GB2324418A

GB2324418A - Electrical pickup device

Info

Publication number: GB2324418A
Application number: GB9707762A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh John Watson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-04-17
Filing date: 1997-04-17
Publication date: 1998-10-21
Also published as: GB9707762D0

Abstract

A means of conducting electricity, between a series of conductors and an electrical load, via an array of contacts, which operates irrespective of the position or orientation of the contact array on the conductors. The set-up consists of three parts. An area of conductive strips, where each strip is of opposite polarity to the ones adjacent to it, and the distance between each strip is slightly greater than the diameter of the contacts. An array of six contacts is mounted in a radial pattern. And a rectifying circuit shown in Fig.3. When the contact array is placed on the area of conductive strips as shown in Fig.4, the spacing of the contacts relative to one another in the array ensures that, at least one contact is always touching a negative conductor and at least one contact is always touching a positive conductor. The rectifying circuit allows each contact to supply either the positive or negative load, depending on which polarity of conductor it is touching, thus ensuring a continuous flow of electricity even if the contact array is moved around the area of conductors.

Description

Electrical Pickup device This invention relates to an electrical pickup device This is a means of conducting electricity, between a series of conductors and an electrical load, via an array of contacts. It operates irrespective of the position or orientation ofthe contact array on the conductors.

The invention consists of three elements. A series of conductors positioned relative to one another such that, the distance between each adjacent conductor of opposite polarity is always greater than the length ofthe of the longest axis of symmetry of the pick up contacts. A pick up array consisting of a series of contacts positioned relative to one another, such that no matter the position or orientation of the array on the conductors, at least one contact is touching a positive conductor and at least one contact is touching a negative conductor. A rectifying circuit, such that each contact can conduct to either the positive or negative side of the load, depending upon which polarity of conductor it is connected to.

A specific embodiment ofthe invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 Shows an area of conductive strips Fig.2 Shows an array of six circular contacts, mounted on a bracket Fig.3 Shows a contact connected to an electrical load. via a rectifying circuit.

Fig.4 Shows the contact array placed on the area of conductive strips Referring to the drawing, the set-up consists of three parts:- an area of conductive strips shown in Fig. 1, where each strip is of opposite polarity to the ones adjacent to it, and the distance between each strip is slightly greater than the diameter ofthe contacts shown in Fig.2. An army of six circular contacts as shown in Fig.2, mounted in a radial pattern on a simple bracket. And a rectifying circuit shown in Fig.3, consisting of two diodes. When the contact array is placed on the area of conductive strips as shown in Fig.4, each contact is in one of three positions: 1. Touching a positive strip in which case the current is able to flow through diode I to the positive load, but not through diode 2.

2. Touching a negative strip in which case the current is able to flow through diode 2 to the negative load, but not through diode 1 3. Between adjacent strips in which case it is relying on the other contacts to conduct to the load.

The spacing of the contacts relative to one another in the array ensures that, at least one contact is always touching a negative conductor and at least one contact is always touching a positive conductor, thus ensuring a continuous flow of electricity even if the contact array is moved around the area of conductors. The contacts cannot short out the conductors because the distance between them is always greater than the diameter of the contacts.

Claims

Claims

1. A means of conducting an uninterrupted flow of electricity. Consisting of a series of conductors positioned relative to one another such that the distance between each adjacent conductor of opposite polarity is always greater than the length of the of the longest axis of symmetry of the pick up contacts. A pick up array consisting of a series of contacts positioned such that no matter the position or orientation ofthe array on the conductors at least one contact is touching a positive conductor and at least one contact is touching a negative conductor. A rectifying circuit, such that each contact can conduct to either the positive or negative side ofthe load, depending upon which polarity of conductor it is connected to.