Transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus

• US 20040017299A1
• Filed: 07/29/2002
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michigan Technological University
• Original Assignee: Michigan Technological University
• Inventors: Anderson, Carl, Campbell, Richard Lynn, Barna, Glen, Brumm, Douglas Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 6,999,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/006 using measurement of the effect of a material on microwaves or longer electromagnetic waves, e.g. measuring temperature via microwaves emitted by the object G01K17/003, G01J5/00 take precedence; measuring the effect of a material on X-, gamma- or particle radiation G01K11/30
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus for moving machinery includes a microwave transmitter disposed outside the moving machinery to fill a chamber of the moving machinery with microwave energy. The transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus also includes a transponder disposed inside the moving machinery for measuring a sensed condition of a part of the moving machinery and providing a modulated microwave signal that contains information on the sensed condition. The transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus further includes a receiver disposed outside the moving machinery to separate modulated and continuous-wave signal components of the signal and extracts information from the modulated component.

Claims

1. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus for moving machinery comprising:

a microwave transmitter disposed outside the moving machinery to fill a chamber of the moving machinery with microwave energy;

a transponder disposed inside the moving machinery for measuring a sensed condition of a part of the moving machinery and providing a modulated microwave signal that contains information on the sensed condition; and

a receiver disposed outside the moving machinery to separate modulated and continuous-wave signal components of the signal and extract information from the modulated component.

2. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transponder includes a switch.

3. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said switch comprises a diode.

4. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said transponder includes an information gathering circuit electrically connected to said switch.

5. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said information gathering circuit comprises either one of a timer and oscillator chip.

6. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said transponder includes an antenna electrically connected to said switch for transmitting the modulated signal and for receiving the microwave energy.

7. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said transponder includes a power source electrically connected to said information gathering circuit.

8. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a transmitting antenna electrically connected to said transmitter and extending into the moving machinery.

9. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a receiving antenna electrically connected to said receiver and extending into the moving machinery.

10. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transmitter and said receiver are a single unit.

11. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprising:

a transponder disposed inside the engine for measuring a sensed condition of a piston in the engine and providing a modulated microwave signal that contains information on the sensed condition; and

a transceiver disposed outside the engine to fill a crankcase of the engine with microwave energy and to separate modulated and continuous-wave signal components of the signal and extract information from the modulated component.

12. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said transponder includes a switch.

13. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said switch comprises a diode.

14. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said transponder includes an information gathering circuit electrically connected to said switch.

15. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said information gathering circuit comprises either one of a timer and oscillator chip.

16. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said transponder includes an antenna electrically connected to said switch for transmitting the modulated signal and for receiving the microwave energy.

17. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said transponder includes a direct current power source electrically connected to said information gathering circuit.

18. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 11 including a transmitting antenna electrically connected to said transceiver and extending into the engine.

19. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus as set forth in claim 11 including a receiving antenna electrically connected to said transceiver and extending into the engine.

20. A transponder-based microwave telemetry apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprising:

a transponder disposed inside the engine for measuring a sensed condition of a piston in the engine and providing a modulated microwave signal that contains information on the sensed condition, said transponder comprising a switch, an information gathering circuit, an antenna, and a power source, said switch turning said antenna ON and OFF at a frequency determined by said information gathering circuit to amplitude modulate incoming microwave energy; and

a transceiver disposed outside the engine to fill a crankcase of the engine with the microwave energy and to separate modulated and continuous-wave signal components of the signal and extract information from the modulated component.