added at the end of the method. When the central screw is removed, the peripheral fasteners will still maintain the clamping force. In this way, a single central screw may be used to appropriately tension the clamping force on multiple disc cell assemblies to the value desired for production.
[0031] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelty disclosed herein.
Claims
1. 1. An apparatus for clamping a disc cell assembly, said apparatus comprising: a first plate; a second plate coupled to the first plate; one or more disc springs between the first plate and the second plate configured to apply a clamping force to the disc cell assembly when compressed; a plurality of peripheral fasteners configured to secure the second plate in place and maintain the clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs; The device is provided with:
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more disc springs comprise a plurality of disc spring stacks, each disc spring stack being directly coupled to a corresponding perimeter fastener.
3. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more end stops between the first plate and the second plate configured to indicate an amount of displacement of the one or more disc springs associated with a predetermined clamping force.
4. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central fastener comprises a central screw received by a threaded recess in a first plate, the central screw configured to compress the one or more disc springs when tightened.
5. The device of claim 4 , further comprising a dial associated with the central screw, the dial comprising indicia configured to indicate a degree of rotation of the central screw.
6. The perimeter fasteners include: a threaded rod spanning the entire length of the disc cell assembly and passing through the first plate and the second plate; a nut coupled to each end of the threaded rod configured to secure the second plate in place and maintain the clamping force provided by the one or more disc springs to the disc cell assembly; The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the perimeter fasteners are configured to compress the one or more disc springs when tightened.
8. 1. An apparatus for clamping a disc cell assembly, said apparatus comprising: a first plate; a second plate coupled to the first plate; one or more disc springs between the first plate and the second plate configured to apply a clamping force to the disc cell assembly when compressed; means for compressing said one or more disc springs; means for fixing the second plate in place and maintaining the clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs; The device is provided with:
9. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for securing comprises a plurality of perimeter fasteners, and the one or more disc springs comprise a plurality of disc spring stacks, each disc spring stack directly coupled to a corresponding perimeter fastener.
10. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising one or more end stops between the first plate and the second plate configured to indicate an amount of displacement of the one or more disc springs associated with a predetermined clamping force.
11. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for compressing comprises a central screw received by a threaded recess in a first plate, the central screw configured to compress the one or more disc springs when tightened.
12. 12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a dial associated with the central screw, the dial comprising indicia configured to indicate a degree of rotation of the central screw.
13. The means for fixing comprises: a threaded rod spanning the entire length of the disc cell assembly and passing through the first plate and the second plate; a nut coupled to each end of the threaded rod configured to secure the second plate in place and maintain the clamping force provided by the one or more disc springs to the disc cell assembly; 9. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising:
14. 1. A method for clamping a disc cell assembly, the method comprising: coupling a first plate to the disc cell assembly; coupling one or more disc springs to the disc cell assembly on top of the first plate; coupling a second plate to the disc cell assembly on top of the one or more disc springs; securing the first plate, the second plate, and the one or more disc springs together with fasteners; tightening a fastener to fix the position of the second plate and maintain a desired clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by the one or more disc springs; A method comprising:
15. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising removing the central screw after tightening the fastener to fix the position of the second plate and maintain the desired clamping force provided by the one or more disc springs to the disc cell assembly.
16. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising establishing a zero point for the displacement of the one or more disc springs when the first plate, the second plate, and the one or more disc springs are fixed together, the central screw is inserted, and no significant force is applied to the one or more disc springs.
17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining a clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by measuring the displacement of the one or more disc springs from the zero point.
18. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining the clamping force provided to the disc cell assembly by measuring rotation of the central screw using a dial associated with the central screw, the dial including indicia configured to indicate a degree of rotation of the central screw.
19. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein tightening the central screw comprises tightening the central screw and the fastener to compress the one or more disc springs until a desired clamping force is provided by the one or more disc springs to the disc cell assembly.
20. further comprising inserting one or more end stops between the first plate and the second plate; 15. The method of claim 14, wherein tightening the central screw comprises tightening the central screw to compress the one or more disc springs until a desired clamping force is provided by the one or more disc springs to the disc cell assembly as determined by a thickness of the one or more end stops.