PINLESS INDUCTIVE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

• US 20150375579A1
• Filed: 06/27/2014
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Summers, Paul L., Keller, Steven, Leaves, Perry
• Granted Patent: US 9,707,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0427 Near field transmission with inductive or capacitive coupling means
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/36 Arrangements or adaptations of wheels, tyres or axles in general
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/02 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/24 Magnetic cores
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/2823 Wires H01F27/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6633 with inductive component, e.g. transformer

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a first side connector and a second side connector. The first side connector includes a first protective housing, a first inductor including a first end face, and a first physical connector element. The second side connector includes a second protective housing, a second inductor including a second face, and a second physical connector element. The second physical connector element is engaged with the first physical connector element and physically connects the first side connector to the second side connector such that the first end face and the second end face are adjacent. The first inductor and the second inductor are axially spaced apart. The first inductor and the second inductor form an inductive telemetry connection between the first side connector and the second side connector.

Claims

1. An assembly for forming an inductive telemetry connection comprising:

a first side connector including;

a first protective housing including a first end face;

a first inductor contained within the first protective housing and adjacent to the first end face, the first inductor having a first axis;

a first physical connector element; and

a second side connector including;

a second protective housing including a second end face;

a second inductor contained within the second protective housing and adjacent to the second end face, the second inductor having a second axis; and

a second physical connector element configured to engage with the first physical connector element such that the first end face the second end face are adjacent, and physically connect the first side connector to the second side connector such that the first axis and the second axis are generally aligned with each other;

wherein the first inductor and the second inductor form an inductive telemetry connection between the first side connector and the second side connector.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein

the first inductor includes:

a first core extending along the first axis, the first core including a material to promote inductive coupling between the first inductor and the second inductor material; and

at least one wire coil wound around the first core forming an inductive winding; and

the second inductor includes;

a second core extending along the second axis, the second core including a material to promote inductive coupling between the first inductor and the second inductor material; and

at least one wire coil wound around the second core forming an inductive winding.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the first protective housing is made of metal or a polymer.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the first protective housing is a stainless steel.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first physical connecting element includes a plurality of lugs extending radially from the first protective housing, and the second physical connecting element includes a plurality of slots configured to engage the plurality of lugs and physically connect the first side connector end to the second side connector end in a bayonet-style engagement.

6. A connector assembly comprising:

a first side connector including;

a first protective housing including a first end face;

a first inductor contained within the first protective housing and adjacent to the first end face, the first inductor having a first axis;

a first physical connector element; and

a second side connector including;

a second protective housing including a second end face;

a second inductor contained within the second protective housing and adjacent to the second end face, the second inductor having a second axis; and

a second physical connector element engaged with the first physical connector element, and physically connecting the first side connector to the second side connector such that the first end face and the second end face are adjacent, the first axis and the second axis are generally aligned with each other, the first inductor and the second inductor are axially spaced apart;

wherein the first inductor and the second inductor form an inductive telemetry connection between the first side connector and the second side connector.

7. The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein:

the first inductor includes;

a first core extending along the first axis, the first core including a material to promote inductive coupling between the first inductor and the second inductor material; and

at least one wire coil wound around the first core forming an inductive winding; and

the second inductor includes;

a second core extending along the second axis, the second core including a material to promote inductive coupling between the first inductor and the second inductor material; and

at least one wire coil wound around the second core forming an inductive winding.

8. The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the first protective housing is made of metal or a polymer.

9. The connector assembly of claim 8, wherein the metal is a stainless steel.

10. The connector assembly of claim 8, wherein the second protective housing is made of a polymer material.

11. The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein the first physical connecting element includes a plurality of lugs extending radially from the first protective housing, and the second physical connecting element includes a plurality of slots shaped to engage the plurality of lugs and physically connect the first side connector to the second side connector in a bayonet-style engagement.

12. The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein

the first inductor further includes at least one additional wire coil wound around the first core;

and

the second inductor further includes at least one additional wire coil wound around the second core, such that there is a plurality of electrically isolated inductive coils for each of the first side connector and the second side connector;

wherein the first inductor and the second inductor form a plurality of inductive telemetry connections between the first side connector and the second side connector.

13. A transducer assembly including:

a sensing element;

sensor wiring or interconnect connected to the sensing element; and

a sensor housing containing the sensing element, the sensor housing including an opening through which an electrical connection to the sensor wiring passes;

an electrical cable for electrically connecting to a measurement or control system; and

the connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first wire coil is electrically connected to the sensor wiring, the first protective housing is sealed over the opening in the sensor housing such that the first side connector projects from the sensor housing, and the sensor housing and the first protective housing together form a hermetically sealed enclosure; and

wherein the second wire coil is electrically connected to an end of the electrical cable, and the second side connector is located at the end of the electrical cable.

14. The transducer assembly of claim 13, wherein the sensing element is a pressure sensor and the sensor is a tire pressure sensor.

15. A landing gear assembly comprising:

a wheel;

a tire fitted around the wheel; and

the transducer assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the transducer assembly is fitted to the wheel such that the sensor senses pressure within the tire, and the connector assembly is positioned external to the wheel.