Rotatable wireless electrical coupler
First Claim
1. A rotatable wireless electrical coupler having a first rotatable section that is rotatable relative to a second section, and designed to provide for the wireless transfer therethrough of electrical power and data signals between the first rotatable section and the second section, comprising:
- a rotatable transformer for transferring power therethrough, said rotatable transformer including a first rotatable winding section and a second winding section, which winding sections rotate relative to one another around a common rotational axis; and
a rotatable electrical capacitor for transferring analog or digital data signals therethrough, said rotatable electrical capacitor including a first rotatable capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode, which capacitor electrodes rotate relative to one another around the common rotational axis,wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor includes an inner data rod, an intermediate data tube and an outer ground tube, with the inner data rod and the intermediate data tube being concentrically mounted within the outer ground tube, and wherein video data is transferred between the intermediate data tube and the inner data rod, wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor extends through the rotatable transformer along the rotational axis of the rotatable transformer and wherein the rotational axis of the rotatable transformer and electrical capacitor are coextensive and wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor is formed along a central portion of the rotatable wireless electrical coupler and wherein a spring contact provides a resilient electrical contact against one end of the inner data rod which is part of the second section and is mounted within the rotatable data tube which is a part of the first rotatable section.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rotatable wireless electrical coupler is disclosed that presents a wireless alternative to mechanical slip rings, such as are used in rotatable mechanical assemblies such as dome cameras. The rotatable wireless electrical coupler is designed to provide for the wireless transfer therethrough of electrical power, video and data signals. A rotatable multi-function transformer of the electrical coupler is designed primarily for the transfer of electrical power therethrough, and can also be used for the transfer of data signals. A rotatable electrical capacitor of the electrical coupler is designed primarily for the transfer of video data signals therethrough, and can also be used for the transfer of control and feedback data signals. In a dome camera, the rotatable wireless electrical coupler transfers power and data signals to and from a rotatable platform/section on which is mounted a video camera, pan and tilt motors and other associated electrical components.
14 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A rotatable wireless electrical coupler having a first rotatable section that is rotatable relative to a second section, and designed to provide for the wireless transfer therethrough of electrical power and data signals between the first rotatable section and the second section, comprising:
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a rotatable transformer for transferring power therethrough, said rotatable transformer including a first rotatable winding section and a second winding section, which winding sections rotate relative to one another around a common rotational axis; and a rotatable electrical capacitor for transferring analog or digital data signals therethrough, said rotatable electrical capacitor including a first rotatable capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode, which capacitor electrodes rotate relative to one another around the common rotational axis, wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor includes an inner data rod, an intermediate data tube and an outer ground tube, with the inner data rod and the intermediate data tube being concentrically mounted within the outer ground tube, and wherein video data is transferred between the intermediate data tube and the inner data rod, wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor extends through the rotatable transformer along the rotational axis of the rotatable transformer and wherein the rotational axis of the rotatable transformer and electrical capacitor are coextensive and wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor is formed along a central portion of the rotatable wireless electrical coupler and wherein a spring contact provides a resilient electrical contact against one end of the inner data rod which is part of the second section and is mounted within the rotatable data tube which is a part of the first rotatable section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A rotatable wireless electrical coupler having a first rotatable section that is rotatable relative to a second section, and designed to provide for the wireless transfer therethrough of electrical power and data signals between the first rotatable section and the second section, comprising:
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a rotatable transformer for transferring power therethrough. said rotatable transformer including a first rotatable winding section and a second winding section, which winding sections rotate relative to one another around a common rotational axis; and a rotatable electrical capacitor for transferring analog or digital data signals therethrough, said rotatable electrical capacitor including a first rotatable capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode, which capacitor electrodes rotate relative to one another around the common rotational axis, wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor includes an inner data rod, an intermediate data tube and an outer ground tube, with the inner data rod and the intermediate data tube being concentrically mounted within the outer ground tube, and wherein video data is transferred between the intermediate data tube and the inner data rod, wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor extends through the rotatable transformer along the rotational axis of the rotatable transformer and wherein the rotational axis of the rotatable transformer and electrical capacitor are coextensive wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor is formed along a central portion of the rotatable wireless electrical coupler and wherein a first capacitance C1 exists between the outer ground tube and the intermediate data tube, and a second capacitance C2 exists between the intermediate data tube and the inner data rod, and the video data is transferred through the second capacitance C2 between the intermediate data tube and the inner data rod which is maximized by increasing by increasing the coupling efficiency across the second capacitance C2, while the first capacitance C1 between the outer ground tube and the intermediate data tube is minimized by reducing the equivalent permittivity between the outer ground tube and the intermediate data tube.
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- 21. A rotatable wireless electrical coupler having a first rotatable section that is rotatable relative to a second section, and designed to provide for the wireless transfer of data signals between the first rotatable section and the second section, comprising a rotatable electrical capacitor, including a first rotatable capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode, which capacitor electrodes rotate relative to one another, for transferring data signals therethrough, wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor includes an inner data rod, an intermediate data tube and an outer ground tube, with the inner data rod concentrically and rotatably mounted within the intermediate data tube, the intermediate data tube being concentrically mounted within the outer ground tube, wherein the inside surface of the intermediate data tube and outside surface of the inner data rod form opposing surfaces of the rotatable electrical capacitor, and wherein video data is transferred between an inside surface of the intermediate data tube and an outside surface of the inner data rod and wherein a spring contact provides a resilient electrical contact against one end of the inner data rod which is mounted within the rotatable data tube.
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28. A rotatable wireless electrical coupler having a first rotatable section that is rotatable relative to a second section, and designed to provide for the wireless transfer of data signals between the first rotatable section and the second section, comprising a rotatable electrical capacitor, including a first rotatable capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode, which capacitor electrodes rotate relative to one another, for transferring data signals therethrough, wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor includes an inner data rod, an intermediate data tube and an outer ground tube, with the inner data rod concentrically and rotatablv mounted within the intermediate data tube, the intermediate data tube being concentrically mounted within the outer ground tube, wherein the inside surface of the intermediate data tube and outside surface of the inner data rod form opposing surfaces of the rotatable electrical capacitor, and wherein video data is transferred between an inside surface of the intermediate data tube and an outside surface of the inner data rod and wherein a first capacitance C1 exists between the outer ground tube and the intermediate data tube, and a second capacitance C2 exists between the intermediate data tube and the inner data rod, and data is transferred through the second capacitance C2 between the intermediate data tube and the inner data rod which is maximized by increasing the coupling efficiency across the second capacitance C2, while the first capacitance C1 between the outer ground tube and the intermediate data tube is minimized by reducing the equivalent permittivity between the outer ground tube and the intermediate data tube.
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29. A rotatable wireless electrical coupler comprising:
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a rotatable power transformer, the rotatable transformer including a first winding section and a second winding section, which winding sections rotate relative to one another around a common rotational axis; and a rotatable electrical capacitor for transferring analog or digital data signals therethrough, the rotatable electrical capacitor including a first rotatable capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode, which capacitor electrodes rotate relative to one another around the common rotational axis, wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor includes an inner data rod, an intermediate data tube and an outer ground tube, with the inner data rod and the intermediate data tube being concentrically mounted within the outer ground tube, and wherein video data is transferred between the intermediate data tube and the inner data rod, wherein the rotatable electrical capacitor extends through the rotatable transformer along the rotational axis of the rotatable transformer and wherein the rotational axis of the rotatable transformer and electrical capacitor are coextensive and wherein a spring contact provides a resilient electrical contact against one end of the inner data rod and is mounted within the rotatable data tube. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification