Electro-Acoustic Sensors For Remote Monitoring

• US 20170363581A1
• Filed: 08/17/2017
• Published: 12/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ULTRAPOWER Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ultrapower LLC
• Inventors: Makin, Inder Raj S., Jabs, Harry, Radziemski, Leon J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,295,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0207 Driving circuits specially adapted for particular applications, see the relevant subclass, e.g. G01; circuits for steering transducer arrays G10K11/34; basic circuits H03
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 2201/51 Electrostatic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 2201/55 Piezoelectric transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0469 Transmission by sound, e.g. ultra-sound
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/04 Analysing solids using acoustic emission techniques G01N29/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/24 Probes transducers for acoustic waves B06B, G10K; for measuring G01H
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/15 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves

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.

Claims

1. A system for sensing a physical property inside a pipe having a metallic wall, the system comprising:

a transceiver mounted at a transceiver location on an external surface of the metallic wall, the transceiver comprising;

one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements;

a signal generator; and

an amplifier;

a transponder mounted at a transponder location on an internal surface of the metallic wall, the transponder comprising;

one or more electroacoustic receiving elements; and

a sensor that measures the physical property of an interior environment of the pipe;

wherein said electroacoustic transmitting and receiving elements are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication such that the movable transponder is configured to communicate physical sensor data, received from the sensor, to the transceiver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said transponder is configured to vary an acoustical impedance to communicate the physical sensor data to the transceiver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein signals are generated by said signal generator and amplified by said amplifier, said amplified signals are transmitted over said one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements, said one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements generating acoustic energy that passes from said transceiver to said transponder via said metallic wall.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the transponder location corresponds to the transceiver location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is configured to generate progressive longitudinal waves, shear waves, or a combination thereof of ultrasonic energy.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is configured to generate a standing wave of ultrasonic energy.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein a high-energy node of the standing wave is disposed at the transponder.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements are arranged in a convex configuration and the one or more electroacoustic receiving elements are arranged in a concave configuration.

9. 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 disposed outside of the vessel, the metal rod extending into the vessel, the transceiver comprising;

one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements;

a signal generator; and

an amplifier;

a transponder mounted on a second end of the metal rod disposed inside the vessel, the transponder comprising;

one or more electroacoustic receiving elements; and

a sensor that measures the physical property of an interior environment of the vessel;

wherein said electroacoustic transmitting and receiving elements are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication such that the movable transponder is configured to communicate physical sensor data, received from the physical sensor, to the transceiver.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said transponder is configured to vary an acoustical impedance to communicate the physical sensor data to the transceiver.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the transceiver comprises an antenna to electrically communicate with a central processing unit.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein signals are generated by said signal generator and amplified by said amplifier, said amplified signals are transmitted over said one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements, said one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements generating acoustic energy that passes from said transceiver to said transponder via said metal rod.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said transmitted ultrasonic signals are received by said electroacoustic receiving elements.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the transceiver is configured to generate progressive longitudinal waves, shear waves, or a combination thereof of ultrasonic energy.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the transceiver is configured to generate a standing wave of ultrasonic energy.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein a high-energy node of the standing wave is disposed at the transponder.

17. A system for providing electrical energy to a sensor disposed in an enclosure having a metallic wall, the system comprising:

a transceiver mounted at a transceiver location on an external surface of the metallic wall, the transceiver comprising;

one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements;

a signal generator; and

an amplifier;

a transponder mounted at a transponder location on an internal surface of the metallic wall, the transponder comprising;

one or more electroacoustic receiving elements; and

a sensor that measures a physical property of an object disposed in the enclosure;

wherein said electroacoustic transmitting and receiving elements are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication such that the movable transponder is configured to communicate physical sensor data, received from the sensor, to the transceiver.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises an RF transponder.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the RF transponder is configured to perform a still or moving scan of an interior of the enclosure to sense a shape of the object.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the sensor measures a chemical composition, a heat output, or a moisture content of the object.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein said transponder is configured to vary an acoustical impedance to communicate the physical sensor data to the transceiver.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the transceiver comprises an antenna to electrically communicate with a central processing unit.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein signals are generated by said signal generator and amplified by said amplifier, said amplified signals are transmitted over said one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements, said one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements generating acoustic energy that passes from said transceiver to said transponder via said metallic wall.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the transponder location corresponds to the transceiver location.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein said transmitted ultrasonic signals are received by said electroacoustic receiving elements.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the transponder converts said transmitted ultrasonic signals into converted electrical energy.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the sensor is powered by said converted electrical energy.

28. The system of claim 17, wherein the transceiver is configured to generate progressive longitudinal waves, shear waves, or a combination thereof of ultrasonic energy.

29. The system of claim 17, wherein the transceiver is configured to generate a standing wave of ultrasonic energy.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein a high-energy node of the standing wave is disposed at the transponder.

31. A system for providing power to one or more sensors disposed at a distal end of a drill, the system comprising:

a transceiver mounted on a Kelly drive body;

an array of electroacoustic transmitting elements;

a signal generator; and

an amplifier;

a transponder mounted on a proximal end of a bottom hole assembly, the bottom hole assembly mechanically coupled to the Kelly drive body via a drill string, the transponder comprising;

one or more electroacoustic receiving elements; and

one or more sensors that measure a physical property proximal to the bottom hole assembly.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said transponder is configured to vary an acoustical impedance to communicate physical sensor data, collected by the one or more sensors, to the transceiver.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the transceiver comprises an antenna to electrically communicate with a central processing unit.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein signals are generated by said signal generator and amplified by said amplifier, said amplified signals are transmitted over said one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements, said one or more electroacoustic transmitting elements generating acoustic energy that passes from said transceiver to said transponder via said drill string.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein said transmitted ultrasonic signals are received by said electroacoustic receiving elements.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the transponder converts said transmitted ultrasonic signals into converted electrical energy.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the one or more sensors are powered by said converted electrical energy.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein the transceiver is configured to generate progressive longitudinal waves, shear waves, or a combination thereof of ultrasonic energy.

39. The system of claim 31, wherein the transceiver is configured to generate a standing wave of ultrasonic energy.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein a high-energy node of the standing wave is disposed at the transponder.

41. A system for providing power to a stationary underwater control station, the system comprising:

an autonomous underwater vehicle having a retractable probe;

an ultrasound recharging unit disposed distally on the retractable probe, the ultrasound recharging unit comprising;

a housing;

an ultrasound transmitter;

a first electromechanical mating interface;

a signal generator; and

an amplifier;

a stationary control unit deployed in a body of water, the stationary control unit comprising;

an ultrasound receiver; and

a second electromechanical mating interface,

wherein signals are generated by said signal generator and amplified by said amplifier, said amplified signals are transmitted over said ultrasound transmitter, said ultrasound transmitter generating acoustic energy that passes from said ultrasound transmitter to said ultrasound receiver via said first and second electromechanical mating interfaces.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein said first electromechanical mating interface is pressure balanced and oil-filled.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein said ultrasound transmitter and ultrasound receiver are in bi-directional ultrasonic communication.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein said ultrasound receiver is configured to transmit a battery charge status of a battery coupled to the stationary control unit.