Electro-Acoustic Sensors For Remote Monitoring
First Claim
1. A system for sensing a physical property inside a pipe having a metallic wall, the system comprising:
- a transceiver mounted at a transceiver location on an external surface of the metallic wall, the transceiver comprising;
one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements;
a signal generator; and
an amplifier;
a transponder mounted at a transponder location on an internal surface of the metallic wall, the transponder comprising;
one or more electroacoustic receiving elements; and
a sensor that measures the physical property of an interior environment of the pipe;
wherein said electroacoustic transmitting and receiving elements are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication such that the movable transponder is configured to communicate physical sensor data, received from the sensor, to the transceiver.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Ultrasonic transmitting elements in an electroacoustical transceiver transmit acoustic energy to an electroacoustical transponder, which includes ultrasonic receiving elements to convert the acoustic energy into electrical power for the purposes of powering one or more sensors that are electrically coupled to the electroacoustical transponder. The electroacoustical transponder transmits data collected by the sensor(s) back to the electroacoustical transceiver wirelessly, such as through impedance modulation or electromagnetic waves. A feedback control loop can be used to adjust system parameters so that the electroacoustical transponder operates at an impedance minimum. An implementation of the system can be used to collect data in a vehicle, such as the tire air pressure. Another implementation of the system can be used to collect data in remote locations, such as in pipes, enclosures, in wells, or in bodies of water.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A system for sensing a physical property inside a pipe having a metallic wall, the system comprising:
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a transceiver mounted at a transceiver location on an external surface of the metallic wall, the transceiver comprising; one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements; a signal generator; and an amplifier; a transponder mounted at a transponder location on an internal surface of the metallic wall, the transponder comprising; one or more electroacoustic receiving elements; and a sensor that measures the physical property of an interior environment of the pipe; wherein said electroacoustic transmitting and receiving elements are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication such that the movable transponder is configured to communicate physical sensor data, received from the sensor, to the transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for sensing a physical property inside a vessel having a metallic wall, the system comprising:
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a transceiver mounted on a first end of a metal rod disposed outside of the vessel, the metal rod extending into the vessel, the transceiver comprising; one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements; a signal generator; and an amplifier; a transponder mounted on a second end of the metal rod disposed inside the vessel, the transponder comprising; one or more electroacoustic receiving elements; and a sensor that measures the physical property of an interior environment of the vessel; wherein said electroacoustic transmitting and receiving elements are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication such that the movable transponder is configured to communicate physical sensor data, received from the physical sensor, to the transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for providing electrical energy to a sensor disposed in an enclosure having a metallic wall, the system comprising:
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a transceiver mounted at a transceiver location on an external surface of the metallic wall, the transceiver comprising; one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements; a signal generator; and an amplifier; a transponder mounted at a transponder location on an internal surface of the metallic wall, the transponder comprising; one or more electroacoustic receiving elements; and a sensor that measures a physical property of an object disposed in the enclosure; wherein said electroacoustic transmitting and receiving elements are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication such that the movable transponder is configured to communicate physical sensor data, received from the sensor, to the transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A system for providing power to one or more sensors disposed at a distal end of a drill, the system comprising:
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a transceiver mounted on a Kelly drive body; an array of electroacoustic transmitting elements; a signal generator; and an amplifier; a transponder mounted on a proximal end of a bottom hole assembly, the bottom hole assembly mechanically coupled to the Kelly drive body via a drill string, the transponder comprising; one or more electroacoustic receiving elements; and one or more sensors that measure a physical property proximal to the bottom hole assembly. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A system for providing power to a stationary underwater control station, the system comprising:
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an autonomous underwater vehicle having a retractable probe; an ultrasound recharging unit disposed distally on the retractable probe, the ultrasound recharging unit comprising; a housing; an ultrasound transmitter; a first electromechanical mating interface; a signal generator; and an amplifier; a stationary control unit deployed in a body of water, the stationary control unit comprising; an ultrasound receiver; and a second electromechanical mating interface, wherein signals are generated by said signal generator and amplified by said amplifier, said amplified signals are transmitted over said ultrasound transmitter, said ultrasound transmitter generating acoustic energy that passes from said ultrasound transmitter to said ultrasound receiver via said first and second electromechanical mating interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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Specification