TRANSPORT AND STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH WIRELESS DATA AND POWER TRANSMISSION

Abstract

A sensor system is disclosed.The sensor system comprises a readout unit with a module for optically transmitting data and a module for emitting light; a first sensor unit with a module for optically transmitting data, a module for converting light into electrical energy, and a module for acquiring data; and a second sensor unit with a module for transmitting data and a module for acquiring data; wherein the readout unit and the first sensor unit are separate from one another, and the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are separable from one another; and the sensor system is configured to: emit light to the first sensor unit, convert the light into electrical energy; acquire data by the first sensor unit and / or the second sensor unit using the electrical energy; and optically transmit the data from the first sensor unit to the readout unit using the electrical energy.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to systems having devices equipped and configured for wirelessly and wirelessly transmitting data and energy. In particular, the invention relates to a transport and / or storage container and to a storage item which are provided with a sensor system. The sensor system enables monitoring of a storage item without removing the storage item from the transport and / or storage container. The transport and / or storage container is permeable to data and / or energy. The sensor system comprises a readout unit configured to supply a plurality of sensor units of the sensor system that can be coupled to one another without radio with a corresponding energy by emitting light, wherein at least one sensor unit of the plurality of sensor units that can be coupled to one another without radio is configured to transmit detected measured values in turn to the readout unit by means of light, using the corresponding energy.BACKGROUND ARTIn hazardous environments, the use of radio technologies is only possible to a very limited extent or not at all, since their use can lead to an increased risk of explosion. For example, the use of radio technologies in production facilities, storage facilities, workshops in the pyrotechnic environment, or chemical plants, such as, for example, the petroleum processing industry, can be very restricted or not possible at all.The use of radio technologies may also be critical with regard to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), electrostatic discharge (ESD), or with regard to data security. For example, the use of radio technologies can increase the susceptibility to faults in a system, reduce the security against interception of a system or increase the susceptibility to unauthorized access, for example by hacking or hijacking. Radio waves are usually difficult to spatially confine. For long distances, transmission of data or energy by radio waves is moreover inefficient due to their beam-like propagation characteristics.It may also be necessary to acquire measured values from or from components that have limited accessibility. Wired or wired solutions, or other solutions that require, for example, feedthroughs, are disadvantageous because one or more functions of the monitored components are affected by such solutions, structural integrity of components or subcomponents is affected, and / or maintenance effort may be increased. For example, for tight containers, feedthroughs for cables are critical, since feedthroughs can lead to leaks. Examples of possible critical applications relate to drive technology, vacuum technology or gas generators, such as used in airbags, moving containers, such as wheels and process engineering systems. Fast-moving systems, spatially remote and / or distributed systems or vibrating systems, such as aircraft, spacecraft, subsea vehicles or mining wide area systems, are also usually difficult to access.Plug connections have the same or similar disadvantages such as, for example, wire-bound or line-bound solutions. Connectors may reduce the structural integrity of components or subcomponents. In addition or alternatively, plug connections can be mechanically sensitive and / or increase the probability of incorrect manipulation or incorrect couplings. For example, a plug connection can be mechanically released by a shock or by vibrations and its function can thereby be impaired.Acquiring measurement values also requires energy. Closed and / or encapsulated systems rely on one or more batteries, accumulators, and / or a stationary power supply. The possibility of replacing batteries or accumulators is only very restricted or not possible at all in applications such as, for example, in space travel or in stationary underwater systems. The life of the powered system may be limited or limited by the life of a battery and / or its capacity. This leads to an increased maintenance intensity of the system due to the need for regular battery replacement. Batteries and accumulators also regularly represent a risk for a system, since the substances contained therein for chemical energy storage can cause corrosion on the battery or the accumulator and / or in the system. Batteries or accumulators may also increase the likelihood of a fire. In the event of a fire, the consequences are enhanced by batteries.There is therefore a need to wirelessly transmit power and data without radio waves to provide a solution to one or more of the above problems in one or more of the above application areas.In particular, a storage container is to be provided which enables wireless and wireless monitoring, wherein the storage container and / or the storage goods stored in the storage container are the object of the monitoring. Solutions are preferred which enable a reliable and reliable monitoring of the storage item and / or subsystems of the storage item and / or parameters of the storage item which define, for example, a status of ready-to-use of the storage item. Monitoring of the fuel for solid rockets or engines is also possible. Further solutions relate to systems which enable programming and / or configuring a storage item in order to program and / or configure it, for example, for use.Various technologies for wirelessly transmitting data or wirelessly transmitting energy are known from the prior art.Technologies for optical data transmission with light are known for wireless transmission of data, such as, for example. Light Fidelity (LiFi), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), or the transmission of data using a laser. The technologies are based on the principle that a modulator at a transmitter switches a light source on and off in accordance with the data to be transmitted, while a photodiode at the receiver converts the received light into electrical pulses which correspond to the transmitted data.Cables or lines are normally used for the transmission of energy. Near field and far field technologies are known for the wired or wireless transmission of energy. For example, energy can be transmitted via a non-resonant inductive coupling between two or via a resonant inductive coupling between a coil and a resonant circuit. The use of a plurality of coils and / or resonant circuits is likewise possible. In an analogous manner, energy can also be transmitted wirelessly or wirelessly via a capacitive coupling. Furthermore, the conversion of light into electrical energy by means of solar cells and from this the transmission of a light beam from a light source to a solar cell for the wired or wireless transmission of energy is known.However, a combination of wireless, radio wave-free data and energy transmission is not known from the prior art.EP 0 806 636 A1 discloses an apparatus for detecting a liquid level in a container comprising a housing adapted to be arranged in the container; a float with an associated magnetic element, the float position corresponding to the liquid level in the container; a magnetostrictive sensor arranged within the housing; and a sensing rod arranged within the housing. The magnetostrictive sensor and the sensing rod are each operable to determine the float position.DE 40 24 843 A1 discloses a remote sensor which is connected to an evaluation unit via glass fibers. The energy source is a high-power semiconductor laser whose radiation is converted in the sensor by means of solar cells. Energy transmission and data transmission take place via two separate glass fibers or via a single one in time division multiplex or wavelength division multiplex.DE 10 2022 000 773 A1 discloses a sensor system having a read-out unit having a module for optically transmitting data and a module for emitting light; and a sensor unit having a module for optically transmitting data, a module for converting light into electrical energy, and a module for detecting data. The read-out unit and the sensor unit are separated from one another. The sensor system is configured to emit light to the sensor unit, convert the light into electrical energy; acquire data by the sensor unit using the electrical energy; and optically transmit the data from the sensor unit to the readout unit using the electrical energy.DE 20 2020 107 286 U1 discloses a sensor device for determining process variable in the industrial environment. The sensor device comprises: a sensor base unit and a first expansion module, wherein the sensor base unit has: a process variable determination unit for determining the process variable; a first mechanical interface for mechanically receiving a first expansion module; and a first communication interface to the first expansion module for transmitting measurement and / or control data; and wherein the first expansion module has: a second mechanical interface to the sensor base unit; a third mechanical interface for mechanically receiving a second expansion module; a second communication interface to the sensor base unit for transmitting measurement and / or control data; and a third communication interface to the second expansion module for transmitting measurement and / or control data.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodimentsOne of the objects of the invention is to provide a sensor system which solves one or more of the above problems in one or more of the above fields of application.The technology is intended to be suitable in particular for supplying a plurality of sensor units with electrical energy with the aid of a transmission of energy in the form of light, such that at least one sensor unit of the plurality of sensor units can in turn send measured values recorded by means of light to a reading unit. The technology can also be used to charge an energy storage device such as an electrochemical or physical energy storage device. A changeover interval of an electrochemical energy store, for example a battery and / or an accumulator, can thereby be reduced or dispensed with. In an analogous manner, a service life of an energy store can be extended. Operation of the sensor unit without ready-to-operate energy storage, for example due to a defect of an energy storage or because the sensor unit does not comprise an energy storage, can be made possible by the technology.According to a first aspect of the invention, a sensor system comprises a readout unit having a module for optically transmitting data and a module for emitting light; a first sensor unit having a module for optically transmitting data, a module for converting light into electrical energy and a module for detecting data; and a second sensor unit having a module for transmitting data and a module for detecting data; wherein the readout unit and the first sensor unit are separated from one another, and the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are separable from one another; and the sensor system is configured to: emit light to the first sensor unit, convert the light into electrical energy; detect data by the first sensor unit and / or the second sensor unit using the electrical energy; and optically transmitting the data from the first sensor unit to the read-out unit using the electrical energy.According to a second aspect of the invention, a first sensor unit comprises a module for optically transmitting data, a module for converting light into electrical energy and a module for detecting data; wherein the first sensor unit is configured to: receive light from a readout unit; convert the light into electrical energy; detect data by the first sensor unit using the electrical energy and / or receive data from a second sensor unit using the electrical energy; and optically transmit the data from the first sensor unit to the readout unit using the electrical energy. The read-out unit and the first sensor unit are separated from each other, and the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are separated from each other.According to a second aspect of the invention, a second sensor unit comprises a module for transmitting data and a module for detecting data; wherein the second sensor unit is configured to: receive electrical energy via a first sensor unit; detect data by the second sensor unit using the electrical energy; transmit the data to the first sensor unit using the electrical energy for optically transmitting the data from the first sensor unit to a readout unit using the electrical energy;According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a method for operating the sensor system comprises the following steps: emitting light to the first sensor unit, converting the light into electrical energy; acquiring data by the second sensor unit using the electrical energy; and bidirectionally optically transmitting data between the first sensor unit and the readout unit using the electrical energy.According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a system comprises the sensor system. Furthermore, the system has a transport and / or storage container configured for storing a storage item, wherein the transport and / or storage container comprises the first sensor unit; and / or the system has the storage item, wherein the storage item comprises the second sensor unit.Advantageous embodiments and refinements emerge from the dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures.The above embodiments and developments can be combined with one another as desired, if appropriate. Further possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with respect to the exemplary embodiments, which combinations are not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.BRIEF CONTENT DETAILS OF THE FIGURESThe present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sensor system having a readout unit and a plurality of sensor units. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a sensor system for monitoring a system.The accompanying figures are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned are evident with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to each other. Directional terminology such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "over", "under", "horizontal", "vertical", "front", "rear" and similar information are used merely for illustrative purposes and are not used to limit generality to specific configurations as shown in the figures.In the figures of the drawing, elements, features and components that are the same, have the same function and act in the same way-unless stated otherwise-are each provided with the same reference numerals.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTSFIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a sensor system 100. The sensor system 100 comprises a readout unit 110 and a first sensor unit 120. The sensor system 100 may further include or be coupled to a second sensor unit 130. There is no physical connection between the read-out unit 110 and the first sensor unit 120. They are physically separated from each other. The readout unit 110 and the first sensor unit 120 are galvanically isolated from each other. The sensor system 100 may not include any plug connections to connect the readout unit 110 and the sensor unit 120 to each other.No physical connection can also exist between the first sensor unit 120 and the second sensor unit 130. They may be separated from each other. However, the first sensor unit 120 and the second sensor unit 130 can be connected to one another wirelessly by means of radio technology or induction or else by wire in order to enable data and / or energy to be transmitted. However, an optical connection is preferred. The wire connection can be separable, for example a plug-in or contact connection, in order to separate a first unit, which comprises the first sensor unit 120, and a second unit, which comprises the second sensor unit 130, from one another. The first unit can be, for example, a transport and / or storage container. The second unit can be, for example, a storage item which is transported and / or stored in the transport and / or storage container.The readout unit 110 comprises a module 111 for optically transmitting data (transceiver module). The optical transmission of data can be effected bidirectionally. For example, optically transmitting data can comprise transmitting first data and receiving second data. The readout unit 110 can further comprise a module 112 for emitting light (light module). The two modules may be spatially separated from each other. For example, the light module 112 can be autonomous and can be arranged in the environment of a system to be monitored or of a unit to be monitored. The readout unit 110 may comprise one or more further modules (not shown), such as a memory module or a processor, configured to perform the method described below in the first sensor unit 120.The first sensor unit 120 may be spatially separated from the readout unit 110 during operation. The first sensor unit 120 is configured to operate without radio technology. The first sensor unit 120 does not have to contain an electrochemical or physical energy store which ensures the energy supply of the first sensor unit 120 if there is no external supply by light.The first sensor unit 120 comprises a module 121 for optically transmitting data (transceiver module), a module 122 for converting light into electrical energy (solar module), and a module 123 for capturing data. The first sensor unit 120 may be composed of the modules 121 to 123. The data acquisition module 123 includes a sensor. A plurality of sensors are also possible. The first sensor unit 120 may also comprise a module 124 for storing data (data memory, optional) or a module 125 for storing energy (energy memory, optional) or one or more further modules 126.The energy store 125 may not be required for operating the first sensor unit 120. An energy store 125 is not absolutely necessary for operating the sensor unit. The first sensor unit 120 may be configured for passive operation. The one or more further modules may comprise a processor configured to perform the method described below in the first sensor unit 120.The energy storage 125 is based on either the electrochemical or physical energy storage principles. By this is meant, for example, batteries and accumulators (electrochemical) or capacitors, coils, swirl wheels etc. (physical). According to an embodiment, the first sensor unit 120 comprises an electrochemical energy store 125, wherein the first sensor unit 120 is configured to charge the electrochemical energy store 125 using the energy transferred to the first sensor unit 120.The second sensor unit 130 may comprise a module 131 for optically or wire-bound transmission of data (transceiver module), an optional module 132 for converting light into electrical energy (solar module), and a module 133 for capturing data. The second sensor unit 130 may be composed of the modules 131 and 133. The data acquisition module 133 includes a sensor. A plurality of sensors are also possible. Analogously to the first sensor unit 120, the second sensor unit 130 can also comprise a module for storing data (data memory, optional) or a module for storing energy (energy storage, optional) or one or more further modules, as described with reference to the first sensor unit 120.The data storage module 124 may be configured to store data from the sensors of the first sensor unit 120 and data from the sensors of the second sensor unit 120. The data storage module 124 may be the only data storage module included in the first sensor unit 120 and the second sensor unit 120.The energy storage 125 may be configured to store energy for operating both the first sensor unit 120 and the second sensor unit 120. The energy storage 125 may be the only module for storing energy included in the first sensor unit 120 and the second sensor unit 120.The sensor system 100 may allow the monitored system or unit to remain in an autonomous, encapsulated, or sealed environment, provided that there is visual contact to the monitored system from the outside. For example, a visual contact may be present if the monitored system is arranged such that it is accessible via a viewing window, directly or indirectly, for example via a mirror, along a propagation path of light. Light can fall through a viewing window onto the first sensor unit 120 in the monitored system. The reading unit in the environment of the monitored system can supply the first sensor unit 120 with electrical energy using a light module.The monitored system and the first sensor unit 120 used for monitoring can be shielded from further environmental influences. A measurement result can remain uncorrupted by a readout process if the light emitted for operating the first sensor unit 120 does not influence the monitored system.The sensor system 120 can be used in particular in explosion-risk areas in which the use of electric or magnetic fields should be dispensed with in order to reduce a risk of explosion.In particular, the sensor system 120 can be used for monitoring the storage item and / or subsystems of the storage item and / or parameters of the storage item, which define, for example, a status of a ready-to-use state of the storage item.The transport and / or storage container can have a storage mode. The storage mode can allow monitoring of a storage goods such as a missile, for example a new generation (NG) missile, which is stored in a warehouse. The storage goods can be stored in a transport and / or storage container according to the present disclosure.The transport and / or storage container and / or the storage goods can be equipped with an electronic logbook. Alternatively or additionally, a higher-level system may include the electronic logbook and / or be synchronized with the electronic logbook of one or more of the underlying systems. For example, one or more of the following items of information can be stored in an electronic logbook: essential items of equipment for identification and / or historical data such as, for example, a use history such as, for example. Life cycle phases, storage, transport, operation, duration, location, maintenance activities. In particular, an insert status and / or a plurality of insert locations of the storage item can be stored in the electronic log book in order to prepare an insert of the storage item, while the storage item rests in the transport and / or storage container and / or the transport and / or storage container rests in a store.The transport and / or storage container can be placed in a storage mode in order to store data when these occur, for example at the beginning of a storage phase. The transport and / or storage container and / or the storage goods can comprise a health and usage monitoring system (HUMS). The HUMS may be configured, for example, for detecting a temperature, and / or a humidity, and / or an air pressure, and or a vibration and / or a shock. The HUMS may be configured for continuous monitoring, for monitoring at a frequency, e.g. daily, weekly, or monthly, and / or for monitoring on demand. The monitoring can be dependent on a status of the transport and / or storage container and / or of the storage goods.Data stored by the HUMS can be read out, for example, during a storage phase and / or a transport phase via the transport and / or storage container by means of a radio-free technology, for example, by optical data transmission with light, such as, for example. LiFi, IrDA or the transmission of data by means of a laser.Data that can be read out from a HUMS can be combined with already existing historical data. For example, in a logistics system for missiles, data read out can be combined with data about the missile. The read-out data and / or the combined data can be evaluated in a fleet management system. Depending on a result of the evaluation, the fleet management system can report a status and / or a state of the missile to a user, in order to enable further logistic and / or operational decisions, for example.At the end of a storage phase, the transport and / or storage container can be set in another mode, for example in a transport mode and / or an employment mode.The transport mode can enable monitoring of a storage item during transport. The storage goods can be stored for transport into a transport and / or storage container according to the present disclosure.As in the storage mode, the transport and / or storage container and / or the storage goods can also be equipped with an electronic logbook in the transport mode. Alternatively or additionally, a higher-level system may include the electronic logbook and / or be synchronized with the electronic logbook of one or more of the underlying systems. For example, one or more of the following items of information can be stored in an electronic logbook: essential items of equipment for identification and / or historical data such as, for example, a use history such as, for example. Life cycle phases, storage, transport, operation, duration, location, maintenance activities. In particular, an insert status and / or a plurality of insert locations of the storage item can be stored in the electronic log book in order to prepare an insert of the storage item while the storage item is being transported in the transport and / or storage container and / or the transport and / or storage container.At the beginning of a transport, the transport and / or storage container and / or the storage goods can be placed in the transport mode. The transport and / or storage container can be placed in a storage mode in order to store data when these occur, for example at the beginning of a transport. The transport and / or storage container and / or the storage goods can also comprise a HUMS in the transport mode. The HUMS may be configured, for example, for detecting a temperature, and / or a humidity, and / or an air pressure, and or a vibration and / or a shock. The HUMS may be configured for continuous monitoring, for monitoring at a frequency, e.g. daily, weekly, or monthly, and / or for monitoring on demand. The monitoring can be dependent on a status and / or mode of the transport and / or storage container and / or of the storage goods.Data stored by the HUMS can be read out, for example, during a transport phase and / or a storage phase via the transport and / or storage container or directly from the storage goods by means of a radio-free technology, for example by optical data transmission with light, such as, for example. LiFi, IrDA or the transmission of data by means of a laser. The data acquired during the transport phase can be read out from a HUMS like the data acquired during the storage phase and combined and / or used further as described above.At the end of a transport phase, the transport and / or storage container can be set in another mode, for example in a storage mode and / or an employment mode.The use mode may allow for preparing a use of the stored goods in a mission while the stored goods are resting in the sealed transport and / or storage container or outside the transport and / or storage container. Communication with the storage goods can be possible exclusively with light in one or more frequency ranges. Generally, in the use mode, data and / or energy for preparing the use of the storage goods can be transmitted to the storage goods, as described above, for example with reference to FIG. 1. Depending on a result of data processing by the HUMS, a user can be notified that the storage goods are ready for use or not, or data can be provided, in order to enable further logistic and / or operational decisions, for example.After preparation for use, the storage goods can be set in a standby mode, for example in a standby mode of a plurality of standby modes. In the ready mode, the storage item may be ready for immediate use by a carrier platform, such as an aircraft, configured to carry a missile. In a standby mode, the warehouse can be populated with data for performing a mission, so that no further data is required to autonomously perform the mission.The sensor system 120 can also be used, in particular with reference to the storage phase, for monitoring a subsystem of the storage goods such as, for example, a fuel for solid rockets or engines. For example, a change in the demanded properties of fuel, which results from the aging of the fuel, can be monitored.A change in the required properties can be measured, for example, directly on or in the fuel. The first sensor unit 120 can detect the change passively, i.e. with or without its own energy store. The change can also take place automatically, i.e. without external control. The first sensor unit 120 or individual modules of the first sensor unit 120, in particular the sensor module 123, can be placed on or in the fuel. One or more sensors of the sensor module 123 may be placed on or in the fuel. By placing in the fuel, the precision of the recorded measured values can be increased. The sensor module 123 or the one or more sensors experience the same environmental conditions as the fuel. The fuel can also be placed in an engine.The sensor system 100 enables characteristics of a subsystem of the storage item to be tracked in real time. Ageing models can thus be verified, for example, in real time. Further, the reliability of systems can be increased by using the sensor system 100. Costs can be reduced by avoiding tests to determine the state of the system.By transmitting data by means of light, a propagation of the information contained in the light can be limited. The information can thus be protected from undesired access. For example, the light can be focused, focused or emitted such that undesired access to the transmitted information is not possible at a lateral distance from a transmission line between the first sensor unit 120 and the readout unit 110. Focusing and / or bundling can be effected, for example, by means of a laser, a lens and / or an aperture. Compared to radio links, the lateral distance up to which access to the information is possible is substantially reduced. The transfer of energy can take place in an analogous manner. It is also possible to physically limit the propagation of light and thus the data transmission, for example by means of structural measures such as tubes, channels, etc. Physical limitation by structural measures prevents a monitoring possibility from the outside de facto.Limiting the amount of available energy of the first sensor unit 120 can also reduce the access options to the captured information. This can further increase the protection against undesired access to the information.By using different light spectra or excluding colors, multiple transmission channels can be realized or transmission channels can be excluded. In addition, by controlling or limiting an intensity of the light emitted from the first sensor unit 120, transmission of data may be limited to a desired or preset distance.By using specific colors or specific ranges of the spectrum of light, for example by means of optical filters, disturbances or undesired frequencies can be blocked or excluded by light from other sources. This can increase a signal quality.A first sensor unit 120 of a sensor system 100 can be integrated into a first unit such as a transport and / or storage container, while a second sensor unit 130 of the sensor system 100 can be integrated into a storage item. The storage goods can be transported and / or stored in the transport and / or storage container. The transport and / or storage container may comprise, on at least one or at least two of its side surfaces, the module 122 for converting light into electrical energy to enable the module 122 to generate energy for operating the first sensor unit 120 and / or the second sensor unit 130.The module 122 for converting light can be arranged at the locations of the transport and / or storage container which are or will most likely be exposed to a light source.The readout unit 110 is configured to transmit energy by means of light to the first sensor unit 120 and / or the second sensor unit 130 (optical wireless power transfer, OWPT), as described above with reference to FIG. 1. The energy required for operating the first sensor unit 120 and / or the second sensor unit 130 can be generated within a time duration of, for example. 1, 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds can be transmitted by the readout unit 110 to the first sensor unit 120 and / or the second sensor unit 130The sensor system 100 can be configured in particular such that ambient light during one hour (inspection time) per week (inspection interval) is sufficient to operate the first sensor unit 120 and / or the second sensor unit 130 during the inspection interval. Power supply by the readout unit 110 may not be required. Ambient light may be sufficient to operate the first sensor unit 120 and / or the second sensor unit 130. Operation of the first sensor unit 120 and / or of the second sensor unit 130 may be made possible if the transport and / or storage container is stored in a bright and / or illuminated environment.The storage goods can be programmed and / or configured via the reading unit 110 of the sensor system 100. For example, it is possible to use a switch. In some embodiments, configuration data, mission data, status information, commands, electrical energy, and / or archived sensor data, etc., may be transmitted between the readout unit 110 and the first sensor unit 120 and / or the second sensor unit 130. The storage goods can also comprise a plurality of sensor units which are configured or configurable analogously to the sensor unit 130 for transmitting and / or receiving data and / or for transmitting and / or receiving energy.The first sensor unit 120, e.g. at the level of the transport and / or storage container, may be configured to detect one or more of a temperature, a relative humidity, an air pressure, a shock such as an acceleration above a threshold value, a vibration, light in e.g. the transport and / or storage container to detect an opening and / or a closing thereof, a location, position parameters such as an orientation in a space, atmospheric conditions in the transport and / or storage container, etc.In the second sensor unit 130, for example at the level of the storage goods, sensors can be provided or contained which enable life cycle monitoring which cannot be carried out by the sensors integrated in the first sensor unit 120, for example by internal sensors in the engine of a missile. The data can be read out wirelessly and without radio by the second sensor unit 130 via the first sensor unit 120. In this case, or without the first sensor unit 120, data can also be transmitted to a reading unit, which data are detected outside the transport and / or storage container, for example. Data that is acquired or has been acquired in a wing flight.The sensor system 100 may enable monitoring of a storage item during its storage time and / or over its life cycle. Storage time is understood to mean all the periods of time in which the stored material to be monitored is located within the transport and / or storage container (for example. Storage, transport, delivery, etc.). Life cycle is understood to mean the entire life of the storage goods or of its relevant components (for example. Production, Utilization, Screening and / or Utilization).FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a method 200 for operating a sensor system for monitoring a system. One step comprises emitting 210 light by a readout unit 110. One step comprises converting 220 the light into electrical energy by a first sensor unit 120. One step comprises capturing 230 data by the first sensor unit 120 using the electrical energy. One step comprises optically transmitting 240 the data from the first sensor unit 120 to the readout unit 110 using the electrical energy.The method can comprise further steps, such as storing 250 energy in the first sensor unit 220, and storing 260 data in the first sensor unit 220. Further modules of the sensor unit 220 may be configured to perform further steps of the method, for example processing the captured data.In the foregoing detailed description, various features have been summarized to improve stringency of the representation in one or more examples. However, it should be understood that the above description is merely illustrative, not restrictive in nature. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will be immediately and immediately apparent to those skilled in the art from the knowledge of the art in view of the above description.The exemplary embodiments were selected and described in order to be able to best illustrate the principles underlying the invention and their possible applications in practice. This enables those skilled in the art to optimally modify and utilize the invention and its various embodiments with respect to the intended purpose of use. In the claims and the description, the terms "including" and "having" are used as neutral language terminology for the corresponding terms "comprising". Furthermore, a use of the terms "a", "an" and "an" is not intended to exclude a plurality of features and components described in this way in principle.REFERENCE NUMERALS100 Sensor system 110 Read-out unit 111 Module for optically transmitting data (transceiver module) 112 Module for emitting light (light module) 120 First sensor unit 121 Module for optically transmitting data (transceiver module) 122 Module for converting light into electrical energy (solar module) 123 Module for detecting data (one or more sensors) 124 Module for storing data (data memory, optional) 125 Module for storing energy (energy memory, optional) 126 Further module / further modules (optional) 130 Second sensor unit 131 Module for optically transmitting data (transceiver module) 132 Module for converting light into electricity. Energy (solar module, optional) 133 module for capturing data (one or more sensors) 200 method with method steps 210 to 260

Claims

A sensor system (100) comprising: a readout unit (110) having a module (111) for optically transmitting data and a module (112) for emitting light; a first sensor unit (120) having a module (121) for optically transmitting data, a module (122) for converting light into electrical energy and a module (123) for detecting data; and a second sensor unit (130) having a module (131) for transmitting data and a module (133) for detecting data; wherein the readout unit (110) and the first sensor unit (120) are separated from each other, and the first sensor unit (120) and the second sensor unit (130) are separable from each other; and the sensor system (100) is configured to: emit (210) light to the first sensor unit (120), convert (220) the light into electrical energy; acquire (230) data by the first sensor unit (120) and / or the second sensor unit (130) using the electrical energy; and optically transmit (240) the data from the first sensor unit (120) to the readout unit (110) using the electrical energy.The sensor system (100) according to claim 1, wherein: the first sensor unit (120) consists of the data optically transmitting module (121), the light-to-electric power converting module (122), and the data capturing module (123); and / or the second sensor unit (130) consists of the data optically transmitting module (131), and the data capturing module (133).The sensor system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the first sensor unit (120) does not comprise an energy storage; and / or the second sensor unit (130) does not comprise an energy storage.The sensor system (100) of claim 1, wherein the module (133) is configured to acquire data of the second sensor unit (130) for placement in a solid fuel, and in particular comprises one or more sensors.A first sensor unit (120) comprising a module (121) for optically transmitting data, a module (122) for converting light into electrical energy and a module (123) for detecting data; wherein the first sensor unit (120) is configured to: receive (210) light from a readout unit (110); convert (220) the light into electrical energy; detect (230) data by the first sensor unit (120) using the electrical energy and / or receive data from a second sensor unit (130) using the electrical energy; and optically transmit (240) the data from the first sensor unit (120) to the readout unit (110) using the electrical energy; and the reading unit (110) and the first sensor unit (120) are separated from each other, and the first sensor unit (120) and the second sensor unit (130) are separated from each other.A second sensor unit (130) comprising a module (131) for transmitting data and a module (133) for acquiring data; wherein the second sensor unit (130) is configured to: receive electrical power via a first sensor unit (120); acquire (230) data by the second sensor unit (130) using the electrical power; transmit the data to the first sensor unit (120) using the electrical power to optically transmit (240) the data from the first sensor unit (120) to a readout unit (110) using the electrical power; and the readout unit (110) and the first sensor unit (120) are separated from each other, and the first sensor unit (120) and the second sensor unit (130) are separable from each other.A method (200) of operating the sensor system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for monitoring a system, the method comprising: emitting (210) light to the first sensor unit (120), converting (220) the light into electrical energy; acquiring (230) data by the first sensor unit (120) and / or the second sensor unit (130) using the electrical energy; and optically transmitting (240) the data from the first sensor unit (120) to the readout unit (110) using the electrical energy.The method (200) of claim 7, wherein optically transmitting (240) the data from the first sensor unit (120) to the readout unit (110) using the electrical energy comprises receiving, by the first sensor unit (120), data from the second sensor unit (130) using the electrical energy.The method (200) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the capturing (230) of data by the second sensor unit (130) using the electrical energy comprises receiving electrical energy via a first sensor unit (120).A system comprising the sensor system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the system further comprises: a transport and / or storage container configured to store a storage item, wherein the transport and / or storage container comprises the first sensor unit (120); and / or the storage item, wherein the storage item comprises the second sensor unit (130).

Images