Method for joining electrical conductors by magnetostriction and magnetostriction-generating device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the joining, to a first conductor that includes a connector, of a second conductor formed by at least one strand made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy and having at least one end, the shape of which allows it to be introduced into the connector of the first conductor. The method has a step of installing the conductors, with the end of the second conductor being inserted into the connector of the first conductor. There is a magnetostriction step which has an electrodynamic force being generated in the connector so that the connector is crushed around the second conductor introduced into the connector. The subject of the invention is also a magnetostriction-generating device. In particular, the invention applies to the connecting-up of energy networks on all (for example, aerospace) carriers and equipment, with high-current and/or long links. The invention may also apply to connections suitable for information transmission on general-purpose conductors.

1 . A method for the joining, to a first conductor that includes a connector, a second conductor formed by a strand made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy and having at least one end, the shape of which allows it to be introduced into the connector of the first conductor, comprising the following steps:
 a step of installing the conductors, the end of the second conductor being inserted into the connector of the first conductor; and   a magnetostriction step, an electrodynamic force being generated in the connector so that said connector is crushed around the second conductor introduced into the connector.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said magnetostriction step comprises:
 a substep for heating the second conductor and the connector until their plastic deformation point is reached;   a substep for thermally stabilizing the second conductor and the connector; and   a substep for implementing the electrodynamic effect of the magnetostriction.   
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , including a step of preparing the two conductors, comprising:
 a substep in which the second conductor is stripped at its end;   a substep in which the stripped part of the second conductor and at least the internal part of the connector of the first conductor are pickled; and   a substep in which the stripped part of the second conductor and at least the internal part of the connector are rinsed and then dried.   
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of preparing the two conductors and/or step of installing the conductors are carried out in a flow of inert gas. 
   
   
       5 . A magnetostriction-generating device suitable for joining, to a first conductor that includes a connector, a second conductor formed a strand made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy and having at least one end, the shape of which allows it to be introduced into the connector of the first conductor, comprising:
 an induction loop generating a magnetic field, the induction loop being designed to couple said magnetic field to the deformable part of the connector, the shape and the dimensions of the loop being suitable for holding the deformable part in place;   an inductor connected via a fourth switch to a voltage generator, to a current generator and to a third switch which makes it possible to select whether the inductor is connected to the current generator or to the voltage generator;   an AC current generator coupled to the inductor and to the induction loop via a transformer, a first switch being placed in parallel with the AC current generator; and   a circuit comprising a second switch and a capacitor in parallel with the inductor.   
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the induction loop and/or the transformer and/or the inductor are cooled. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein said device is included in a coaxial toroidal envelope, said outer envelope contributing to reducing the magnetic fields due to the inductor and to the transformer through the Frager turn effect. 
   
   
       8 . The use of the device according to  claim 5 , in the following operating sequence:
 the first switch is opened;   the second switch is closed;   position (a) on the third switch is selected, making it possible to supply the inductor by the voltage generator until sufficient energy for implementing the electrodynamic effect is stored in the inductor;   the AC current generator is implemented so that sufficient thermal energy to ensure the correct temperature has been transferred into the connector;   the AC current generator is employed for the time needed for the heat to diffuse into the conductor placed in the connector and position (b) on the third switch is selected, making it possible to supply the inductor by the current generator during this time;   the second switch is opened and the first switch is closed; and   the fourth switch is opened.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 2 , including a step of preparing the two conductors, comprising:
 a substep in which the second conductor is stripped at its end;   a substep in which the stripped part of the second conductor and at least the internal part of the connector of the first conductor are pickled; and   
     a substep in which the stripped part of the second conductor and at least the internal part of the connector are rinsed and then dried. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said step of preparing the two conductors and/or step of installing the conductors are carried out in a flow of inert gas. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said step of preparing the two conductors and/or step of installing the conductors are carried out in a flow of inert gas. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said device is included in a coaxial toroidal envelope, said outer envelope contributing to reducing the magnetic fields due to the inductor and to the transformer through the Frager turn effect. 
   
   
       13 . The use of the device according to  claim 6 , in the following operating sequence:
 the first switch is opened;   the second switch is closed;   position (a) on the third switch is selected, making it possible to supply the inductor by the voltage generator until sufficient energy for implementing the electrodynamic effect is stored in the inductor;   the AC current generator is implemented so that sufficient thermal energy to ensure the correct temperature has been transferred into the connector;   the AC current generator is employed for the time needed for the heat to diffuse into the conductor placed in the connector and position (b) on the third switch is selected, making it possible to supply the inductor by the current generator during this time;   the second switch is opened and the first switch is closed; and   
     the fourth switch is opened. 
   
   
       14 . The use of the device according to  claim 7 , in the following operating sequence:
 the first switch is opened;   the second switch is closed;   position (a) on the third switch is selected, making it possible to supply the inductor by the voltage generator until sufficient energy for implementing the electrodynamic effect is stored in the inductor;   the AC current generator is implemented so that sufficient thermal energy to ensure the correct temperature has been transferred into the connector;   the AC current generator is employed for the time needed for the heat to diffuse into the conductor placed in the connector and position (b) on the third switch is selected, making it possible to supply the inductor by the current generator during this time;   the second switch is opened and the first switch is closed; and   
     the fourth switch is opened.