Systems and methods for implementing an electrical rotary joint in a large-diameter system using small-diameter capsule slip rings
Inventors
Moore, Jared William • Hills, Steven Leslie
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10389075-B2
Publication Date
2019-08-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for implementing an electrical rotary joint in a large-diameter system using relatively small-diameter capsule slip rings is described herein. The system includes a system rotor that rotates about a system axis of rotation, and a system stator that is stationary with respect to the system rotor. The system also includes at least one conductive contact channel disposed on one of the system rotor and the system stator. The system further includes at least one capsule slip ring (CSR) coupled to the other of the system rotor and the system stator. The at least one CSR has a conductive annular element coupled thereto, the conductive annular element in mechanical contact with the at least one conductive contact channel such that the at least one CSR forms an electrical rotary joint between the system rotor and the system stator.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electrical rotary joint system having a system rotor that rotates about a system axis of rotation and a system stator that is stationary with respect to the system rotor. The system includes at least one conductive contact channel disposed on one of the system rotor and the system stator and at least one capsule slip ring (CSR) coupled to the other of the system rotor and the system stator, where each CSR has a conductive annular element coupled thereto.
Each capsule slip ring has a respective CSR axis of rotation different from the system axis of rotation, and the CSR is rotatable about the respective CSR axis of rotation. The conductive annular element is in mechanical contact with the at least one conductive contact channel such that the at least one CSR forms an electrical rotary joint between the system rotor and the system stator.
In the described embodiments for large-diameter CT gantry applications, multiple small-diameter CSRs use conductive annular elements that engage circumferential conductive contact channels in rolling contact. The invention supports mounting alternatives, including placing conductive contact channels and CSRs on the rotor or on the stator, and complementary concave/convex roller-channel profiles, including proportional speed/gearing considerations to enable higher CSR rotational capability.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims, each directed to the same core electrical rotary joint concept between a system rotor and a system stator using a capsule slip ring (CSR) with a conductive annular element contacting a conductive contact channel, with distinct combinations of structural placement, axis geometry, and biasing.
CSR forms electrical rotary joint between rotor and stator via conductive annular contact
A system comprising a system rotor rotating about a system axis of rotation and a system stator stationary with respect to the system rotor; at least one conductive contact channel disposed on one of the system rotor and the system stator; and at least one capsule slip ring (CSR) coupled to the other of the system rotor and the system stator, where the CSR has a conductive annular element in mechanical contact with the conductive contact channel such that the CSR forms an electrical rotary joint between the system rotor and the system stator.
Different rotor and CSR axis of rotation
The at least one CSR has a respective CSR axis of rotation different from the system axis of rotation, and the at least one CSR is rotatable about the respective CSR axis of rotation.
Biasing conductive annular element against annular conductive contact channel
A method implementing an electrical rotary joint includes coupling a conductive annular element to a capsule slip ring (CSR) and biasing the conductive annular element against an annular conductive contact channel, such that the at least one CSR forms the electrical rotary joint between the system rotor and the system stator.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive concept is an electrical rotary joint formed by a capsule slip ring (CSR) having a conductive annular element mechanically contacting an annular conductive contact channel between a rotating system rotor and a stationary system stator, with a CSR axis of rotation different from the system axis of rotation; one independent claim additionally specifies biasing the conductive annular element against the contact channel.
Stated Advantages
Improves serviceability.
Reduces wear.
Replaces expensive large thru-bore slip rings.
Reduces sliding kinetic-friction contact by using rolling/static friction contact.
Documented Applications
Large-diameter CT gantry applications using electrical rotary joint systems.
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