Apparatus for boosting signals from a signal-generating device
First Claim
1. An arrangement for providing a boosted signal from a signal-generating device, comprising:
- an antenna;
a circulator having a first port connected to said antenna to receive a signal from said antenna and a second port adapted to be connected to the signal-generating device to provide a signal to the signal-generating device and receive a signal from the signal-generating device, said circulator being structured and arranged to amplify the signal from said antenna such that the amplified signal is directed to the signal-generating device and amplify the signal received from the signal-generating device such that a twice-amplified signal is directed to said antenna.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Arrangement for providing a boosted signal from a signal-generating device, such as a SAW device or an RFID tag, including an antenna and a circulator having a first port connected to the antenna to receive a signal therefrom and a second port connectable to the device to provide a signal thereto and receive a signal therefrom. The circulator amplifies the signal from the antenna and the signal received from the device such that a twice-amplified signal is directed to the antenna. A receiving and processing module transmits a signal to the antenna causing the antenna to generate its signal and receive a signal from the antenna derived from the twice-amplified signal. Various pumping systems for vehicle tires and electricity generating systems which generate energy upon rotation of a tire are also disclosed.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An arrangement for providing a boosted signal from a signal-generating device, comprising:
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an antenna;
a circulator having a first port connected to said antenna to receive a signal from said antenna and a second port adapted to be connected to the signal-generating device to provide a signal to the signal-generating device and receive a signal from the signal-generating device, said circulator being structured and arranged to amplify the signal from said antenna such that the amplified signal is directed to the signal-generating device and amplify the signal received from the signal-generating device such that a twice-amplified signal is directed to said antenna. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An energy-supply module for supplying energy to operate a component derived from movement of the vehicle, comprising:
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a charging capacitor;
at least one movable mass;
a mechanical-electrical converter coupled to each of said at least one mass to convert the movement of the mass into electric signals; and
a bridge rectifier coupled to each converter, said capacitor being coupled to said bridge rectifier to enable charging of said capacitor during movement of said at least one mass. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A pumping system for a tire which inflates the tire upon rotation of the tire, comprising:
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a housing adapted to be mounted external to the tire, said housing defining a first fluid-receiving chamber;
a mass movable in said housing in response to rotation of said housing and including a piston rod movable in said first chamber;
a first spring compressed by said mass upon movement of said mass;
a first inlet valve arranged in said housing and leading from ambient atmosphere to said first chamber;
a first tube adapted to connect to a nipple on the tire; and
a first exhaust valve arranged in said housing for providing a flow connection from said first chamber to said first tube, whereby upon rotation of the tire, said mass moves causing said piston to move in said first chamber and alternately draw air into said first chamber through said first inlet valve and force air through said first exhaust valve into said tube to the nipple to inflate the tire. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An electricity generating system for a vehicle having a tire, comprising:
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a housing adapted to be mounted external to the tire, said housing including a first cylinder defining a first chamber and a first coil wrapped around said first cylinder;
a mass movable in said housing in response to rotation of said housing and including a magnetic piston rod movable in said first chamber;
a first spring compressed by said mass upon movement of said mass; and
an energy storage or load device connected to said first coil, whereby upon rotation of the tire, said mass moves causing said piston to move in said first chamber and impart a charge to said first coil which is stored or used by said energy storage or load device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A tire including an electricity generating system, comprising:
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a rubber substrate defining side walls;
a tread;
a pad made from a piezoelectric material and attached to an inner surface of said substrate adjacent to said tread; and
a circuit coupled to said pad and including an energy storage device, whereby upon rotation of said tire, said pad flexes causing a charge to appears on opposite sides of said pad thereby creating a voltage which is processed by said circuit to charge said energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A pumping system for a tire which inflates the tire upon rotation of the tire, comprising:
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a housing adapted to be mounted inside the tire, said housing defining an air-receiving chamber;
a piston movable in said chamber in response to rotation of said housing;
intake means arranged in connection with said piston and adapted to have an inlet external of the tire, said intake means providing a conduit from ambient atmosphere to said chamber; and
an exhaust valve arranged in said housing for providing a flow connection from said chamber to an interior of the tire, whereby upon rotation of the tire, said piston moves in said chamber and alternately draws air into said chamber through said intake means and forces air through said exhaust valve into the tire. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A tire including an electricity generating system, comprising:
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a rubber substrate defining side walls;
a tread;
a housing mounted on an inner surface of said tread, said housing defining an air-receiving chamber;
a piston movable in said chamber in response to rotation of said housing;
intake means arranged in connection with said piston and adapted to have an inlet external of the tire when said tire is mounted on a wheel rim, said intake means providing a conduit from ambient atmosphere to said chamber; and
an exhaust valve arranged in said housing for providing a flow connection from said chamber to an interior of the tire, whereby upon rotation of the tire, said piston moves in said chamber and alternately draws air into said chamber through said intake means and forces air through said exhaust valve into the tire. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. An electricity generating system for a vehicle having a tire, comprising:
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a housing adapted to be mounted inside the tire, said housing including a coil defining a chamber;
a magnetic piston movable in said chamber in response to rotation of said housing; and
an energy storage or load device connected to said coil, whereby upon rotation of the tire, said piston moves in said chamber and imparts a charge to said first coil which is stored or used by said energy storage or load device.
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37. A method for providing energy to boost a SAW-based tire pressure monitor, comprising the steps of:
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mounting the SAW-based tire pressure monitor on each tire of a vehicle; and
coupling a tag to the tire pressure monitor on each tire, each tag including an antenna, a capacitor and an electronic circuit including a circulator having a first port connected to the antenna to receive a signal from the antenna and a second port connected to the tire pressure monitor to provide a signal to the tire pressure monitor and receive a signal from the tire pressure monitor, the circulator being structured and arranged to receive energy from said capacitor and amplify the signal from the antenna such that the amplified signal is directed to the tire pressure monitor and amplify the signal received from the tire pressure monitor such that a twice-amplified signal is directed to the antenna. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. An arrangement for opening a trunk or door of a vehicle, comprising:
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an interrogator adapted to be arranged on the vehicle;
a keyless entry device including an antenna and a circuit including a circulator for boosting signals to and from said antenna and a memory containing a unique identification code; and
a device for opening the trunk or door, said device being coupled to said interrogator and being arranged to open the trunk or door when said keyless entry device is a set distance from said interrogator for a certain duration of time.
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Specification