Displacement current method and apparatus for remote powering of a sensor grid
First Claim
1. An apparatus for remotely powering at least one sensor on the exterior of a surface, comprising:
- a materials stack disposed over the exterior of the surface, in which said at least one sensor is embedded; and
a means for generating an alternating current across said materials stack, thereby inducing capacitance in said materials stack, thereby causing a displacement current to flow to the at least one sensor.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention serves as a method and apparatus for delivering power to a series of remote sensors in an on hull sensor grid for the purpose of biasing the active circuitry on the sensors. It requires no physical connection between the source of power and the sensor. It works by delivering electrical energy across the insulating gap that separates the sensor from the hull by means of a displacement current. In particular, the method and device include a conducting layer interposed between inner and outer decouplers and a ground plane interposed between a bonding layer and the inner decoupler. An application of alternating current to the ground plane will activate the conducting layer and provide power to the sensors at a location of the outer decoupler. The inner decoupler acts as a capacitor and the ground plane further provides an electrical path back to the hull.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for remotely powering at least one sensor on the exterior of a surface, comprising:
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a materials stack disposed over the exterior of the surface, in which said at least one sensor is embedded; and a means for generating an alternating current across said materials stack, thereby inducing capacitance in said materials stack, thereby causing a displacement current to flow to the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for remotely powering at least one sensor on the exterior of the hull of an underwater vehicle, comprising:
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disposing a materials stack over the exterior of the hull of the underwater vehicle, in which said at least one sensor is embedded; and generating an alternating current across said materials stack, thereby inducing capacitance in said materials stack, thereby causing a displacement current to flow to the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification