Rotating contact assemblies for self-leveling camera heads
AssigneeSeescan, Inc.
InventorsEric M. Chapman, Mark S. Olsson, Nicholas A. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Camera heads and associated rotating contact assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment a slip-ring assembly includes a rotating contact assembly including slip rings having a cylindrical ring assembly and a flexible or bendable brush assembly. Brush elements may flexed to remain in contact with corresponding ring assembly electrical contacts. Bush contacts may be coated or have attached contact assemblies to increase hardness and oxide resistance with materials such as palladium nickel, rhodium, or hard gold, though a variety of other materials may be used as a suitable coating.
Claims21
A camera head, comprising:
- a housing;
- an imager disposed within the housing on a first element movable relative to the housing;
- a second element rotationally movable relative to the first element, the second element including an electrical output connection;
- and
- a slip ring coupled between the first element and the second element to provide an electrical connection between an output of the imager and the electrical output connection, wherein the slip ring comprises:
- a cylindrical ring assembly including one or more ring electrical contacts;
- and
- a brush assembly disposed around the cylindrical ring assembly, the brush assembly including a brush element including a plurality of tines or fingers including electrical contacts, wherein one or more of the brush electrical contacts are positioned in contact with corresponding ones of the one or more ring electrical contacts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.