SLIP RING ASSEMBLY WITH PAIRED POWER TRANSMISSION BANDS

Abstract

A high current and RPM-capable slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electricity between an exterior environment and an interior environment that includes a non-rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands with wiring and a rotating electrical power member with concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands with wiring and a housing that surrounds both the non-rotating electrical power member and rotating electrical power member to align the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands to slide on one another during rotationally operation of the slip ring assembly.

Claims

1. A slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electrical power between a stationary exterior environment and a rotating interior environment, comprising: a. a non-rotating electrical power member, comprising: i. a first sintered metallic contacting surface and ii. a first electrical wire coupling said non-rotating electrical power member to a stationary exterior member; b. a rotating electrical power member, comprising i. a second sintered metallic contacting surface and ii. a second electrical wire coupling said rotating electrical power member to a rotating interior member; and c. a lubricant applied to both said first and second sintered metallic contacting surfaces to facilitate motion of said second sintered metallic contacting surface over said first sintered metallic contacting surface during rotation.

2. A slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electrical power between a stationary exterior environment and a rotating interior environment, comprising: a. a non-rotating electrical power member, comprising: i. a first electrically non-conductive spindle having a generally planar contacting surface; ii. a first set of concentric channels formed in said first electrically non-conductive spindle planar contacting surface; iii. a first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands, wherein each power transmission band within said set fits within a separate channel of said first set of concentric channels; iv. a set of first electrical wires with each member within said first wire set connected to one said electrically conducting power transmission bands and exiting from said non-rotating electrical power member; b. a rotating electrical power member, comprising: i. a second electrically non-conductive spindle having a generally planar contacting surface; ii. a second series of concentric channels formed in said second electrically non-conductive spindle planar contacting surface; iii. a second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands, wherein each power transmission band within said set fits within a separate channel of said second set of concentric channels; iv. a set of second electrical wires with each member within said second wire set connected to one said electrically conducting power transmission bands and exiting said rotating electrical power member; and c. a housing that surrounds both said non-rotating electrical power member and said rotating electrical power member to align said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands to slide on one another over their said contacting surfaces during rotationally operation of the slip ring assembly.

3. The slip ring assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a resilient member within said housing that urges said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands towards one another.

4. The slip ring assembly according to claim 2, wherein either said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands or said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands is fabricated from a lubricated sintered metallic material and the other is an electrically conducting metal or metal containing material.

5. The slip ring assembly according to claim 2, wherein either said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands or said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands is fabricated from lubricated Oilite™ and the other is an electrically conducting metal or metal containing material.

6. The slip ring assembly according to claim 2, wherein either said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands or said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands is fabricated from lubricated Oilite™ and the other is copper or a copper containing alloy.

7. The slip ring assembly according to claim 2, wherein both said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands are fabricated from a lubricated sintered metallic material.

8. The slip ring assembly according to claim 2, wherein both said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands are fabricated from lubricated Oilite™.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0017] The technology described herein will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of the subject invention showing a stationary or power half member (on the left) and a rotatable power half member (on the right).

[0019] FIG. 2 is a face-on view of the subject invention showing both the power input (left) and power output (right) half members in which the concentric power transmission bands align on against each other, when mated and operating (outer-to-outer, middle-to-middle, and inner-to-inner for three incoming lines).

[0020] FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away view of the subject slip ring assembly held within a surrounding housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the subject technology is embodied in the system generally shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. It will be appreciated that the subject slip ring assembly may vary as to configuration and as to details of the components, and that the method of utilizing the subject technology may vary as to the specific steps and sequence of operation, without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein.

[0022] Generally, the subject technology comprises a high RPM-capable slip ring assembly for use in a selected application. Frequently the selected application is a system that utilizes a CR motor or equivalent, for transferring electricity between a stationary exterior environment and a rotating interior environment. The flow of electricity may be reversed when the slip ring assembly is utilized in conjunction with a generator or like device. For exemplary purposes only, and not by way of limitation, the below description will be applicable to a CR motor application.

[0023] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the subject slip ring assembly 5 includes a non-rotating electrical power member (left side component of FIG. 1) for receiving incoming electricity and a rotating electrical power member for moving outgoing electricity to the selected rotating application (often a CR motor or the equivalent). Comprising the non-rotating electrical power member is an electrically non-conductive spindle 8 having an electrically non-conductive spindle head 10 with a generally planar/flat and exposed contacting surface and an attached support member 14. The generally planar and exposed contacting surface is formed with a set of concentric channels or grooves into which a set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands/rings/tracks 20, 21, and 22 are mated (each band has a sintered metallic contacting surface), thereby exposing the non-conducting spindle material 11, 12, and 13 between the electrically conducting power transmission bands/rings/tracks 20, 21, and 22. The top portion of each electrically conducting power transmission band 20, 21, and 22 is exposed and slides over a mated partner power transmission band 25, 26, and 27 in the rotating electrical power member.

[0024] A set of electrical wires 30 (three for exemplary purposes only) run through the support member 14 hollow center 38 and are connected to the transmission bands (one wire to each transmission band 20, 21, and 22).

[0025] The non-conductive spindle head 10 may be fabricated from suitably rigid materials such as Delrin, Nylon, other polymeric compositions, ceramics, glass, and equivalent non-conductive substances. Likewise, the support member 14 may be fabricated from similar materials and may be created as an extension of the spindle head 10 as a single unit.

[0026] Also, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the subject slip ring assembly 5 includes a rotating output electrical power member (right side component of FIG. 1) for outputting electricity to the selected rotating application (often a CR motor or the equivalent). Comprising the rotating electrical power member is an electrically non-conductive spindle 9 having an electrically non-conductive spindle head 15 with a generally planar and exposed contacting surface and an attached support member 19. The generally planar and exposed contacting surface is formed with a set of concentric channels or grooves into which a set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands/rings/tracks 25, 26, and 27 are mated, thereby exposing the non-conducting spindle material 15, 16, 17, and 18 between the electrically conducting power transmission bands/rings/tracks 25, 26, and 27. The top portion of each electrically conducting power transmission band 25, 26, and 27 is exposed and slides over a mated partner power transmission band 20, 21, and 22 in the non-rotating electrical power member.

[0027] A set of electrical wires 35 (three for exemplary purposes only) run through the support member 19 hollow center 39 and are connected to the transmission bands (one wire to each transmission band 25, 26, and 27).

[0028] The non-conductive spindle head 15 may be fabricated from suitably rigid materials such as Delrin, Nylon, other polymeric compositions, ceramics, glass, and equivalent non-conductive substances. Likewise, the support member 19 may be fabricated from similar materials and may be created as an extension of the spindle head 15 as a single unit.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows that when the non-rotating and rotating electrical power members 10 and 15 rotationally mate to one another the transmission bands/tracks/rings align on top of one another 40. 45, and 46.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a housing formed from mated halves 50 and 55 surrounds the spindle heads 10 and 15 and at least a portion of the support members 14 and 19. The two halves 50 and 55 may be releasably (or permanently if desired) secured to one another standard means such as threading, clips, and the like. Within the housing is resilient means 65 for urging the sliding surfaces (20 to 25, 21 to 26, and 22 to 27 in the example) towards one another to maintain electrical contact during rotation. The resilient means may be springs, compressible foam, and the like. Bearing 60 and 65 mounted in one frame half 55 permit the rotating electrical power member (15 and 19) to rotate.

[0031] The two sets electrically conductive power transmission bands/tracks/rings 20, 21, and 22 and 25, 26, and 27 are fabricated from a variety of possible materials with the limitation that at least one band/track/ring in each slip-mated pair is formed from a porous/sintered material that contains a lubricant of desired viscosity and is exemplified by the readily and commercially available copper or steel Oilite™ material. Preferred porous/sintered electrically conducting material are fabricated from a metal, metal alloy, of the equivalent and preferably a brass alloy for efficient electrical conductivity and impregnated with an oil lubricant such as the commonly available Oilite™ material. Again, it is noted that Oilite™ is a porous/sintered bronze, brass, iron alloy, or other electrically conducting metal or non-metal material commonly holding an oil lubricant and readily available from numerous commercial suppliers. Sintered brass or bronze, with absorbed lubricant, is a preferred exemplary material utilized for these components and conducts electricity very efficiently. The oil lubricant may be natural or synthetic. The porous/sintered bands or tracks (such as commercially available Oilite™) are often formed using powder metallurgy so that tiny pores are present in the metal. The pores are then vacuum impregnated with an oil to improve the materials bearing ability. The material holds approximately 20% oil by volume. A common lubricant is SAE 30 oil or other equivalents. Other equivalent materials to Oilite™ may be utilized with the subject technology.

[0032] Both of the two sets of electrically conductive power transmission bands/tracks/rings 20, 21, and 22 and 25, 26, and 27 may be fabricated from lubricated porous/sintered metal (exemplary Oilite™ ) or one set may be formed from the lubricated porous/sintered metal and the other set may be a metal such as brass, bronze, copper, steel, metal alloy, carbon, carbon composites, synthetic electrically conductive polymers, other suitable conductive metals and non-metals, and the like. Clearly, these paired combinations may be mixed between bands/rings/track in either electrical power member as long as one sliding band/ring/track mated pairs is made of a lubricated porous/sintered substance.

[0033] The volume 75 between the surrounding housing 50 and 55 may be filled with additional lubricant to facilitate rotation.

[0034] From the description herein, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure encompasses multiple embodiments which include, but are not limited to, the following: a slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electrical power between a stationary exterior environment and a rotating interior environment, comprising: a non-rotating electrical power member, comprising: a first sintered metallic contacting surface and a first electrical wire coupling said non-rotating electrical power member to a stationary exterior member; a rotating electrical power member, comprising a second sintered metallic contacting surface and a second electrical wire coupling said rotating electrical power member to a rotating interior member; and a lubricant applied to both said first and second sintered metallic contacting surfaces to facilitate motion of said second sintered metallic contacting surface over said first sintered metallic contacting surface during rotation.

[0035] Additionally, an embodiment of the subject technology includes: a slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electrical power between an exterior environment and a rotating interior environment, comprising: a non-rotating electrical power member, comprising: a first electrically non-conductive spindle having a generally planar contacting surface; a first set of concentric channels formed in the first electrically non-conductive spindle planar contacting surface; a first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands, wherein each power transmission band within the set fits within a separate channel of the first set of concentric channels; a set of first electrical wires with each member within the first wire set connected to one the electrically conducting power transmission bands and exiting the non-rotating electrical power member; a rotating electrical power member, comprising: a second electrically non-conductive spindle having a generally planar contacting surface; a second series of concentric channels formed in the second electrically non-conductive spindle planar contacting surface; a second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands, wherein each power transmission band within the set fits within a separate channel of the second set of concentric channels; a set of second electrical wires with each member within the second wire set connected to one the electrically conducting power transmission bands and exiting the rotating electrical power member; and a housing that surrounds both the non-rotating electrical power member and the rotating electrical power member to align the a first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands to slide on one another over their the contacting surfaces during rotationally operation of the slip ring assembly.

[0036] Additionally, embodiments may further comprise a resilient member within the housing that urges the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands towards one another.

[0037] A further embodiment has either the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands or the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands fabricated from a lubricated sintered metallic material and the other is an electrically conducting metal or metal containing material. Also, either the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands or the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands is fabricated from lubricated Oilite™ and the other is an electrically conducting metal or metal containing material. Additionally, either the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands or the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands is fabricated from lubricated Oilite™ and the other is copper or a copper containing alloy. Often, both the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands are fabricated from a lubricated sintered metallic material. Frequently, both the first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and the second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands are fabricated from lubricated Oilite™.

[0038] Embodiments of the present technology may be described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the technology, and/or procedures, algorithms, steps, operations, formulae, or other computational depictions, which may also be implemented as computer program products. In this regard, each block or step of a flowchart, and combinations of blocks (and/or steps) in a flowchart, as well as any procedure, algorithm, step, operation, formula, or computational depiction can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and/or software including one or more computer program instructions embodied in computer-readable program code. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be executed by one or more computer processors, including without limitation a general purpose computer or special purpose computer, or other programmable processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the computer program instructions which execute on the computer processor(s) or other programmable processing apparatus create means for implementing the function(s) specified.

[0039] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts, and procedures, algorithms, steps, operations, formulae, or computational depictions described herein support combinations of means for performing the specified function(s), combinations of steps for performing the specified function(s), and computer program instructions, such as embodied in computer-readable program code logic means, for performing the specified function(s). It will also be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, as well as any procedures, algorithms, steps, operations, formulae, or computational depictions and combinations thereof described herein, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified function(s) or step(s), or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer-readable program code.

[0040] Furthermore, these computer program instructions, such as embodied in computer-readable program code, may also be stored in one or more computer-readable memory or memory devices that can direct a computer processor or other programmable processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory or memory devices produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s). The computer program instructions may also be executed by a computer processor or other programmable processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer processor or other programmable processing apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer processor or other programmable processing apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s), procedure (s) algorithm(s), step(s), operation(s), formula(e), or computational depiction(s).

[0041] It will further be appreciated that the terms “programming” or “program executable” as used herein refer to one or more instructions that can be executed by one or more computer processors to perform one or more functions as described herein. The instructions can be embodied in software, in firmware, or in a combination of software and firmware. The instructions can be stored local to the device in non-transitory media, or can be stored remotely such as on a server, or all or a portion of the instructions can be stored locally and remotely. Instructions stored remotely can be downloaded (pushed) to the device by user initiation, or automatically based on one or more factors.

[0042] It will further be appreciated that as used herein, that the terms processor, hardware processor, computer processor, central processing unit (CPU), and computer are used synonymously to denote a device capable of executing the instructions and communicating with input/output interfaces and/or peripheral devices, and that the terms processor, hardware processor, computer processor, CPU, and computer are intended to encompass single or multiple devices, single core and multicore devices, and variations thereof.

[0043] From the description herein, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure encompasses multiple embodiments which include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0044] 1. A slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electrical power between a stationary exterior environment and a rotating interior environment, comprising: (a) a non-rotating electrical power member, comprising: (i) a first sintered metallic contacting surface and (ii) a first electrical wire coupling said non-rotating electrical power member to a stationary exterior member; (b) a rotating electrical power member, comprising (i) a second sintered metallic contacting surface and (ii) a second electrical wire coupling said rotating electrical power member to a rotating interior member; and (c) a lubricant applied to both said first and second sintered metallic contacting surfaces to facilitate motion of said second sintered metallic contacting surface over said first sintered metallic contacting surface during rotation.

[0045] 2. A slip ring assembly for use in a selected application for transferring electrical power between a stationary exterior environment and a rotating interior environment, comprising: (a) a non-rotating electrical power member, comprising: (i) a first electrically non-conductive spindle having a generally planar contacting surface; (ii) a first set of concentric channels formed in said first electrically non-conductive spindle planar contacting surface; (iii) a first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands, wherein each power transmission band within said set fits within a separate channel of said first set of concentric channels; (iv) a set of first electrical wires with each member within said first wire set connected to one said electrically conducting power transmission bands and exiting from said non-rotating electrical power member; (b) a rotating electrical power member, comprising: (i) a second electrically non-conductive spindle having a generally planar contacting surface; (ii) a second series of concentric channels formed in said second electrically non-conductive spindle planar contacting surface; (iii) a second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands, wherein each power transmission band within said set fits within a separate channel of said second set of concentric channels; (v) a set of second electrical wires with each member within said second wire set connected to one said electrically conducting power transmission bands and exiting said rotating electrical power member; and (c) a housing that surrounds both said non-rotating electrical power member and said rotating electrical power member to align said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands to slide on one another over their said contacting surfaces during rotationally operation of the slip ring assembly.

[0046] 3. The slip ring assembly according to any preceding or following embodiment, further comprising a resilient member within said housing that urges said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands towards one another.

[0047] 4. The slip ring assembly according to any preceding or following embodiment, wherein either said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands or said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands is fabricated from a lubricated sintered metallic material and the other is an electrically conducting metal or metal containing material.

[0048] 5. The slip ring assembly according to any preceding or following embodiment, wherein either said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands or said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands is fabricated from lubricated Oilite™ and the other is an electrically conducting metal or metal containing material.

[0049] 6. The slip ring assembly according to any preceding or following embodiment, wherein either said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands or said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands is fabricated from lubricated Oilite™ and the other is copper or a copper containing alloy.

[0050] 7. The slip ring assembly according to any preceding or following embodiment, wherein both said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands are fabricated from a lubricated sintered metallic material.

[0051] 8. The slip ring assembly according to any preceding or following embodiment, wherein both said first set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands and said second set of concentric electrically conducting power transmission bands are fabricated from lubricated Oilite™.

[0052] As used herein, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Reference to an object in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”

[0053] As used herein, the term “set” refers to a collection of one or more objects. Thus, for example, a set of objects can include a single object or multiple objects.

[0054] As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “about” are used to describe and account for small variations. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms can refer to instances in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event or circumstance occurs to a close approximation. When used in conjunction with a numerical value, the terms can refer to a range of variation of less than or equal to ±10% of that numerical value, such as less than or equal to ±5%, less than or equal to ±4%, less than or equal to ±3%, less than or equal to ±2%, less than or equal to ±1%, less than or equal to ±0.5%, less than or equal to ±0.1%, or less than or equal to ±0.05%. For example, “substantially” aligned can refer to a range of angular variation of less than or equal to ±10°, such as less than or equal to ±5°, less than or equal to ±4°, less than or equal to ±3°, less than or equal to ±2°, less than or equal to ±1°, less than or equal to ±0.5°, less than or equal to ±0.1°, or less than or equal to ±0.05°.

[0055] Additionally, amounts, ratios, and other numerical values may sometimes be presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such range format is used for convenience and brevity and should be understood flexibly to include numerical values explicitly specified as limits of a range, but also to include all individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly specified. For example, a ratio in the range of about 1 to about 200 should be understood to include the explicitly recited limits of about 1 and about 200, but also to include individual ratios such as about 2, about 3, and about 4, and sub-ranges such as about 10 to about 50, about 20 to about 100, and so forth.

[0056] Although the description herein contains many details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0057] All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the disclosed embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed as a “means plus function” element unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for”. No claim element herein is to be construed as a “step plus function” element unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “step for”.