Glossary of Terms

Look up definitions to commonly-used industry terms, phrases, and abbreviations.

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.

Term

Anodic Brush

Explanation

Brush with current flow from brush to the collector (slip ring)

Term

Brush Holder arm (or spindle)

Explanation

The supporting arm or rod onto which brush holders are mounted

Term

Cathodic Brush

Explanation

Brush with current flow from the collector (slip ring) to the brush

Term

Contact Drop

Explanation

Voltage drop between brush and collector (slip ring)

Term

Brush Tangential dimension 't'

Explanation

Brush thickness in direction of collector rotation

Term

Brush Axial dimension 'a'

Explanation

Brush width across the collector (slip ring)

Term

Brush Radial dimension 'r'

Explanation

Brush length in wearing direction

Term

LPS

Explanation

Lightning Protection System

Term

Explanation

Constant Force

Term

Brush contact surface

Explanation

The surface in contact with the collector (slip ring)

Term

Brush Top

Explanation

The surface remote from the contact surface and agaisnt which the pressure mechanism bears down

Term

Brush faces

Explanation

The two surfaces parallel to the axis of rotation. Norally described as - 'Front face' / 'Entering face' or 'Back face' / 'Leaving face' relative to direction of collector rotation. [In the context of unidirectional operation].

Term

Brush sides or side faces

Explanation

The two surfaces at right angles to the front and back faces and also the axis of rotation.

Term

Brush Entering edge

Explanation

The edge at the intersection of the contact surface where it meets the collector as it rotates towards the brush.

Term

Brush leaving edge

Explanation

The edge at the intersection of the contact surface where it meets the collector as it rotates away from the brush.

Term

Brush Chamfers

Explanation

Refers to the material removed at 45deg from the side edges of a brush to create clearance and reduce possible stiction between the brush edges and internal corners of the brush holder.

Term

Flange

Explanation

Flanges provide mechanical support to the slip ring, ensuring its stability and preventing damage to the equipment it is installed in.

Term

IP Rating

Explanation

IP stands for Ingress Protection rating, sometimes called an Internal or International Protection mark. IP ratings are two-digit numbers associated with an electrical or mechanical enclosure, indicating the item's resistance to various types of unwanted intrusion

Term

Torque Arm

Explanation

A torque arm is provided to resist the torque caused by the slip ring friction. The torque arm protrudes either axially or radially from the shaft of the slip ring

Term

Gland

Explanation

A cable gland on a slip ring allows for cable entry and provides additional protection for the cables