A slip ring, used in electrical engineering, creates an electrical connection using a rotating assembly. It sends and receives electrical power, signals or data between stationary and rotating sources. Slip rings come in many different styles.
Electrical
Electrical slip rings control the supply of power from a rotating source to a stationary plane. A brush makes contact with a rotating ring to generate the electrical power or signals. They are key components in systems such as microwave, optical signals and cooling fluids.
Magnetic
Magnetic slip rings do not make any contact between the rotating and fixed parts, resulting in no loss of electrical signals and extended life of the slip ring. The lack of contact also results in no sparks, making magnetic slip rings ideal for use in areas where gases or other flammable materials exist.
Mercury Wetted
Mercury wetted slip rings replace the brush found in electrical slip rings with liquid metal. The liquid metal establishes and maintains the connection between the rotating and stationary planes. Leakage of the mercury can pose severe health and contamination issues.
Tags: slip rings, between rotating, electrical power, electrical power signals, liquid metal, power signals
