ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN A ROTATABLE MEMBER AND A STATIONARY MEMBER

摘要

An electrical connection for coupling large currents (of the order of 30,000 Amps) to a rotating shaft (such as the support spindle of a drum cathode in an electrodeposition apparatus) with lower power loss as compared with conventional brush techniques. A conductive stationary member encircles an outer conductive sleeve which is locked via a taper split inner conductive sleeve to the shaft. The inner surface of the stationary member has an annular recess which forms an annular chamber. Conductive liquid fed from a reservoir mounted on the stationary member fills the chamber and electrically connects the stationary member to the outer sleeve which is electrically connected to the shaft via the inner sleeve. The stationary member has means for connection to a supply of electrical current. Sealing means are provided to prevent leakage of conductive liquid, and, where the conductive liquid requires to be maintained at an elevated temperature, the stationary member can be heated and maintained at a preselected temperature by means of heating means responsive to the output of a temperature sensor arranged adjacent the annular chamber.