Introduction
In 1905, Albert Einstein wrote what has been described as “the most revolutionary sentence written by a physicist of the 20th century.”
According to the assumption to be contemplated here, when a light ray is spreading from a point, the energy is not distributed continuously over ever-increasing spaces, but consists of a finite number of energy quanta that are localized in points in space, move without dividing, and can be absorbed or generated only as a whole.
This sentence essentially laid out the idea of photons, and the idea that light does not travel in a wave but rather as individual particles. From there, he theorized that metal absorbs light and that once the metal had reached capacity, it would begin releasing photons.
For some decades before, and many decades after, physicists had been exploring the possibility of harnessing the sun’s energy to create electricity. In 1954 scientists at Bell Labs discovered – partially by accident – that when impurities were added to silicon, and it was exposed to light, it would emit a strong electric current.
Throughout decades of discovering how to utilize and convert electricity, it was also important to figure out how to harness and properly contain it. Feedthroughs ensure that electricity is properly contained and distributed so that there are not voltage leaks throughout a machine.
Terms To Know
- Photon: A particle representing light or another unit of electromagnetic radiation.
- Conductor: Conductors allow energy currents to easily flow through them from one point to another. They do not store or hold energy.
- Insulator: A material through which energy does not easily flow, or does not flow at all.
- Capacitance: Two conductors, joined with an insulator, form a capacitor - where the energy that could flow between the two conductors is stored in the insulator. They charge more quickly than a battery and can release energy all at once.
- Vacuum: A space that is completely empty of matter, through which gases and matter do not exist. Vacuums are also pressureless since they do not contain gases.
What Are Power Feedthroughs
A feedthrough is a conductor used to carry a signal through an enclosure or printed circuit board and help distribute it properly.
Like any conductor, it has the ability to store an electrical charge, a phenomenon known as capacitance.
Feedthroughs can be divided into two categories: power feedthroughs and instrumentation feedthroughs, and in this post, we are specifically discussing power feedthroughs.
Power feedthroughs are used to carry either high current or high voltage. Since feedthrough electrical connections may be expected to withstand considerable pressure differences across their length, it was necessary to develop a system that essentially contains the current within a vacuum.
Why Are Power Feedthroughs Important?
In order to deliver electrical currents to specific locations, the electricity must be conveyed through – and to – a specific point. Power feedthroughs act as conduits through which the current flows and is stored until it needs to be released to its destination.
In high-pressure applications, such as aerospace, ultra-high vacuum feed-throughs are required to ensure that the electricity will flow properly to its destination. When there are positive or negatively charged particles on the outside of the vacuum, the particles within the vacuum will be attracted to them, and an energy arc is created.
Types of Power Feedthroughs
The designs have a magnetic permeability rating of less than 1.001. These designs are constructed with titanium weld adaptors and copper conductors. They are sold in a weldable form that can be easily mounted to a titanium Conflat, KF/QF, or ASA type flanges. The copper conductors are rated for over 25 amps per conductor lead. The designs can be used from 1-2 KV per lead. They are 100% leak tested at 1×10 -9 cc/sec He and can be baked out to 450C for your Ultra-High-Application.
Shop Non-magnetic Feedthroughs
Watercooled power feedthroughs are often used in applications where high temperatures necessitate cooling. This includes high-amperage applications where the cooling allows more amperage to be pushed through the conductor without raising temperatures past specs.
Power glove feedthroughs allow a quick and easy way to connect. They are paired with power glove connectors which both allow an easy connection, as well as increase the standoff of the feedthrough.
Categorized by amperage, these feedthroughs come in a wide variety of current ratings, mounting options, and conductor types, allowing you to find the exact feedthrough necessary for your application.
Ranging from 500V to 100kV, these feedthroughs allow for a large number of uses; from low voltage signaling applications to high-voltage assemblies.
