Electrical connector for an apparatus for removal of ions

Abstract

An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including a capacitive electrode stack. The capacitive electrode stack has a first electrode that includes a first current collector, a second electrode, and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes. The apparatus has a connector to connect the current collector inside the housing with an electrical source outside the housing, and the connector includes a closing off portion to close an opening in the housing and to form a boundary for the water in the housing.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An electrical connector, comprising:
 a contact portion having a head that defines a contact face;   a connector portion having a neck extending from the head in a direction away from the contact face;   a lead engaged with the neck and capable of directing an electrical current to the head; and   a seal portion defined by the head, the neck, or both, such that the seal portion establishes a hydraulic seal between the seal portion and a mount into which the electrical connector is seated during operation.   
     
     
         16 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the head is substantially cylindrical; and   the neck is substantially cylindrical.   
     
     
         17 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein a perimeter of the contact face forms an arcuate rim. 
     
     
         18 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein the contact face further comprises:
 a rim about a perimeter of the contact face;   a recess inward of the perimeter; and   a protrusion extending from the recess that terminates substantially coplanar with the rim.   
     
     
         19 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the contact face is substantially circular; and   the protrusion is substantially cylindrical.   
     
     
         20 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the connector portion is substantially cylindrical; and   a receptacle is formed in the neck such that the lead is engaged within the receptacle.   
     
     
         21 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein the seal portion is defined by the head. 
     
     
         22 . The electrical connector of  claim 21 , wherein the seal portion includes:
 an annular channel formed in a radial face of the head; and   an o-ring seated in the annular channel.   
     
     
         23 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein the head defines an annular mounting face opposite to the contact face. 
     
     
         24 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein the contact portion is at least partially formed of graphite. 
     
     
         25 . The electrical connector of  claim 24 , wherein the connector portion is at least partially formed of graphite. 
     
     
         26 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , wherein the contact portion and the connector portion are integral. 
     
     
         27 . The electrical connector of  claim 15 , constructed and arranged to connect the current collector inside the housing of an apparatus for removal of ions with an electrical source, outside the housing. 
     
     
         28 . An electrical connector assembly, comprising:
 a mount;   an electrical connector to be seated in the mount, the electrical connector comprising:
 a contact portion having a head that defines a contact face, 
 a connector portion having a neck extending from the head in a direction away from the contact face, 
 a lead engaged with the neck and capable of directing an electrical current to the head, and 
 a seal portion defined by the head, the neck, or both, such that the seal portion establishes a hydraulic seal between the seal portion and the mount; 
   a lead engaged with the connector portion and capable of directing an electrical current to the contact portion;   a protrusion member extending from the mount adjacent to the contact member; and   a compression member configured to selectively engage the protrusion member at a plurality of positions relative to the contact member such that the compression member may be adjusted to compress an electrode between the compression member and the contact portion.   
     
     
         29 . An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   an inlet to let water enter into an interior of the housing;   an outlet to let water out of the interior of the housing;   a first electrode comprising a current collector;   a second electrode;   a spacer to separate the first and second electrodes and to allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes; and   an electrical connector to connect the current collector inside the housing with an electrical source outside the housing, the electrical connector, comprising:
 a contact portion having a head that defines a contact face, 
 a connector portion having a neck extending from the head in a direction away from the contact face, 
 a lead engaged with the neck and capable of directing an electrical current to the head, and 
 a seal portion defined by the head, the neck, or both, such that the seal portion establishes a hydraulic seal between the seal portion and a mount into which the electrical connector is seated during operation. 
   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the electrical connector comprises a closing off portion to close an opening in the housing in a water tight manner and the apparatus further comprises a clamp to press the current collector against the closing off portion of the connector. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the clamp is configured to press the current collector against a substantially flat surface of the closing off portion of the connector. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the clamp is configured to press the closing off portion of the connector against the housing to close the opening in a water tight manner. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising a flexible material between the closing off portion of the connector and an area of the housing surrounding the opening so as to close the opening in a water tight manner. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the closing off portion is made from a material comprising carbon.