Passive wireless sensors for rotary machines
First Claim
1. A monitoring system for a rotary machine, the rotary machine including a rotatable shaft and a retaining ring coupled to, and at least partially extending about the rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft defining a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the rotatable shaft and the retaining ring defining a substantially annular cavity therebetween, the rotatable shaft including a radially outer surface, the retaining ring including a radially outer surface, said monitoring system comprising:
- a stationary reader-antenna positioned proximate the retaining ring;
a radio frequency (RF) coupler comprising;
at least one flexible antenna band coupled to, and extending over, the radially outer surface of the retaining ring, said at least one flexible antenna band configured to establish RF coupling with said stationary reader-antenna; and
at least one sensor die coupled to said at least one flexible antenna band, said at least one sensor die at least partially extending into the substantially annular cavity, said at least one sensor die also coupled to the radially outer surface of the rotatable shaft;
wherein said at least one flexible antenna band comprising;
a first arm coupled to and extending from said at least one sensor die in a clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, said first arm comprising;
a first portion of a flexible laminate; and
a first flexible voltage-inducing conductor substantially embedded within said first portion of said flexible laminate, said first flexible voltage-inducing conductor coupled to and extending from said at least one sensor die in the clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis; and
a second arm coupled to and extending from said at least one sensor die in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, said second arm comprising;
a second portion of said flexible laminate; and
a second flexible voltage-inducing conductor substantially embedded within said second portion of said flexible laminate, said second flexible voltage-inducing conductor coupled to and extending from said at least one sensor die in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rotary machine includes a rotatable shaft and a retaining ring coupled to, and at least partially extending about, the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The rotatable shaft and the retaining ring define an annular cavity. The rotatable shaft and the retaining ring each include a radially outer surface. The rotary machine also includes a monitoring system including a stationary reader-antenna positioned proximate the retaining ring and a radio frequency (RF) coupler. The RF coupler includes at least one flexible antenna band coupled to, and extending over, the radially outer surface of the retaining ring. The flexible antenna band is configured to establish RF coupling with the stationary reader-antenna. A sensor die is coupled to the flexible antenna band. The sensor die extends into the substantially annular cavity and the sensor die is also coupled to the radially outer surface of the rotatable shaft.
22 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A monitoring system for a rotary machine, the rotary machine including a rotatable shaft and a retaining ring coupled to, and at least partially extending about the rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft defining a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the rotatable shaft and the retaining ring defining a substantially annular cavity therebetween, the rotatable shaft including a radially outer surface, the retaining ring including a radially outer surface, said monitoring system comprising:
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a stationary reader-antenna positioned proximate the retaining ring; a radio frequency (RF) coupler comprising; at least one flexible antenna band coupled to, and extending over, the radially outer surface of the retaining ring, said at least one flexible antenna band configured to establish RF coupling with said stationary reader-antenna; and at least one sensor die coupled to said at least one flexible antenna band, said at least one sensor die at least partially extending into the substantially annular cavity, said at least one sensor die also coupled to the radially outer surface of the rotatable shaft; wherein said at least one flexible antenna band comprising; a first arm coupled to and extending from said at least one sensor die in a clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, said first arm comprising; a first portion of a flexible laminate; and a first flexible voltage-inducing conductor substantially embedded within said first portion of said flexible laminate, said first flexible voltage-inducing conductor coupled to and extending from said at least one sensor die in the clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis; and a second arm coupled to and extending from said at least one sensor die in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, said second arm comprising; a second portion of said flexible laminate; and a second flexible voltage-inducing conductor substantially embedded within said second portion of said flexible laminate, said second flexible voltage-inducing conductor coupled to and extending from said at least one sensor die in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A rotary machine comprising:
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a rotatable shaft comprising a radially outer surface; a retaining ring coupled to, and at least partially extending about, said rotatable shaft, said rotatable shaft defining a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, said rotatable shaft and said retaining ring defining a substantially annular cavity therebetween, said retaining ring including a radially outer surface; and a monitoring system comprising; a stationary reader-antenna positioned proximate said retaining ring; a radio frequency (RF) coupler comprising; at least one flexible antenna band coupled to, and extending over, said radially outer surface of said retaining ring, said at least one flexible antenna band configured to establish RF coupling with said stationary reader-antenna; and at least one sensor die coupled to said at least one flexible antenna band, said at least one sensor die at least partially extending into said substantially annular cavity, said at least one sensor die also coupled to said radially outer surface of said rotatable shaft; and wherein said retaining ring includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end opposite said first longitudinal end, wherein said at least one flexible antenna band comprises two flexible antenna bands comprising a first flexible antenna band proximate said first longitudinal end and a second flexible antenna band proximate said second longitudinal end. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification