1. An electrically conductive assembly for a bearing, the bearing disposed about a rotating shaft and in a bearing housing, the bearing comprising an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed therebetween, the electrically conductive assembly comprising:

an annular retainer couplable with the bearing outer race or with the bearing housing, having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular groove; and

at least two electrical conductors each having a radially outer end disposed in the retainer groove and a radially inner end contactable to the shaft, each electrical conductor being formed by a plurality of electrically conductive fibers configured to extend radially inwardly from the open inner end of the retainer, the at least two electrical conductors being circumferentially spaced about the centerline such that at least two axial channels are defined between the retainer and the shaft.

2. The conductive assembly of claim 1, wherein: the electrically conductive assembly further includes at least two spacers, each spacer being disposed between two of the at least two conductors and having a radially outer end disposed in the holder and a radially inner end spaced outwardly from the shaft such that each of the axial passages is defined between the radially inner end of the spacer and the shaft.

3. The conductive assembly of claim 2, wherein: each of the spacers is formed from a plurality of conductive fibers, each conductive fiber of each spacer having a substantially shorter radial length than each conductive fiber of each electrical conductor.

4. The conductive assembly of claim 1, wherein: the conductive assembly further comprises an annular ring disposed in the holder, each conductive fiber of each conductor has opposite ends, and the conductive fiber is bent around the annular ring such that the ends of each fiber are located at the radially inner ends of the conductors.

5. The conductive assembly of claim 4, wherein: the conductive assembly further comprises at least two spacing parts, each spacing part is arranged between two conductors of the at least two conductors and comprises a plurality of conductive fibers, each conductive fiber of each spacing part is provided with two ends and a second length defined between the two ends, the conductive fibers of each spacing part are bent around the annular ring, each end of the two ends is located at the radial inner end of the spacing part, the second radial length of each conductive fiber of each spacing part is obviously smaller than the first radial length of each conductive fiber of each conductor, and an independent axial channel is locally defined between the radial inner end of each spacing part and the outer surface of the rotating shaft.

6. The conductive assembly of claim 1, wherein: each of the at least two axial passages allows lubricant to flow through the electrically conductive assembly.

7. The conductive assembly of claim 1, wherein: the conductive assembly further includes an annular housing configured to support a retainer around the shaft and connectable to a bearing cup or housing.

8. The conductive assembly of claim 7, wherein: the housing includes an outer axial portion and a radial portion extending inwardly from one end of the outer axial portion, the radial portion having a plurality of fitting projections engageable with an annular retainer to connect the retainer with the housing.

9. The conductive assembly of claim 1, wherein: the retainer includes an outer axial base having two ends and two radial legs extending radially inwardly from the ends of the base, the base and legs defining the annular recess.

10. An electrically conductive assembly for a bearing surrounding a rotating shaft and disposed in a bearing housing, the bearing comprising an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed therebetween, the electrically conductive assembly comprising:

an annular retainer couplable with the bearing outer race or the bearing seat, having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular groove; and

at least two sets of first conductive fibers and at least two sets of second conductive fibers alternately spaced circumferentially about a centerline of the retaining member such that each set of second conductive fibers is located between the two sets of first conductive fibers, each first conductive fiber extending radially inward from the groove of the retaining member, having a first radial length, and being contactable with the outer surface of the shaft, each second conductive fiber extending radially inward from the groove of the retaining member, and having a second radial length substantially less than the first radial length, such that each set of second conductive fibers defines a circular arc shaped axial passageway radially between the outer surface of the shaft and each set of second conductive fibers.

11. The conductive assembly of claim 10, wherein: each of the second conductive fibers is formed by cutting a length of a fiber having a first length into a second length.

12. The conductive assembly of claim 10, wherein: each of the axial channels is circumferentially interposed between two sets of first conductive fibers.

13. The conductive assembly of claim 10, wherein:

the conductive assembly further comprises an annular ring disposed in the holder annular groove; and is

Each of the first conductive fibers and the second conductive fibers has opposite ends, and is bent around the annular ring such that the ends are located radially inward of the holder.

14. The conductive assembly of claim 10, wherein: the at least two electrical conductors include eight electrical conductors and the at least two channels include eight channels.

15. The conductive assembly of claim 10, wherein: the electrically conductive assembly also includes an annular housing connectable with the bearing cup or housing and configured to support the retainer.

16. The conductive assembly of claim 15, wherein: the housing includes an outer axial portion and a radial portion extending inwardly from one end of the outer axial portion, the radial portion having a plurality of fitting projections engageable with an annular retainer to connect the retainer with the housing.

17. The conductive assembly of claim 10, wherein: the retainer includes an outer axial base having two ends and two radial legs extending radially inwardly from the ends of the base, the base and legs defining the annular recess.

18. A method of forming an electrically conductive assembly for a bearing disposed about a rotating shaft and in a bearing housing, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of conductive fibers each having opposite ends and defining a first length therebetween, a length of wire, and an elongated rectangular strip of metallic material having a length, an upper surface, and edges lengthwise on both sides;

placing the plurality of conductive fibers on an upper surface of a strip such that the two ends of each fiber extend beyond the edge of the strip and the plurality of fibers are arranged along the length of the strip;

placing the wire over the plurality of arranged conductive fibers such that the wire extends in a lengthwise direction of the strip at a centered position;

folding the lengthwise edge of one side of the strip of metal strip towards the lengthwise edge of the other side thereof so as to form two spaced apart legs and each of the conductive fibres is folded around the wire so that the two ends of each fibre are adjacent one another, the two legs then defining the groove and retaining the wire and the plurality of fibres in the groove;

forming the strip-shaped band and the wire into an annular body having a centerline, with the plurality of fibers extending radially toward the centerline; and

cutting a plurality of different portions of the fiber such that each cut portion of the fiber has a second length less than the first length, each cut portion of the fiber defining a separate axial passage when the ring is disposed about the axis of rotation.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

providing a housing connectable to a bearing outer race or a bearing seat; and

coupling the annular body with the housing.

Background

Bearings used in electrical machines (e.g., motors, generators, and the like) are subject to damage if current or charge passes through them, which is particularly harmful to the bearing races. Devices such as ground brushes (ground brushes) have been developed to bypass electrical current, thereby preventing such current from passing through the bearings. These devices often include a plurality of conductive fibers circumferentially spaced around the entire outer surface of the shaft to form a relatively solid ring of fibers for the current to flow through the fibers between the shaft and the housing. However, the friction between the conductive fiber ring and the surface of the rotating shaft is relatively significant, resulting in overheating inside the electric machine.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present invention is a conductive assembly for a bearing. The bearing is arranged in a bearing seat around a rotating shaft (/ shaft) (draft), and comprises an inner ring, an outer ring and a plurality of rolling elements (rolling elements) arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. The conductive assembly includes an annular retainer (retainer) connectable to a bearing outer race or housing (housing) and having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular groove. At least two electrical conductors each have a radially outer end located in the retainer groove and a radially inner end capable of contacting the shaft. Each of the electrical conductors is formed by a plurality of conductive fibers configured to extend radially inward from an open inner end of the holder. The at least two electrical conductors are circumferentially spaced (/ spaced circumferentially) about the centerline (spaced apart) such that at least two axial channels are defined between the holder and the shaft.

In another aspect, the present invention is also a conductive assembly for a bearing. The bearing is arranged in the bearing seat around the rotating shaft and comprises an inner ring, an outer ring and a plurality of rolling bodies arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring. The conductive assembly includes an annular retainer connectable to the bearing cup or housing and having a centerline and an open inner end defining an annular groove. At least two sets of first conductive fibers and two sets of second conductive fibers are circumferentially alternating about a centerline of the holder such that each set of second conductive fibers is located between two sets of first conductive fibers. Each of the first conductive fibers extends radially inward from the groove of the holder, has a first radial length, and is capable of contacting the outer surface of the shaft. Each second electrically conductive fiber extends radially inward from the groove of the holder and has a second radial length that is substantially (substantially) less than the first radial length such that each set of second electrically conductive fibers defines a circular arc shaped axial passage radially between the outer surface of the shaft and each set of second electrically conductive fibers.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is a method of forming an electrically conductive assembly for a bearing disposed in a bearing housing about a rotational axis. The method comprises the following steps: providing a plurality of conductive fibers each having opposite ends and defining a first length therebetween, a length of wire, and an elongated rectangular strip of metallic material having a length, an upper surface, and edges lengthwise on both sides; placing the plurality of conductive fibers on an upper surface of a strip tape such that the two ends of each fiber extend beyond the edge of the strip tape and the plurality of fibers are arranged along the length of the strip tape; placing the metal wire on the plurality of arranged conductive fibers, and enabling the metal wire to extend along the length direction of the strip-shaped belt at the central position; folding the lengthwise edge of one side of the strip of metal strip towards the lengthwise edge of the other side thereof to form two spaced apart legs and folding each of the conductive fibres around the wire so that the two ends of each fibre are adjacent one another, the two legs then defining the groove and retaining the wire and fibres in the groove; forming the strip-shaped band and the wire into an annular body having a centerline, with the plurality of fibers extending radially toward the centerline; and cutting the fibers of the plurality of different portions such that the fibers of each cut portion have a second length less than the first length, each cut portion of the fibers defining a separate (/ individual) axial channel when the ring is disposed about the axis of rotation.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conductive assembly according to the present invention;

fig. 2 is a front view of the conductive assembly, not shown with its housing, but shown engaged with (engaged/fitted) the rotating shaft in a radial cross-sectional view;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the conductive assembly shown disengaged from the shaft;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away axial cross-sectional view of the electrically conductive assembly, showing the assembly engaged with a rotating shaft of an electrical machine and mounted on a bearing;

FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away axial cross-sectional view of the electrically conductive assembly shown in engagement with a rotating shaft of an electrical machine and installed in a bearing housing;

FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away axial cross-sectional view of the electrically conductive assembly shown engaged with a rotating shaft of an electrical machine and assembled around one end of a bearing housing;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plurality of conductive fibers and a wire each being placed on a metal strip during formation of the conductive assembly;

FIGS. 10A and 10B, which together form FIG. 10, are partial radial cross-sectional views of the conductive assembly, wherein FIG. 10A shows the conductive fibers present independently and FIG. 10B shows the conductive fibers as polymerized into bundles by the protective sheath;

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of a retainer and conductive fibers formed prior to forming a channel; and

fig. 12 is an elevation view of the formed retaining element and conductive fibers after forming the channels.

Detailed Description

In the following description, certain terminology is used for convenience only and is not limiting. The terms "inner", "inwardly" and "outer", "outwardly", refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or geometric center of the component being described, the particular meaning of which will be apparent from the context of the description. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "connected" and "connected" are intended to encompass both a direct connection between two elements without any additional elements being interposed therebetween, and an indirect connection between two elements with one or more additional elements being interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the specific words above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Reference will now be made in detail to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. Fig. 1 to 12 show an electrically conductive assembly 10 for a bearing 1, wherein the bearing 1 is arranged in a bearing seat 3, surrounded by a_CIs provided for the rotation shaft 2 of the central axis. The bearing 1, the shaft 2 and the bearing seat 3 are preferably parts of: an electric machine, other electric machine (such as a generator) M, or any other machine having rotating parts that may accumulate charge or conduct current, as shown in FIGS. 6-8. The conductive assembly 10, or "ground brush", is preferably used with a rolling bearing 1 comprising inner and outer rings 4, 5 and a plurality of rolling bodies 6 disposed between the inner and outer rings 4, 5. The electrically conductive assembly 10 comprises essentially an annular holder 12 and at least two circular-arc-shaped electrical conductors 14 extending radially inwardly from the holder 12, and preferably at least two circular-arc-shaped spacers 16 separating the at least two electrical conductors 14, and a housing 18 for directly connecting the assembly 10 to the bearing 1 or the bearing housing 3.

In particular, the annular retaining member 12 is made of an electrically conductive material (preferably aluminium), preferably aluminiumCan be connected (via the housing 18) to the bearing cup 5 or the bearing block 3. The holder 12 has a centerline L_C(see fig. 1-3), an inboard open end 12a (see fig. 4, 5 and 10) defining an annular groove 13, and a closed outboard end 12b (see fig. 4, 5 and 10). Each conductor 14 has a radially outer end 14a disposed in the holder groove 13 and a radially inner end 14b capable of contacting the shaft 2 (see fig. 2 and 3). Furthermore, the electrical conductor 14 is made of a plurality or group 15 of circumferentially distributed electrically conductive fibres 20 (see fig. 1 and 3) arranged to extend radially inwardly from the inner end 12a of the holder, each electrically conductive fibre 20 preferably being made of carbon. The plurality/set 15 of electrically conductive fibres 20 provides a path for electrical charge or current to pass from the shaft 2, through the plurality of fibres 20 to the retainer 12 and then to the bearing housing 3 as described below. In this manner, conductive assembly 10 acts as a grounding device to prevent current or charge from passing through bearing 1, which could cause damage to the bearing roller (not shown).

At least two (preferably a plurality, and preferably eight) electrical conductors 14 are shown about the centerline L_CCircumferentially spaced so as to define at least two (and preferably a plurality of) axial passages 22 (see fig. 2 and 3) between the retainer 12 and the shaft 2. That is, a separate channel 22 is formed between each pair of adjacent but spaced apart electrical conductors 14. By forming the conductive assembly 10 with a plurality of individual or discrete electrical conductors 14 separated by channels 22, friction and heat build up during use is significantly reduced as compared to previously known grounding devices having a continuous electrical conductor (i.e., having a fiber continuation throughout the inner circumference). Furthermore, the channels 22 allow fluid, in particular lubricant and air, to pass through the combination 10, to flow unimpeded to and from the bearing 1.

As described above, the conductive assembly 10 preferably includes at least two spacers 16, specifically, the same number of spacers 16 as the number of conductors 14. Each spacer 16 is preferably in the form of an arc of a circle (arc) between the two electrical conductors 14 to circumferentially separate or space the two electrical conductors 14 and has a radially outer end 16a disposed in the retainer groove 13 and a radially outer endA radially inner end 16b opposite the outer end 16 a. The inner end 16b of each spacer 16 is spaced (/ spaced) from the outer surface 2a of the shaft 2 from the radially outer side so that an axial passage 22 is defined radially between the inner end 16b of the spacer 16 and the shaft 2. Each spacer 16 is preferably formed by a plurality or set 17 of conductive fibers 24, the conductive fibers 24 being circumferentially distributed and formed in the same manner as the conductive fibers 20 of the electrical conductor 14 except for their fiber lengths, as described in detail below. Specifically, at least two sets 15 of first conductive fibers 20 and at least two sets 17 of second conductive fibers 24 surround the centerline L of the holder 12_CAre circumferentially alternating so that each set 17 of second conductive fibres 24 (to provide the spacer 16) can be disposed between two sets 15 of first conductive fibres 20 (to form the electrical conductor 14). However, the spacer 16 may be formed in any other suitable form, such as a solid member (solid members) in the shape of a circular arc formed of a metallic or even non-metallic material, so long as it is capable of separating the two electrical conductors 14 and is sized to provide the axial passage 22.

In the case where each conductor 14 is formed from a set 15 of first conductive fibers 20 and each spacer 16 is formed from a set 17 of second conductive fibers 24, the conductive assembly 10 preferably further comprises an annular ring 30 disposed in the holder 12, as shown in fig. 4, 5, and 10. The annular ring 30 is preferably formed from a length (length not identified) of conductive wire 31 (see fig. 9) bent into a circular or annular shape, as described below. With such an annular ring 30, each of the conductive fibers 20, 24 of the respective conductor 14 and spacer 16 has opposite ends 20a, 20b and 24a, 24b, bent around the annular ring 30 such that the ends 20a, 20b and 24a, 24b of the respective fibers 20, 24 are located at the inner radial ends 14b and 16b of the conductor 14 and spacer 16, respectively (see fig. 4 and 5).

Specifically, each conductive fiber 20 or 24 generally exhibits a U-shape or a V-shape, with first and second side branches 20c, 20d or 24c, 24d and a central back curve (double) 20e, 24 e. The fibres 20, 24 are arranged with their back bends 20e, 24e on the outside surface 30a of the annular ring 30, the two side branches 20c, 20d or 24c, 24d being radially inwardsExtended (see fig. 4 and 5). In this manner, each fiber 20 of the electrical conductor 14 provides two electrically conductive side branches 20c, 20d, and the radial depth or length r of each fiber 20 or 24_c、r_sEach being half the linear overall length of its respective fiber. Although preferably bent into a U-shape or V-shape, as described above, the fibers 20 and/or 24 may be arranged to extend in a generally straight line in a radial direction from one end 20a, 24a at the radially outer end 14a, 16a to the other end 20b, 24b at the radially inner end 14b, 16b (see fig. 2-5).

Furthermore, each conductive fiber 20, 24 is preferably made of carbon, but alternatively may be made of any suitable conductive material, such as a metallic material, a conductive polymer, or the like. Preferably, each fiber 20, 24 is provided with a diameter in the size range of 5 microns (5 μm) to 100 microns (100 μm). Furthermore, the conductive fibers 20 and 24 can be provided as either individual fibers, as shown in FIG. 10A, or can be polymerized into a subset 26 of the plurality of fibers 20 or 24 that are bundled by the polymeric material, as shown in FIG. 10B. This polymer-wrapped subset 26 allows the fibers 20, 24 to be easily manipulated into the holder 12 and reduces the likelihood of breakage.

As described above, conductive fibers 20 and 24 have substantially the same form as each other (substitially), except for the difference in radial length. Specifically, the radial length r of each conductive fiber 24 of the spacer 16_sIs significantly (substentially) smaller than the radial length r of each conductive fiber 20 of each electrical conductor 14_cAs shown in fig. 4 and 5. Short length r of fiber 24_sSuch that each spacer 16 partially defines said passage 22 between its radially inner end 16b (defined by the ends 24a, 24b of all the conductive fibres 24 of each spacer 16) and the outer surface 2a of the shaft (in the radial direction). The fibers 20, 24 are formed in substantially the same manner and a plurality of conductive fibers 24 are used to form the spacer 16, with the intention that the conductive assembly 10 can be manufactured in a preferred manner as described in more detail below.

Referring to fig. 4, 5 and 9-11, the retainer 12 preferably includes an outer axial bottom portion 40 having axial ends 40a, 40b and two radial legs 42, 44 extending radially inwardly from the ends 40a, 40b, respectively, of the bottom (/ base) portion 40. The base 40 and legs 42, 44 define an annular recess 13 of the holder, wherein the legs 42, 44 function to retain the annular ring 30 and the respective outer radial ends 14a, 16a of the electrical conductor 14 and spacer 16 in the recess 13 of the holder 12. That is, the legs (leg portions)42, 44 of the holder grip the sides of the fibers 20 and 24 to prevent the annular ring 30, the back curves (lights) 20e, 24e and the upper ends of the two side branches (legs)20c/20d, 24c/24d from escaping radially inward from the groove (groove) 13. However, depending on the specific configuration of the electrical conductors 14 and the spacers 16, the annular retainer 12 may take any other suitable shape and/or configuration as long as it is capable of retaining the components 14, 16 and providing an electrically conductive path between the electrical conductors 14 and the bearing outer race 5 and/or the bearing housing 3.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 6-8, as noted above, the conductive assembly 10 preferably includes an annular housing 18. The housing 18 can be connected to the bearing cup 5 or the bearing seat 3 and is designed to support the holder 12 around the shaft 2. Preferably, the housing 18 contains an L-shaped annular body 50 formed of a conductive material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or the like. The ring body 50 has an outboard axial portion 52 and a radial portion 54 extending radially inwardly from the outboard axial portion 52. The axial portion 52 has oppositely facing inner and outer circumferential surfaces 53A, 53B and oppositely disposed axial ends 52a, 52B, respectively. The radial portion 54 has an outer radial end 54a integrally formed with one end 52b of the axial portion 52, an inner radial end 54b defining a central opening 56, and a plurality of mounting tabs 58 circumferentially spaced about the intermediate portion 54 c. The projection 58 is engageable with the annular retainer 12 (engageable) to connect the retainer 12 with the housing 18, as best shown in fig. 1.

Furthermore, the housing 18 may also be connected to the bearing outer race 5 by plugging the free end 52a of the axial portion 52 onto one end of the bearing outer race 5 (to frictionally engage (by frictionally engaging) the inner surface 53A of the axial portion 52 with the outer surface 5a of the outer race 5) as shown in fig. 6. Alternatively, the housing 18 may be attached to the bearing housing 3 by frictionally engaging the outer surface 53B of the axial portion 52 with the inner surface 3a of the bearing housing 3, as shown in fig. 7. As a further alternative, the housing 18 may also be coupled to the end 3b of the bearing housing 3 by frictionally engaging the inner surface 53A of the axial portion 52 with the outer surface 3c of the bearing housing 3, as shown in fig. 8. Although the housing 18 is preferably constructed in the above-described manner, the housing 18 may be formed in any suitable manner as long as the housing 18 can couple the holder 12 with the bearing outer race 5 or the bearing housing 3. Alternatively, the conductive assembly 10 can be made without any housing, while the holder 12 is formed to be able to be directly fitted on the bearing outer ring 5 or the bearing housing 3.

Referring now to fig. 9-12, as previously mentioned, the preferred construction of the holder 12, the electrical conductor 14 and the spacer 16 is the result of a preferred method of manufacturing these components. Specifically, the electrical conductors 14, spacers 16 and retainers 12 are preferably first formed by providing a plurality or plurality of first conductive fibers 20, a strand of wire 31 and a flat elongated rectangular strip 60, wherein the length (not identified) of the wire 31 is sufficient to provide the desired circumference of the annular ring 30. The strip 60 has oppositely facing major surfaces 62A, 62B, oppositely directed ends 60a, 60B, two lengthwise edges 61A, 61B extending between the ends 60a, 60B, and a determined length L to form a desired perimeter length of the holder 12_S. The plurality of fibers 20 are then placed on one side surface 62A or 62B of the strip 60 such that the ends 20a, 20B of each fiber 20 extend beyond the two side edges 62A and 62B of the strip 60, respectively, and such that the fibers 20 extend along the length L of the strip_SThe directions are arranged. Next, the wire 31 is centered on the fiber 20 so as to be along the length L of the strip 60_SAnd (4) extending. Thereafter, one side edge 61A, 61B of the strip 60 in the longitudinal direction is folded toward the other side length edge 61B, 61A to form the two leg portions 42, 44, the bottom portion 40 and the groove 13, which are separated from each other by the retainer 12, as best shown in fig. 9. Bending of the strip edges 61A, 61B causes the fibres 20 to be bent around the wires 31, thereby causing each to bendThe ends 20a, 20b of the fiber 20 are adjacent to each other and extend outwardly from the retainer groove 13, while the legs 42, 44 of the retainer retain the fiber 20 and wire 31 within the groove 13.

Then, the strip 60 and the held wire 31 are formed or bent to surround the center line L_CSuch that the plurality of fibers 20 are directed radially inward toward the centerline L (forming the holder 12 and the annular ring 30, respectively)_CExtended as shown in fig. 11. At this point, the holder 12 and conductive fibers 20 may be disposed in the housing 18 for use as a prior art conductive assembly. However, to form the conductive assembly 10 of the present invention, a plurality of different portions 21 (shown in FIG. 12) of the conductive fibers 20 are preferably cut along a shear line CL (see FIG. 11) by a die cutting operation such that the fiber length of each cut 21 is reduced to a second radial length r_s. Thus, each second conductive fiber 24 is made of one first conductive fiber 20. When the electrically conductive assembly 10 is disposed about the shaft 2, each cut 21 of the fibers 20 defines an axial channel 22 between the radially inner end 21a of each cut 21 and the outer surface 2a of the shaft.

Although preferably formed as described above, the conductive assembly 10 of the present invention may be formed in any other suitable manner. For example, each electrical conductor 14 may also be formed as an arcuate group or body of conductive fibers 20 that, after subsequent assembly into the holder 12, respectively, define a channel 22 in the holder 12 with solid (solid) spaces 16 or in a gapless manner. The scope of the present invention includes all methods that are capable of forming the conductive assembly 10 having the basic structure described above.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as generally defined by the appended claims.