Tank antenna

• US 7,471,259 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultra Electronics Canada Defence Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ultra Electronics Canada Defence Inc.
• Inventors: Frame, Colin, Wrathall, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; Tan
• Application Number:
  US11/678,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20080204335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 343/719, 343/787, 343/788, 343/873, 343/895, 128/204.23
• US Class Current: 343/895
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/04 Adaptation for subterranean or subaqueous use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material

Abstract

An air tank for a self-contained breathing apparatus that incorporates a coil antenna for use in a magneto-inductive system. The coil antenna is formed as a part of the tank. The antenna is embedded within the sidewall of the air cylinder to form the air tank. The self-contained breathing apparatus may include a magneto-inductive device operatively connected to the coil antenna for conducting magneto-inductive communications. A microphone and speaker or headset may be included to facilitate voice communications over the magneto-inductive system.

Claims

1. A wearable tank for use in a self-contained breathing apparatus and with a portable magneto-inductive device, the magneto-inductive device having a magneto-inductive transceiver, a controller, and a power source, the tank comprising:

a hollow cylinder for containing gas and having an opening adapted for connection to an air hose of the self-contained breathing apparatus, the cylinder having a center axis and having a sidewall with an inner surface defining the interior of the hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being formed from a non-conductive material; and

an antenna formed from a helical coil of wire wound around said center axis and disposed within said sidewall.

2. The tank claimed in claim 1, wherein said sidewall includes an outer surface defining an exterior side of said cylinder, and wherein the antenna is embedded within said sidewall between said inner surface and said outer surface.

3. The tank claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said inner surface includes a layer of magnetically permeable material.

4. The tank claimed in claim 3, wherein said magnetically permeable material comprises a ferrite or magnetic alloy.

5. The tank claimed in claim 1, wherein said sidewall comprises a first inner sidewall around which said antenna is wound during manufacture, and a second outer sidewall molded around said antenna and bonded to said inner sidewall.

6. The tank claimed in claim 1, wherein said antenna is formed by said coil of wire in a helical configuration and said sidewall is formed by molding said non-conducive material around said antenna.

7. The tank claimed in claim 1, wherein said magneto-inductive transceiver includes an antenna port for connecting with said antenna, and wherein said coil of wire includes ends co-located at an exterior surface of said tank and configured as an antenna connector for connection to said antenna port.

8. The tank claimed in claim 1, wherein said non-conductive material comprises fibre-reinforced plastic.

9. The tank claimed in claim 1, wherein said coil of wire comprises multiple strands of wire bundled and coiled in a helical configuration.

10. A self-contained breathing apparatus, comprising:

an air tank;

a pressure regulator;

a mask; and

hoses interconnecting said air tank, said pressure regulator and said mask to supply said mask with air from said air tank regulated by said pressure regulator,

wherein said tank includes a hollow cylinder for containing gas and having an opening adapted for connection to one of said hoses, the cylinder having a center axis and having a sidewall with an inner surface defining the interior of the hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being formed from a non-conductive material,

and wherein said tank includes an antenna formed from a helical coil of wire wound around said center axis and disposed within said sidewall.

11. The self-contained breathing apparatus claimed in claim 10, further comprising a magneto-inductive device for conducting magneto-inductive communications using said antenna, said magneto-inductive device including a power supply, a controller, and a magneto-inductive transceiver, wherein said transceiver is adapted for connection to said antenna to receive signals induced in said antenna and to generate signals within said antenna.

12. The self-contained breathing apparatus claimed in claim 11, wherein said magneto-inductive transceiver includes an antenna port for connecting with said antenna, and wherein said coil of wire includes ends co-located at an exterior surface of said tank and configured as an antenna connector for connection to said antenna port.

13. The self-contained breathing apparatus claimed in claim 10, wherein said sidewall includes an outer surface defining an exterior side of said cylinder, and wherein the antenna is embedded within said sidewall between said inner surface and said outer surface.

14. The self-contained breathing apparatus claimed in claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said inner surface includes a layer of magnetically permeable material.

15. The self-contained breathing apparatus claimed in claim 14, wherein said magnetically permeable material comprises a ferrite or magnetic alloy.

16. The self-contained breathing apparatus claimed in claim 10, wherein said sidewall comprises a first inner sidewall around which said antenna is wound during manufacture, and a second outer sidewall molded around said antenna and bonded to said inner sidewall.

17. The self-contained breathing apparatus claimed in claim 10, wherein said antenna is formed by said coil of wire in a helical configuration and said sidewall is formed by molding said non-conducive material around said antenna.

18. The self-contained breathing apparatus claimed in claim 10, wherein said non-conductive material comprises fibre-reinforced plastic.