Rectifier bridge assembly comprising stack of high-current pn semiconductor wafers in a sealed housing whose end caps comprise ac terminals of the bridge

Claim 1

An integrally housed electric bridge assembly having a pair of A-C terminals and a pair of D-C terminals comprising: a. a tubular insulative housing which is sealed at each end by a conductive capping member and which includes a pair of conductive members passing through the wall thereof; b. at least four rectifying elements, each of said elements comprising a PN semiconductor wafer having a pair of flat sides, one of said sides being an anode and the opposite side being a cathode, said elements being disposed parallel to one another inside said housing and along its axis; c. a plurality of electrical conductors disposed within said housing for interconnecting said elements and members, each of said conductors including flat portions which are interposed between and which abut selected rectifying elements, a first one of said interconnecting conductors having one portion abutting one of said capping members and a second one of said conductors having one portion abutting the other of said capping members, said rectifying elements and said abutting conductors being so arranged that upon the application of pressure to said capping members a bridge circuit results, one of said pairs of terminals comprising the capping members and the other of said pairs of terminals comprising the pair of conductive members; and d. insulating means comprising a flat wafer of insulating material disposed between the flat portions of said first and second conductors for ensuring electrical isolation therebetween.