| 摘要 |
Methods and apparatus are provided for coupling two similar or different types of bus bar conductors, where a conductor strap of each bus bar is submersed in a low melting point conductive alloy contained in a chamber. One of the conductor straps may be fabricated to include the chamber for containing the alloy. The chamber is preferably designed to provide ample room for movement of the conductor straps resulting from expansion or contraction of the bus bars. By providing sufficient room and depth in the chamber, the system can maintain its connection even when subjected to seismic shocks. According to different aspects of the invention, the chamber containing the low melting point conductive alloy can be used: to effect an aluminum to copper conductor coupling; to avoid corrosion problems; to act as an electrical coupler for vibration producing electrical equipment such as motors, generators, transformers, etc.; and to act as an electrical switch or circuit breaker. Where used as an electrical switch or circuit breaker, either the chamber is provided with a draining mechanism so that the switch is opened by draining the alloy from the chamber, or the chamber or one of the conductors is provided with a lifting or lowering mechanism for moving the chamber or one of the conductors in order to break the circuit.
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