Low-drag electrical-contact arrangement for maintaining continuity between horizontally movable members

Patent · Fri Jan 23 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5678461

Brown, R J; Gerth, H L; Robinson, S C

This invention is a low-drag electrical contact arrangement for establishing continuity between upper and lower spaced members which are subject to relative horizontal movement. In one aspect, the invention comprises an electrical commutating arrangement which includes a horizontally disposed linear electrical commutator. A horizontally movable electrically conductive pedestal is positioned below the commutator and defines a clearance therewith. The pedestal is formed with a cavity confronting the commutator. In the cavity is a bead of electrical conductive liquid, the bead being characterized by an upwardly convex meniscus portion which extends across the clearance and contacts the commutator. The surface tension of the bead is sufficient to maintain the bead intact when the commutator and pedestal are displaced horizontally at speeds from zero to at least twelve inches a minute. This arrangement provides a significant advance in highly precise machining processes, such as diamond-turning, where precision is limited by the drag imposed by conventional commutators of the carbon-brush type.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: DE82004466
• OSTI ID: 5678461
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
CUTTING TOOLS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FRICTION
POSITIONING
SLIDING FRICTION
TOOLS