What are Fiber Optic Rotary Joints? Why it is so important in Wind Turbines?

Each machine comes with different components such as fixed and rotary. The technology advancements these components and help to transfer between these components. This power transmission is done with Fiber optic rotary joints effectively.

Fiber Optic Rotary Joint

A Fiber Optic Rotary Joint (FORJ) is a connection device used for data transfer and signals over rotating components of machines. It can be like an electric slip ring with a difference used for optic division. They are used for co-existing components of rotary electric devices.  These fiber optics rotary joints are used for the simple transmission of larger data and optic signals without any effect or damage.

Key Parameters

Fiber Optic Rotary Joint not used for connection making between 2 fiber optic cables also helps to transfer data at the time of rotating. So the main features for this components are

• Low Insertion Loss
• Very little Insertion loss variation
• High Return loss

Types of FORJs

• Single Channel or Multi Channels
• Active or Passive

Single Channel and Multi-Channel FORJ

In Single Channel/Single Pass FORJs rotating design comes single flow. The optic fiber passes from any side. it causes coupling optical signals between rotating interfaces. The low diameter increases with the use of larger-diameter fiber, lenses, or fiber bundles. The single-channel FORJ is used due to its compact size and longer working life and high speed.

Moflon are making larger types of fiber optic slip rings for more than 30 years. MOFLON services are made for operating well in different conditions that still fulfill shiting features. Fluids like hydraulic oils, chemical water, and others shifted from static to moving systems with the use of their device. Sold coin silver rings, graphite and silver brushes, and stainless steel are high-quality components that go into their products.

Active and passive FORJ

This component sends electronic signals over the rotating assembly. These devices are best for replacing electronic slip rings. Transmission is done through the amplification process and optical conversion.

Passive FORJ sends optical signals over fixed and rotating assemblies. These modules make uninterrupted fiber optic processes for rotating and fixed components.

Benefits of Fiber Optic Rotary Joints

• They used to make connections between rotating components. The use of requirements of transmission of larger data these devices make process for continuous data flow through the connection of one or many passes of fiber cable. Their uses control changes of data losses and provide high efficiency and accuracy.
• Fiber optics wires are small in size as compared to the copper wire used for slip rings and good option with compact spaces or requried for different channel connections.
• This module carries signal capacity like the slip rings.
• They come with a longer working life since optic fibers are corrosion-free and have features to handle different environmental conditions.

Use of FORJs in Wind Turbines

Source: Small Component big reliability

The larger uses of fiber optic joints use of FORJ applications come with increasing features. Wind turbines, radar pedestals, medical devices, and ROVS are the main uses of slip rings and  FORJs simultaneously.

It is also used as a replacement of conventional metallic joins for wind turbines. it has different applications that needed transmission of high-speed data.

FORK comes with low-cost solutions effective features and the best for the communication of larger data or signals in different conditions. These devices are used for data transfer between a hub and an upper wind turbine. For wind turbines slip rings and FORJ are used in conjunction. Where slip rings are responsible for the transmission of both power and signals, the role of FORJs is limited to communication. These small devices are generally attached to the slip rings. Most wind turbines use single-channel FORJs.