WIRELESS FUEL SENSOR SYSTEM

• US 20160205193A1
• Filed: 03/21/2016
• Published: 07/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Bommer, Jason P., Minteer, David William, Nesting, Richard J., Ayyagari, Arun, Bostwick, Richard Neal, Robb, Andrew Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,362,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/00 Arrangements in connection with fuel supply for power plant refuelling during flight B64D39/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/44 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A method for generating sensor data is presented. A number of wireless power signals is sent to a group of sensor units. A number of wireless data collection signals is sent to the group of sensor units after the number of wireless power signals have been sent to the group of sensor units. Sensor data in a number of wireless response signals is received from the group of sensor units.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a sensor controller configured to send a number of wireless power signals to a group of sensor units;

send a number of wireless data collection signals to the group of sensor units after the number of wireless power signals have been sent to the group of sensor units; and

receive sensor data in a number of wireless response signals from the group of sensor units; and

the group of sensor units, wherein a sensor unit of the group of sensor units comprises an antenna array having a first antenna configured to send and receive radio frequency signals in a first medium at a desired level and a second antenna configure to send and receive radio frequency signals in a second medium at the desired level, and wherein the desired level is a level at which a desired amount of energy may be derived from the radio frequency signals or a level at which sensor data may be transmitted to a destination.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a wireless system configured to transmit the number of wireless power signals and the number of wireless data collection signals to the group of sensor units under a control of the sensor controller and receive the sensor data in the number of wireless response signals sent to the group of sensor units.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless system comprises:

a group of antennas; and

a transceiver system configured to send the number of wireless power signals and the number of wireless data collection signals to the group of sensor units using the group of antennas and receive the sensor data received from the group of sensor units using the group of antennas.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transceiver system comprises:

a group of transceiver units connected to the group of antennas.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the wireless system further comprises:

a router system connected to the group of transceiver units and configured to receive the sensor data from the group of transceiver units and send the sensor data to the sensor controller.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the router system is further configured to process the sensor data prior to sending the sensor data to the sensor controller.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the number of wireless power signals is configured to wake up the group of sensor units;

provide power to the group of sensor units;

cause the group of sensor units to make measurements; and

store the measurements as the sensor data.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the number of wireless data collection signals is configured to cause the group of sensor units to send the sensor data in wireless response signals.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the number of wireless power signals is selected from one of a single wireless power signal and a plurality of sequential wireless power signals.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a sensor unit in the group of sensor units comprises:

a capacitive sensor physically connected to the antenna array, wherein the antenna array is configured to send and receive wireless signals;

an energy harvesting device configured to derive energy from the wireless signals received; and

a controller configured to control the capacitive sensor to make a measurement, save the measurement as the sensor data, and send the sensor data in the wireless signals.

34. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first medium is a fluid and the second medium is air.

11-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A sensor system comprising:

a capacitive sensor;

an antenna system physically connected to the sensor, wherein the antenna system is configured to send and receive wireless signals;

an energy harvesting device configured to derive energy from the wireless signals received; and

a controller configured to control the sensor to make a measurement, save the measurement as sensor data, and send the sensor data in the wireless signals.

16. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the capacitive sensor, the antenna system, the energy harvesting device, and the controller form a sensor unit.

20. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the antenna system comprises at least one of a plurality of monopole antennas connected to the capacitive sensor, an antenna array formed on a planar substrate connected to the capacitive sensor, or an antenna array on a flexible dielectric film connected to the capacitive sensor.

22. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the capacitive sensor, the antenna system, the energy harvesting device, and the controller form a sensor unit and further comprising:

a wireless system configured to send a number of wireless power signals and a number of wireless data collection signals to the sensor unit and receive the sensor data in a number of wireless response signals sent from the sensor unit; and

a sensor controller configured to cause the wireless system to send the number of wireless power signals to the sensor unit;

cause the wireless system to send the number of wireless data collection signals to the sensor unit after the number of wireless power signals have been sent to the sensor unit; and

receive the sensor data transmitted wirelessly in the number of wireless response signals from the wireless system.

23. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the capacitive sensor, the antenna system, the energy harvesting device, and the controller are configured to meet a safety policy.

24. The sensor system of claim 15, wherein the energy harvesting device is configured to generate energy from at least one of a temperature gradient, vibrations, or movement.

35. The sensor system of claim 16, wherein the capacitive sensor is a first sensor and wherein the sensor unit further comprises a second sensor.

36. The sensor system of claim 15 further comprising:

a barrier structure configured to enclose at least one of the antenna system, the energy harvesting device, or the controller.

37. The sensor system of claim 36, wherein the barrier structure is configured to provide a substantially dry environment for the antenna system, wherein the barrier structure comprises a housing and a number of elements extending off of the housing, wherein each element of the number of element covers a single antenna of the antenna system.

17-19. -19. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

25-33. -33. (canceled)