Centrifugal Arm Claw

[EricH]

Originally Posted by farmersvilleRob

We we're sure if sliprings were in compliance with rules. Is there anything to back it up that they are? Because that was our number one choice but we needed a backup which was the slack in the wires. Also, could you explain the flybar? I found what it basically is, but why would we need it again?

Is there anything to back it up? You betcha. [R44] includes the following:

The branch circuit may include intermediate elements such as COTS connectors, splices, COTS flexible/rolling/sliding contacts, and COTS slip rings, as long as the entire electrical pathway is via appropriately gauged conductors.

If you wanted to avoid a motor or servo on the rotating arm (and thereby the electrical hassle of extra wire or sliprings), you could run a setup similar to a helicopter's flybar. The flybar allows the rotor on a chopper to maintain a commanded orientation, regardless of where in the rotation the rotor is. It also translates changes up to the rotors. Something like that provides a mechanical solution to the problem (expense of weight). A slipring is probably the best option.