Patent ID: 8437639

Claim:
An operator input device comprising: a support structure; a rotary transformer having a primary winding fixed to the support structure and electrically connected to an electric power source, a secondary winding rotatably supported by the support structure, and an axial passage through the primary and secondary windings; an optical data transmitter connected to the secondary winding, the optical data transmitter rotatably supported by the support structure and aligned to transmit data through the axial passage in the rotary transformer; an optical data receiver fixed to the support structure and aligned to receive data from the optical data transmitter; a signal generator rotatably supported by the support structure and electrically connected to the secondary transformer winding and to the optical data transmitter, the signal generator receiving power from the secondary transformer winding and generating data to be transmitted by the optical data transmitter; a bearing supported by the support structure; a tube rotatably supported by the bearing, the tube having a proximal end connected to the signal generator and a distal end connected to the secondary winding; and a wire that electrically connects the signal generator to the secondary winding, the wire passing through the tube from the proximal end to the distal end.