GB2504368A

GB2504368A - Improved slip ring apparatus and method of manufacturing a slip ring

Info

Publication number: GB2504368A
Application number: GB201302803A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Watkins
Original assignee: Overview Ltd
Current assignee: Overview Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-23
Filing date: 2013-02-18
Publication date: 2014-01-29
Also published as: GB201302803D0; GB2504278A; GB201213069D0

Abstract

A slip ring apparatus comprises a first component having a first conductive element and a second component having a second conductive element. The first and second components are rotatable relative to each other. The first and second conductive elements are in electrical communication with each other during rotation of the first and second components relative to each other. The first and second conductive elements are located at least partially within the first component. The first conductive element may be a slip ring 104, and the second may be a brush wire 112 in a two-ended arc which is located inside the slip ring. The slip ring may be manufactured by adding straight wires to a substrate (208, Fig 9), deforming the wires with a tool and inserting the second component into the first component, and may be used for High Definition (HD) video.

Description

Improved Slip Ring Apparatus and Method of Manufacturing a Slip Ring

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slip ring apparatus.

Background of the Invention

Slip ring assemblies are mechanical arrangements of concentric rings in a stack with each ring separately connected to a wire. All of the wires in the slip ring are bundled through the bore of the slip ring stack to the outside of the assembly. Individual spring wires are then arranged to bear on the outside diameter surface (normally grooved) of each slip ring in the stack, and again are connected to individual wires which are bundled to the opposite end of the assembly.

The slip ring stack and the assembly of brush wires are arranged to rotate relative to each other.

As many separate signals can be passed through a rotating mechanical coupling joint as there are pairs of brush wires and slip rings. As a result, slip rings can be assembled in many ways, but all are labour intensive.

It is one purpose of the present invention to provide a new slip ring apparatus which permits the manufacture of each complete slip ring apparatus to be automated.

Summary of the Invention

The slip ring apparatus of the present invention is designed to overcome the aforementioned problems and also other problems.

In view of the foregoing and in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a slip ring apparatus comprising: a first component having a first conductive element; and a second component having a second conductive element, wherein the first and second components are rotatable relative to each other, wherein the first and second conductive elements are in electrical communication with each other during rotation of the first and second components relative to each other, and wherein the first and second conductive elements are located at least partially within the first component.

The provision of first and second conductive elements which are located at least partially within the first component allows the manufacture of the slip ring apparatus to be automated. The entire second component (which can comprise a brush wire assembly) can be loaded into the first component (which can comprise a stack of slip rings). The simplified method of manufacture allows easy inspection of the slip ring apparatus at all stages of manufacture, a vital requirement for automatic assembly if machine vision checking is used.

The first component may comprise a plurality of first conductive elements and the second component may comprise a plurality of second conductive elements, wherein each second conductive element may be in electrical communication with a corresponding first conductive element.

Each second conductive element may be located at least partially within an outer perimeter defined by its corresponding first conductive element. Each second conductive element may be located wholly within an outer perimeter defined by its corresponding first conductive element. The second component may be located at least partially within the first component. The second component may be located wholly within the first component.

The first and second conductive elements may be in continuous electrical communication with each other during rotation of the first and second components relative to each other.

Each first conductive element may comprise a conductive ring. Each conductive ring may comprise a groove which extends around the internal diameter of the ring.

The provision of grooved conductive rings allows each second conductive element to be easily and precisely located and retained within its corresponding conductive ring.

The second component may comprise an engageable portion, such as a grippable portion or component, adapted, shaped or configured to permit the second component to be inserted into the first component. For example, the second component may comprise an engageable portion or grippable portion or component to permit the second component to be inserted into the first component automatically, such as using a tooling means. Each second conductive element may comprise an engageable portion or grippable portion or component which may be adapted, shaped or configured to permit the second component to be inserted into the first component. For example, each second conductive element may comprise an engageable portion or grippable portion or component to permit the second component to be inserted into the first component automatically, such as using a tooling means. The engageable portion or grippable portion or component may be adapted, shaped or configured such that the tooling means can connect, attach or fix itself to the second component thereby permitting the second component to be deformed, for example by bending of the second component, so that it can be inserted and removed from the first component. At least one engageable portion or grippable portion or component may be located at at least one end of a second component. Each second conductive element may comprise an arc comprising conductive material. Each second conductive element may comprise two arcs of conductive material. Each arc may comprise a sprung wire element. Each arc may be deformable to permit it to be inserted into the first component. Each arc may comprise a curved, folded or bent end for gripping or attachment by the tooling means so as to permit the arc to be inserted into the first component. Each curved, folded or bent end may be shaped to facilitate gripping by a tooling means. One of the arcs, a plurality of the arcs, substantially all of the arcs, or all of the arcs may be shaped with the engageable portion or grippable portion or components, such as a curved, folded or bent end, to permit multiple arcs, substantially all of the arcs, or all of the arcs to be gripped simultaneously to facilitate their insertion into the first component (e.g. automatically and/or by a tooling means), e.g. by deformation, such as through bending of the arcs inwards (towards each other). Alternatively, at least one arc, a plurality of arcs, substantially all of the arcs, or all of the arcs may be provided with an element that permits a tool or tooling means to engage or grip at least one arc, a plurality of arcs, substantially all of the arcs, or all of the arcs simultaneously to facilitate their insertion into the first component. The tool or tooling means may comprise one or more corresponding connecting, attachment or gripping means adapted to connect, attach or grip corresponding one or more engageable portions or grippable portions or components.

The apparatus may further comprise means for deforming each arc so that it can be inserted into the first component. The arc of conductive material may comprise two ends, wherein the arc contacts the first conductive element at a contact point adjacent each end.

Each arc of conductive material may be sized to fit within a corresponding conductive ring and each arc may be adapted to contact its corresponding conductive ring at at least one contact point.

Each arc of conductive material may be adapted to contact the ring at at least two contact points.

Each arc may be adapted to sit partially within the groove on its corresponding ring.

The second component may comprise a substrate. The substrate may comprise one or more electrical connections. The substrate may comprise an electrical connector in electrical communication with the one or more electrical connections. The electrical connector may comprise a high-definition video connector. The apparatus may further comprise internal electronic circuitry on the substrate electrically connected to the one or more electrical connections. The substrate may be a printed circuit board (PCB).

Each arc may be connected to the substrate. Each arc may be pre-formed prior to being connected to the substrate. Each arc may pass through the substrate and be fixed to it. Each arc may be soldered to the substrate. Each arc may be connected to an edge of the substrate. Each arc may be electrically connected to a corresponding electrical connection on the substrate.

The fact that each second conductive element may be in the form of an arc does not necessarily mean that they are curved along their entire length. Each arc can comprise at least one straight portion (i.e. not curved). The straight portion of the arc may be the portion which passes through the substrate, which can be a PCB. It is advantageous for the straight portion of each second conductive element to be perpendicular to the substrate to facilitate subsequent forming of the second conductive elements, which can be carried out on all second conductive elements simultaneously, into their arced form. Alternatively, the second conductive elements can be preformed individually and then soldered individually to an edge of the substrate.

Each first conductive element may provide an electrical connection for connection of the slip ring apparatus to an external electrical device. Each first conductive element may be electrically connected to external electronic circuitry. The electrical connections of the substrate may be connected to the external electronic circuitry via the first and second conductive elements.

The apparatus may further comprise at least one bearing configured for permitting rotation of the first component relative to the second component. The apparatus may further comprise a plurality of location elements for permitting multiple longitudinal fixed positions of the first component relative to the second component to be set.

The electrical connector may be an end-launch connector located at one end of the substrate. The end-launch connector may be a rotating connector. The end-launch connector may be a bearing configured for permitting rotation of the first component relative to the second component. The at least one bearing may be located at an end of the substrate. The substrate may further comprise a buried ball joint at an opposite end of the substrate to the end which has the end-launch connector, wherein the buried ball joint locates on an internal bearing spider.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing the slip ring apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, comprising: providing the first component; and inserting the second component into the first component such that each first conductive element locates against a corresponding second conductive element.

The second component may be inserted into the first component along substantially a longitudinal axis of the first component / slip ring apparatus.

Each arc of conductive material may be deformed from an undeformed form into a deformed form prior to insertion of the second component into the first component, and then each arc may be returned to its undeformed form when the second component is located within the first component.

This deforming may be performed by tooling means. This method may be fully automated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a slip ring according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second example of a slip ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an end housing of a slip ring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of exemplary slip rings according to an embodiment of the present invention arranged in a stack with an end housing and bearing at either end; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a slip ring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a slip ring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention taken at a right angle to the rotation axis; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary second conductive element of a slip ring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a substrate and a plurality of second conductive elements of a slip ring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a substrate and a plurality of second conductive elements prior to formation into a slip ring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first example of a slip ring 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ring 10 has an internal circumferential groove 12 to guide contact with internal brush wires, and an external circumferential groove 14 to locate the ring accurately on a rack. The rack has ribs spaced at regular intervals to engage with a number of slip rings for accurate positioning and alignment of the slip rings.

Figure 2 shows a second example of a slip ring 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ring 20 is the same as that shown in Figure 1, but has a projection 22 instead of a groove on the outer diameter for location on an external placement jig. In this case, the rack has grooves spaced at regular intervals to engage with a number of slip rings.

Figure 3 shows an end housing 30 for a ball bearing having the same location features 32 (e.g. ribs and/or grooves) as the slip ring to ensure overall accurate positioning. Paired ball bearings at opposite ends of a stack of rings keep a brush wire assemble accurately on the longitudinal axis of a slip ring assembly for rotation.

Slip rings such as those shown in Figures 1 and 2 are arrangable in a stack. Figure 4 shows such a stack 40 of slip rings 10 with an end housing 30, such as that shown in Figure 3, and a bearing at each end. One or more racks 42 are also provided to locate the rings.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a slip ring apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention The apparatus comprises a first component 102 comprising a stack of slip rings (as described previously), each ring having a first conductive element 104 in the form of a conductive ring in the shape of a groove. The apparatus 100 also comprises a second component 106 comprising a substrate 108, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) on which internal electronic circuitry is mounted and/or an end connector connected to second conductive elements. The plurality of second conductive elements 112 (shown in Figures 6 to 8) are in the form of arcs of conductive material, for example sprung wire elements or brush wires. Ideally, each second conductive element 112 comprises two arcs of conductive material, each located on an opposite side of the substrate to the other. Each arc of conductive material has two ends 114, wherein the arc contacts the first conductive element 104 at a contact point adjacent each end where the wire curves round back on itself. As such, each arc of conductive material 112 is sized to fit within the conductive ring 104 and contact the ring 104 at at least one contact point. The first 102 and second 106 components are rotatable with respect to each other by virtue of bearing elements located at each end of the slip ring apparatus 100.

Each second conductive element 112 is in electrical communication with a corresponding first conductive element 104. Each second conductive element 112 is located, wholly or partially, within an outer perimeter defined by its corresponding first conductive element 104. The second component 106 is located, wholly or partially, within the first component 102. The first 104 and second 112 conductive elements are in continuous electrical communication with each other during rotation of the first 102 and second 106 components relative to each other. Each arc passes through the substrate 108 and is electrically connected to the internal electronic circuitry.

Each first conductive element 104 is electrically connected to external electronic circuitry. The internal electronic circuitry is electrically connected to the external electronic circuitry via the first 104 and second conductive elements 112.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the slip ring apparatus 100 at a right angle to the rotation axis, and shows how the brush wires 112 contact the conductive rings 104, and how the feature 1 14a at the end 114 of the wires 112 allows the brush wires 112 to be drawn together to clear the rings 104 when the brush wire assembly is being loaded axially into position. The feature 114a which may be an engageable portion, such as a grippable portion or component, is adapted to permit the second component to be inserted into the first component.

Figure 7 shows a suitable form for the second conductive elements 112 to take; alternative shapes are clearly possible. The arced form allows contact towards the end 114 of the wire 112 furthest from the PCB 108 with a radius at that point only very slightly smaller than the slip ring 110 internal diameter. The curved end 114 feature 114a allows the wires 112 to be drawn inside the slip ring internal diameter to allow the brush wire array to be inserted into the slip ring stack by automatic insertion means which allow the brush wires 112 to rest in their respective ring internal grooves 104 when the insertion means are withdrawn, and the wires spring apart. The free' form of the wires 112 has a slightly larger radius than the internal diameter of the slip ring 110, and the adjustment of the difference governs the contact force between the wire and the ring.

The fact that each second conductive element 112 may be in the form of an arc does not necessarily mean that they are curved along their entire length. As shown in Figure 7, each arc 112 can comprise at least one straight portion 122 (i.e. not curved). The straight portion 122 of the arc 112 may be the portion which passes through the substrate 108, which can be a POB. It is advantageous for the straight portion 122 of each second conductive element 112 to be perpendicular to the substrate 108 to facilitate subsequent forming of the second conductive elements 112, which can be carried out on all second conductive elements simultaneously, into their arced form shown in Figure 7. Alternatively, the second conductive elements 112 can be preformed individually and then soldered individually to an edge of the substrate 108.

Figure 8 shows, in exemplary form, the central PCB 108 with wires 112 for use with eight slip rings, and an end-launch high-bandwidth connector 116 in place to allow HD signals to pass through, which are then routed straight along the PCB 108.

If the diameter of the wires 112 is relatively large, then the spring rate at the point of contact is fairly sharp' and requires very tight assembly tolerances; these can be reduced by crushing' part of the brush wire 112 along its length to form one or more flattened sections 112a, e.g. leaf spring cross sections, as shown in Figure 7 rather than a round cross section. This means that there is a lower modulus of elasticity of the leaf section for a given wire cross sectional area. For example, in an assembly with a ring internal diameter of 12mm, a wire of 0.2mm diameter has an approximate spring rate of 0.001" per gram force at the contact point, but a wire of 0.15mm diameter has a spring rate of 0.01 0" per gram. Since the target contact force is 3 grams, assembly is less critical with the thinner wire although this thinner wire is more difficult to handle and carries less electrical current.

As discussed above, the apparatus shown in FigureS also comprises an end connector 116, such as a high definition (HD) video connector. The end connector 116 is free to rotate about the PCB 108 or slip ring longitudinal axis A. The end connector 116 has two features on its outer end; one which permits soldering to a flexible PCB which is then connected to a stack PCB, and the other allows a spring to give very light axial force and to constrain this connector to rotate with the stack PCB.

During manufacture, the wire brush assembly on the second component is fed inside the stack assembly and held in place longitudinally and horizontally with respect to the first component by two bearings which are connected to the second component. A first bearing is formed through insertion of a ball into a spider at a distal end of the slip ring apparatus (with respect to the proximal end of the apparatus through which the second component is inserted into the first component).

The second component is thus constrained at its distal end by a universal joint ball and socket bearing which allows a small degree of compliance to make loading easier until the bearing is in place. The other second bearing is slightly pre-loaded by a nut on the end connector located at the proximal end of the PCB (second component). The end connector is threaded for this purpose and thus forms a second bearing opposite the first bearing when the nut is held at the distal end of the slip ring apparatus. Thus, the second component is free to rotate relative to the first component.

The second conductive elements 112 can be formed by soldering an array of brush wires onto a PCB 108 and deforming them all together to give the required shape, and the entire brush wire assembly can be loaded internally into the slip ring stack 140. When free' the wires 112 rest in the ring internal grooves 104, but when drawn together they clear the internal ring diameters to allow the brush assembly to slide along the stack axis.

This method of manufacture allows easy inspection during all stages of manufacture, a vital requirement for automatic assembly if machine vision checking is used.

The slip rings 110 are located in racks' 118 shown in Figure 6 arranged in a three point star on an outer circumference of the slip ring, but any similar arrangement can also be used. The bearing end housings 130 are also held by the same racks 118. The racks comprise multiple location elements 131 which permit multiple longitudinal locations of the slip rings 110 relative to the second conductive elements 112. While the slip ring stacks 140 and bearing caps 130 are located by the racks 108, which is a part of the automated assembly, alternative location means (additional separate racks or even strips of glue) are introduced to effect a permanent stack assembly once the automation racks are removed.

The brush wire PCB 108 is shaped so that the ends 114 can pass easily through the bearings, but the central portion running between the slip rings 110 has a diameter close to the slip ring internal diameter.

The brush wires 112 are inserted into the PCB and soldered in place and connected to electrical tracks or connections on the PCB. Thus, each wire extends from both sides of the PCB straight and at right angles to the PCB. Clamping dies are the fed between the wires and closed to give each wire 112 an arc-like form, and then withdrawn.

As mentioned, each brush wire 112 has an arc-like shape, specifically in the depicted embodiment the brush wires 112 have three elements forming this arc-like shape. The ends 114 are folded back so that they can be gripped collectively, which can be done by a tooling means/feature (not shown) durin9 automated manufacture of the slip ring. This tooling feature draws them together so that the wires clear the ring internal bores so they can be passed through the bore of the slip ring stack to a iequired longitudinal position; when the tooling feature is withdrawn the wires spring outwards and rest in the slip ring grooves. The forni of the wire 112 where it contacts its associated slip ring 110 is very slightly smaller radius than the ring 110 it contacts, thereby ensuling good contact between each wire 112 and its associated ring. The brush wires 112 have relatively short lengths meaning that their displacement force is quite high for small movement; they may therefore also be crushed' to a flattened form along much of their length, which substantially reduces the brush wire force at contact, and avoids the need for very tight tolerances.

As discussed previously, each second conductive element 112 can comprise at least one straight portion 122 (i.e. not curved) which passes through the substrate 108, which can be a PCB. It is advantageous for the straight portion 122 of each second conductive element 112 to be perpendicular to the substrate 108 to facilitate subsequent forming of the second conductive elements 112, which can be carried out on all second conductive elements simultaneously, into their arced form. Alternatively, the second conductive elements 112 can be preformed individually and then soldered individually to an edge of the substrate 108.

Figure 9 shows a substrate 208 and a plurality of second conductive elements 212 prior to formation of the second conductive elements 212 into arcs, such as the arcs shown in Figures 7 and 8. The second conductive elements 212 shown in Figure 9 are deformed using a tool (not shown) into arcs for inclusion in the slip ring apparatus of the present invention.

The present invention has been described above in exemplary form with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent a single embodiment of the invention. It will be understood that many different embodiments of the invention exist, and that these embodiments all fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appendant claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A slip ring apparatus comprising: a first component having a first conductive element; and a second component having a second conductive element, wherein the first and second components are rotatable relative to each other, wherein the first and second conductive elements are in electrical communication with each other during rotation of the first and second components relative to each other, and wherein the first and second conductive elements are located at least partially within the first component.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a plurality of first conductive elements and the second component comprises a plurality of second conductive elements, and wherein each second conductive element is in electrical communication with a corresponding first conductive element.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each second conductive element is located at least partially within an outer perimeter defined by its corresponding first conductive element.
4. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each second conductive element is located wholly within an outer perimeter defined by its corresponding first conductive element.
5. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second component is located at least partially within the first component.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second component is located wholly within the first component.
7. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second conductive elements are in continuous electrical communication with each other during rotation of the first and second components relative to each other.
8. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first conductive element comprises a conductive ring.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each conductive ring comprises a groove which extends around the internal diameter of the ring.
10. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second component comprises an engageable portion, such as a grippable portion.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the engageable portion is adapted to permit the second component to be inserted into the first component.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the engageable portion is adapted to permit the second component to be inserted into the first component automatically, such as through use of tooling means.
13. The apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising a plurality of engageable portions, wherein each engageable portion is adapted to permit the second component to be inserted into the first component.
14. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each second conductive element comprises an arc comprising conductive material.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each second conductive element comprises two arcs of conductive material.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein at least one arc comprises an engageable portion adapted to permit a tool to engage the at least one arc to facilitate its insertion into the first component.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a plurality of arcs, substantially all of the arcs, or all of the arcs are each provided similarly with an engageable portion, wherein the engageable portions are adapted to be engaged simultaneously to facilitate insertion of the second conductive element into the first component.
18. The apparatus of any one of claims 16 to 17, wherein the engageable portion comprises a curved, folded or bent portion of the arc for gripping by tooling means so as to permit the arc to be inserted into the first component.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each curved, folded or bent portion is shaped to facilitate gripping by a tooling means.
20. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein each arc comprises a sprung wire element.
21. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein each arc is deformable to permit it to be inserted into the first component.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for deforming each arc so that it can be inserted into the first component.
23. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the arc of conductive material comprises two ends! wherein the arc contacts the first conductive element at a contact point adjacent each end.
24. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 23 when dependent on any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein each arc of conductive material is sized to fit within a corresponding conductive ring and each arc is adapted to contact its corresponding conductive ring at at least one contact point.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein each arc of conductive material is adapted to contact the ring at at least two contact points.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 or claim 25 when dependent on claim 9, wherein each arc is adapted to sit partially within the groove on its corresponding ring.
27. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second component comprises a substrate.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the substrate comprises one or more one electrical connections.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the substrate comprises an electrical connector in electrical communication with the one or more electrical connections.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the electrical connector comprises a high-definition video connector.
31. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising internal electronic circuitry on the substrate electrically connected to the one or more electrical connections.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the substrate is a printed circuit board (PCB).
33. The apparatus of any one of claims 27to 32 when dependent on any one of claims 14 to 26, wherein each arc is connected to the substrate.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein each arc is pre-formed prior to being connected to the substrate.
35. The apparatus of claim 33 or claim 34, wherein each arc passes through the substrate and is fixed to it.
36. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein each arc is soldered to the substrate.
37. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein each arc is connected to an edge of the substrate.
38. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 37 when dependent on claim 28, wherein each arc is electrically connected to a corresponding electrical connection on the substrate.
39. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first conductive element provides an electrical connection for connection of the slip ring apparatus to an external electrical device.
40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the each first conductive element is electrically connected to external electronic circuitry.
41. The apparatus of claim 40 when dependent on claim 28, wherein the electrical connections of the substrate are connected to the external electronic circuitry via the first and second conductive elements.
42. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one bearing configured for permitting rotation of the first component relative to the second component.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising a plurality of location elements for permitting multiple longitudinal fixed positions of the first component relative to the second component to be set.
44. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims when dependant on claim 29, wherein the electrical connector is an end-launch connector located at one end of the substrate.
45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the end-launch connector is a rotating connector.
46. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end-launch connector is a bearing configured for permitting rotation of the first component relative to the second component.
47. The apparatus of claim 42 or claim 46, when dependent on claim 27, wherein the at least one bearing is located at an end of the substrate.
48. The apparatus of claim 47 when dependent on claim 44, wherein the substrate further comprises a buried ball joint at an opposite end of the substrate to the end which has the end-launch connector, wherein the buried ball joint locates on an internal bearing spider.
49. A method of manufacturing the slip ring apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, comprising: providing the first component; and inserting the second component into the first component such that each first conductive element locates against a corresponding second conductive element.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein the second component is inserted into the first component along substantially a longitudinal axis of the first component.
51. The method of claim 49 or claim 50, when dependent on claim 14, further comprising: deforming each arc of conductive material from an undeformed form into a deformed form prior to insertion of the second component into the first component, and returning each arc of conductive material to its undeformed form when the second component is located within the first component.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein deforming is performed by tooling means.
53. The method of any one of claims 49 to 52, wherein the method is fully automated.
54. A slip ring apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.