Stainless Steel Ring Electrode Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ring electrodes made of brass or bronze experience high wear and tear, leading to short service life and high production costs, especially in larger diameters, with complex and material-wasteful manufacturing processes, and significant contact resistance and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
Ring electrodes made from stainless steel rod material, rolled into a ring shape with embedded insulating plastic carriers and optimized welding, reducing material waste and wear, and using metal-containing carbon electrodes for improved contact performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional brass or bronze ring electrodes are used, then production is simplified, but wear is high and service life is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional brass or bronze to a specific stainless steel composition (at least 12% Cr, at least 10% Ni, max 2.5% Mn, max 1% Si, max 0.05% C, max 0.025% P, max 0.025% S, balance Fe), which fundamentally alters the wear characteristics and service life of the ring electrode
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material approach by combining multiple alloying elements (Cr, Ni, Mn, Si, C, P, S) in specific proportions within the stainless steel matrix to achieve optimal wear resistance and electrical conductivity properties
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional production methods (cutting from tube or sheet) are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but material waste is high and post-processing is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-forming the ring electrode directly in its final shape through casting or rolling processes, eliminating the need for subsequent cutting, deburring, and smoothing operations that would otherwise be required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the unnecessary post-processing steps (cutting, deburring, smoothing) from the manufacturing process by implementing a net-shape or near-shape forming method that produces the ring electrode ready for use
3Power
If larger diameter ring electrodes are used, then they are suitable for high-power applications, but relative velocity between surface and contacts increases causing more wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the ring electrode to stainless steel with specific alloy composition, which fundamentally alters the wear characteristics and enables larger diameter electrodes to maintain low wear rates even at higher surface velocities
4Ease of manufacture
If less expensive materials are used for ring electrodes and contacts, then production cost is reduced, but contact resistance and wear increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters to a specific stainless steel alloy with optimized Cr, Ni, and other element contents, achieving a balance between electrical conductivity, wear resistance, and cost-effectiveness
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
The stainless steel ring electrodes offer reduced wear, lower contact resistance, and noise, with simplified production and extended service life, suitable for high-performance applications like computer tomographs, with minimal material loss and excellent current carrying capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a ring electrode (1) for a slip ring for the transmission of electrical drive energy between machine parts, of which at least one is rotatable relative to another, wherein the ring electrode (1) consists of a rod material made of stainless steel, which is rolled into a ring
Implementation Method 2
electrical energy and signals can be transmitted through the direct galvanic contact between the ring electrode and the sliding contact
Implementation Method 3
A sliding contact is located on a second machine part, which rests with a certain contact pressure on the sliding track or the ring electrode. One of the two machine parts can be rotated relative to the other, so that the sliding contact moves along the entire circumference on the surface of the ring electrode
Implementation Method 4
In order to limit wear to brush wear as far as possible
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a ring electrode for a slip ring for transmitting electrical energy between machine parts, of which at least one machine part can be rotated in relation to another machine part, a corresponding slip ring, and a method for producing a corresponding ring electrode. In order to create a ring electrode and a corresponding slip ring, and a method for producing said ring electrode, which ring electrode and corresponding slip ring can be economically produced and have low wear, the electrode according to the invention is made of a rod material made of stainless steel, which is rolled into a ring and the free ends of which are brought together to form a closed ring.