Litton Systems, Inc.

Moog Gmbh

Litton Systetms, Inc.

Michael J Day

Norris E Lewis

Barry Kent Witherspoon

Anthony L Bowman

Jerry Thomas Perdue

Larry Dean Vaught

Glenn E Lawson

Hettie H Webb

Russell L Crockett

Stephen R Cole

Jerry T Perdue

James M Wright

Glen M Harris

Gwendolyn C Handy

Tyler W Hamilton

Barry K Witherspoon

A compact slip ring (), which is particularly adapted for use in small spaces, is adapted to provide electrical contact between a rotor () and a stator (). The improved slip ring broadly includes an electrically-conductive monofilament () having one end () mounted on the stator and having a distal end (); a sleeve () mounted on and secured to the marginal end portion of the monofilament, adjacent the distal end; and a fiber bundle () having a longitudinal axis (), one marginal end portion of the fiber bundle being recessed in and secured to the sleeve, the other end of the fiber bundle engaging the rotor such that the longitudinal axis of the fiber bundle will be substantially perpendicular to an imaginary line tangent to the rotor surface at the point of contact with the longitudinal axis.

Compact slip ring incorporating fiber-on-tips contact technology

The present invention provides several improvements in a slip ring () that is adapted to provide electrical contact between a rotor () and stator (). In one aspect, a brush tube () is crimped around the upper marginal end portions of a plurality of individual fibers () inserted therein. In another aspect, a collimator tube () extends downwardly beyond the end of the brush tube to limit lateral movement of the fibers in the bundle when the rotor rotates. In yet another arrangement, a spring () is arranged to bear against a current-carrying conductor to adjustably vary the force by which the lower ends of the fibers are urged to move toward the rotor.

Electrical contact technology and methodology for the manufacture of large-diameter electrical slip rings

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 method of manufacturing an annular base portion of an electrical slip ring assembly having a plurality of conductive rings formed in the outer circumferential surface thereof is described. The slip ring base is molded, and grooves are machined into the outer circumferential surface thereof. Conductive strips are cut into a series of lengths forming conductive rings to be placed about the outer circumference of the annular base member. The individual lengths of conductive material are anchored to the outer circumferential surface of the slip ring base and a rolling pressure is exerted on them about the circumference of the base to cause the rings to be press fit into the grooves previously formed on the base. When the complete circumference of the ring has been press fit into its respective groove, the other end of the conductive ring is then secured to the base. An appropriate fixture is provided for exerting the lateral and a rolling pressure on each conductive ring to properly press fit it into a groove on the annular base member.

Method of manufacturing an electrical slip ring assembly

Growing community of inventors

Blacksburg, VA, United States of America

Michael J Day