U.S. patent number 3,586,413 [Application Number 04/810,310] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-22 for apparatus for providing energy communication between a moving and a stationary terminal.
Invention is credited to Dale A. Adams.
United States Patent |
3,586,413 |
Adams |
June 22, 1971 |
APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ENERGY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A MOVING AND A
STATIONARY TERMINAL
Abstract
A rotating platform is supported above a stationary surface by
means of a rotating support. The platform and support are driven
about their respective axes in the same relative direction at
speeds in the ration of two-to-one respectively. A terminal is
located on the stationary surface is communication with a second
terminal positioned on the rotating platform. An energy-guiding
channel such as an electrical conductor is connected between the
first and second terminals and is positioned to extend closer to
the axis of said rotating support than the rotating support and
subsequently up to the rotating platform, around the platform, onto
the surface to which the second terminal is connected. The surface
of the rotating platform upon which the second terminal is located
is positioned remote or away from the stationary surface so that
the electrical conductor is forced to follow a path around the
outer edge of the platform down to the stationary surface.
Inventors: |
Adams; Dale A. (Tucson,
AZ) |
Family
ID: |
25203554 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/810,310 |
Filed: |
March 25, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/503; 359/401;
439/13; 359/861; 464/170; 494/18; 359/212.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
35/02 (20130101); B04B 5/0442 (20130101); G02B
17/02 (20130101); B04B 2005/0492 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B04B
5/00 (20060101); B04B 5/04 (20060101); G02B
17/00 (20060101); G02B 17/02 (20060101); H01R
35/02 (20060101); H01R 35/00 (20060101); G02b
017/00 (); H01r 039/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;350/6,24,25,26,7
;352/102,103,107,108 ;224/7CG ;339/2,5,8 ;64/2 ;74/18.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schonberg; David
Assistant Examiner: Leonard; John W.
Claims
I claim:
1. Apparatus for providing energy communication between a moving
terminal and a stationary terminal comprising: a rotating platform
having an axis of rotation; a rotating support extending from a
stationary surface supporting said platform in spaced-apart
relation to said stationary surface, said axis of rotation passing
through said stationary surface, said rotating support having a
second axis of rotation; said rotating platform having a far side
facing away from said stationary surface and a near side facing
said stationary surface; first means fixedly secured to said far
side of said rotating platform for receiving or transmitting
energy; second means fixedly secured to said stationary surface for
receiving or transmitting energy transmitted or received by said
first means; a rotating energy-guiding channel connected between
said first and second means; said energy-guiding channel extending
from a point substantially at the axis of rotation of said far side
of said rotating platform, out around the platform, to a point on
said stationary surface which is substantially at the intersection
of said axis of rotation of said rotating platform and said
stationary surface, the axis of rotation of said energy-guiding
channel being coaxial with said axis of rotation of the rotating
platform; means for rotating said platform and said energy-guiding
channel in the same direction coaxially about the axis of rotation
of said rotating platform and relative to each other in the ratio
of two-to-one respectively.
2. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said
energy-guiding channel comprises an electrical conductor.
3. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said
energy-guiding channel comprises a light transmission path
including light receiving and redirecting elements positioned along
said path.
Description
The present invention pertains to apparatus for facilitating energy
communication between terminals; more specifically, the present
invention pertains to a means for facilitating such communication
between a stationary and a moving member.
There are numerous instances in modern technology requiring the
communication between terminals, one of which is moving and the
second of which is stationary. For example, to provide
electromagnetic communication such as an electrical current between
the two terminals, the problem of relative motion between the
terminals must be accounted for. If the motion of the moving
terminal is, for example, rotary, then the electrical conductor
connecting the terminals will either become twisted or will wrap
around the supporting shaft about which the moving terminal rotates
or revolves. The obvious expedient to avoid such problems is the
utilization of slip rings which permit relative motion between
terminals while maintaining electrical contact therebetween.
In numerous applications, the utilization of slip rings is
unsatisfactory but is the only prior art alternative. For example,
in applications wherein the signal current being transmitted is
relatively low level, the variations of contact resistance
resulting from the constantly changing resistance of slip rings
imposes substantial limitations on the transmitted signal. If the
transmitted signal represents information, the signal level must be
maintained sufficiently high to overcome the interfering effects of
slip ring noise. When the electromagnetic communication approaches
or is in the optical range of frequencies, there is no convenient
prior art method for providing communication without substantial
interference. For example, if it were desired to read the face of a
meter that was revolving or rotating, aside from the utilization of
stroboscopic techniques, there would be no way to visually observe
the meter reading. Even with the use of stroboscopic techniques,
the observance would be intermittent and not continuous.
When the energy being communicated between terminals is in the form
of fluid, such as gas or liquid, the same problems exist in that
slip couplings give rise to the requirement of seals which are
continually experiencing relative motion with an adjacent sealing
surface.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
apparatus for energy communication between a moving and a
stationary terminal.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
apparatus for energy communication between a moving and a
stationary terminal without the utilization of slip rings, seals,
or stroboscopic techniques.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus
for energy communication between a moving and a stationary terminal
wherein the energy is in one of several forms of energy
communication, such as pneumatic, hydraulic, optical
electromagnetic, and acoustic flow.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
electromagnetic communication between a terminal mounted on a
rotating platform and a terminal on a stationary platform.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide
apparatus for permitting the connection of an electrical conductor
to one terminal on a rotating platform and connection to a second
terminal on a stationary surface without twisting or wrapping the
conductor.
These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof
proceeds.
Briefly, in accordance with the embodiment chosen for illustration,
a rotating support is mounted on a stationary surface for rotation
about an axis. An electrical conductor is connected to a terminal
on the stationary surface and passes from the stationary surface
through the rotating support such that the conductor is closer to
the axis of rotation of the rotating support than the rotating
support. That is, at least at the intersection of the rotating
support and the stationary surface, the rotating support must be
hollow to permit the passage of the electrical conductor.
A rotating platform is mounted on the rotating support to permit
relative rotation between the two. The platform includes a surface
positioned away from or remote to the stationary surface. This
remote surface may be utilized to support electrical equipment
including a second terminal to which electrical connection is to be
made. The electrical conductor is extended from its position closer
to the axis of rotation of the rotating support around the edge of
the rotating platform to the remote surface thereof; subsequently,
the conductor is connected to the second terminal. An electric
motor is geared to rotate the rotating support and a gear
arrangement is provided to drive the rotating platform in the same
direction but at twice the angular velocity of the rotating
support. The above arrangement permits the electrical conductor to
carry current between the first and second terminals, even though
one terminal is stationary and the second terminal is in
motion.
This invention may more readily be described by reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the
apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3A--3I are schematic diagrams of a rotating platform showing
successive positions of electrical conductors connected thereto
useful for explaining the concept of the present invention.
FIGS. 4--7 are successive schematic views of a system constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,
utilizing an optical signal-guiding channel.
The first embodiment herein described is chosen as an
electromagnetic embodiment since the difficulties inherent in
energy communication between terminals is most readily understood
with this particular embodiment. The specific problems involved in
providing an electrical current between a stationary and a moving
terminal demonstrate the common problem of energy communication in
other systems, such as hydraulic systems, optical systems, etc.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the embodiment chosen for illustration
represents a device that may be used to provide electrical
connection between a stationary terminal and an electrical device
mounted on a rotating platform. Such devices may be constructed for
such applications as centrifuges wherein electrical equipment and
components are being subjected to g forces while electrical
measurements are being made. A stationary surface 10 forming part
of a mounting base 11 is provided with a stationary gear 12 which
may be secured to the surface 10 such as by welding. The base 11
includes an electric motor 13 therein having a drive gear 15
secured thereto in driving engagement with a ring gear 16. The ring
gear 16 is attached to a cylindrical member 18 which extends
through the stationary surface 10 and ring gear 12 and is provided
with a flange 20 welded or otherwise secured to a rotating support
22. The rotating support 22 may be separated from the stationary
surface 10 and ring gear 12 by a bearing 23. It may thus be seen
that energization of the electric motor 13 results in the rotation
of the rotating support 22 through the expediency of the drive gear
15 and ring gear 16.
The rotating support 22 supports an idler gear 25 mounted on a
shaft 26 journaled in the bottom wall 27 of the rotating support
22. The idler gear 25 is in driving engagement with the ring gear
12 and will therefore rotate as it revolves about the ring gear 12.
A lower transfer gear 30 is in driving engagement with the idler
gear 25 and is mounted on a transfer shaft 31 journaled in the
lower wall 27 and the upper wall 32 of the rotating support 22. The
opposite end of the transfer shaft 31 is connected to an upper
transfer gear 33 which is positioned in driving engagement with a
platform drive gear 35. The platform drive gear 35 is mounted on a
shaft 37 journaled in the top wall 32 of the rotating support 22;
the shaft 37 extends above the platform drive gear and acts as a
support for a rotating platform 40. The gear ratios of the fixed
ring gear 12, idler gear 25, transfer gears 30 and 33, and the
platform drive gear 35 are chosen to provide a relative rotational
velocities of the rotating platform 40 and the rotating support 22
of two-to-one.
A terminal block 45 may conveniently be connected to the front face
of the base 11 to provide a convenient means for connection to a
multiconductor cable 46. The cable, solely for purposes of guiding
the cable and preventing it from becoming entangled, is wrapped
around a post 48 extending upwardly from within the base 11 through
the cylinder 18. A flexible conductor guide 50 is connected to the
post 48 to provide a means for supporting the cable 46 as the cable
extends upwardly from the base 11. The conductor guide 50 may be
formed of a variety of materials such as plastic or rubber or even
flexible metal which can readily be flexed and act as a guide or
flexible core for the cable 46. It is important to note at this
point that the conductor guide 50 is not necessary and that the
cable 46 may be extended from the base upwardly as shown in FIG. 1
without the utilization of conductor guide 50; however, it has been
found helpful to provide a more orderly configuration by utilizing
a guide such as the conductor guide 50. Further, by using a
conductor guide, the cable 46 is subjected to less bending stress.
It is also important to note that neither the cable 46 nor the
conductor guide 50 is subjected to torque or twisting force.
In the embodiment chosen for illustration, the rotating support 22
is shown in drum form having a cylindrical outer wall. In the
latter form, it has been found useful to provide a tubular channel
51 to receive the conductor guide 50 with the cable 46 wrapped
therearound. The tubular channel 51 extends from the outer surface
of the drum-shaped rotating support 22 to a position immediately
above and coaxial with the rotating platform 40.
The rotating platform 40 is mounted for rotation about an axis 55
while the rotating support 22 is mounted for rotation about an axis
56. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, the axes 55 and 56
are coincidental, although coincidence is not necessary for the
operation of the system of the present invention. A spider member
61 is secured to the platform 40 and is provided with an opening
for the sole purpose of guiding the cable 46 and conductor guide 50
as it emerges from the tubular channel 51. The cable 46 may
subsequently be divided into separate cables 63 and 64, each
connected to different connectors such as the one shown at 66 which
ultimately "plugs" to an electrical device 70 mounted on the
platform 40. Electrical connection is thus established between the
terminal block 45 and the connector 66. This electrical connection
can be maintained even though the rotating platform 40 is rotated.
The motion is started by energizing the electric motor 13 through
the on/off switch 72 which applies electrical current from an
external source through conductors 73 to the motor. The rotating
support 22 is thus rotated at a given velocity and the rotating
platform 40 is driven at a velocity equal to twice the velocity of
the rotating support through the expediency of the previously
described gear arrangement.
The above description relates to the electromagnetic energy system.
The electrical current travels from a stationary to a moving
terminal. A more thorough understanding of the concept may be
achieved by an examination of the electromagnetic system and then
an investigation of the same inventive concept as it applies to
other energy systems. An explanation of the phenomena describing
the operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be facilitated
by reference to the schematic illustrations of FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, a
first conductor 80 is shown connected between a white terminal 81
on a rotating platform 82 and a similar white terminal 83 on a
stationary surface 84. A second electrical conductor 86 is
connected between a black terminal 87 on the rotating platform 82
and a black terminal 88 on the stationary surface 84. In FIG. 3A,
the arrow 90 indicates the direction of rotation of the platform 82
and the relative positions of the white terminal 81 and black
terminal 87 of the orientation of the terminals on the platform to
the corresponding terminals on the stationary surface 84. In FIG.
3B, it may be seen that the platform 82 has rotated 90.degree.;
similarly, in FIG. 3C, the platform 82 has completed 180.degree.. A
comparison of FIGS. 3A and 3C will illustrate that the terminals 81
and 87 on the platform have now changed as seen by the viewer while
the platform has rotated 180.degree. and the conductors 80 and 86
have rotated 90.degree. about the axis of rotation 89. FIGS. 3D and
3E demonstrate continued rotation of the platform 82 such that in
FIG. 3E it may be seen that the platform 82 has completed
360.degree. rotation; however, while the terminals 81 and 87 are
again in the relative positions as seen by the viewer in FIG. 3A,
the conductors 80 and 86 have completed only 180.degree. of
rotation about the axis 89. An inspection of FIGS. 3F, 3G, 3H, and
3I will show that continued rotation of the platform 82 for an
additional 360.degree. will result in the return of all the
elements to the positions shown in FIG. 3A. Thus, for every
720.degree. rotation of the platform 82, the conductors 80 and 86
will complete 360.degree. of rotation without becoming twisted. The
conductors are subjected to a flexure or continuous bending as they
travel about the axis 89 but are not rotated or twisted about their
own axis.
The present invention may also be described, for purposes of
understanding the concept, in terms of its applicability to an
optical system. It may be understood that while optical systems are
concerned with visible wave lengths, we are still concerned with
electromagnetic radiation (although of a much higher frequency than
heretofore discussed). Even though both the electromagnetic
embodiments and the optical embodiments are concerned with
electromagnetic energy, the embodiments for practicing the
invention will take substantially different forms in view of the
behavioral characteristics of the energy in transit. FIGS. 4--7
schematically illustrate the utilization of apparatus constructed
in accordance with the teachings of this invention for use with
optical frequencies. In FIG. 4, a rotating platform 100 is shown
having an object 101 mounted thereon which is to continuously be
observed while it is being rotated with the platform 100. To
facilitate this continuous observation, a stationary and continuous
image 102 may be formed on a stationary surface 103 simply by
providing an optical transmission path having light receiving and
redirecting means such as prisms 106--110 positioned in a manner
equivalent to the electrical conductors of FIGS. 1--3.
FIG. 5 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 4 after the platform 100
has been rotated 90.degree.. It may be seen from this schematic
illustration that the image 102 formed on the stationary surface
103 remains in an identical orientation to the image previously
formed in FIG. 4. Similarly, FIGS. 6 and 7 demonstrate the
generation of an image 102 on the stationary surface 103 even
though the object 101 has been rotated with the platform 100
through 180.degree. and 270.degree. respectively.
While the present invention has been described in terms of specific
embodiments utilizing electrical conductors and detailed elements
such as FIGS. 1 and 2, and while an optical embodiment of the
invention has been described with the aid of schematic
illustrations in FIGS. 4--7, it will be apparent that the present
invention may be practiced with equal facility in other energy
systems. For example, it is frequently desirable to deliver liquid
or possibly gas under pressure to a moving terminal from a
stationary terminal. In those instances, the difficulties discussed
previously such as problems with seals, etc., are manifest. The
concept of the present invention obviates these difficulties by
providing a means to communicate the hydraulic or gaseous energy
directly to the moving terminal through an unbroken conduit such as
a flexible tube without difficulties inherent in sliding
connections. Similarly, in acoustical systems which sometimes may
be considered extensions of gas, systems may readily be designed to
deliver the pressure wave fronts between a stationary and moving
terminal without the necessity of connections, slip fittings, or
seals, any of which would give rise to acoustical reflections,
thereby degrading the acoustic signal during transit. A mechanical
system is also contemplated as an energy transmitting system. For
example, the physical motion between two elements mounted at the
moving terminal may readily be transmitted via a flexible cable to
the stationary terminal to yield, at the stationary terminal, an
indication of the relative motion. A mechanical system of this type
may conveniently be used as a means for measuring a force being
exerted on a yieldable member (e.g., a spring) which responds to
the force by a calibratable movement. This movement may be
transmitted via the flexible cable, either as a torsional movement
of the cable or an axial movement of the cable. The cable movement
is transmitted directly from the moving terminal to the stationary
terminal to permit measurements of the cable movement at the
stationary terminal.
The embodiments described in the accompanying figures may also take
the form of a great variety of apparatus designs. For example, as
previously mentioned in connection with the description of FIG. 1,
the electrical conductor may be connected between a stationary
terminal and the moving terminal without the aid of a conductor
guide upon which it is wrapped or without the aid of a tubular
channel, the latter elements merely facilitated for orderly
positioning of the conductors. It will also be apparent that the
spider 61 of FIG. 1 is entirely unnecessary for the functioning of
the apparatus and is provided only to assist in the positioning of
the cable 46 as it emerges from the tubular channel 51. The means
utilized to drive the platform may also vary. For example, the
present concept is equally implemented by merely driving the
rotating support 22 and letting the electrical cable 46 or the
conductor guide 50 provide the necessary torque for driving the
rotating platform 40. This latter scheme may conveniently be used
when the mass of the platform 40 is small and very little torque
will be required to provide the rotational force such that the
strength of an electrical conductor alone is sufficient. When the
electrical conductor is used as the means for driving the rotating
platform, the conductor acts as the means for delivering mechanical
force as well as a means for transmitting electrical current.
Similarly, the rotating platform 40 may directly be driven and the
rotating support 22 may be connected thereto to rotate at the
required velocity. If the electrical conductor or a conductor guide
is to be used as the means for mechanically driving the rotating
support or the rotating platform, then the ratio of velocities will
automatically be achieved and the necessity for gear trains or
other motion transmitting means is eliminated. The embodiments
chosen for illustration and modifications thereof coming within the
concepts of the present invention seem to require that the
electrical conductor or signal guiding channel extend from a
stationary surface closer to the axis of rotation of a rotating
support than the rotating support. In other words, the rotating
support must provide a means for the passage of the electrical
conductor extending from a stationary surface to the remote side of
a rotating platform. This provision is usually accomplished by
making the rotating support hollow at least at the portion thereof
adjacent to the stationary surface from which it extends. It will
also be obvious that the utilization of the terminology "platform"
is not intended to connote an elongated or extensive surface but,
rather, is intended as a general term indicating a surface upon
which something such as a terminal can be mounted. The rotating
platform 40 includes a remote surface positioned away from the
stationary surface from which it is supported; however, the term
"remote" is intended to mean that surface which directly opposes
the electrical conductor or signal-guiding channel as it makes
contact with the surface or a device mounted on the surface.
It will therefore be seen that the present concept encompasses a
broad range of apparatus employing a common phenomena which permits
the connection between a transmitting or receiving stationary
terminal to a receiving or transmitting moving terminal by means of
a signal-guiding channel which itself does not twist.
* * * * *