The second most important part of the rotary union is the bearing.

The heart of the rotary union is the seal.

A rotary union is a union that allows for rotation of the united parts.

A multiple port rotary union looks like a perforated cylinder.

Often functioning under high pressure and constant movement a rotary union is designed to rotate around an axis.

A rotary union may have only one bearing, but multiple bearing are much more common.

The seal prevents the medium from leaking outside the rotary union while in operation.

The housing is the component that holds all of the other elements of the rotary union together.

A rotary union will lock onto an input valve while rotating to meet an outlet.

Most rotary unions have more than one seal.

The shaft is the component that carries the medium through the rotary union into the drum or roll.

In smaller rotary unions the housing is stationary.

In larger rotary unions the housing is usually bolted to the drum or roll using a flange.

Rotary unions are also heavily used in crude oil processing, the chemical industry, commercial food production, and pharmaceutical applications.

Rotary unions are unions that allow for rotation of one of the united parts.

Many assembly lines incorporate multiple rotary unions, because they are highly versatile and take up less space than other devices designed for a similar purpose.

Brakes, for example, use rotary unions to maintain a constant supply of pressurized brake fluid.

In the case of a rotary union with multiple inputs, chambers separated by seals keep the materials from inadvertently mixing.

High-pressure through-spindle coolant systems require rotary unions that can withstand these pressures.

Many rotary unions incorporate multiple ports, some of which are designed to handle different types of material simultaneously.

Slip rings do the same for electrical power and signal that rotary unions do for fluid media.

In some cases, like in larger flanged rotary unions, the shaft may be stationary while the housing rotates.

Rotary unions typically are constructed from stainless steel to resist rust and corrosion, but many other metals can be involved like aluminum.

A slip ring can be used within a rotary union to function concurrently with the device, commonly referred to as a rotary joint.

A rotary union with a straight port transfers the substance directly through the rotary union.

Fluids typically used with rotary joints and rotating unions include various heat transfer media and fluid power media such as steam, water, thermal oil, hydraulic fluid, and coolants.

Mr. Dehaene is backed by France and Germany, whose Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, is threatening to call the leaders back together immediately after Germany assumes the rotating Union presidency on July 1.