METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACOUSTICAL POWER TRANSFER AND COMMUNICATION
First Claim
1. A method of powering and controlling sensors at a distance using acoustic wave energy, the method comprising:
- providing a transmission arrangement comprising an acoustic signal generator;
providing a receiving arraignment comprising an acoustic signal receiver;
providing a least one sensor which is electrically coupled to the signal receiver;
providing a waveguide spanning between and engaged to the signal generator and the signal receiver;
generating an acoustical wave comprising a control signal with the signal generator, the acoustical wave having sufficient strength to provide operating power to the sensor, and transmitting the acoustical wave from the signal generator to the signal receiver through the waveguide;
receiving the acoustical wave at the signal receiver, and converting the acoustical wave into an electrical current comprising a converted control signal;
using the electrical current to power the sensor; and
using the converted control signal to control the sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for transmitting power and information using acoustic energy are provided. The systems have particular application for powering and communication with electronics through drilling and pipe systems. An acoustic fiber having a core region radially surrounded by a cladding region is used to transmit acoustic power and signals between paired transducers. Pairs of acoustic wedges are provided for sending energy and information through a substrate. Each wedge has an angled transducer which can be used to produce angled longitudinal waves which, upon reaching a substrate interface, produce shear waves in the substrate. The shear waves propagate down the substrate and are received by a second acoustic wedge. The shear waves in the substrate transition back to longitudinal waves on reaching the second acoustic wedge, and they are converted back into electrical signals by a second transducer.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of powering and controlling sensors at a distance using acoustic wave energy, the method comprising:
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providing a transmission arrangement comprising an acoustic signal generator; providing a receiving arraignment comprising an acoustic signal receiver; providing a least one sensor which is electrically coupled to the signal receiver; providing a waveguide spanning between and engaged to the signal generator and the signal receiver; generating an acoustical wave comprising a control signal with the signal generator, the acoustical wave having sufficient strength to provide operating power to the sensor, and transmitting the acoustical wave from the signal generator to the signal receiver through the waveguide; receiving the acoustical wave at the signal receiver, and converting the acoustical wave into an electrical current comprising a converted control signal; using the electrical current to power the sensor; and using the converted control signal to control the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of transmitting at least one of power and signals along a substrate using angle beam probes, the method comprising:
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providing a transmitting acoustic wedge and a receiving acoustic wedge spaced apart on a substrate and coupled to the substrate at respective interfaces; wherein each acoustic wedge comprises a transition wedge and a transducer comprising a transducer face wherein the transducer is coupled to the transition wedge, and wherein a transducer face of each transducer is normal to an angle θ
with regard to the substrate at the respective interface;wherein the transducer face of the transmitting transducer of the transmitting acoustic wedge is normal to an angle θ
1 with respect to the respective interface with the substrate, the angle θ
1 being between first and second critical angles such that longitudinal waves produced by the transmitting transducer are substantially converted into shear waves in the substrate;the method further comprising producing longitudinal waves at angle θ
1 at the transmitting transducer;the longitudinal waves producing substantially only shear waves in the substrate, and the shear waves propagating through the substrate until reaching the interface between the substrate and the receiving acoustic wedge; energy from the shear waves providing acoustical wave energy which reaches the receiving transducer of the receiving acoustic wedge; and the receiving transducer converting at least a portion of said acoustical wave energy into electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification