Hydrodynamic slip ring
AssigneeRaser Technologies, Inc.
InventorJack Kerlin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A slip ring assembly for transferring electrical current to an electrical device is disclosed. The slip ring assembly has a housing that is attachable to the electrical device. Disposed within the housing is a rotatable slip ring and a flexible conductor. The flexible conductor is configured to conform to the shape of the slip ring and conduct an electric current. A fluid is contained within the housing. The fluid forms a conductive film between the slip ring and the conductor when the slip ring rotates through hydrodynamic forces. The conductive film is operative to transfer electrical current between the slip ring and the conductor while also preventing wear of the slip ring and conductor.
Claims25
A slip ring assembly for transferring electrical current to an electrical device, the slip ring assembly comprising:
- a housing;
- a rotatable slip ring disposed within the housing;
- a flexible conductor disposed within the housing and configured to conform to the shape of the slip ring, the conductor being operative to conduct electric current;
- and
- a fluid contained within the housing, the fluid being operative to form a conductive film between the slip ring and the conductor when the slip ring rotates such that wear to the slip ring and flexible conductor is prevented when electric current flows between the conductor and the slip ring.
A method of conducting electrical current between a power source and an electrical device with a slip ring assembly having a housing filled with a fluid, a rotatable slip ring disposed within the housing and a flexible conductor disposed within the housing and configured to conform to the shape of the slip ring;
- the method comprising the following steps:
- rotating the slip ring within the housing to form a conductive film between the flexible conductor and the slip ring with the fluid;
- and
- transferring electric current between the flexible conductor and the slip ring, the conductive film preventing wear to the slip ring and flexible conductor.
A slip ring assembly for transferring electrical current in a rotating electric machine having a rotating shaft, the slip ring assembly comprising:
- a housing attached to the electric machine wherein the shaft extends into the housing;
- a slip ring having a groove formed in an outer circumference thereof, the slip ring being attached to the shaft;
- a flexible conductor disposed within the housing and sized and configured to partially wrap around the outer circumference of the slip ring in the groove, the conductor being operative to transfer electrical current between the slip ring and conductor;
- and
- a fluid contained within the housing, the fluid being operative to form a conductive film between the slip ring and the conductor when the slip ring rotates, the conductive film preventing wear to the slip ring and flexible conductor when current flows between the flexible conductor and the slip ring.
An assembly for transferring electrical power in an electrical device, the assembly comprising:
- housing means;
- slip ring means in electrical communication with the electrical device and disposed within the housing means, the slip ring means being rotatable;
- conduction means in electrical and mechanical communication with the slip ring means;
- and
- fluid means contained within the housing, the fluid means for forming a conductive film between the slip ring means and the conduction means when the slip ring means rotates to thereby prevent wear to the slip ring means and conduction means when current flows through the conduction means and the slip ring means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.