Rotary coupler effecting power and information exchange
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rotary power and data coupler comprising:
- a. a stationary member with an axis;
b. a rotary member within and coaxial with the stationary member;
c. a primary transformer winding mounted to the stationary member;
d. a secondary transformer winding mounted to the rotary member and aligned with the primary transformer winding;
e. a plurality of first data transmission elements mounted to the stationary member;
f. a plurality of first data receiver elements mounted to the rotary member and aligned with the first data transmission elements;
g. a plurality of second data transmission elements mounted to the rotary member; and
h. a plurality of second data receiver elements mounted to the stationary member and aligned with the second data transmission elements.
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Abstract
A rotary coupler comprises a rotary transformer which transfers power across an air gap and an infrared coupler that carries data across the air gap in duplex. The rotary transformer and the data coupler are built within an enclosure to withstand downhole conditions. Control circuitry comprising a pulse width modulator regulates the amount of power transferred across the air gap by the rotary transformer. The data coupler comprises two transmitter/receiver array pairs to transfer data across the air gap in duplex.
29 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A rotary power and data coupler comprising:
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a. a stationary member with an axis; b. a rotary member within and coaxial with the stationary member; c. a primary transformer winding mounted to the stationary member; d. a secondary transformer winding mounted to the rotary member and aligned with the primary transformer winding; e. a plurality of first data transmission elements mounted to the stationary member; f. a plurality of first data receiver elements mounted to the rotary member and aligned with the first data transmission elements; g. a plurality of second data transmission elements mounted to the rotary member; and h. a plurality of second data receiver elements mounted to the stationary member and aligned with the second data transmission elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of coupling power and data between stationary and rotary members of a tool comprising the steps of:
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a. coupling electrical power between a primary coil on the stationary member and a secondary coil on the rotary member; and b. transmitting data in full duplex from data transmitters on the stationary member to data receivers on the rotary member and from data transmitters on the rotary member to data receivers on the stationary member.
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Specification