High current feed-through capacitor

Abstract

A compact, lightweight, high current, feed-through capacitor for variable speed constant frequency aircraft power systems to provide filtering for unwanted higher harmonics and electromagnetic interference produced by the systems which provides a high temperature, high current feed-through capacitor having a hollow conductive housing, a conductive feed-through stud within the housing, an annular capacitive element for conducting electrical energy, and an electrical coupling, comprising a first conductor composed between an outer surface of the stud and an inner surface of the capacitive element, the first conductor providing an electrical path from the stud to the capacitive element for electrical energy present in the stud and a second conductor disposed radially between an outer surface of the capacitive element and an inner surface of the housing, the second conductor providing an electrical path for the electrical energy conducted by the capacitive element from the stud. The housing is coupled to an electrical ground to provide dissipation. The capacitive element has electrode coatings on its inner and outer surfaces to conduct electrical energy thereto and therefrom. The first and second conductors bear resiliently against the electrode coatings to suspend the capacitive element between the feed-through stud and the housing, thereby allowing the housing, the capacitive element and the stud to shift relative to one another as the temperature of the feed-through capacitor changes, whereby mechanical stress which would be placed on the capacitive element absent the first and second conductors is dissipated.