Wire conducting rotary coupling employing protective skirt
US4921432A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1988 |
| Grant date | May 1, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/641
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A rotary coupling for conducting rotational movement across a plurality of electrical wires is disclosed herein which applies a minimum amount of stress on the wires. The coupling generally comprises first and second concentrically disposed tubular members rotatably movable with respect to one another and a skirt member circumscribing one of the tubular members which defines a recess for receiving U-shaped slack portions present in each of the wires. In operation, the U-shaped slack portions extend into and retract out of the recess whenever the coupling members are rotated relative to one another. The rotary coupling effectively transmits torque and high electrical currents in environments where the use of slip rings is undesirable, such as outer space, and is particularly useful within a movable support arm which connects a solar panel to the main body of a space facility.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.