A rotary connector includes a rod-shaped rotating side electrode rotatably supported by an external shell case and a fixed side electrode supported by the external shell case. Rotating side electrode and the fixed side electrode are disposed so that one end parts of the electrodes face each other spaced apart to form a clearance therebetween, the rotary connector further has a cylindrical liquid impregnated member, disposed so as to surround the outer peripheral surface close to the one end part of the fixed side electrode, that covers the clearance formed between the fixed side electrode and the rotating side electrode from outer peripheral sides of the fixed side electrode and the rotating side electrode, and the region formed by one end part of the rotating side electrode, one end part of the fixed side electrode, and the inner peripheral surface of the liquid impregnated member is filled with liquid metal.

The invention relates to a ground terminal and to a method for discharging electric currents from a rotor part of a vehicle (such as a rail vehicle or the like, that has an axle) to a stationary stator part of the vehicle. The ground terminal includes a retaining device and a terminal element. The retaining device is connected to the stationary stator part of the vehicle in electrically-conductive manner, the terminal element is disposed on and connected to the retaining in electrically-conductive manner. The terminal element is made mostly of graphite and subjected to a contact force by means of a spring device of the retaining device to realize an electrically-conductive sliding contact between a sliding contact surface of the terminal element provided for realizing the sliding contact and a terminal surface of the rotor part. The terminal element has an arc-shaped cross-section at least in portions thereof, an outer surface of the cross-section forming the sliding contact surface at least in sections. The sliding contact surface abuts radially against the terminal surface of the rotor part.

The invention relates to a ground terminal and to a method for discharging electric currents from a rotor part of a vehicle (such as a rail vehicle or the like, that has an axle) to a stationary stator part of the vehicle. The ground terminal includes a retaining device and a terminal element. The retaining device is connected to the stationary stator part of the vehicle in electrically-conductive manner, the terminal element is disposed on and connected to the retaining in electrically-conductive manner. The terminal element is made mostly of graphite and subjected to a contact force by means of a spring device of the retaining device to realize an electrically-conductive sliding contact between a sliding contact surface of the terminal element provided for realizing the sliding contact and a terminal surface of the rotor part. The terminal element has an arc-shaped cross-section at least in portions thereof, an outer surface of the cross-section forming the sliding contact surface at least in sections. The sliding contact surface abuts radially against the terminal surface of the rotor part.

A brush device includes: a first and a second flange disposed side by side, each flange extending radially between a rubbing face intended to rub against a moveable element and a flange head intended to be connected electrically to another moveable element, a first plate rigidly fixed to the first flange only and extending tangentially above the head of the second flange, in such a way as to transmit, when this first plate is loaded by pressure unit, pressure forces on the second flange, a second plate, distinct from the first plate, rigidly fixed to the second flange only and extending tangentially above the head of the first flange in such a way as to bear on the first flange in the event of relative motion of the second flange with respect to the first flange towards the first moveable element.

A brush device includes: a first and a second flange disposed side by side, each flange extending radially between a rubbing face intended to rub against a moveable element and a flange head intended to be connected electrically to another moveable element, a first plate rigidly fixed to the first flange only and extending tangentially above the head of the second flange, in such a way as to transmit, when this first plate is loaded by pressure unit, pressure forces on the second flange, a second plate, distinct from the first plate, rigidly fixed to the second flange only and extending tangentially above the head of the first flange in such a way as to bear on the first flange in the event of relative motion of the second flange with respect to the first flange towards the first moveable element.

A brush assembly includes a brush holder, a brush, an elastic element, and a conductive terminal. The brush slidably is accommodated in the brush holder. The elastic element is resisted between the brush and the brush holder. And the conductive terminal is formed by bending from the brush holder.

A brush assembly includes a brush holder, a brush, an elastic element, and a conductive terminal. The brush slidably is accommodated in the brush holder. The elastic element is resisted between the brush and the brush holder. And the conductive terminal is formed by bending from the brush holder.

A system for monitoring the wear state of a carbon brush of a brush holder assembly in which the length of the carbon brush is diminished from an initial length as an end of the carbon brush wears away during use. The system includes a wear state monitor, including a sensor, coupled to the carbon brush. The wear state monitor is configured to rotate as the length of the carbon brush diminishes. The sensor is configured to measure an angular displacement of the wear state monitor as the wear state monitor rotates. The measured angular displacement of the wear state monitor correlates to an amount of diminution in the length of the carbon brush.

A system for monitoring the wear state of a carbon brush of a brush holder assembly in which the length of the carbon brush is diminished from an initial length as an end of the carbon brush wears away during use. The system includes a wear state monitor, including a sensor, coupled to the carbon brush. The wear state monitor is configured to rotate as the length of the carbon brush diminishes. The sensor is configured to measure an angular displacement of the wear state monitor as the wear state monitor rotates. The measured angular displacement of the wear state monitor correlates to an amount of diminution in the length of the carbon brush.

A brush device (1) for electrically connecting a first element (2A) to a second element (2B) that can rotate relative to the first element (2A) about a rotational axis (L). In order to make electrical contact with the second element (2B), in a contact area (1A), the brush device (1) has a structure (1 B, 11B′, 1B″) that extends helically relative to the rotational axis (L). An E-machine (2) has a brush device (1) of this type, and a drive device has such an E-machine (2) for electrically driving a motor vehicle.