Patent ID: 7372230

Claim:
A rotary joint for selectively enabling communication of a signal between a first member mounted for rotation about an axis relative to a second member at all relative angular displacements between said first and second members, comprising: a first conductor having an first end mounted on said second member and having a second end mounted on said first member, said first conductor being adapted to convey a signal between its ends; a first motor operatively arranged to selectively rotate said first conductor first end through a desired angular displacement relative to said second member; a second conductor having an first end mounted on said second member and having a second end mounted on said first member, said second conductor being adapted to convey a signal between its ends; a second motor operatively arranged to selectively rotate said second conductor second end through a desired angular displacement relative to said first second member; an encoder for monitoring the angular displacement of said first member relative to said second member; a first divider/combiner communicating with the second end of each of said conductors; a second divider/combiner; a first connector mounted on said first member for selectively communicating said first and second divider/combiners through said first conductor; a second connector mounted on said first member for selectively communicating said first and second divider/combiners through said second conductor; a controller for selectively operating said first and second motors and said first and second connectors; whereby a signal may be conveyed though said joint at all angular displacements of said first member relative to said second member.