Abstract: A contact tip is provided for wire welding applications. The contact tip includes one or more conductive brushes fitted to a conductive contact tip body. Fibers of the brush extend into a passageway traversed by welding wire in operation. Electrical current is transmitted to the brush assembly and through the brush fibers to the welding wire. The fibers may transmit the current directly and also may enhance contact of the welding wire with one or more walls of the contact tip. Improved electrical contact and weld quality are obtained.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a current control brush assembly including a first electrically conductive arcuate housing section retaining a first set of electrically conductive filaments. The first set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along a radial direction. The current control brush assembly also includes a second electrically conductive arcuate housing section retaining a second set of electrically conductive filaments. The second set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along the radial direction. Furthermore, the current control brush assembly includes a hinge configured to facilitate rotation of the second electrically conductive arcuate housing section relative to the first electrically conductive arcuate housing section about an axis substantially perpendicular to a first axial surface of the first electrically conductive arcuate housing section.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a current control brush assembly including an axial button having a first electrically conductive housing retaining a first set of electrically conductive filaments. The first set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along an axial direction. The current control brush assembly also includes a radial shaft grounding ring (SGR) coupled to the axial button. The radial SGR includes a second electrically conductive housing retaining a second set of electrically conductive filaments. The second set of electrically conductive filaments is arranged circumferentially around the second electrically conductive housing, and the second set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along a radial direction.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a current control brush assembly including a first electrically conductive arcuate housing section retaining a first set of electrically conductive filaments. The first set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along a radial direction. The current control brush assembly also includes a second electrically conductive arcuate housing section retaining a second set of electrically conductive filaments. The second set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along the radial direction. Furthermore, the current control brush assembly includes a hinge configured to facilitate rotation of the second electrically conductive arcuate housing section relative to the first electrically conductive arcuate housing section about an axis substantially perpendicular to a first axial surface of the first electrically conductive arcuate housing section.

Abstract: The present approaches provide a current control assembly with a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a drain for channeling contaminants away from the assembly and the rotor includes one or more slots that rotate with the rotor for outwardly slinging the contaminants. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes the current control assembly having a first ring including a first shaft opening and a first discharge opening. The current control assembly also includes a second ring having a second shaft opening and a second discharge opening, wherein the first and second rings rotate relative to one another, and the first and second discharge openings align with one another to discharge a contaminant. The current control assembly further includes a plurality of conductive filaments configured to transfer current between the current control assembly and a shaft.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a current control brush assembly including an axial button having a first electrically conductive housing retaining a first set of electrically conductive filaments. The first set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along an axial direction. The current control brush assembly also includes a radial shaft grounding ring (SGR) coupled to the axial button. The radial SGR includes a second electrically conductive housing retaining a second set of electrically conductive filaments. The second set of electrically conductive filaments is arranged circumferentially around the second electrically conductive housing, and the second set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along a radial direction.

Abstract: A conductive contact ring for an electroplating or electrodeposition process on a cylindrical surface includes a frame defining an opening through which the object can be passed and an array of electrically conductive fibers spanning the opening. The frame is electrically conductive and is connected to a DC power source in the process. Two or more contact rings can be used in a process to provide consistent electrical contact with the surface sliding therethrough. A single contact ring can have first and second groups of filaments spaced from each other along the axial length of the surface.

Abstract: An improved grounding brush system for mitigating electrical current on a moving object such as a rotating shaft includes an electrically conductive layer applied to the object and associated with a brush assembly for conducting electrical current from the moving object to ground.

Abstract: The present approaches provide a current control assembly with a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a drain for channeling contaminants away from the assembly and the rotor includes one or more slots that rotate with the rotor for outwardly slinging the contaminants. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes the current control assembly having a first ring including a first shaft opening and a first discharge opening. The current control assembly also includes a second ring having a second shaft opening and a second discharge opening, wherein the first and second rings rotate relative to one another, and the first and second discharge openings align with one another to discharge a contaminant. The current control assembly further includes a plurality of conductive filaments configured to transfer current between the current control assembly and a shaft.

Abstract: A conductive contact ring for an electroplating or electrodeposition process on a cylindrical surface includes a frame defining an opening through which the object can be passed and an array of electrically conductive fibers spanning the opening. The frame is electrically conductive and is connected to a DC power source in the process. Two or more contact rings can be used in a process to provide consistent electrical contact with the surface sliding therethrough. A single contact ring can have first and second groups of filaments spaced from each other along the axial length of the surface.

Abstract: A flexible conductive static control brush assembly includes first and second brushes disposed on a common backing strip. Each brush includes a plurality of filaments disposed inwardly from opposite edges of the backing strip. Bands overlie outer end portions of the filaments adjacent edges of the backing strip, with the bands covering only a portion of each filament length. The backing strip includes parting lines for tearing to remove an intermediate portion of the backing strip between the brushes to expose the filaments.

Abstract: A brush for the stator of an electric motor has microfibers establishing both mechanical and non-mechanical electrical connections to the commutator.

Abstract: A contact tip is provided for wire welding applications. The contact tip includes one or more conductive brushes fitted to a conductive contact tip body. Fibers of the brush extend into a passageway traversed by welding wire in operation. Electrical current is transmitted to the brush assembly and through the brush fibers to the welding wire. The fibers may transmit the current directly and also may enhance contact of the welding wire with one or more walls of the contact tip. Improved electrical contact and weld quality are obtained.

Abstract: An improved grounding brush system for mitigating electrical current on a moving object such as a rotating shaft includes an electrically conductive layer applied to the object and associated with a brush assembly for conducting electrical current from the moving object to ground.

Abstract: A system is provided for dissipating electrical charges that build on a rotatable shaft extending from an electrically-grounded motor housing or rotating shafts conductively linked to components that create and electrical charge, such as wind turbine blades, power generator turbines, and the like. The system includes a frame defining a central opening wherein the rotatable shaft is positioned with the central opening, a first grounding fiber secured within the frame, and a fiber clamp positioned with the frame. The fiber clamp acts to urge the first grounding fiber toward the central opening. The system may also include a mounting bracket having a frame mounting channel, wherein a portion of the frame is securely retained within the frame mounting channel, and an installation guide positioned on the mounting bracket. The installation guide may be configured to properly align the frame and the first grounding fiber relative to the rotatable motor shaft.

Abstract: A conductive contact ring for an electroplating or electrodeposition process on a cylindrical surface includes a frame defining an opening through which the object can be passed and an array of electrically conductive fibers spanning the opening. The frame is electrically conductive and is connected to a DC power source in the process. Two or more contact rings can be used in a process to provide consistent electrical contact with the surface sliding therethrough. A single contact ring can have first and second groups of filaments spaced from each other along the axial length of the surface.

Abstract: A static control device suitable for printers, copiers and the like is disclosed. A carrier strip of non-metallic electrically conductive material, such as plastic, is provided with a plurality of spaced bundles of electrically conductive filaments. The bundles extend beyond the carrier strip, in close proximity to media transported along a media path in the media handling apparatus. In the presence of electrical fields, the filaments induce ionization, and establish a conductive path for charges on the media to the carrier strip for grounding.

Abstract: A static control device suitable for printers, copiers and the like is disclosed. A carrier strip of non-metallic electrically conductive material, such as plastic, is provided with a plurality of spaced bundles of electrically conductive filaments. The bundles extend beyond the carrier strip, in close proximity to media transported along a media path in the media handling apparatus. In the presence of electrical fields, the filaments induce ionization, and establish a conductive path for charges on the media to the carrier strip for grounding.