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Extracts from a paper on the properties and performance of carbon brushes.


Identifier  ExFiles\Box 50\5\  Scan141
Date  2nd December 1922
  
X.4333
Typed 2.12.22.

X.4333 - EXTRACTS FROM PAPER ON "CARBON-BRUSHES" - (HUNTER BROWN) (I.E.E.Journal Feb.1919.).

Spec. resistance various from .003 to .0003w/cu."
Loss due resistance, only 10-15% total brush loss, (or drop and friction loss.)
Remainder due contact drop.
Small addition Cu increases resis. Contact may be better.

More Cu reduces to 5 x 10^-6 still lubricating.
Low friction important. Especially high speed.
Friction independent of ordinary temperatures.
Current alters friction. Pressure alters it greatly.
Vacuum effects - sticking. Air effects drop of friction.

Contact drop 1.6 - 2.0 volts.
Pressure lowers contact drop.

[Graph 1 showing Air effects drop: Volts vs {J. Vickers} Amps, with axes labelled up to 2.5 volts and 80 amps respectively.]
[Graph 2 showing Pressure lowering contact drop: Volts vs {J. Vickers} Pressure, with axes labelled up to 2.0 Volts and 10 lbs/sq" respectively.]

Thermal conductivity. Large in graphite, less in Cu-graphite, down to carbon very small.

Capping better if of insulation. Lighter, wear electrical, prevents current through spring.

Copper plating causes currents direct from holder - wear.

Mechanical arrangements must be good. Boxes should have 4 unbroken sides. Clearance .2 mm. circumferential and .3 axial or 1/4 of these amounts.
  
  
From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).


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