What
is a Slip Ring?
A slip ring is defined as a mechanical device that's
wont to connect a stationary system to a rotating system. It's utilized in
applications that need rotation while transmitting power or electrical signals.
The connection is also referred to as an electrical
pivot joint, rotating electrical connector, or electrical swivels. It's
utilized in various electrical machines to enhance mechanical performance and
simplify the operation.
If a device rotating for a fixed number of
revolutions. It's going to be possible to use an influence cable with
sufficient length. But it's a quite complex setup. And it's impossible if
components rotate continuously. This setup isn't practical and reliable for
this sort of application.
How
does a Slip Ring work?
The slip ring contains two main components; metal
ring and brush contact. Consistent with the appliance and style of the machine,
the amount of rings and brushes are decided.
The brushes are made from graphite or bronze. The graphite
is a cheap option but the bronze has good conductivity and more wear life.
Depending on the RPM (rotations per minute), the
brushes are fixed with rotating rings, or rings are rotating with fixed
brushes. In both of those arrangements, the brushes maintain contact with the
ring by pressure from the springs.
Generally, rings are mounted on the rotor and it's
rotating. And brushes are fixed and mounted on the comb house.
The rings are made from conductive metal like brass
and silver. It's mounted shaft but insulated with a middle shaft. The rings are
insulated from one another by nylon or plastic.
As the rings rotate, the electrical current is
conducted through the brushes. Therefore, it makes endless connection between
the rings (rotating system) and brushes (fixed system).
Types
of Slip Rings
Slip rings are classified into various types
consistent with construction and size. Sorts of slip rings are explained as
below.
Pancake
Connection
In this sort of connection, the conductors are arranged
on a flat disc. This sort of concentric disc placed on the middle of a shaft. The
form of this slip is flat. So, it's also referred to as a flat connection or
platter connection.
It will reduce axial length. Therefore, this sort of
connection is meant for space-critical applications. This arrangement has more
weight and volume. It's greater capacitance and greater brush wear.
Mercury
Contact Connection
In this sort of connection, mercury contact is
employed as a conducting media. Under the traditional temperature condition, it
can transfer current and electrical signals by liquid metal.
The mercury contact connection features strong
stability and fewer noises. And it provides the foremost scientific and
economical option for applications in industries.
But the utilization of mercury creates a security
concern. Because it's a toxic substance. It's very dangerous to use this sort
of connection in applications like food manufacturing or processing and
pharmaceutical. this is often because it's going to corrupt the merchandise if
there's a mercury leakage.
Through
Hole Slip Rings
This type of connection features a hole within the
center of the connection . it's utilized in devices where requires to transmit
power or signal when need 360˚ rotating.
This type of slip rings is meant to put in with a
flange on a sleeve bracket. it's free space within the center for connecting
the shaft of a machine without affecting cable while it's rotating.
It has an extended lifetime and offers low noise and
maintenance. this sort of connection is employed for routing hydraulic
pneumatic passages and it can integrate with high-frequency joints.
Ethernet
Connection
This type of connection is developed to supply
reliable products that allow the transfer of the ethernet protocol through a
rotary system.
While choosing an ethernet connection for
communication, there are three important parameters that has got to be
considered; Return Loss, Insertion Loss, and Crosstalk.
Ethernet slip rings designed to satisfy the need of
matching impedance, reducing losses, and controlling crosstalk.
Miniature
Slip Rings
This type of connection is extremely small in size
and it's designed for little devices to transfer signals or power from a
rotating device.
Miniature slip rings are ideal for electrical
devices like instrument panel, video transmitter, and sensor.
Fiber
Optic Connection
This type of connection is meant to pass signals
across rotating interfaces when an outsized amount of knowledge must transfer.
Fiber optic connection is additionally referred to
as the Fiber Optic joint or Fiber-Electric pivot joint. This sort of connection
is employed within the application like; sensor signal management, HD video
transmission , radar, and video monitoring system, medical equipment, microwave
communication, etc.
Wireless
Connection
This type of connection isn't using carbon brushes or
friction-based metal rings. Because the name suggests, it can transfer data and
power wirelessly. For that, it uses the electromagnetic field.
The electromagnetic field produced by the coils
which are placed within the rotating receiver and stationary transmitter.
The wireless connection is that the best alternative
for the normal connection because it reduced the mechanical contacts.
Therefore, it is often utilized in harsh environments and it reduces
maintenance.
But the sole disadvantages are that the facility
which will be transmitted between the coils is restricted. For an equivalent
volume of traditional connection can transfer more amount of power compared to
the wireless connection.
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