Abstract:
An integrated CT scanner gantry assembly is provided wherein an open bore rotor is supported by a bearing assembly on an open bore stator. An x-ray assembly is mounted on the rotor and supplied with high voltage power during continuous rotation about the stator through use of a slip ring assembly which is mounted between the rotor and stator. The inside surface of the stator which faces a patient generally lies along the surface of a truncated cone to permit substantial tilting of the stator. Moreover, the stator and rotor have a cross section formed as a series of separated yet aligned steps to form two isolated cavities therebetween, one of the cavities housing the cathode of the slip ring and the other of the cavities housing the anode of the slip ring. The cavities can be filled with a gas or liquid high voltage insulating fluid and can be readily sealed to prevent leakage of said fluid. An x-ray assembly bracket is removably attachable to the rotor to support an x-ray source and x-ray optics in order to permit the x-ray source and x-ray optics to be assembled and aligned on the bracket at a location remote from the rotor and stator. The overlapping positions of the separated yet aligned steps relative to the x-ray source and optics assembly bracket reduces the cross-sectional area and overall gantry volume thereby providing comfortable patient access for whole body CT scanning.
Abstract:
An improvement in dynamo electric machines is disclosed in which the brush holder is electrically isolated from the brush pigtail terminal junction. The member which supports the junction connecting the brush pigtail and the lead from the stator includes an insulator which electrically isolates the junction from the brush holder. The insulator eliminates the relatively low impedance electrical path between the brush terminal and the commutator through the brush holder, preventing damaging arcing between the commutator and the brush holders.
Abstract:
A brush assembly for a brush motor includes a support member, brush holders, at least four brushes respectively mounted to the brush holders, and first and second motor terminals for connecting with an external power supply. A first filter circuit is connected between the first motor terminal and corresponding first brushes. A second filter circuit is connected between the second motor terminal and corresponding second brushes. The first and second motor terminals and the first and second filter circuits are mounted in a region defined by two corresponding adjacent brushes forming an angle greater than 60 degrees but less than 180 degrees.
Abstract:
A slip ring apparatus including a ring assembly having a conductive ring with a conductive ring engagement surface, a contact assembly having a contact element with a contact element engagement surface for engaging with the conductive ring engagement surface, and a surface discontinuity provided in at least one of the conductive ring engagement surface and the contact element engagement surface. An apparatus including the slip ring apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a housing having an interior and a shaft rotatably extending through the interior of the housing. A method for reducing the potential of a hydroplaning effect in a slip ring apparatus, including providing a surface discontinuity in at least one of a conductive ring engagement surface and a contact element engagement surface.
Abstract:
A power terminal includes a terminal beam having a mating surface. A protective thermal coupler bridge is positioned adjacent the terminal beam having a bridge conductor, an insulating substrate and a bridge pad. The bridge pad has a mating surface. A variable resistive member is electrically coupled between the terminal beam and the bridge conductor to provide a shunt so that arcing does not occur when the power terminal is disconnected from the mating power terminal. The mating surface of the terminal beam is separable before the mating surface of the bridge pad is disconnected so that the resistance in the variable resistive member increases after disconnection of the main power terminal from the mating power terminal and prior to disconnection of the bridge pad from the mating power terminal to shunt the current through the bridge conductor and the variable resistive member during unmating.
Abstract:
A device (i.e., a slip-ring or a homopolar motor/generator) (40, 50, 80) is adapted to provide electrical contact between a stator and a rotor (41, 83), and includes: a current-carrying brush-spring (31, 84) mounted on the stator, and having two opposite surfaces; a fibrous brush assembly (35, 69) mounted on the conductor, the brush assembly having a bundle of fibers (36, 71) arranged such that the tips of the fibers will engage the rotor for transferring electrical current between the stator and rotor; a ribbon (33, 85) of superconducting material mounted on each opposite surface of the current-carrying brush-spring and communicating with the stator and the brush assembly; and another ribbon (29, 86) of superconducting material mounted on the rotor. The device is submerged in a cryogenic fluid at a temperature below the transition temperatures of the superconducting materials such that the electrical resistivity of the device will be reduced and the current-transfer capability of the device will be increased.
Abstract:
A slipring assembly comprises a slipring module having at least one slipring track, which is in electrical contact with at least one slipring brush. The slipring module comprises an isolating body holding the at least one slipring track. Furthermore a cooling element is embedded into or attached to the slipring module to remove heat from the slipring module and to increase the temperature of the at least one slipring track. This allows decreasing the temperature of the slipring module to increase the maximum transferable power and lifetime.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a sliding contact system includes a first metal contact, a second metal contact in sliding engagement with the first contact, and a lubricant in which the first metal contact and the second metal contact are immersed to inhibit oxidation and cold welding of the contacts.
Abstract:
A commutator (10, 40, 54, 60, 64, 70, 76, 78) for a brush motor includes a cylindrical insulating base (12), a plurality of segments (14) disposed on an outer surface (68) of the insulating base (12), circumferentially spaced from each other, and defining a plurality slots (42) between adjacent segments (14), and a plurality of insulating outgas elements (24) capable of releasing a gas having a lower conductivity than air and disposed on the outer surface (68) of the cylindrical insulating base (12). Each outgas element (24) is located between a corresponding pair of the plurality of segments (14), having a gas releasing surface (26) between the corresponding pair of segments (14) and lower than outer surfaces (28) of the corresponding pair of segments (14). A method for making a commutator is also provided.
Abstract:
A brush assembly for a brush motor includes a support member, brush holders, at least four brushes respectively mounted to the brush holders, and first and second motor terminals for connecting with an external power supply. A first filter circuit is connected between the first motor terminal and corresponding first brushes. A second filter circuit is connected between the second motor terminal and corresponding second brushes. The first and second motor terminals and the first and second filter circuits are mounted in a region defined by two corresponding adjacent brushes forming an angle greater than 60 degrees but less than 180 degrees.