Inductive coupling method for remote powering of sensors
First Claim
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1. A system for remotely powering a plurality of electrically powered sensors, comprising:
- a primary coil connected to a power source wherein the primary coil is adapted for mounting exterior to a closed vessel hull having an interior and an exterior, the power source generates an electrical alternating current in a frequency range of 100 to 500 kHz in said primary coil in a continuous wave mode, the plurality of sensor coils is adapted for mounting exterior to the vessel hull; and
a plurality of electrically powered sensors having internal electronic circuitry, wherein said plurality of electrically powered sensors is spaced apart from the primary coil at a fixed distance, wherein each individual sensor'"'"'s electronic circuitry is joined to an individual sensor coil wherein a current in the primary coil inductively couples to the plurality of sensor coils to induce a corresponding current in each one of the plurality of sensor coils, the corresponding current activating the internal electronic circuitry of each of said plurality of electrically powered sensors, thereby powering said plurality of electrically powered sensors.
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Abstract
Means and methods of remotely powering a plurality of sensor coils are described. The plurality of sensor coils can be inductively coupled to a single, primary coil so as to bias the active circuitry of the sensors. The primary and sensor coils can have a separation on the order of inches, such that the sensors can be mounted exterior to a vessel and the primary coil can be mounted interior to the vessel. In some embodiments, the primary coil can be a wire coil. In other embodiments, the primary coil can be a planar coil pattern etched onto a printed circuit board.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for remotely powering a plurality of electrically powered sensors, comprising:
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a primary coil connected to a power source wherein the primary coil is adapted for mounting exterior to a closed vessel hull having an interior and an exterior, the power source generates an electrical alternating current in a frequency range of 100 to 500 kHz in said primary coil in a continuous wave mode, the plurality of sensor coils is adapted for mounting exterior to the vessel hull; and a plurality of electrically powered sensors having internal electronic circuitry, wherein said plurality of electrically powered sensors is spaced apart from the primary coil at a fixed distance, wherein each individual sensor'"'"'s electronic circuitry is joined to an individual sensor coil wherein a current in the primary coil inductively couples to the plurality of sensor coils to induce a corresponding current in each one of the plurality of sensor coils, the corresponding current activating the internal electronic circuitry of each of said plurality of electrically powered sensors, thereby powering said plurality of electrically powered sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for delivering electric power through acoustic polymers, comprising:
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positioning a primary coil exterior to a hull wall of a closed vessel; positioning a plurality of sensors in a coplanar arrangement, each of which has a sensor coil, exterior to the hull wall between an inner layer of acoustic polymers and an outer layer of acoustic polymers, the primary coil and sensor coils disposed in parallel planes at a fixed distance; passing an alternating electric current through the primary coil in a frequency range of 100 to 500kHz in a continuous wave mode, thereby producing a magnetic field normal to the primary coil; inductively coupling the plurality of sensor coils to the primary coils to produce alternating currents therein; and rectifying the alternating currents in the sensor coils to direct currents. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification