US3581267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric conductor bearings
Assignee: Electric Conductor Bearings Inc
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Filing: 1968-08-14
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-08-14
Abstract
Abstract An electric conductor bearing arrangement includes a fixed outer race, a shaft-mounted rotatable inner race and a plurality of roller bearing devices for completing a current path therebetween. The bearing devices each include a cylindrical coil spring arranged with the longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the shaft axis. The spring bearings which are transversely compressible compensate for any misalignments by assuming a shape compatible with the existing alignment.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Z Schreffler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/58; F16C33/60; F16C41/00; F16C41/002; H; H01; H01R; H01R39/00; H01R39/64; H01R39/643
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An electrical system comprising a rotatable race member fixedly mounted on a rotatable shaft, insulating means for insulating said race from said shaft, means connected to said rotatable race member for conducting electrical current thereto, a fixed race member mounted in spaced relationship to said rotatable race member, means connected to said fixed race member for conducting electrical current thereto and roller means disposed between said rotatable race member and said fixed race member for completing an electrical circuit between said electrical current conducting means, said roller means comprising a plurality of individual roller devices, at least one of said roller devices comprising a rotatable resilient conductive member for effecting flexible rolling electrical contact between said rotatable race member and said fixed race member whereby any existing nonalignment between the race members or deformation in the said race members is compensated for and means for fixedly supporting said roller devices in axial alignment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An electrical system comprising a rotatable race member fixedly mounted on a rotatable shaft, insulating means for insulating said race from said shaft, means connected to said rotatable race member for conducting electrical current thereto, a fixed race member mounted in spaced relationship to said rotatable race member, means connected to said fixed race member for conducting electrical current thereto and roller means disposed between said rotatable race member and said fixed race member for completing an electrical circuit between said electrical current conducting means, said roller means comprising a plurality of individual roller devices, at least one of said roller devices comprising a rotatable resilient conductive member for effecting flexible rolling electrical contact between said rotatable race member and said fixed race member whereby any existing nonalignment between the race members or deformation in the said race members is compensated for and means for fixedly supporting said roller devices in axial alignment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one roller device comprises a spring member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electrical system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said spring member comprises a cylindrical coil spring, the longitudinal axis of said spring being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said rotatable shaft, said system further including porous resilient support means for supporting said springs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrical system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one roller device comprising a spring member and a porous resilient member for supporting said spring member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrical system in accordance wIth claim 4 further comprising an at least partially liquid, conductive lubricant disposed between said race members, said porous supporting member constituting means for retaining a portion of said lubricant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electrical system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said spring member comprises a cylindrical coil spring and said supporting member comprises a cylindrical member, the longitudinal axis of said spring and said cylindrical member extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a conductive lubricant disposed between said race members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
An electrical system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a further rotatable race member fixedly mounted on said shaft at a location spaced from the first-named rotatable race member, means for insulating said further rotatable race member from said shaft, a further fixed race member mounted in spaced relationship to said further rotatable race member, further roller means disposed between said further race members for conducting electrical current therebetween and means separate from the first-named current conducting means for conducting electrical current to said further rotatable race member and to said further fixed race member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrical system in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said roller devices comprises a plurality of spring members, each of said spring members being in flexible rolling electrical contact with both said inner and outer races.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrical system in accordance with claim 5 further comprising means including an inlet opening in said fixed race member for forcibly introducing said conductive lubricant between said races.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |