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

Patent · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:864186

Brown, R Jack ^[1]; Gerth, Howard L ^[2]; Robinson, Samuel C ^[1]

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1. Clinton, TN
2. Knoxville, TN

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.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4326137
• OSTI ID: 864186
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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advance
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aspect
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clearance
commutating
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commutators
comprises
conductive
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confronting
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extends
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linear
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liquid
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low-drag electrical
machining
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maintain
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minute
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movable electrically
movement
pedestal
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positioned below
precise
precision
processes
provides
relative
significant
significant advance
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speeds
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therewith
twelve
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upper
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zero