ABSTRACT

This chapter addresses fiber brush contacts from a wear perspective to show wear advantages of the technology in certain environments or applications. It considers the contact films that are critical to the successful operation of the fiber brushes since these brushes do not carry their own lubrication along like the more common metal graphite brushes. The generic approach of utilizing a bundle of multiple, lightly-loaded metal fibers to carry current in applications requiring long life and low maintenance has value in a number of important applications. Kuhlmann-Wilsdorf developed a very robust theoretical underpinning for the fiber brushes developed in her laboratory and reference provides a very comprehensive outline of the theory behind multi-fiber electrical brushes. Fiber brushes are used for transmitting high current and the critical electrical parameters are related to conductivity. Fiber brushes have been used successfully in vacuum applications where surface films are not an issue and the very light contact force per fiber minimizes wear.