Connector for revolving equipment wanted

[CWatters]

I have a project for a portable electronic device and need to get data and
power from a fixed part to a revolving part. The problem is much like that
you have in an army tank (eg getting power and data from the turret to the
body of the tank), only my application is on a much much smaller scale. The
rotating parts are less than half an inch in diameter in my case.

I can use an optical device to send the data down the axis of rotation but
what about power? Are there any ingenious ways to transfer about 5-10W
accross a revolving connector - apart from using carbon brushes etc.

Colin

 

[MikeM]

CWatters wrote:

I have a project for a portable electronic device and need to get data and
power from a fixed part to a revolving part. The problem is much like that
you have in an army tank (eg getting power and data from the turret to the
body of the tank), only my application is on a much much smaller scale. The
rotating parts are less than half an inch in diameter in my case.

I can use an optical device to send the data down the axis of rotation but
what about power? Are there any ingenious ways to transfer about 5-10W
accross a revolving connector - apart from using carbon brushes etc.

Colin

Make a flat pancake type of transformer where the primary
is fixed, and the secondary rotates. Use a frequency higher
than 50/60Hz. The shaft which forms the axis of rotation
can go through the center of both coils...
MikeM