Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Roy Burton Steele

Stephen Wayne Anderson

Thomas E Kirk

Melvin T Robinson

A power rectifier has a diode blank sandwiched between a pair of contacts which apply progressive compressive loads upon the diode blank as the temperature of the diode assembly increases. Preferably, the contacts are formed from dissimilar metals having different thermal expansion characteristics and are operatively coupled such that the thermal expansion differential translates into the desired compressive load characteristic.

Thermally responsive compressive diode assembly

A bridge rectifier for a diode-rectified alternating current generator that is comprised of two metallic heat sinks formed respectively of copper and aluminum that are separated by an electrical insulator. Each heat sink carries a plurality of semiconductor diode chips. The diode chips are electrically connected to electrical connectors that are insert molded to insulator blocks that are supported by one of the heat sinks. The electrical connectors are adapted to be connected to the phase windings of an alternating current generator. The aluminum heat sink has a finned area which is adapted to be contacted by cooling air when the bridge rectifier is mounted in the generator.

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Richmond, IN, United States of America

Roy Burton Steele