Litton Systems, Inc.

Glenn E Lawson

Anthony L Bowman

Michael J Day

Russell L Crockett

Wayne McCoy

Glen M Harris

Don Grissom

Stephen R Cole

Gwendolyn C Handy

Tyrone Trenor

Tyler W Hamilton

Disclosed is a method for surrounding electrical cable, such as coax cable or twinax cable, with an elastomer to form a twist capsule cable. The cables are placed in a fixture and stretched to a desired tautness using rubber bands at opposite ends of each cable without allowing the cables to sag in the fixture. The cables are clamped into yokes at opposite ends of the fixture. An elastomer, such as silicone, is poured into the fixture and allowed to cure. The portion of the cables within the fixture are embedded into the elastomer after the elastomer cures. Additional length of twist capsule cable can be fabricated by performing a similar process on adjoining sections of cable. The elastomer is then coated with a polyxylylene or similar polymer such as Parylene&trade; to prevent the elastomer from rubbing on itself when coiled and when uncoiling. Advantageously, any number of cables can be embedded in the elastomer to form the twist capsule cable. Also advantageously, the present invention provides excellent attenuation at 1 GHz. Some channels operate between 10 MHz and 80 MHz. The cables are capable of carrying radio, Identify Friend and Foe (IFF), Ethernet and other signals.

High frequency ribbon cable for twist capsule cable applications

In a wrapped ring manufacturing process for slip ring assemblies, the assembly is heated to expand a gap between ends of the slip ring. A conductive material is then used to fill the expanded gap, to assure compression of the conductive material and to eliminate cracks therein. The filled gap is electroplated with a precious metal to form a layer of material of uniform hardness, wear resistance, electrical conductivity and environmental resistance around the entire perimeter of the slip ring.

Method of gap filling a conductive slip ring

An electrical slip ring base is constructed of flexible and moldable or extrudible material so as to be capable of being formed into a variety of profiles or shapes. A rigid backing or hub stiffens or reinforces the base member. Any form of conductive rings can be used, and the base member can be formed to accommodate them.

Method of manufacturing an electrical slip ring base

A slip ring base assembly utilizing a novel construction and manufacturing technique uses a molded or extruded base profile that can be manufactured in various shapes and configurations and is flexible enough to conform to many diameters. A rigid backing is provided, as may be a suitable hub, for stiffening and reinforcing the base profile. Strip or round conducting rings whose surface may be flat, grooved or channeled, are inserted on the base member.

Electrical slip ring and method of manufacturing same

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Blacksburg, VA, United States of America

Glenn E Lawson