Wireless communication between a rotating frame of reference and a non-rotating frame of reference

• US 8,384,605 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2009
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Finn, Alan Matthew, Zacchio, Joseph, O'Callaghan, Michael G., Yeh, Jimmy Lih-Min
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benny
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEVENS, GERALD D
• Application Number:
  US12/393,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20100216398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 333/239, 333/242, 333/219, 333/235, 333/26, 333/243, 333/248, 333/256, 333/257, 455/81, 343/708, 343/712
• US Class Current: 343/708
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/32 Rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/00 Equipment not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/067 the energy being transmitted in only one line located on the axis of rotation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/28 Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons

Abstract

A communication system includes a first communication module within a rotating frame of reference and a second communication module within a fixed frame of reference. The first communication module and the second communication module in wireless communication at least partially through a hollow shaft.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a first communication module within a rotating frame of reference;

a second communication module within a fixed frame of reference; and

a hollow shaft at least partially within said rotating frame of reference, said first communication module and said second communication module in wireless communication at least partially through said hollow shaft, wherein said hollow shaft is a main rotor shaft of a rotary wing aircraft, said main rotor shaft rotatable about an axis of rotation.

2. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first communication module is a transmitter and said second communication module is a receiver.

3. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said first communication module and said second communication module is a transceiver.

4. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said hollow shaft is of a non-constant inner diameter formed within said main rotor shaft.

5. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said hollow shaft is of a constant inner diameter.

6. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication is at a frequency above a waveguide cutoff frequency defined by said hollow shaft.

7. The communication system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sensor within said rotating frame of reference, said sensor in communication with said first communication module through a communication line, said first communication module in close proximity to said second communication module.

8. The communication system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a communication line connected to said first communication module and a first antenna within said rotating frame of reference, said first antenna in close proximity to a second antenna of said second communication module.

9. The communication system as recited in claim 8, wherein said first antenna is a rotating disk antenna and said second antenna is a fixed disk antenna.

10. The communication system as recited in claim 8, wherein said first antenna is a probe and said second antenna is a coil, or probe.

11. The communication system as recited in claim 8, wherein said communication line is an optical fiber.

12. A method of wireless communication comprising:

wireless communicating between a rotating frame of reference and a fixed frame of reference at a frequency above a waveguide cutoff frequency defined by a hollow shaft at least partially within the rotating frame of reference, wherein the hollow shaft is a main rotor shaft of a rotary wing aircraft.