US4168446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid metal current collector with compliant brush having flooded filaments
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1978-02-10
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Granted: 1979-09-18
•
Expires: 1998-02-10
Abstract
Abstract An electrical current collector for an acyclic machine employs a rotor collector ring encircled by a stator collector ring to which a compliant brush of electrically conductive filaments is attached. The gap between rotor collector ring and stator collector ring, including brush interstices, is flooded with liquid metal which is drawn around the rotor collector ring periphery when rotation begins. A thin film of liquid metal on the brush makes sliding contact with the rotor collector ring, enhancing conductivity between the rotor and stator collector rings through the brush filaments.
Inventors
- 👤 Burton D. Hatch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:09
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K31/00; H02K31/04; H01; H01R; H01R39/00; H01R39/02; H01R39/18; H01R39/30; H01R39/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An electrical current collector for an acyclic machine comprising: a rotor collector ring; a stator collector ring encircling said rotor collector ring; a compliant brush of electrically conductive filaments attached to said stator collector ring, said brush being closely adjacent said rotor collector ring; and liquid metal situated between, and in contact with, said brush and said rotor collector ring and flooding the region between said rotor and stator collector rings over at least a portion of the collector ring circumferences, said liquid metal filling interstices within said brush where said brush is immersed in said liquid metal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An electrical current collector for an acyclic machine comprising: a rotor collector ring; a stator collector ring encircling said rotor collector ring; a compliant brush of electrically conductive filaments attached to said stator collector ring, said brush being closely adjacent said rotor collector ring; and liquid metal situated between, and in contact with, said brush and said rotor collector ring and flooding the region between said rotor and stator collector rings over at least a portion of the collector ring circumferences, said liquid metal filling interstices within said brush where said brush is immersed in said liquid metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filaments of said compliant brush are plaited into braid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said braid is affixed to said stator collector ring inside a radial groove therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stator collector ring includes a plurality of circumferentially-displaced axial slots around said stator collector ring and in liquid metal communication with the region between said rotor and stator collector rings, each said slot including insulation means situated therein so as to substantially preclude passage of electrical current in a radial direction through liquid metal in said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the filaments of said compliant brush are plaited into braid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radially-outermost surface of said rotor collector ring is beveled at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, said compliant brush being situated at said angle where said brush is closely adjacent said stator collector ring, said angle corresponding to the direction of magnetic flux at the outermost surface of said rotor collector ring resulting from a generally-axial magnetic field passing through said apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the filaments of said compliant brush are plaited into braid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said rotor collector ring is coated with insulation except at the region where said brush is situated closely adjacent thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said rotor collector ring is coated with insulation except at the region where said brush is situated closely adjacent thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said stator collector ring includes a plurality of circumferentially-displaced axial slots around said stator collector ring and in liquid metal communication with the region between said rotor and stator collector rings, each said slot including insulation means situated therein so as to substantially preclude passage of electrical current in a radial direction through liquid metal in said slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the filaments of said compliant brush are plaited into braid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1332786A
Cited
SU471633A1
Cited
US3989968A
Cited
US4027183A
Cited
US4027184A
Cited
US4024422A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-09-17 | 1983-03-19 | 1983-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-17 | 1987-03-19 | 1987-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-17 | 1991-03-19 | 1991-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |