Abstract: A field coil is housed inside a coil housing space of a pole core, and an annular body that is made of an insulating resin is fixed to a portion of a shaft that projects outward at a first end of the pole core. A pair of slip rings are fixed to the annular body so as to be separated axially, and a pair of connecting terminals are disposed on the annular body such that first ends are respectively connected to the pair of slip rings and second ends project radially outward from a flange portion of the annular body. In addition, a coil winding start end and winding finish end of the field coil are led out through a valley portion between first claw-shaped magnetic pole portions, and are respectively connected to projecting portions of the connecting terminals.

Abstract: A commutation apparatus drives a brushless motor having a stator equipped with a plurality of coils and a rotor. The commutation apparatus comprises a rotatable commutator shaft, two or more conducting rings carried discretely about the shaft, and two or more conducting segments carried discretely about the shaft at staggered positions along or near a plane perpendicularly intersecting the shaft. Each conducting segment is electrically connected to one of the conducting rings. Two or more electrical source contacts are provided for rotatably connecting a power supply across pairs of the conducting rings. A plurality of electrical load contacts is further provided for sequentially, rotatably connecting the conducting segments to discrete coils of the brushless motor.

Abstract: An electrical generator having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly is provided. The rotor assembly has a rotor member, a first collector ring, and first and second rotor coils. The first collector ring is disposed proximate an exterior surface of the rotor member. The first collector ring has first and second balance resistors and first and second electrical terminals. The first and second balance resistors are disposed on an exterior surface of the first collector ring. The first and second balance resistors have first and second apertures, respectively extending therethough that are adjacent third and fourth apertures extending into the first collector ring. The first and second electrical terminals extend through the first and second apertures, respectively, and extend through the third and fourth apertures, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicular alternator includes a rotor, a stator and a brush device. The rotor includes a rotor coil wound around pole cores and a pair of collector rings electrically connected with the rotor coil. The stator is disposed around an outer periphery of the rotor across an air gap. The brush device contacts the pair of collector rings and feeds current to the rotor coil. The collector rings are made of dissimilar metal materials respectively. Thus, durability of the vehicular alternator can be improved while inhibiting increase in cost and decrease in output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a groove in the surface of a collector ring for use in an electrical device. The method and apparatus can be used to create a new groove in the surface of a collector ring having none, or can be used to enhance or re-form an existing groove in the surface of a collector ring. In some embodiments, the groove in the surface of the collector ring is created using a cutting tool that has a cutting action that functions independently from the motion of the collector ring. In other embodiments, a masking material is positioned over a portion of the surface of the collector ring to create a masked portion and an exposed portion of the surface of the collector ring. A groove is then created in the exposed portion of the surface of the collector ring. The masking material is then removed from the surface of the collector ring.

Abstract: A synchronous motor includes a housing 20, a stator assembly 30 mounted within the housing 20, a rotor assembly 40 rotationally mounted within the housing 20, a rotor shaft 50 having an upper mounting surface 52 attached to the rotor assembly 40, a bearing assembly 60 coupled to the housing 20 and positioned axially between the rotor assembly 40 and the upper mounting surface 52, a slip ring assembly 70 supported by the housing 20 and positioned axially at least partially within the stator assembly 30 and the rotor assembly 40, and an encoder assembly 80 adjacent the slip ring assembly 70.

Abstract: A current-transfer assembly for electric machines, including a shaft (22) with electrically conductive slip elements (13, 14, 16, 18) originating from and coaxially surrounding the shaft, the elements supporting carbon brushes. According to the invention, various electric phases are connected to slip elements that are insulated from one another, by means of current paths that lead to the windings of the electric machine. To guarantee that temperature fluctuations do not adversely affect the current transfer, the slip elements are configured as disc elements that consist of or contain carbon material.

Abstract: An alternator for use in an automobile includes a stator supported between a front housing and a rear housing, and a rotor connected to a rotor shaft and rotatably supported inside the stator. A cooling fan is positioned at an end of a pole core of the rotor. The cooling fan is coupled to the rotor shaft by engaging edges of a center opening of the cooling fan with a non-circular flange formed on the rotor shaft. The cooling fan is correctly positioned relative to the rotor shaft, without using a jig, both in the radial direction and in the rotational direction of cooling fan. Noises and vibrations due to rotational imbalance of the cooling fan are suppressed.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly for transferring electrical current to an electrical device is disclosed. The slip ring assembly has a housing that is attachable to the electrical device. Disposed within the housing is a rotatable slip ring and a flexible conductor. The flexible conductor is configured to conform to the shape of the slip ring and conduct an electric current. A fluid is contained within the housing. The fluid forms a conductive film between the slip ring and the conductor when the slip ring rotates through hydrodynamic forces. The conductive film is operative to transfer electrical current between the slip ring and the conductor while also preventing wear of the slip ring and conductor.

Abstract: A rotary current-collecting device includes a rotary slip ring and brushes coming into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the slip ring. The brush-holding ring has an inner surface to which three brush-holding springs are fixed by screws. Each of the brushes is fixed to the tip end of the brush-holding spring and is pushed against the outer surface of the slip ring under the resilient restoration force of the brush-holding spring. When the slip ring revolves, the brushes come into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the slip ring. The brush is made of a metal-graphite compound consisting of 70 weight percent copper and 30 weight percent graphite. The slip ring is entirely made of glassy carbon, so that the brush abrasion can be reduced.

Abstract: A rotary transformer has a bus duct assembly that extends through the hollow shaft of a rotary transformer from collector or slip rings positioned above a drive motor for the rotary transformer to end windings of the rotor positioned most remote from the drive motor. By positioning the leads of the bus duct connection with the rotor end windings on the rotor end windings most remote form the drive motor, the shaft strength and integrity is not reduced due to the torque applied by the drive motor. Further, the shaft is formed from two coupled shaft sections and the bus duct assembly comprises two L shaped sections each positioned substantially within a corresponding shaft section. The bus duct sections are interconnected to complete the bus duct assembly making it simpler to remove the first or upper shaft section from the second or lower shaft section during field servicing.

Abstract: A slip ring and a method for manufacturing a slip ring utilizes a first double clad copper laminate with a first side and a second side separated by a first dielectric and a second double clad copper laminate with a third side and a fourth side separated by a second dielectric. Copper is selectively removed from the second and third sides to provide desired patterns in the copper. The second and third sides are joined in a desired orientation. Substantially, all of the copper from a window in the first and fourth sides is removed to expose the first and second dielectrics. A plurality of concentric grooves is machined into the first and second dielectrics from the first and fourth sides and the concentric grooves are metalized to provide a plurality of concentric metalized rings.

Abstract: In a rotary joint A including an electric signal slip ring 31 for passing different electric signals between a stator 1 and a rotor 6, for the purpose of stable transmission of electric signals in the electric signal slip ring 31, stationary side electrode stacks 38a and 38b are provided individually by stacking each pair of axially adjacent two 36b to 36e of six ring-plate-shaped stationary side electrodes 36a to 36f arranged concentrically with the axis of the stator 1 and aligned axially with each other together with one of stationary side insulating seats 37a and 37b interposed between the pair of axially faced stationary side electrodes, rotating side electrode stacks 42a to 42c are provided individually by stacking each pair of axially adjacent two 40a to 40f of six ring-plate-shaped rotating side electrodes 40a to 40f arranged concentrically with the axis of the rotor 6 and aligned axially with each other together with one of rotating side insulating seats 41a and 41c interposed between the pair of axi

Abstract: The invention relates to the construction and a mode of operation of statorless electronically switched DC motors that have two freely turning rotors. The invention also relates to embodiments of the invention regarding the bearings, the circuit design and the mode of operation of machines such as fans and blowers.

Abstract: In a method for producing a slip ring brush, the slip ring brush including a brush element and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has a first surface and a second surface and has at least one printed circuit trace as well as at least one bore which penetrates the printed circuit board from the first surface to the second surface. An electrical contact between the brush element and the printed circuit trace is produced by soldering. The brush element is soldered such that solder penetrates from the second surface of the printed circuit board through the bore of the printed circuit board all the way to the brush element at the first surface.

Abstract: An electrical current collector system has an electrically conductive slip ring mounted to a rotatable shaft and a fixed conducting ring assembly forming a partially enclosed AC high voltage electrical current conductive ring channel in which slip ring contacting members are mounted. A compartment at ground potential at least partially encloses the slip ring and the fixed conducting ring assembly. A source directs a fluid into the compartment so that the fluid travels through into the conductive ring channel to perform at least one of cooling and cleaning of the slip ring contacting members. A hollow conically shaped insulator has a frustum with a narrower cross-sectional opening connected to the conductive ring channel and a larger diameter cross-sectional portion passing through and connected to the compartment for exhausting the fluid from the current conductive ring channel.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring current comprises at least one electrically conductive slip ring; at least one electrically conductive brush for supplying current to the at least one slip ring; and an electric or pressure actuator driven vibration source for changing the position of the brush with respect to the slip ring. If desired, brush current can shared by using inductance variations or by selective coupling of rotor windings to the slip rings.

Abstract: A slip ring apparatus includes a pair of slip rings electrically insulated from each other and disposed coaxially, a pair of electric conductive elements for providing electric connection between the pair of slip rings and a field coil of an automotive alternator, and an insulating member for holding the pair of slip rings and the pair of electric conductive elements. The electric conductive elements have at least one deformation absorbing portion for absorbing a deformation of the electric conductive elements.

Abstract: An electric-machine rotor is composed of a field coil, a pair of pole cores having a plurality of claw poles to enclose the field coil, a plurality of auxiliary permanent magnets disposed between the claw poles, a shaft fixed to the pair of pole cores, and a pair of slip rings connected to the field coil. The rotor is provided with a pattern on a surface of the pole cores for indicating the polarity of the claw poles when the field coil is energized.

Abstract: An alternator for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The alternator includes a stator having a stator winding, a rotor assembly positioned concentrically relative to the stator, and including at least one pole having an outer surface. The outer surface has a groove and includes a field coil disposed adjacent the at least one pole, the field coil having start and end leads. A slip ring is fixedly coupled to the start and end leads and a rotor shaft on which the field coil, the at least one pole and the slip ring are fixed. Moreover, the start and end leads are positioned within the groove and are retained in the groove by a locking feature formed in the outer surface of the at least one pole.

Abstract: In a brushless direct-current drive with a synchronous motor (10), which has a stator (12) that supports a multi-phase stator winding (15) and a rotor (13) equipped with permanent magnet poles (20), and with a switch unit (11), which precedes the stator winding (15), for commutating the stator winding (15), in order to produce a fail-silent behavior, a field excitation winding (21) is disposed in the rotor (13), which winding can be supplied with current in the event of a malfunction so that it generates a magnetic flux oriented in the opposite direction from the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet poles (20).

Abstract: Slip ring apparatus that may be implemented to enable low profile rotating systems for a variety of different applications, such as articulated and non-articulated device applications. The assembly of the slip ring apparatus may be integrated into a printed circuit board (“PCB”) with feedback circuitry, and the number of signals crossing the slip ring rotational boundary may be minimized using serial electronics.

Abstract: A device for transferring electric currents that includes a slip ring unit that has a rotor with connecting wires and a stator and a printed circuit board fastened to the rotor, wherein the printed circuit board includes connectors in electrical contact with the connecting wires, wherein a torque required for rotary movement between the rotor and the stator is introduced via the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A rotor assembly having a rotor shaft, a rotor winding mounted to the rotor shaft, an electrically insulative body mounted to the rotor shaft, an electrically conductive collector ring supported by the electrically insulative body, a wire lead electrically connecting the winding to the collector ring, and a fastener engaged with a boss of the collector ring. The wire lead has a portion that is wrapped around a first portion of the fastener and pressed into contact with the boss of the collector ring by a second portion of the fastener. A collector ring assembly having two or more collector rings is formed by insert molding.

Abstract: A rotary transformer system (20) comprises a rotatable shaft (28) having at least one and preferably plural electrically conductive slip rings (27) mounted thereon. The slip rings (27) of the phase planes are electrically connected to their respective windings on rotor assembly (22) by the bus conductors (80). The bus conductors (80) extend through respective phase isolated bus ducts (82) formed interiorly in rotatable shaft (28). The bus ducts (82) have a buffer (146) provided therebetween so that the bus ducts (82) are not in physical contact, but are spaced apart and separated. A mouth (160) and annulus (162) of each bus duct (82) extend through a cover plate (164). The cover plate (164) is secured by fasteners (166) through insulated spacers (167) and is held slight aloft above the circumference of rotatable shaft (28), thereby insulating cover plate (164) from rotatable shaft (28). The cover plates (164) of adjacent bus ducts (82) are electrically connected by a flux plate (170).

Abstract: An electrical current collector system comprising an electrically conductive slip ring mounted to a rotatable shaft and a fixed conducting ring assembly forming a partially enclosed AC high voltage electrical current conductive ring channel in which slip ring contacting members are mounted. A compartment at ground potential at least partially encloses the slip ring and the fixed conducting ring assembly. A source directs a fluid into the compartment so that the fluid travels through into the conductive ring channel to perform at least one of cooling and cleaning of the slip ring contacting members. A hollow conically shaped insulator has a frustum with a narrower cross-sectional opening connected to the conductive ring channel and a larger diameter cross-sectional portion passing through and connected to the compartment for exhausting the fluid from the current conductive ring channel.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a catalytic converter installed in the motor vehicles. More specifically to a method of measuring the pressure on the substrate as the catalytic converter is subject to the spin forming process. A pressure-measuring device such as a sensor is contact with the substrate. In order to transfer data from the rotating catalytic converter to a stationary object, a slip ring device is connected to the pressure-measuring sensor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a commutator includes the steps of punching a commutator forming plate out of a plate member having a plurality of projections formed at predetermined intervals in such a way that the projections extend in parallel to one another, forming the commutator forming plate cylindrical and arranging the projections on an inner surface of the cylindrical commutator forming plate, filling an interior of the cylindrical commutator forming plate with a molten resin, segmenting the cylindrical commutator forming plate at predetermined angular distances after curing of the resin to thereby form commutator pieces, and positioning the plate member in a mold. The step of punching the commutator forming plate is carried out using a first punch having a plurality of recesses corresponding to the projections. Formed at those portions of each recess which correspond to both corner portions of each projection narrow portions that become narrower in a depth direction of that recess.

Abstract: The slip ring device (10) includes stationary and rotary members (11, 20) rotatable to each other. The slip ring device includes a sliding contact system for electrically interconnecting the stationary and rotary members. The sliding contact system includes slip rings (30, 31) with sliding faces (34a, 35a) mounted to one of the stationary and rotary members. The slip rings are separated from each other, with the sliding faces facing each other. The sliding contact system includes sliding contact members (17, 18) mounted to the other of the stationary and rotary members. Each of the sliding contact members slidably contact with each of the sliding faces.

Abstract: An AC generator for a vehicle has a brush unit. The brush unit comprises a brush held in sliding contact with a slip ring, a spring for pressing the brush, a brush holder having a portion for receiving the brush, and a slip ring cover for covering the outer periphery of the slip ring formed on a rotary shaft. The slip ring cover includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion which are generally shaped like an arc, a cover portion for closing the end portion in the axial direction, and a side wall portion. The first wall portion and the second wall portion overlaps each other, and a suction/discharge port is formed between these wall portions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical slip ring assembly having a plurality of conductive rings held in place by multiple spaced apart comb-like structures advantageously eliminates the need for molding the conductive rings as part of the base or plating the conductive rings into completed bases. Further, the present invention eliminates the need to machine an annular base or perform expensive and time consuming operations to roll conductive strips into a machined base member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a groove in the surface of a collector ring for use in an electrical device. The method and apparatus can be used to create a new groove in the surface of a collector ring having none, or can be used to enhance or re-form an existing groove in the surface of a collector ring. In some embodiments, the groove in the surface of the collector ring is created using a cutting tool that has a cutting action that functions independently from the motion of the collector ring. In other embodiments, a masking material is positioned over a portion of the surface of the collector ring to create a masked portion and an exposed portion of the surface of the collector ring. A groove is then created in the exposed portion of the surface of the collector ring. The masking material is then removed from the surface of the collector ring.

Abstract: A slip ring apparatus includes a pair of slip rings electrically insulated from each other and disposed coaxially, a pair of electric conductive elements for providing electric connection between the pair of slip rings and a field coil of an automotive alternator, and an insulating member for holding the pair of slip rings and the pair of electric conductive elements. The electric conductive elements have at least one deformation absorbing portion for absorbing a deformation of the electric conductive elements.

Abstract: An improved voltage unipolar generator utilizing a pair of electrically interconnected, counter-rotating, circumferentially segmented, conductive disks. Rolling contacts such as conductive balls or tapered pins are used to electrically interconnect the two counter-rotating disks in a manner that places the majority of the disks' segments in an electrical series. An axially magnetized co-rotating, neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet having a diameter similar to said disks is the preferred field source. A ferrite disk of appropriate thickness is placed opposite the field source to compress said disks and rolling contacts for optimized electrical interconnection of said disk segments.

Abstract: A slip ring and a method for manufacturing a slip ring utilizes a first double clad copper laminate with a first side and a second side separated by a first dielectric and a second double clad copper laminate with a third side and a fourth side separated by a second dielectric. Copper is selectively removed from the second and third sides to provide desired patterns in the copper. The second and third sides are joined in a desired orientation. Substantially, all of the copper from a window in the first and fourth sides is removed to expose the first and second dielectrics. A plurality of concentric grooves is machined into the first and second dielectrics from the first and fourth sides and the concentric grooves are metalized to provide a plurality of concentric metalized rings.

Abstract: A motor slip-ring is equipped with a magnet for inclusion in a sensor assembly for detecting and diagnosing motor inefficiencies and problems as well as in adjusting motor parameters to impact motor operation. The slip-ring comprises a shell, an insulating core positioned adjacent the shell, and at least one magnet positioned adjacent the core. Magnetic sensors placed within the motor housing detect and read the flux lines emitted from the magnet on the slip-ring. The magnet is preferably chemically bonded with the slip-ring, thereby facilitating its retention in the motor housing, and is preferably manufactured from an electrically non-conductive material and therefore does not impact, in and of itself, the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A DC voltage permanent magnet, rotating brush type motor that is characterized by a high output power-to-weight ratio so as to be particularly suitable for use in an electric vehicle. Efficiency is maximized by commutating the motor mechanically rather than electronically. To this end, the motor includes a stationary double sided commutator assembly having sets of electrically conductive commutator bars extending radially on opposite sides thereof, whereby to increase the current carrying capacity of the commutator assembly. A pair of brush assemblies rotate at opposite sides of the stationary commutator assembly. Each brush assembly includes a lightweight brush holder coupled to the motor shaft by which to carry a plurality of shuntless electrically conductive brushes, whereby the brushes rotate relative to the commutator bars at the opposite sides of the commutator assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical slip ring assembly having a plurality of conductive rings held in place by multiple spaced apart comb-like structures advantageously eliminates the need for molding the conductive rings as part of the base or plating the conductive rings into completed bases. Further, the present invention eliminates the need to machine an annular base or perform expensive and time consuming operations to roll conductive strips into a machined base member.

Abstract: The slip ring device (10) includes stationary and rotary members (11, 20) rotatable to each other. The slip ring device includes a sliding contact system for electrically inter connecting the stationary and rotary members. The sliding contact system includes slip rings (30, 31) with sliding faces (34a, 35a) mounted to one of the stationary and rotary members. The slip rings are separated from each other, with the sliding faces facing each other. The sliding contact system includes sliding contact members (17, 18) mounted to the other of the stationary and rotary members. Each of the sliding contact members slidably contact with each of the sliding faces.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a cost effective flat rotor for a pancake type slip ring. A flat copper coil sheet is stamped into a corrugated shape having concentric V-ring grooves. The corrugated stamped copper foil sheet is bonded using a bonding agent to a dielectric layer. Multiple concentric V-grooves are formed by separating the grooves, for example, by machining the grooves at an apex thereof in order to form separate electrical circuits. A corresponding plurality of holes extend through each concentric ring and through the dielectric layer from the first side through the second side. A conductive material is placed in each of the plurality of holes to electrically connect each concentric ring to the second side.

Abstract: A power generator including a rotating disc shaped permanent magnet. One magnetic pole is at the center of the disc and the other is at its circumference. A slip ring is carried on each face of the disc magnet and a crossover connects the slip rings. Fixed brushes and lead wires contact the two slip rings and make electrical connection through the slip rings and the crossover. The rotating disc causes a constant amplitude and direction magnetic field to continuously pass the lead wires and induce a DC voltage and drive a DC current through the lead wires.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a slip ring printed circuit board which includes forming a plurality of concentric spaced electrical contacts on one side of a non-conductive base and forming interconnecting electrical paths on an opposite side of the non-conductive base. The method of manufacturing a slip ring printed circuit board also includes electrically connecting the electrical contacts and the interconnecting electrical paths, depositing copper on the electrical contacts to form electrical rings and etching a groove into each of the electrical rings.

Abstract: The present invention is a rotor for a vehicle a.c. generator which increases the operational life of the a.c. generator. The rotor, in the present invention for a vehicular a.c. generator includes a bobbin having a rotor coil for generating a magnetic field wound thereon and including fixing portions for supporting lead wires of the rotor coil; a pair of rotor cores for sandwiching the rotor coil and the bobbin therebetween; slip rings having terminals to be connected to the lead wires; grooves formed in the rotor core for housing the lead wires, the lead wires extending between the fixing portions and the terminals; and a rear fan provided so as to cover the grooves. The fixing portion, the terminal and the groove for each of the lead wires are provided so as to be substantially aligned, and the groove has an inward portion near an inner periphery of the rotor formed in a greater width than an outward portion near an outer periphery of the rotor.

Abstract: A lateral pressure mechanism for a motor includes a rotor shaft rotatively supported by a bearing. A frame surrounds the bearing and the frame has an inner side. A slip ring is disposed on the inner side of the frame and positioned around the rotor shaft. The slip ring includes slide portions against which an outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft abuts and an engaging portion to prevent the slip ring from rotating. A wire spring is provided around one end of the slip ring wherein a center portion of the wire spring elastically abuts against an outer circumferential surface of the slip ring. The slide portions are formed at symmetric positions with respect to the center portion of the wire spring.

Abstract: A slip ring for a rotary electric machine includes a cylindrical ring of electrically conductive material. The ring has a generally smooth outer surface and a patterned inner surface. A core of thermosetting material is at least partially received in the cylindrical ring. The core has a through opening receivable on a rotor of a rotary electric machine and a patterned outer surface mating with the cylindrical ring patterned inner surface to secure the cylindrical ring to the core.

Abstract: An electrical current collector system (20) comprises a rotatable shaft (28) having at least one and preferably plural electrically conductive slip rings (27) mounted thereon. For each phase, a slip ring is paired with a fixed conducting ring assembly (44). The fixed conducting ring assembly forms an envelope within which slip ring-contacting members are situated. The slip ring-contacting members can take many forms, including brushes (240) or rollers (404). The fixed conducting ring assembly comprises a first conducting plate (200T) and a second conducting plate (200B) positioned parallel to one another to form a conductive ring channel (220) therebetween. The slip ring-contacting members (240, 404) are mounted in the conductive ring channel. An at least partially transparent wall (200W) extends between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate of the fixed conducting ring assembly to further define the conductive ring channel and permit visual inspection of the slip ring-contacting members.

Abstract: An electrical current collector system includes a rotatable shaft (28); an electrically conductive slip ring (27); and a slip ring support assembly (42). The slip ring support assembly (42) comprises plural post insulators (102) spaced radially about the rotatable shaft for attaching the conductive slip ring to the rotatable shaft. The post insulators facilitate adjusting of the position of the slip ring relative to the rotatable shaft, e.g., to provide concentric positioning. The post insulators comprise an attachment/adjustment assembly (106) for connecting to the slip ring. In one embodiment, the attachment/adjustment assembly comprises a spring plate (134) which is adjustably biased to provide a preloading displacement that absorbs differential movement due to temperature changes of the slip ring an the rotatable shaft. In one example deployment, the current collector system is provided as part of a rotary transformer system (20) which, e.g.

Abstract: An electrical current collector system (20) comprises an electrically conductive slip ring (27) mounted to a rotatable shaft (28), as well as a fixed conducting ring assembly (44) having slip ring-contacting members (240, 404) mounted thereon. The slip ring (27) and fixed conducting ring assembly (44) are mounted to have an annular gap (48) formed therebetween. A slip ring support assembly (42) comprising plural post insulators (102) spaced radially about the rotatable shaft attaches the conductive slip ring to the rotatable shaft. The slip ring and fixed conducting ring assembly are at least partially enclosed in a compartment (57), to which a source (302) applies a cooling/cleaning fluid. In accordance with the structure and method of the invention, the source directs the fluid over at least some of the post insulators for cleaning of the post insulators.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly includes an insulator body with an rotor-facing first side and second, opposing side, and a pair of slip rings. The slip rings are formed to include respective coupling terminals that generally axially extend from the second side of the insulator body. The insulator body further includes a pair of through-bores that are parallel to but radially offset from a main axis of the insulator body, and are configured for routing the rotor winding leads from the rotor-facing side of the insulator body to the second, opposing side. The coupling terminals each comprise a pair of radially inwardly extending legs and a central, axially extending leg. The leads emerge from the through-bores, and are folded over the radially extending legs. The central, axially extending leg is then folded over the lead to mechanically secure the lead end, which is soldered to ensure electrical connectivity.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch has a spool that houses an internal coil winding and that has a drive member attached to it. A molded plastic carrier cap is fitted onto an axial end of spool. Carrier cap has two thin, axially spaced slip rings that are secured to a peripheral wall of the carrier cap. The two slip rings are connected to input and output ends respectively of the coil winding. Coil winding is energized from a direct current source by stationery brush assemblies that are radially oriented and circumferentially spaced from each other. Each brush assembly includes a brush contact that is spring biased into contact with one of the slip rings. A plate rotor that has a drive member attached to it is next to the opposite axial end of the spool.