Glossary of Terms

Term

Brush

Explanation

A conductor providing an electrical contact with a sliding (usually rotating) surface
 

Term

Brush holder

Explanation

structured design to carry a brush or brushes
 

Term

Brush box

Explanation

the portion of a brush holder within which a brush slides or is clamped
 

Term

Collector

Explanation

A slip-ring or commutator on which brushes operate
 

Term

Current density

Explanation

seen at the brush/ collector interface, is the current transmitted per unit of brush cross sectional area
 

Term

Patina

Explanation

the protective skin that forms on the surface of a collector over the area swept by the brushes
 

Term

Rotor

Explanation

the rotating part of an electrical machine
 

Term

Stator

Explanation

the fixed or static part of an electrical machine
 

Term

Torque

Explanation

the turning effort, measured as the product of a force and radius of action of the force about the axis of rotation
 

Term

Helical groove

Explanation

A helical groove machined into the face of a slip-ring reduces the air trapped between the brush : ring interface provides a more uniform current distribution of current over the brush face and between brushes reducing selectivity.
 

Term

Bronze

Explanation

Metal alloy traditionally composed of copper and tin.
 

Term

WTG

Explanation

Wind Turbine Generator
 

Term

Pitch Control

Explanation

Pitch controls adjust the blades in wind turbines by rotating them so that they use the right fraction of the available wind energy to get the most power output, all the while ensuring the turbine does not exceed its maximum rotational speed
 

Term

Yaw system

Explanation

The yaw system of wind turbines is the component responsible for the orientation of the wind turbine rotor towards the wind
 

Term

RCA

Explanation

Root Cause Analysis
 

Term

ROV

Explanation

Remotely Operated Vehicle
 

Term

AUV

Explanation

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
 

Term

UAV

Explanation

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
 

Term

VFD

Explanation

Variable Frequency Drive
 

Term

Slip Ring

Explanation

Electro-mechanical device that allows for the transfer of signals or power from a stationary to rotating structure
 

Term

Friction

Explanation

A force between two surfaces that are sliding, or trying to slide, across each other.
 

Term

Drone

Explanation

A type of UAV. Can be free flying or tethered.
 

Term

Capacitive

Explanation

Capacitives are Contactless data transmitters for rotating systems. They are especially beneficial for ensuring reliable transmission whenever slip rings are inadequate due to large system diameters and/or data volumes.