Rotary data and power transfer system

• US 20120007442A1
• Filed: 09/09/2011
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wfs Technologies Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Wfs Technologies Ltd.
• Inventors: Rhodes, Mark, Hyland, Brendan
• Application Number:
  US13/228,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20120007442A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/143 for signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/18 Rotary transformers

Abstract

A data and power transfer system comprising a first system unit which includes a first communication element operable to transfer communication signals and a first connector element operable to transfer electrical power; and a second system unit which includes a second communication element operable to transfer communication signals and a second connector element operable to transfer electrical power, wherein the first communication element and second communication element are operable to transfer data between one another and the first connector element and second connector element are operable to transfer electrical power whilst electrically insulated from one another.

Claims

1. A data and power transfer system comprising:

a first system unit which includes a first communication element operable to transfer communication signals and a first connector element operable to transfer electrical power; and

a second system unit which includes a second communication element operable to transfer communication signals and a second connector element operable to transfer electrical power,

wherein the first communication element and second communication element are operable to transfer data between one another and the first connector element and second connector element are operable to transfer electrical power whilst electrically insulated from one another.

2. A data and power transfer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first system unit and a second system unit are arranged to form an off axis connector arrangement.

3. A data power transfer system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first connector element and the second connector element are rotatable relative to one another.

4. A data and power transfer system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an actuating system, connected to one of said first and second system units, wherein the actuating mechanism is operable to interface with the connector element and communication element of the system unit.

5. A data and power transfer system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the actuating mechanism further comprises a controller unit operable to receive data from the interfaced connector unit;

and a tool unit, such that the controller is operable to control the tool unit in response to data received.

6. A data and power transfer system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the tool unit is a cutting tool.

7. A tool system comprising:

a data and power transfer system which includes a first system unit which includes a first communication element operable to transfer communication signals and a first connector element operable to transfer electrical power and a second system unit which includes a second communication element operable to transfer communication signals and a second connector element operable to transfer electrical power wherein the first communication element and second communication element are operable to transfer data between one another and the first connector element and second connector element are operable to transfer electrical power whilst electrically insulated from one another; and

a tool unit,

whereby the tool unit is interfaced with one of said first system unit and second system unit.

8. A tool system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the data and power transfer system comprises a first system unit and a second system unit arranged to form an off axis connector arrangement.

9. A tool system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first connector element and the second connector element may be rotatable relative to one another.

10. A tool system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the tool system is a rotary tool system.

11. A tool system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the data and power transfer system is a rotary data and power transfer system.