SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY COUPLING TO A CABLE ON A ROTATABLE REEL USING CAPACITIVE PLATES

摘要

A cable reel can improve transfer of power and data between a static frame and a cable wound around a rotatable element. The cable reel can use torsional springs to store mechanical energy and also to electrically couple the cable to a node within the static frame. This electrical coupling can be used to pass power. The cable reel can use a data transfer apparatus to transfer data between the frame and the cable. This apparatus may comprise two capacitive plates that together form a capacitor, one connected to the frame and one connected to the rotatable element. Alternatively, this apparatus may comprise an optically isolated zone in which an optical transmitter may communicate data to an optical receiver over free-space optical communications. The data can be transferred without physical contact between the frame and rotatable element, even while the rotatable element may rotate relative to the static frame.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a frame comprising an axel; a rotatable element operable to rotate on the axel; and first and second capacitive plates, the first capacitive plate integrated with the frame and the second capacitive plate integrated with the rotatable element; wherein the first and second capacitive plates form a capacitor operable to pass data signals between the frame and the rotatable element.