CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 to the US application serial No. 62/573,584, filed on 10/17/2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional gravity feed systems for packages or freight may experience conveyor pressures and areas with uncontrolled flow of stock, resulting in productivity loss, sub-optimal trailer fill percentages, package damage, safety issues, repetitive stress issues, and missed scans. There is an ongoing need for improved stock flow control in gravity feed conveyor systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] A roller brake includes an outer roller and rotor assembly rotatably positioned to a stator core assembly. The rotor assembly includes a flexible flap with a conductive surface and nonconductive surface that engages a pair of conductive tubes on the stator core assembly. The pair of conductive tubes may have their electrical state altered by an electric supply component that generates an electrical potential across the flexible flap and the pair of conductive tubes. The electrical potential generated across stator core assembly and the flexible flap of the rotor assembly is capable of precluding rotational movement of the rotor assembly. The precluded movement is then transferred to the outer roller.

[0004] A roller brake includes an outer roller, a stator core assembly, a rotor assembly, a shaft, an at least two bearings, and an electrical supply component. The outer roller may be rotatably coupled to a shaft by way of at least two bearings. The stator core assembly may be traversely positioned along the shaft between a core assembly stop and a bearing of the at least two bearings. The stator core assembly may include at least two conducting tubes positioned between insulating stop rings on at least three stator cores and engaged by way of opposing tube mounts on the at least three stator cores. The at least two conducting tubes comprising a first conducting tube configured to receive a first electrical signal from an electrical supply component and a second conducting tube configured to receive a second electrical signal from the electrical supply component by way of a second electrode. The stator core assembly may be sleeved by a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly may be sleeved by the outer roller and rotatably coupled to the shaft by way of the bearing of the at least two bearings. The rotor assembly comprising a rotor sleeve and a flexible flap traversely positioned through the rotor sleeve, the flexible flap comprising a conductive surface and a nonconductive surface positioned opposite across an insulating layer. The rotor assembly may be electrically coupled to the at least two conducting tubes of the stator core assembly by way of the nonconductive surface. The rotor assembly may be configured to arrest rotation of the outer roller through the bearing by way of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal altering a flap electrical state of the flexible flap.

[0005] In some configurations, the rotor assembly may be engaged to the bearing by way of a plurality of locking splines.

[0006] In some configurations, the bearing, the outer roller, and the rotor assembly may be elastically positioned to the stator core assembly by way of an installation spring.

[0007] In some configurations, the shaft comprises a conduit for a wiring cable electrically coupling the first electrode and the second electrode to the electrical supply component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a roller brake 100 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of roller brake 100 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a stator core assembly 300 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a stator core assembly 400 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a stator core assembly 500 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of stator core assembly 500 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a stator core assembly 700 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of stator core assembly 700 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a stator core assembly 900 in accordance with one embodiment. [0018] FIG. 10 illustrates an apparatus 1000 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates a rotor assembly 1100 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates a rotor assembly 1100 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates a rotor assembly and stator core assembly 1300 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates an expanded view of roller brake 1400 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 15 illustrates an operation method 1500 in accordance with one embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates a side sectional view of an embodiment of an apparatus 1600.

[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates a front sectional view of an embodiment of an apparatus 1700.

[0026] FIG. 18 illustrates a front sectional view of an embodiment of an apparatus 1800.

[0027] FIG. 19 illustrates an operation method 1900 in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] "Electrical state" refers to the voltage carried by a component, which may be a positive voltage, negative voltage, or an alternating positive and negative voltage.

[0029] Referencing Figure 1, a roller brake 100 is shown in a fully assembled configuration. The roller brake 100 comprises a wiring cable 102 traversing into the outer roller 108 through the shaft 106 by way of an inlaid conduit. During operation, the shaft 106 remains stationary while the outer roller 108 rotates about the shaft 106 through the two bearing 104s positioned on the terminal ends of the outer roller 108 and engaged to the shaft 106. In some

configurations, the shaft 106 is hexagonally shaped which may assist in preventing rotation of the stator core assembly when mounted to the shaft 106.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of the roller brake 100 showing the positioning of the wiring cable 102, a bearing 104, the shaft 106, and the outer roller 108. A rotor sleeve 202 of the rotor assembly is sleeved by the outer roller 108 and engages the bearing 104 through a plurality of radially positioned locking splines 220. The rotor sleeve 202 engages a stator core assembly by way of a flexible flap 210. The stator core assembly comprises three stator core 212 traversely positioned along the shaft 106 between the bearing 104 and the core assembly stop 214. The three stator core 212s are engaged to a set of pressure fit conducting tubes (first conducting tube 204 and a second conducting tube 206) giving the stator core assembly a generally cylindrical shape. The set of pressure fit conducting tubes are separated by an insulating stop ring 208 of the middle positioned stator core of the stator core 212. The insulating stop ring 208 insulates the charge/voltage applied (first electrical signal) to the first conducting tube 204 by a first electrode 218 from the wiring cable 102 and the charge/voltage applied (second electrical signal) to the second conducting tube 206 by a second electrode 216 from the wiring cable 102. Due to the contact of the second conducting tube 206 and first conducting tube 204 with the flexible flap 210, the electrical state of the flexible flap 210 is altered when the first conducting tube 204 and the second conducting tube 206 receive the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal, respectively. In some configurations, an installation spring 222 is positioned between the stator core 212 and the bearing 104. The bearing 104 and subsequently the outer roller 108 and the rotor assembly (rotor sleeve 202 and flexible flap 210) may move slide longitudinally on the shaft 106 compressing the installation spring 222 facilitating installation of the roller brake 100 into a conveyance system.

[0031] Figure 3 is a partially assembled configuration of a stator core assembly 300. The stator core assembly 300 comprises a stator core 212 and a wiring cable 102. The stator core 212 comprises an insulating stop ring 208 between two tube mount 306s, both positioned between a rear section 310 and a front section 312. The front section 312 includes a wiring via 304 for receiving the cables corresponding to the first electrode 218 and/or the second electrode 216 from the wiring cable 102. In the stator core assembly 300, the cables of the first electrode 218 and the second electrode 216 traverse through the two tube mounts 306 and the insulating stop ring 208 through a wiring channel 308 and past the rear section 310. The cable

corresponding to the first electrode 218 is bent back towards the wiring channel 308 and insulating stop ring 208. To reduce strain to the cable and prevent unwanted movement, a strain relief 302, such as a zip tie or other type of fastener or strap, may be utilized to secure the cable of the first electrode 218 to the rear section 310. It should be noted that a strain relief 302 may also be utilized to secure the cable of the second electrode 216 to the its stator core (second stator core 502) in a similar fashion.

[0032] The positioning of the first electrode 218 aligns it to electrically contact the interior surface of a pressure fit conducting tube (first conducting tube 204) when it engages the tube mount 306 proximal to the rear section 310. The electrical contact of the first electrode 218 with the interior of the first conducting tube 204 allows for the communication of first electrical signal from the electrical supply component. With the cable engaged with the strain relief 302 and the first electrode 218 aligned to contact the first conducting tube 204, the stator core 212 in the stator core assembly 300 is configured as a first stator core 402.

[0033] Figure 4 shows a partially assembled configuration of a stator core assembly 400 with the first stator core 402 engaged with a pressure fit conducting tube (first conducting tube 204) engaged to the tube mount 306 proximal to the rear section 310 with the first electrode 218 electrically contacting the interior wall of the first conducting tube 204 (see Figure 6).

[0034] Figure 5 shows a partially assembled configuration of a stator core assembly 500 with a first stator core 402 and a second stator core 502 engaged at opposite ends of the first conducting tube 204. The first conducting tube 204 engages the first stator core 402 near the tube mount 306 proximal to the rear section 310, while the second stator core 502 is engaged through the tube mount 306 proximal to its the front section 312 (see Figure 6). Similar to the cable of the first electrode 218, the cable of the second electrode 216 traverses through the second stator core 502 and is bent back towards the insulating stop ring 208 and the wiring channel 308 of the second stator core 502, where the second electrode 216 is aligned to contact the interior wall of the second conducting tube 206 when mounted to the second stator core 502. The cable of the second electrode 216 is secured to the rear section 310 of the second stator core 502 through the use of a strain relief 302.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the stator core assembly 500. The first conducting tube 204 is positioned coincident to the insulating stop ring 208 of the second stator core 502 and the insulating stop ring 208 of the first stator core 402. With the first conducting tube 204 engaged to the second stator core 502 and the first stator core 402, the electrode contact 602 of the first electrode 218 with the interior wall of the first conducting tube 204 is visible.

[0036] Figure 7 shows the assembled configuration of a stator core assembly 700 comprising the first stator core 402 and the second stator core 502 coupled together through the first conducting tube 204, and the second stator core 502 coupled to a third stator core 704 through a second conducting tube 206. The engagement of the second stator core 502 with the second conducting tube 206 allows the second electrode 216 to contact the interior surface of the second conducting tube 206. The second conducting tube 206 and the first conducting tube 204 may receive a second electrical signal through the second electrode 216 and a first electrical signal through the first electrode 218, respectively. In this configuration, the first stator core 402 and the second stator core 502 may be considered operative cores 706 while the third stator core 704 may be considered a static core 702. The first stator core 402 and the second stator core 502 may be considered operative cores 706 as they are coupled with the cables of the first electrode 218 and the second electrode 216, respectively. While the third stator core 704 may be considered a static core 702 since it serves as a structural feature securing the second conducting tube 206.

[0037] Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the stator core assembly 700. The stator core assembly 700 shows the second conducting tube 206 mounted to the tube mount 306 of the second stator core 502 proximal to the rear section 310 and mounted to the tube mount 306 of the third stator core 704 proximal to the front section 312. The second electrode 216 is aligned to the electrode contact 802 on the interior wall of the second conducting tube 206.

[0038] Figure 9 shows a stator core assembly 900 comprising the first stator core 402, the second stator core 502, the third stator core 704, the first conducting tube 204, and the second conducting tube 206, to a shaft 106. The stator core assembly 900 may be installed on to the shaft 106 by traversing the shaft 106 through the third stator core 704 towards the first stator core 402. The distance traveled on the shaft by the stator core assembly 900 may be limited by the core assembly stop 214 which may abut with the rear section 310 of the third stator core 704 during installation. During installation, the wiring cable 102 may be positioned within the shaft 106 through a via in the shaft 106. The installation spring 222 may then be slid over the shaft 106 and the wiring cable 102 until it abuts with the front section 312 of the first stator core 402.

[0039] Figure 10 shows a partial assembly of apparatus 1000 comprising the bearing 104 and the rotor assembly comprising the rotor sleeve 202, the flexible flap 210, installed through the flexible flap slots 1002, and locking splines 220 positioned on a terminal end of the rotor sleeve 202. The stator core assembly is sleeved by the rotor assembly in such a manner that the rotor sleeve 202 surrounds the stator core assembly while the flexible flap 210 partially wraps around the first conducting tube 204 and the second conducting tube 206. The rotor sleeve 202 is oriented such that the locking splines 220 are positioned adjacent to the wiring cable 102. The rotor assembly is rotatable to the stator core assembly through the bearing 104 which may be slid over the shaft 106 and the wiring cable 102 to engage the locking splines 220 of the rotor sleeve 202.

[0040] Figure 11 shows the rotor assembly 1100 comprising the rotor sleeve 202 and the flexible flap 210. The rotor sleeve 202 comprises locking splines 220 positioned on a terminal end of the rotor sleeve 202 and a set of flexible flap slots 1002 that traverse the rotor sleeve 202 allowing for the installation of the flexible flap 210. The locking splines 220 engage the bearing 104 allowing the rotor assembly 1100 to rotate with the outer roller 108. The flexible flap 210 traverses through the rotor sleeve 202 forming a partial wrap within the interior of the rotor sleeve 202. The flexible flap 210 comprises a first end 1102 and a second end 1104. In some configurations, the first end 1102 may be affixed to the rotor sleeve 202 near a flexible flap slot, while the second end 1104 may be weaved through the rotor sleeve 202 traversing into the interior of the rotor sleeve 202 through a flexible flap slot and out through the other flexible flap slot. The second end 1104 may then be affixed to the exterior of the rotor sleeve 202 mirroring the placement of the first end 1102.

[0041] Figure 12 illustrates a sectional view of the rotor assembly 1100. The sectional view of the rotor assembly 1100 shows the flexible flap 210 installed on the rotor sleeve 202. The flexible flap 210 is a flexible rectangular sheet that forms a semi cylindrical shape when installed on the rotor sleeve 202. The first end 1102 of the flexible flap 210 may be coupled to the exterior of the rotor sleeve 202 adjacent to the first flexible flap slot 1204. The second end 1104 of the flexible flap 210 may be coupled to the exterior of the rotor sleeve 202 adjacent to the second flexible flap slot 1206. The first flexible flap slot 1204 and the second flexible flap slot 1206 may be positioned on the rotor sleeve 202, such that the distance between the first flexible flap slot 1204 and the second flexible flap slot 1206 is less than the interior diameter of the rotor sleeve 202. The positioning of the first flexible flap slot 1204 and the second flexible flap slot 1206 allows the flexible flap 210 to form a semi cylindrical shape with a greater surface area allowing it to partially wrap around the stator core assembly and specifically the conducting tubes.

[0042] The flexible flap 210 comprises a nonconductive surface 1202 and a conductive surface 1208 separated by an insulating layer 1210. The orientation of the nonconductive surface 1202 and the conductive surface 1208 is such that the nonconductive surface 1202 is the surface face towards the concavity of the semi cylindrical shape of the installed flap. The nonconductive surface 1202 is also the surface that engages conductive tubes of the stator core assembly. In some configurations, the first end 1102 and the second end 1104 may be covered by the

[0043] Figure 13 illustrates an orthogonal view of the rotor assembly and stator core assembly 1300. The rotor assembly and stator core assembly 1300 shows stator core 212 and conducting tube 1302 surrounded by the rotor sleeve 202 and the flexible flap 210. The flexible flap 210 is partially wrapped around the conducting tube 1302. Figure 13 also shows the rotation of the rotor assembly around the conducting tube 1302 and the stator core 212 such that the flexible flap 210 rotates around the conducting tube 1302 to the new position of the flexible flap 1304.

[0044] When a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal is applied to the conducting tubes (first conducting tube 204 and second conducting tube 206) the electrical signals alter the electrical state of the flexible flap. The conducting tube engages the nonconductive surface of the flexible flap opposite the conductive surface of the flexible flap across the insulating layer. The aforementioned lay out is structured similar to a capacitor, and due to the different electrical signals applied to the first conducting tube and the second conducting tube, the configuration is similar to two capacitors in series.

[0045] The first conducting tube forms a capacitor across the nonconductive surface and insulating layer with the conductive surface of the flexible flap. Similarly, the second conducting tube forms a capacitor across the nonconductive surface and an insulating layer with the conductive surface of the flexible flap. When the electrical state of the flexible flap is altered, due to the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal, rotational speed of the flexible flap and the rotor sleeve 202 around the stator core assembly is reduced and

subsequently reducing the rotational speed of the outer roller through the bearing.

[0046] Figure 14 illustrates an expanded view of a roller brake 1400 illustrating the layout of the outer roller 108, the rotor assembly comprising the rotor sleeve 202 and the flexible flap 210, the stator core assembly comprising the first stator core 402, the second stator core 502, the third stator core 704, the first conducting tube 204, and the second conducting tube 206, the wiring cable 102, bearing 104, and the shaft 106 comprising a core assembly stop 214.

[0047] Referring to Figure 15, an operation method 1500 for roller brake 100 involves detecting rotation of the outer roller in response to a force applied to the outer diameter of the outer roller (block 1502). In block 1504, the operation method 1500 applies at least one electrical signal from the electrical supply component to the at least two conducting tubes. A control signal may be received to apply at least one electrical signal from the electrical supply component to the at least two conducting tubes resulting in a relative potential difference between the conducting tubes and the flexible flap. The control signal may be received by the electric supply component. In block 1506, the operation method 1500 alters the electrical state of the flexible flap as a result of the potential difference between the conducting surface of the flexible flap and the charged at least two conducting tubes across the nonconductive surface and insulating layer of the flexible flap. In block 1508, the at least two conducting tubes electrically engage the flexible flap. The electrical engagement may preclude the flexible flap from rotating relative to the outer roller.

[0048] In block 1510, the operation method 1500 transfers the anti-rotational force from the flexible flap to the rotor sleeve. In block 1512, the operation method 1500 transfers the anti- rotational force from the rotor sleeve to the outer roller by way of the bearing. The force is transferred by the attachment of the flexible flap to the rest of the rotor assembly and subsequently the bearing due to the attachment of the plurality of locking splines with the bearing. The anti-rotational force is then transferred to the outer shell through the bearing.

[0049] Referring to Figure 16, the apparatus 1600 comprises an outer shell 1602, a rotation arresting component 1604, a film or flap 1606, a support structure 1608, a shaft 1610, a shaft attachment 1612, a sleeve 1614, a wire tap 1616, an electric supply component 1618, a brush 1620, a ring 1622, bearings 1624, bearing housings 1626, and a spring 1628.

[0050] There is an insulating film or coating between the conductive film or flap 1606 and the sleeve 1614. This insulating film may be located on the conductive film or flap 1606 (in this case, the conductor may be a conductive pattern printed onto the insulating film and the sleeve 1614 may be a simple conductor). Alternatively, the insulating film may also be located as an outer layer on top of the sleeve 1614 (in this case, the sleeve 1614 may comprise of a conductive printed pattern on the bottom side of this insulating film), wrapped or formed into a sleeve so that the insulator is on the outside but is in intimate contact with a conductive region.

[0051] The outer shell 1602 is attached to the bearing housings 1626 and is a component attached to the outer roller. The outer shell 1602 may be further coupled to the rotation arresting component 1604 and the ring 1622. The outer shell 1602 may receive a force that induces a rotation in a first rotational direction causing the outer shell 1602 as well as the film or flap 1606 to rotate about the shaft 1610 and the inner hub (the support structure 1608 and the sleeve 1614). In this case, the film or flap 1606 lightly grazes the sleeve 1614 but does cause appreciable force against the sleeve 1614. When the charge carrying components are both activated, an electrostatic force causes film or flap 1606 to clamp to sleeve 1614. This causes an internal element that opposes any further rotation despite the applied first rotational force and, thus, causing the outer shell 1602 to cease rotating. In some embodiments, the outer shell 1602 and the shaft 1610 may all be at ground voltage and connected electrically through one or more of the bearings 1624, which have conductive particulates that makes it a conductor of electricity. [0052] The rotation arresting component 1604 is coupled to the outer shell 1602 and the conductive film or flap 1606 and rotates along with the outer roller. The rotation arresting component 1604 may be pressed into the inner shell of the outer shell 1602. The rotation arresting component 1604 is also attached to a film or flap 1606, which is free to rotate along with the rotation arresting component 1604 and the outer shell 1602. When the roller is electrically activated, the film or flap 1606 electrostatically attaches to the sleeve 1614, the force is transmitted from the rotation arresting component 1604 to the inner hub that does not rotate relative to the outer shell 1602.

[0053] The film or flap 1606 is coupled to the rotation arresting component 1604 and is a component of the outer roller. The film or flap 1606 may be coated (chemically bonded) to the rotation arresting component 1604. The film or flap 1606 may have one or more electrical states, which may be altered by a signal sent to the conductive coating of the film or flap 1606 via the electric supply component 1618, the brush 1620, and the ring 1622. In one embodiment, the film or flap 1606 may be held at a constant voltage that is positive, negative, or alternating. In another embodiment, the film or flap 1606 may be operated at no voltage and receive an electrical signal to alter the state to a positive voltage, negative voltage, or alternating voltage. The voltage may be equal and opposite to the charge of the sleeve 1614. The conductive coating of the film or flap 1606 may electrostatically couple with the sleeve 1614. The electrical coupling may preclude the film or flap 1606 and the sleeve 1614 from rotating relative to each other. The film or flap 1606 may thus transfer the rotation opposing force to the rotation arresting component 1604.

[0054] The support structure 1608 is coupled to the shaft 1610 and the sleeve 114 and is a component of the inner hub. The support structure 1608 may comprise multiple components. The support structure 1608 may comprise the wire tap 1616. The support structure 1608 may be electrically insulating.

[0055] The shaft 1610 is coupled to the support structure 1608, the bearings 1624, and the bearing housings 1626. The bearings 1624 and the bearing housings 1626 may rotate around the shaft 1610. The shaft 1610 may further comprise the shaft attachment 1612, which may be utilized to mechanically couple to other structural components and to provide access by the electric supply component 1618. The shaft 1610 may also have a wire tap 1616. The wire tap 1616 of the shaft 1610 and the support structure 1608 may be aligned such that the electric supply component 1618 may couple to internal components. The shaft 1610 may be hexagonal in shape to help preclude rotation of the support structure 1608 relative to the shaft 1610. The shaft 1610 may be at ground voltage.

[0056] The sleeve 1614 is coupled to the support structure 1608 and is a component of the inner hub. The sleeve 1614 may also comprise an electrically insulation coating, which may be located between the sleeve 1614 and the film or flap 1606. The sleeve 1614 is electrically coupled to the electric supply component 1618. The sleeve 1614 may have one or more electrical states, which may be altered by a signal sent to the sleeve 1614 via the electric supply component 1618. In one embodiment, the sleeve 1614 may be held at a constant voltage that is positive, negative, or alternating. In another embodiment, the sleeve 1614 may be operated at no voltage and receive an electrical signal to alter the state to a positive voltage, negative voltage, or alternating voltage. The voltage may be equal and opposite to the charge of the film or flap 1606. The sleeve 1614 may be electrically coupled with the film or flap 1606. The electrical coupling may preclude the sleeve 1614 and the film or flap 1606 from rotating relative to each other.

[0057] The wire tap 1616 is a space within the support structure 1608 and the shaft 1610 that is void of material, such as a hole. The hole may be sized and located on the support structure 1608 and the shaft 1610 to permit the electric supply component 1618 to access component located between the shaft 1610 and the outer shell 1602.

[0058] The electric supply component 1618 is a 2- wire arrangement that is coupled to the sleeve 1614 and the brush 1620, with each wire electrically connected to one of those components. The coupling results in the electrical coupling of one of the wires of the electric supply component 1618 to the sleeve 1614, and the other wire to the film or flap 1606. The electric supply component 1618 may provide a voltage to the conductive coating of the film or flap 1606 and the sleeve 1614. The voltage may be provided to neither, one, or both of the conductive coating of the film or flap 1606 and the sleeve 1614 to alter their electrical state. In some embodiments, the electric supply component 1618 is a wire attached to a voltage source. The source may have further controls to operate the apparatus 1600.

[0059] The brush 1620 is coupled to the shaft 1610, the electric supply component 1618, and the spring 1628, oriented to contact the ring 1622, and is a component of the inner hub. The brush 1620 may comprise a ring or other structural support to couple to the shaft 1610. The brush 1620 may transfer the voltage from the electric supply component 1618 to the ring 1622. [0060] The ring 1622 may be coupled to the outer shell 1602, the rotation arresting component 1604, the film or flap 1606, and the brush 1620, and is a component of the outer roller. The ring 1622 may transfer the voltage from the brush 1620 to the film or flap 1606. The ring 1622 may comprise further components to preclude the outer shell 1602 and the rotation arresting component 1604 from receiving the voltage.

[0061] The bearings 1624 may be contained within the bearing housings 1626 and are components of the outer roller. The bearings 1624 may contact the shaft 1610 and operate to rotate the bearing housings 1626 and the outer shell 1602.

[0062] The bearing housings 1626 are coupled to the outer shell 1602, the bearings 1624, and the spring 1628, and are components of the outer roller. The bearing housings 1626 preclude the bearings 1624 from translational movement axially along the shaft 1610 or radially away from the shaft 1610. In some embodiments the bearings 1624 and bearing housings 1626 could be partially conductive so as to cause the roller outer shell 1602 and the shaft 1610 to be electrically grounded through the physical contact between the shaft 1610 and a grounded frame.

[0063] The spring 1628 is couple to the brush 1620 and the bearing housings 1626. When the outer roller is placed over the inner hub, the spring 1628 precludes the inner hub from translational movement in the axial direction relative to the outer roller. The apparatus 1600 may be operated in accordance with the process depicted in Figure 19.

[0064] Referring to Figure 17, the apparatus 1700 comprises an outer shell 1602, a film or flap 1606, a support structure 1608, a shaft attachment 1612, and a sleeve 1614. The apparatus 1700 may be operated in accordance with the process depicted in Figure 19.

[0065] Referring to Figure 18, the apparatus 1800 comprises an outer shell 1602, a film or flap 1606, a support structure 1608, a shaft attachment 1612, a sleeve 1614, an outer shell slot 1802, a conductive coating coupling device 1804, and an outer shell engagement component 1806.

[0066] Similar to the embodiment described in Figure 16 and Figure 17, either the film or flap 1606 or the sleeve 1614 further includes an insulator to allow the electrostatic clamping. In the embodiment shown in Figure 18, the film or flap 1606 is a closed loop in comparison to having a free end as shown in the embodiments captured in Figure 16 and Figure 17.

[0067] The rotation arresting component 1604 may comprise the conductive coating coupling device 1804 and the outer shell engagement component 1806. The outer shell 1602 may further comprise an outer shell slot 1802, which may be a configured to receive the outer shell engagement component 1806. The outer shell slot 1802 engages the outer shell engagement component 1806 to preclude the relative rotation of the conductive coating coupling device 1804 and the film or flap 1606 (i.e., the rotation arresting component 1604) to the outer shell 1602. When the film or flap 1606 and the sleeve 1614 are electrically coupled, a force opposing the rotation of the outer shell 1602 is transferred via the conductive coating coupling device 1804 and the outer shell engagement component 1806 at the outer shell slot 1802 of the outer shell 1602.

[0068] As with the other embodiments, the apparatus 1800 may be operated in accordance with the process depicted in Figure 19.

[0069] Referring to Figure 19, an operation method 1900 for the various embodiments alters the electrical state of either the sleeve or film or flap (block 1902). The voltage may be altered by the first electrical signal or the second electrical signal. The outer roller is rotated in response to a force applied to the outer diameter of the outer roller (block 1904) by an external force. A control signal is received to alter the electrical state of the sleeve or flap or film relative to each other so that there is a potential difference between them (block 1906). The control signal may be received by the electric supply component. The other of the sleeve or flap or film is then altered to different electrical state (block 1908). The voltage may be altered by the first electrical signal or the second electrical signal. The sleeve or flap or film then electrically engage (block 1910). The electrical engagement may preclude the sleeve or flap or film from rotating relative to each other. The anti-rotational force is transfer to the rotation arresting component (block 1912). The force is transferred by the attachment of the film or flap to the rotation arresting component. The anti-rotational force is then transferred to the outer shell (block 1914). In one embodiment, the force may be transferred by the one or more flaps. The force may also be transferred by the outer shell engagement component.