The lifetime of sliding contact surface(s) of a precious metal or a precious metal alloy can be enhanced by embedding at least one nano-particle in the layer forming the sliding contact surface(s).

The lifetime of sliding contact surface(s) of a precious metal or a precious metal alloy can be enhanced by embedding at least one nano-particle in the layer forming the sliding contact surface(s).

The invention relates to a slip ring assembly of a slip ring transducer for transducing electrical signals between a stationary part and a part which rotates around an axis of rotation, comprising: at least one slip ring for transducing one of the electrical signals between the slip ring and at least one slip element trailing thereon, in particular a brush, and a slip ring shaft for securing the at least one slip ring thereon, the slip ring shaft having guiding channels distributed along its circumference in order to receive electrical lines for electrically connecting the at least one slip ring.

An apparatus for determining axial spacing between conductive rings of a slip ring assembly includes a signal generator that generates an incident signal, a plurality of conductive rings axially spaced along a shaft where the plurality of conductive rings includes a first conductive ring and a second conductive ring that are axially spaced at a first axial distance. The shaft and the plurality of conductive rings are submerged in a bath of a liquid or encased in an epoxy. A first twisted wire pair is electronically coupled at to the signal generator and to inputs of the first and second conductive rings. A second twisted wire pair is electronically coupled at one end to outputs of the first and second conductive rings. A method for determining axial spacing between conductive rings of a slip ring assembly is also disclosed.

A rotor arrangement for a slip ring assembly, comprising a shaft element and at least one contact ring. The shaft element is at least partially in the form of a hollow shaft with a hollow interior and a casing wall. The shaft element has a middle section and each contact ring is arranged on the shaft element in the middle section and is electrically insulated from the shaft element by means of an insulation. The middle section has at least one cutout through the insulation and the casing wall into the interior. Each contact ring is connected to a cable element which is guided through one of the at least one cutout into the interior. The shaft element has a first end section with an outer circumferential cross section for the rotationally fixed coupling. Furthermore, a rotary coupling arrangement comprising a rotor arrangement of this kind is proposed.

A method for manufacturing a slipring module comprising a plurality of sliding tracks and an insulating body. The method includes: making a monolithic sliding track component preferably by a 3D printing process. The monolithic sliding track component comprises a plurality of sliding tracks, multiple connector for electrically connecting the sliding tracks, and at least one strut for mechanically interconnecting the sliding tracks and the connector to form a monolithic sliding track component; inserting the monolithic sliding track component into a mold; filling the mold with an insulating material such as a plastic material, and curing the plastic material; removing the molded product forming a slipring module from the mold, and removing the at least one strut from the slipring module.

A method for manufacturing a slipring module comprising a plurality of sliding tracks and an insulating body. The method includes: making a monolithic sliding track component preferably by a 3D printing process. The monolithic sliding track component comprises a plurality of sliding tracks, multiple connector for electrically connecting the sliding tracks, and at least one strut for mechanically interconnecting the sliding tracks and the connector to form a monolithic sliding track component; inserting the monolithic sliding track component into a mold; filling the mold with an insulating material such as a plastic material, and curing the plastic material; removing the molded product forming a slipring module from the mold, and removing the at least one strut from the slipring module.

A method of coating a slip ring for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a slip ring including a plurality of conductive elements, and depositing a material less conductive than the conductive elements onto the conductive elements of the slip ring.

Method for manufacturing a 3D electromechanical component, having at least one embedded electrical conductor, comprising the steps consisting in: implementing an additive manufacturing operation for building an electrically conductive skeleton of the 3D electromechanical component including a structural hull and at least one conductive wire at least partially located inside the structural hull and having first and second ends, at least one of which is mechanically linked to the structural hull; filling the structural hull with an insulating material provided in a state in which it exhibits liquid-like behaviour; implementing a solidification step to provide a solid-like behaviour of the insulating material, the latter thus embedding at least partially an electrical conductor.

Method for manufacturing a 3D electromechanical component, having at least one embedded electrical conductor, comprising the steps consisting in: implementing an additive manufacturing operation for building an electrically conductive skeleton of the 3D electromechanical component including a structural hull and at least one conductive wire at least partially located inside the structural hull and having first and second ends, at least one of which is mechanically linked to the structural hull; filling the structural hull with an insulating material provided in a state in which it exhibits liquid-like behaviour; implementing a solidification step to provide a solid-like behaviour of the insulating material, the latter thus embedding at least partially an electrical conductor.