Interface for transferring power and data between a non-rotating body and a rotating body
First Claim
1. An interface for transferring power and data between a non-rotating body and a rotating body having an axis of rotation, the interface comprising:
- a power transfer device coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to transfer electrical power;
a power receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive electrical power from the power transfer device via a wireless coupling;
a first data transmitter coupled to the rotating body and configured to transmit data signals;
a first data receiver coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the first data transmitter via a wireless coupling;
a second data transmitter coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to transmit data signals; and
a second data receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the second data transmitter via a wireless coupling,wherein the wireless coupling between the power transfer device and the power receiver comprises an inductive coupling,wherein the first data transmitter and the first data receiver each comprise an optical communication device, and the wireless coupling between the first data transmitter and the first data receiver comprises an optical coupling, andwherein the first data transmitter and the first data receiver are axially aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotating body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interface for transferring power and data between a non-rotating body and a rotating body may include a power transfer device coupled to the non-rotating body, and a power receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive electrical power from the power transfer device. The interface may further include a first data transmitter coupled to the rotating body, and a first data receiver coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the first data transmitter. The interface may also include a second data transmitter coupled to the non-rotating body, and a second data receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the second data transmitter. The wireless coupling between the power transfer device and the power receiver may include an inductive coupling, and the first data transmitter and the first data receiver may each include an optical communication device.
60 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An interface for transferring power and data between a non-rotating body and a rotating body having an axis of rotation, the interface comprising:
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a power transfer device coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to transfer electrical power; a power receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive electrical power from the power transfer device via a wireless coupling; a first data transmitter coupled to the rotating body and configured to transmit data signals; a first data receiver coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the first data transmitter via a wireless coupling; a second data transmitter coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to transmit data signals; and a second data receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the second data transmitter via a wireless coupling, wherein the wireless coupling between the power transfer device and the power receiver comprises an inductive coupling, wherein the first data transmitter and the first data receiver each comprise an optical communication device, and the wireless coupling between the first data transmitter and the first data receiver comprises an optical coupling, and wherein the first data transmitter and the first data receiver are axially aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotating body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An interface for transferring power and data between a non-rotating body and a rotating body having an axis of rotation, the interface comprising:
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a power transfer device coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to transfer electrical power; a power receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive electrical power from the power transfer device via a wireless coupling; a first data transmitter coupled to the rotating body and configured to transmit data signals; a first data receiver coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the first data transmitter via a wireless coupling; a second data transmitter coupled to one of the non-rotating body or the rotating body; and
a second data receiver coupled to one of the non-rotating body or the rotating body,wherein the wireless coupling between the power transfer device and the power receiver comprises an inductive coupling, wherein the first data transmitter is configured to send data signals relating to sensor data from the rotating body to the first data receiver via an optical coupling, and wherein the first data transmitter and the first data receiver are axially aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotating body. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A sensor assembly comprising:
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a rotating body comprising at least one sensor configured to generate sensor data signals obtained during rotation of the rotating body; a non-rotating body associated with the rotating body such that the rotating body rotates about an axis of rotation that passes through the non-rotating body; and an interface for transferring power and data between the non-rotating body and the rotating body, the interface comprising; a power transfer device coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to transfer electrical power; a power receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive electrical power from the power transfer device via a wireless coupling; a first data transmitter coupled to the rotating body and configured to transmit data signals; a first data receiver coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the first data transmitter via a wireless optical coupling; a second data transmitter coupled to one of the non-rotating body or the rotating body; and a second data receiver coupled to one of the non-rotating body or the rotating body, wherein the wireless coupling between the power transfer device and the power receiver comprises an inductive coupling, wherein the first data transmitter is configured to send data signals relating to sensor data from the rotating body to the first data receiver, and wherein the first data transmitter and the first data receiver are axially aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotating body. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification