Patent ID: 7032353
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: E04B,F16L,H01R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A swivel joint apparatus for supplying utilities to a rotating building rotatable about a central axis, comprising: an inner, fixed spindle for securing to a fixed base of a rotatable building to extend co-axially with a central axis of rotation of the building, the spindle having a series of spaced, outwardly projecting annular flanges defining a series of annular chambers between each adjacent pair of flanges, each flange having an outer peripheral edge and at least one ring seal mounted on the peripheral edge of each flange, the flanges having a predetermined outer diameter; an outer casing rotatably mounted on the spindle for securing to part of the rotating building, the casing having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the flanges, the casing forming an outer wall of each of the annular chambers and being in rotatable sealing engagement with each of the ring seals to seal the chambers; the spindle having a lower end wall with a plurality of ports for connection to fixed utility lines in the fixed base of the building for fluid supply to and from the building, and a bore extending from each port through the spindle to a respective annular chamber, whereby each chamber is connected to at least one port in the lower end wall; the outer casing having a series of axially spaced ports including at least one port communicating with each of said annular chambers; each flange having an outwardly directed, annular sensor chamber spaced outwardly from the ring seal; the outer casing having a plurality of holes including at least one hole aligned with each of the sensor chambers; and a plurality of fluid sensors are mounted in the outer casing to project through the respective holes to sense any leakage of fluid past any of the seals.