Electro-acoustic sensors for remote monitoring
First Claim
1. A system for sensing a physical property inside a vessel having a metallic wall, the system comprising:
- a transceiver mounted on a first end of a metal rod, the first end disposed outside of the vessel, the metal rod extending into the vessel, the transceiver comprising;
one or more first electroacoustic elements;
a signal generator; and
an amplifier;
a transponder mounted on a second end of the metal rod, the second end disposed inside the vessel, the transponder comprising;
one or more second electroacoustic elements; and
a sensor that measures the physical property of an interior environment of the vessel;
wherein said one or more first electroacoustic elements and said one or more second electroacoustic elements are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication such that the transponder is configured to communicate physical sensor data, received from the sensor, to the transceiver.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Ultrasonic transmitting elements in an electroacoustical transceiver transmit acoustic energy to an electroacoustical transponder, which includes ultrasonic receiving elements to convert the acoustic energy into electrical power for the purposes of powering one or more sensors that are electrically coupled to the electroacoustical transponder. The electroacoustical transponder transmits data collected by the sensor(s) back to the electroacoustical transceiver wirelessly, such as through impedance modulation or electromagnetic waves. A feedback control loop can be used to adjust system parameters so that the electroacoustical transponder operates at an impedance minimum. An implementation of the system can be used to collect data in a vehicle, such as the tire air pressure. Another implementation of the system can be used to collect data in remote locations, such as in pipes, enclosures, in wells, or in bodies of water.
7 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for sensing a physical property inside a vessel having a metallic wall, the system comprising:
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a transceiver mounted on a first end of a metal rod, the first end disposed outside of the vessel, the metal rod extending into the vessel, the transceiver comprising; one or more first electroacoustic elements; a signal generator; and an amplifier; a transponder mounted on a second end of the metal rod, the second end disposed inside the vessel, the transponder comprising; one or more second electroacoustic elements; and a sensor that measures the physical property of an interior environment of the vessel; wherein said one or more first electroacoustic elements and said one or more second electroacoustic elements are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication such that the transponder is configured to communicate physical sensor data, received from the sensor, to the transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification