Slip rings ready for demanding apps

Slip rings for a wide variety of industrial applications come from Deublin Co., Waukegan, Ill. The devices are easily configured for both power connections and signal connections. The signal portion of the slip rings is compatible with Ethernet, Profinet, RS-232, RS-485, RS-422, CAN as well as generic analog or digital sensing and 24V control signals.

Slip rings are well suited for a variety of demanding applications such as wind turbines, robotics, industrial machinery (textile, bottling, and packaging for example), test equipment, commercial displays, crane and hoist controls just to name a few. Deublin Company has used the same high quality standards in the development of the new Slip Ring product line as we have established in our rotary union designs for over 60 years.

The electrical device allows transmitting power and electrical signals from a stationary to a rotating structure. A slip ring can be used in any electromechanical system that requires unrestrained, intermittent or continuous rotation while transmitting power and/or data. Typically, a slip ring is comprised of a graphite or precious metal brush, which contacts the outside diameter of a rotating metal ring. As the ring turns, electrical current or signal is conducted through the stationary brush to the metal ring making the connection. Additional ring/brush assemblies are stacked along the rotating axis if more than one electrical circuit is needed. A new brochure, Catalog SR084 US, is available along with a Request for Quote form that assists in specifying a slip ring.

Take a look at Deublin’s Slip Ring catalog here

Rugged slip rings replace an existing design

A recent slip-ring design, which is also a direct replacement for pitch-control slip rings on GE 1.5 MW series wind turbines, comes from Moog Industrial Group, East Aurora, NY. The AC7008 slip ring provides a reliable transmission of power and data signals from the nacelle to the control system for the rotating blades. The advantage of the recent design over traditional models is its performance in harsh environments. For instance, fiber brushes and reliable mechanical components in the new unit eliminates costly downtime.

The AC7008 slip ring operates maintenance free for over 100 million revolutions. What’s more, it does so without lubrication and over a wide range of temperatures, humidity, and rotational speeds. The fiber brush handles high power while at the same time transferring data signals. The slip ring is protected from the environment and sealed to an IP54 rating.

Key plusses for the design include:

• Maintenance free for over 100 million revolutions
• Minimal generation of wear debris
• No lubrication required
• Wide operating temperature range
• Lower life cycle cost
• High reliability

Brushes and rings for electrical wind equipment

Products from Carbone of America, Boonton, NJ, meet the electrical requirements of wind-power generators. A few include specially developed brush grades, patented carbon slip-ring assemblies, and slip-ring assemblies with bronze rings. Additional products include brush holders and pressure systems, all engineered and designed by the company engineers and tested in its labs.

For example, one slip-ring assembly in particular developed for wind-power generators has a lower weight than previous designs, no corrosion of the carbon, and a lifetime or brush wear of 0.1mm/1,000 hr. The assembly also sports excellent no-load and low-current operation, it tolerates high peripheral speeds, and makes it possible to reduce the IP protection index of the slip ring assemblies.