Wireless data transmission via inductive coupling using di/dt as the magnetic modulation scheme without hysteresis

• US 9,124,306 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2013
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oceaneering International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Oceaneering International Incorporated
• Inventors: Boyle, Greg Robert, Robertson, William Claude, Johnigan, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bilodeau, David
• Application Number:
  US14/095,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20140162551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/143 for signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/42 Circuits specially adapted for the purpose of modifying, or compensating for, electric characteristics of transformers, reactors, or choke coils circuits for controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, for the purpose of obtaining a desired output H02P13/00; impedance networks H03H
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

The disclosed couplers operate in a “near field” mode, meaning energy, whether used to transmit data or power, is transferred through magnetic induction using a ∂i/∂t circuit (meaning a change in current over a change in time), such as by using inductive transmission and receive coils in which resistors and/or other components such as diodes are placed into series and/or in parallel with the coils and used to control the shape of the pulse, e.g. its voltage and/or frequency. In embodiments, no hysteresis circuit is required for data transmission.

Claims

1. A non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission, comprising:

a. a first connector, comprising;

i. a first transmission path adapted to be used with a first data protocol operating at a first data transmission speed in a predetermined data transmission mode;

ii. a resistor circuit operatively connected to the first transmission path;

iii. a first transformer operatively connected to the first transmission path, the first transformer comprising a first inductance;

iv. a first direct current voltage source operatively connected to the first transformer; and

b. a second connector adapted to be disposed in close proximity to the first connector, comprising;

i. a second transmission path adapted to be used with a second data protocol operating at a second data transmission speed in a-the predetermined data transmission mode;

ii. a resistor circuit operatively connected to the second transmission path;

iii. a second transformer operatively connected to the first transmission path, the second transformer adapted to be inductively and cooperatively coupled to the first transformer, the second transformer comprising a second inductance substantially equal to the first inductance;

iv. a second direct current voltage source operatively connected to the second transformer; and

v. a data signal restoration circuit.

2. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, wherein the close proximity comprises a distance of no more than around one-half inch.

3. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, wherein the first transformer and the second transformer are further adapted to be located remotely using a coax cable.

4. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, wherein the first and second inductances are greater than 200 μ

H.

5. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission subsea of claim 4, wherein the first transformer inductance comprises at least around 2000 μ

H and the second transformer inductance comprises at least around 2000 μ

H.

6. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, wherein the first data protocol and the second data protocol comprise the same data transmission protocol.

7. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, wherein the first data protocol and the second data protocol comprise a serial data transmission protocol.

8. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 7, wherein the first data protocol and the second data protocol comprise an RS-485 protocol.

9. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, wherein the first data transmission speed and the second data transmission speed range from around 300 baud to around 10 megabaud.

10. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, wherein data are transmitted in a half-duplex mode.

11. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, wherein:

a. the first transformer comprises a first transmit coil and a first receive coil;

b. the second transformer comprises a second transmit coil and a second receive coil, the second transmit coil and the second receive coil disposed complementarily to the first transmit coil and the first receive coil; and

c. data are transmitted in a full-duplex mode between the first and second transformers.

12. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, wherein the data transmission mode comprises use of a square wave, the square wave comprising a no pulse voltage of around 0VDC and a peak voltage of around 3.0VDC.

13. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, further comprising:

a. a retriggerable vibrator operatively connected to the voltage comparator; and

b. a transceiver operatively connected to the retriggerable vibrator.

14. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 13, further comprising an inverter operatively connected to the retriggerable vibrator and the transceiver intermediate the retriggerable vibrator and the transceiver.

15. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, further comprising a switch operatively connected to the first transmission coil, the switch configured to drive the first transformer.

16. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 15, wherein the switch comprises a transistor.

17. The non-radio frequency carrier based wireless connector set for use in data transmission of claim 1, further comprising passive circuitry in communication with the first transformer, the passive circuitry configured to control a predetermined characteristic of the data signal.

18. A system for data transmission, comprising:

a. a data transmitter adapted to transmit data using a predetermined data protocol at a first data transmission speed;

b. a first connector operatively in communication with the data transmitter, the first connector comprising;

i. a first transmission path adapted to be used with a data signal operating at a first data transmission speed using a first data protocol, the first transmission path comprising a first impedance;

ii. a first housing;

iii. a resistor circuit operatively connected to the first transmission path and disposed at least partially within the first housing;

iv. a first transformer operatively connected to the first transmission path at the first impedance and disposed at least partially within the housing, the first transformer comprising a first inductance;

v. a first direct current voltage source operatively connected to the first transformer and disposed at least partially within the first housing; and

c. a second connector separate from the first connector, the second connector comprising;

i. a second transmission path adapted to be used with the data signal operating at a second data transmission speed using a second data protocol, the second transmission path comprising a second impedance;

ii. a second housing adapted to cooperatively receive the first connector at a first coupled separation distance in close proximity to the first connector in a predetermined environment;

iii. a resistor circuit operatively connected to the second transmission path and disposed at least partially within the second housing;

iv. a second transformer operatively connected to the first transmission path at a second impedance and disposed at least partially within the second housing, the second transformer adapted to be inductively and cooperatively coupled to the first transformer, the second transformer comprising a second inductance; and

v. a second direct current voltage source operatively connected to the second transformer and disposed at least partially within the second housing.

19. The system for data transmission of claim 18, wherein predetermined environment comprises at least one of air, fresh water, seawater, dark water, sand, mud, grit, oil, or vacuum.

20. The system for data transmission of claim 18, wherein the coupled separation distance is no more than around one-half inch.

21. The system for data transmission of claim 18, wherein each of the predetermined data protocol, the first data protocol, and the second data protocol comprises a serial data transmission protocol.

22. The system for data transmission of claim 18, wherein the first housing and the second housing are configured for use subsea.

23. A control system for use subsea, comprising:

a. a selectively retrievable module, comprising;

i. a first housing adapted for use subsea;

ii. a first set of electronics disposed at least partially within the first housing, the first set of electronics adapted to issue a control signal using a first data protocol operating at a first data transmission speed; and

iii. a first connector disposed at least partially within the first housing, the first connector comprising;

1) a first transmission path adapted to be used with the first data protocol operating at the first data transmission speed, the first transmission path operatively in communication with the first set of electronics, the first transmission path comprising a first impedance;

2) a resistor circuit operatively connected to the first transmission path and disposed at least partially within the first housing;

3) a first transformer operatively connected to the first transmission path at the first impedance and disposed at least partially within the first housing, the first transformer comprising a first inductance;

4) a first direct current voltage source operatively connected to the first transformer and disposed at least partially within the first housing; and

b. a module receiver adapted for use subsea, comprising;

i. a second housing dimensioned to cooperatively receive the first housing;

ii. a second set of electronics disposed at least partially within the second housing, the second set of electronics adapted to respond to the first set of electronics'"'"' issued control signal; and

iii. a second connector adapted to be in close proximity to the first connector when the first housing is received into the second housing, the second connector comprising;

1) a second transmission path adapted to be used with a second data protocol operating at a second data transmission speed, the second transmission path operatively in communication with the second set of electronics, the second transmission path comprising a second impedance;

2) a resistor circuit operatively connected to the second transmission path and disposed at least partially within the second housing;

3) a second transformer operatively connected to the second transmission path at the second impedance and disposed at least partially within the second housing, the second transformer adapted to be inductively and cooperatively coupled to the first transformer; and

4) a second direct current voltage source operatively connected to the second transformer and disposed at least partially within the second housing.

24. The control system for use subsea of claim 23, wherein the control signal further comprises a square wave.

25. The control system for use subsea of claim 23, wherein the first data transmission speed further comprises a frequency of from around 0 hertz to around 10 megahertz.

26. The control system for use subsea of claim 23, wherein the first transformer is located a predetermined distance from the first set of electronics.

27. The control system for use subsea of claim 23, wherein:

a. first data protocol comprises an RS-485 protocol; and

b. the resistor circuit comprises;

i. an RS-485 timing circuit;

ii. logic to determine the existence of a downstream fault; and

iii. a fail-safe circuit adapted to engage in the present of a detected downstream fault.

28. The control system for use subsea of claim 23, further comprising a source of a control command remotely disposed from the selectively retrievable module and operatively in communication with the first set of electronics.

29. A method of data transmission, comprising:

a. operatively connecting a first connector to a data transmitter, the first connector comprising;

i. a first transmission path adapted to be used with a data signal operating at a first data transmission speed using a first data protocol, the first transmission path comprising a first impedance;

ii. a resistor circuit operatively connected to the first transmission path;

iii. a first transformer operatively connected to the first transmission path at the first impedance, the first transformer comprising a first inductance; and

iv. a first direct current voltage source operatively connected to the first transformer;

b. coupling the first connector to a separate second connector at a separation distance in a predetermined environment, the second connector adapted to cooperatively receive the first connector in close proximity to the second connector, the separation distance defining a near field communication distance where a magnetic field present at the first transformer is at a first predetermined strength and an electrostatic field present at the first transformer is at a second predetermined strength, the second connector comprising;

i. a second transmission path adapted to be used with a data signal operating at a second data transmission speed using a second data protocol, the second transmission path comprising a second impedance;

ii. a resistor circuit operatively connected to the second transmission path;

iii. a second transformer operatively connected to the second transmission path at the second impedance, the second transformer adapted to be inductively and cooperatively coupled to the first transformer, the second transformer comprising a second inductance; and

iv. a second direct current voltage source operatively connected to the second transformer;

c. operatively connecting the second transformer to an electronic circuit along the second transmission path; and

d. sending data from the data transmitter to the electronic circuit through the first transformer and second transformer.

30. The method of data transmission of claim 29, wherein the separation distance comprises a distance of no more than around one-half inch.

31. The method of data transmission of claim 29, wherein the first predetermined strength comprises a predetermined maximum achievable magnetic field strength.

32. The method of data transmission of claim 30, wherein the second predetermined strength comprises a predetermined minimum achievable electrostatic field strength.

33. The method of data transmission of claim 29, wherein the predetermined data protocol, voltage level, and current level of data transmitted along the first transmission path and the second transmission path are configured to maximize environmental immunity.

34. The method of data transmission of claim 29, wherein the data are passed between the first transformer and the second transformer using Faraday'"'"'s Law of induction using a magnetic field.

35. The method of data transmission of claim 34, further comprising:

a. selecting the value of the resistor to shape a wave form of the transmitted square wave; and

b. connecting the resistor circuit in parallel to the first transformer.