Contact rings ( eng.contact ring, slip ring ) (sometimes a current collector ) is a type of electrical contact made in the form of a conductive ring with adjoining brushes, which supply electricity in a rotating electric machine from one part of the circuit to another using a sliding contact.
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Application
Contact rings are used if it is impossible to directly transfer electrical energy using wires, for example, when applied to a rotating shaft.
Used in mechanical engineering, electric motors, robotics (for transmitting information and control signal). The contact rings used in electric motors are more preferable in comparison with the collector assembly , since they get less wear during operation.
Depending on the selected technological solution, concentric and longitudinal contact rings can be used.
Contact rings are usually made of hard metals and, in some cases, have a coating that is resistant to wear and environmental influences (gold or silver).
There are also known cases of the use of liquid metal contact rings - mercury current collectors, which ensure the transmission of high currents and have low resistance.
Use
Electric machines with slip rings:
- Synchronous machines
- Asynchronous machines with a phase rotor;
- Engine Schrage;
- Collector frequency converter;
- Single-anchor converter, etc.