Telemetry power carrier pulse encoder

• US 5,144,299 A
• Filed: 05/29/1990
• Issued: 09/01/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Smith, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/530,015
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.01, 340/870.18, 340/870.31, 340/870.38, 340/870.24, 341/177, 341/64, 455/106, 455/107, 332/174, 375/21
• US Class Current: 340/870.18
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/04 using magnetically coupled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/16 in which transmission is by pulses

Abstract

A telemetry system for use in controlling the operation of sensors configured on a rotating blade of a gas turbine engine includes an oscillator for generating a power carrier signal. A mechanism is included for providing command signals that select a mode of operation of the sensors and a telemetry encoder apparatus is used to generate encoder signals for modulating the power carrier signal in accordance with the selected mode of sensor operation. Also included in the present telemetry system is a programmable switch receiving the power carrier signal for modulating the power carrier signal amplitude in accordance with the encoder signals. A resistor shunts the programmable switching mechanism, and a coil transmits the modulated power carrier signal to a transceiver positioned on the turbine blade providing control signals to the sensor and transmitting sensor information to a receiver coil off of the turbine blade.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the operation of a sensor on a moving member, said system comprising on a five member:

an oscillator means for generating a power carrier signal having a frequency and an amplitude;

a selection means for providing command signals that select a mode of operation of the sensor;

a telemetry encoder apparatus for receiving said command signals and generating therefrom encoding signals for digitally modulating said power carrier signal in accordance with said selected mode of sensor operation;

a programmable switching means receiving said power carrier signal for modulating said power carrier signal amplitude in accordance with said encoder signals;

an impedance means receiving said power carrier signal for electrically shunting said programmable switching means

a transmitting means for receiving and transmitting said modulated power carrier signal; and

a receiver means positioned on the moving member for providing electrical power and control signals to the sensor directly from said digitally modulated power carrier signal.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising amplification means for receiving and amplifying said modulated power carrier signal.

3. A system configured on a fixed member for controlling the operation of a sensor on a moving member, said system comprising:

an oscillator means for generating a power carrier signal having a frequency and an amplitude;

a selection means for providing command signals that select a mode of operation of the sensor;

a telemetry encoder apparatus for receiving said command signals and generating therefrom encoder signals for modulating said power carrier signal in accordance with said selected mode of sensor operation and including

an encoder means for providing signals indicative of a threshold number of digital signal pulses corresponding to said selected mode of operation of said sensor;

an electronic switching counter receiving digital signal pulses and said encoder signals, said electronic switching counter for counting said digital signal pulses and providing a half signal when the number of said digital signal pulse equals said threshold number;

a first multivibrator means for generating a signal pulse of a first preselected duration;

a digital signal pulse generator for periodically providing said digital signal pulses;

an electronic output switch for receiving and transmitting said digital signal pulses and said first multivibrator means signal in the absence of said half signal; and

a control circuit for providing said digital signal pulses only after the termination of said first multivibrator means signal pulses;

a programmable switching means receiving said power carrier signal for modulating said power carrier signal amplitude in accordance with said encoder signals;

an impedance means receiving said power carrier signal for electrically shunting said programmable switching means;

a transmitter means for receiving and transmitting said modulated power carrier signal; and

a receiver means positioned on the moving member for receiving said transmitted modulated power carrier signal and providing control signals to the sensor in accordance therewith.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said control circuit further comprises a second multivibrator means for generating a signal pulse of a second preselected duration to said electronic output switch for halting the operation thereof during the duration of said second multivibrator means signal pulse.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said control circuit further comprises a means for latching said encoder means until a reset signal is received thereby for preventing said encoder means from responding to a second command signal.

6. In a system configured on a fixed member for controlling the operation of a sensor on a moving member and including an oscillator for generating a power carrier signal having a frequency and an amplitude, a selection mechanism for providing command signals that select a mode of operation of the sensor a programmable switching means receiving said power carrier signal for modulating said power carrier signal amplitude in accordance with said encoder signals, a resistor receiving said power carrier signal for electrically shunting said programmable switching means, a transmitter for receiving and transmitting said modulated power carrier signal and a receiver means positioned on the moving member for receiving said transmitted modulated power carrier signal and providing control signals to the sensor in accordance therewith, a telemetry encoder apparatus comprising:

an encoder means for providing signals indicative of a threshold number of digital signal pulses corresponding to said selected mode of operation of said sensor;

an electronic switching counter receiving digital signal pulses and said encoder signals, said electronic switching counter for counting said digital signal pulses and providing a halt signal when the number of said digital signal pulses equals said threshold number;

a first multivibrator means for generating a signal pulse of a first preselected duration;

a digital signal pulse generator for periodically providing said digital signal pulses;

an electronic output switch for receiving and transmitting said digital signal pulses and said first multivibrator means signal in the absence of said halt signal; and

a control circuit for providing said digital signal pulses only after the termination of said first multivibrator means signal pulse.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said control circuit further comprises a second multivibrator means for generating a signal pulse of a second preselected duration to said electronic output switch for halting the operation thereof during the duration of said second multivibrator means signal pulse.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said control circuit further comprises a means for latching said encoder means until a reset signal is received thereby for preventing said encoder means from responding to a second command signal.