How do slip rings work?
Slip rings are a method of electrically connecting a stationary object to a rotating assembly. They are used in many industrial automation applications and equipment that allow parts to rotate freely with the base fixed, such as tower cranes, jib cranes, cable and hose reels. Slip rings are also used in wind turbines to conduct electricity from the rotating top to the bottom of the solid. These devices have different names such as slip rings, commutators, electrical slip rings, and rotating slip rings. Here, I discovered various terms like electric slip ring, electric swivel, and slip ring. This is a technique for electrically connecting a fixed object to a rotating assembly.
How do slip rings work?
The basic idea is to use a spring to press a series of brushes against the rotating ring. Secure the slip ring with a spin ring or brush, depending on your design and speed requirements. Spring pressure keeps the series of contact points in contact with the slip ring in both arrangements. Shafts and slip rings conduct electricity from stationary parts to rotating parts. Springer Controls offers brass slip rings manufactured by Tecno Elettrica Ravasi (TER). The brush can be graphite or phosphor bronze, depending on the situation. Phosphor bronze is more durable and more conductive, while graphite is cheaper.
Slip ring configuration:
The slip ring design is a metal ring and graphite brush contact that slides over the outer diameter of the metal ring. Also, brushes can be made of phosphor bronze, but graphite is cheaper. The established current flows from the metal brush to the metal ring. If one or more electrical circuits are required, additional contacts are mounted along the axis of rotation. The application and machine design can help determine the number of slip rings and rotating brushes. During this time, the slip ring or brush remains stationary.
The remaining components rotate. The brushes are usually attached to rings that rotate at revolutions per minute (RPM). Also, rotate the ring with fixed contacts. Due to the pressure applied by the spring, the brush maintains contact with the loop in these configurations. The ring is mainly attached to the rotating rotor. They are fixed and placed in the brush holder. Slip rings are often made from metals like brass and silver, and can also be made from plastic or nylon.
Slip Ring Applications:
Slip rings are used in rotating units to operate devices, called rotary seals. The operation of rotary union in fluids is similar to the operation of slip rings in electrical power. They are often combined with a rotating drive to transmit power and data to and from the rotating device along with media from the rotating drive.
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