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The ongoing digitalization of processes and products in mechanical engineering is accompanied by an increasing demand for data. In order to provide this data, technical systems are being extended with sensory functions. To supply those sensory functions on rotating elements — such as shafts — with electrical energy, and to be able to transmit signals out of the system, sliding contacts can be used as a cost-effective and established solution. However, if electrical properties of machine elements are utilized for sensing purposes, such as condition monitoring of rolling element bearings by means of impedance measurement, sliding contacts are directly in the measurement path and can thus influence the measured impedance. The aim of this paper is to analyze the impedance of graphite and silver graphite carbon brushes under different rotational speeds, in different positions, and with different carrier frequencies. The material of the carbon brushes as well as the position have significant effects on the impedance behavior. Furthermore, carbon brushes show a significant running-in behavior. The results are discussed, and indications for use in impedance measurements are given. Silver graphite carbon brushes in axial positioning are particularly suitable for impedance measurements of sensory utilizable machine elements. Sufficient running-in time must be considered.

This article belongs to the Section Robotics, Mechatronics and Intelligent Machines