Wireless sensor for an aircraft propulsion system
First Claim
1. A method for wirelessly monitoring an aircraft propulsion system, comprising:
- providing a plurality of rotor blades for the aircraft propulsion system, at least some of which rotor blades have an internal compartment;
providing a primary transducer having a primary coil, and a plurality of secondary transducers, each secondary transducer having a secondary coil connected to a sensor, wherein the secondary transducers are respectively disposed within the internal compartments;
wirelessly powering the secondary transducers using a magnetic field generated by the primary transducer;
monitoring at least one operational parameter from within each internal compartment using a respective sensor;
transmitting a synchronization signal from the primary transducer to the secondary transducers through the magnetic field; and
transmitting output signals from the secondary transducers to the primary transducer through the magnetic field as a function of the synchronization signal, wherein the output signals are indicative of the monitored parameters.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for wirelessly monitoring an aircraft propulsion system having a plurality of rotor blades, at least some of which rotor blades have an internal compartment. The method includes: providing a primary transducer having a primary coil, and one or more secondary transducers, each secondary transducer having a secondary coil connected to a sensor, wherein the secondary transducers are respectively disposed within the internal compartments; wirelessly powering the secondary transducers using a magnetic field generated by the primary transducer; monitoring at least one operational parameter from within each internal compartment using a respective sensor; and transmitting output signals from the secondary transducers to the primary transducer through the magnetic field, wherein the output signals are indicative of the monitored parameters.
17 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for wirelessly monitoring an aircraft propulsion system, comprising:
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providing a plurality of rotor blades for the aircraft propulsion system, at least some of which rotor blades have an internal compartment; providing a primary transducer having a primary coil, and a plurality of secondary transducers, each secondary transducer having a secondary coil connected to a sensor, wherein the secondary transducers are respectively disposed within the internal compartments; wirelessly powering the secondary transducers using a magnetic field generated by the primary transducer; monitoring at least one operational parameter from within each internal compartment using a respective sensor; transmitting a synchronization signal from the primary transducer to the secondary transducers through the magnetic field; and transmitting output signals from the secondary transducers to the primary transducer through the magnetic field as a function of the synchronization signal, wherein the output signals are indicative of the monitored parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A gas turbine engine, comprising:
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a rotor stage including a plurality of rotors, at least one of the rotors including a blade with an internal compartment; an enclosure disposed circumferentially around the rotor stage; a primary transducer having a primary coil disposed with the enclosure; and a secondary transducer having a secondary coil connected to a sensor, which secondary transducer is disposed within the internal compartment of the blade; wherein the primary transducer is operable to wirelessly transfer power to the secondary transducer, and wherein the secondary transducer is operable to wirelessly transfer sensor data to the primary transducer. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A rotary wing aircraft, comprising:
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an enclosure; a mast extending from the enclosure to a plurality of rotors, at least one of the rotors having a blade with an internal compartment; a primary transducer having a primary coil disposed with the enclosure; and a secondary transducer having a secondary coil connected to a sensor, which secondary transducer is disposed within the internal compartment of the blade; wherein the primary transducer is operable to wirelessly transfer power to the secondary transducer, and wherein the secondary transducer is operable to wirelessly transfer sensor data to the primary transducer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification