Tank Turrets and Electricity

I can’t say I’ve ever been inside of a modern tank but, from what I’ve seen in pictures, it looks like the turret is chock full of computers, screens, lasers, and myriad other electronic devices. Presumably, all these things are powered by a generator/alternator attached to the engine in the stationary (non spinning) part of the tank. So how does the power get from there into the turret? It seems like a standard power harness would get all twisted and tangled up once the turret starts spinning around. Is it something like a subway’s third rail where the turret basket touches an exposed live rail?

Just curious.

I’ve never seen the blueprints for a tank, but the way these things are typically done is with slip rings.

I don’t know the details of tanks, but any time you need electrical signals/power to be routed through a continuously rotating bearing, you’re probably going to use a slip ring.

Interesting. May I ask a related question?

How do they transfer the hydraulic power from the main body of a tracked excavator to the tracks?

I’m talking about the type where the engine, operator and hoe/excavator spins in any direction independent of the tracks that move it. Much like a tank turret.

I guess the first question to answer is whether a tank turret can spin indefinitely in one direction. If it’s limited in some way–say, 720 degrees–then an ordinary cable arranged in the right way would work fine. If they’re designed to spin indefinitely, though, you need a slip ring or something like it.

The hydraulics question is nearly trivial. A standard O ring will seal a rotating fitting. See a typical pneumatic quick-release coupling for an example.

I don’t think so. You need at least two hydraulic lines. The whole thing spins over the tracks (engine, everything) The only thing I can think of is a ‘pipe’ within a pipe.

Would seem it is a thing called a "track motor spool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUVE2PIV5_k

Cool. Interesting piece of machining. The pressures involved are hard to imagine considering the flow rate that must be needed.

I had looked on wiki, and only found hydraulic swivel joints.

Correct answer is slip ring, long used in tanks for electrical power in the turret.

From TM 9-2350-255-20-2-2-1:
“Power Distribution Vehicle master electrical power enters the turret through the hull turret slipring from the hull power distribution box The power is routed to the turret networks box from the hull turret slipring The turret networks box contains circuit breakers relays printed circuit boards and electrical interconnections for all turret systems Electrical power and electrical signals are distributed to and from the turret networks box and all turret electrical components through the turret wiring harnesses.”

Here is a picture of a slip ring assembly from the Abrams and the Stryker.

Ditto on the slip rings. Pretty much the same way the 3rd rail on electric trains work as OP mentioned. There actually more common than you think too. Used in lots of motors and retractable extension cords too.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/15/7ygu6ery.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/15/agyvumyj.jpg

Cool. Thanks for the info everyone. I’ll keep slip rings in mind if I ever need to build a mechanized army to invade Vermont.