LONG-DURATION LIFE TESTS OF SLIP RING CAPSULE ASSEMBLIES FOR INERTIAL GUIDANCE PLATFORMS

摘要

Eight slip ring capsules, each having 80 or 100 circuits, were operated for time periods ranging from 14,300 hours to 24,700 hours. The test mode simulated the motion of gimbal axes of the Saturn inertial guidance platform in an organic free nitrogen environment. Computer-compiled noise data (approximately 45,000 recordings) were graphed as a function of test time and position within the capsules and as extreme probability distri¬butions. Greater than ninety-nine percent of the noise measure¬ments for the capsules with sufficient lubrication were less than 10 milliohms. Capsules with glass dielectrics did not perform significantly differently than those with filled epoxy dielectrics. The initial wear mode of prow formation was followed by rider wear. After 10° wipes, ring wear depth did not exceed the surface finish and the radial rider wear depth was less than 13 microns.