Externally Serviceable Slip Ring with Spring-Loaded Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slip ring apparatuses experience a 'hydroplaning effect' when immersed in dielectric fluid, leading to loss of contact between components due to varying fluid viscosity, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The slip ring apparatus features a housing with accessible contact assembly recesses allowing for external servicing, including adjustment and replacement of slip ring contact assemblies, and a dielectric fluid chamber to manage engagement force and fluid circulation, mitigating the hydroplaning effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the viscosity of dielectric fluid increases to improve electrical insulation, then the insulation performance is improved, but the hydroplaning effect increases causing loss of contact between components
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides dynamic engagement force that compensates for increased fluid viscosity. As the dielectric fluid viscosity increases, the spring's elastic properties allow it to maintain sufficient contact pressure between slip ring components, ensuring the engagement force remains adequate despite higher hydroplaning tendencies.
2Reliability
If the slip ring apparatus is designed for sealed operation to protect internal components, then the protection from contamination is improved, but the serviceability and maintenance accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into removable sections that allow access to the slip ring contact assemblies. This segmentation enables the internal components to remain protected during normal operation while allowing easy removal and servicing of specific components without requiring complete disassembly of the entire apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The slip ring contact assemblies are designed to be extractable from the housing through removable access points. This extraction capability allows maintenance personnel to remove and service individual contact assemblies without disassembling the entire sealed housing, combining protection with serviceability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables reliable electrical energy and signal transfer over rotating components by maintaining consistent engagement force despite varying fluid viscosity, ensuring stable operation and facilitating maintenance without disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
The dielectric fluid creates the potential for a 'hydroplaning effect' in which the dielectric fluid may cause the components of the slip ring apparatus to lose contact as they rotate relative to each other.
Implementation Method 2
The contact assembly is spring preloaded in the direction of rotation to engage the rotor assembly with an engagement force.
Data Source
AI summary
A slip ring apparatus which includes a housing, a contact assembly recess defined by the housing, a slip ring rotor assembly contained within the interior of the housing adjacent to the contact assembly recess, a slip ring contact assembly mounted within the interior of the housing, wherein the slip ring contact assembly is insertable and removable from the interior of the housing via an exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess, and a hatch cover for covering the contact assembly recess, wherein the hatch cover is removable and replaceable via the exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess. A method of servicing a slip ring apparatus which includes removing a hatch cover, servicing the slip ring apparatus, and replacing the hatch cover, all via an exterior recess side of the contact assembly recess.