Azimuth Thruster Wireless Data Transmission via Inductive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of transferring electrical signals between rotating parts of mechanical systems, such as azimuth thrusters, is exacerbated by wear on wired connections due to relative movement, making reliable data transmission difficult.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that manages data transmission between antennas on rotating housings of an azimuth thruster by determining alignment, electrical power thresholds, and storage capacity, allowing for efficient data transfer even when parts are not aligned, using inductive coupling and radio frequency units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used to transfer electrical signals between stationary and rotatable parts, then data transmission can be achieved, but wear on the wired connection occurs due to relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an inductive coupling system using antennas. Data is transmitted wirelessly from a first antenna on the rotatable lower housing to a second antenna on the stationary upper housing, eliminating physical contact and wear between moving and stationary parts while maintaining reliable data transmission.
2Loss of time
If data is continuously transmitted from the rotating antenna, then data freshness is improved, but transmission reliability deteriorates when antennas are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously storing incoming sensor data in memory before transmission. This allows the system to accumulate data over time and transmit it when alignment conditions are favorable, ensuring both data freshness and transmission reliability without losing time-critical information.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller periodically evaluates alignment conditions between antennas and transmits data in periodic bursts when alignment criteria are satisfied. This periodic transmission approach balances data freshness with reliability by sending data at optimal intervals rather than continuously or never.
3Reliability
If multiple criteria are checked before transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system checks multiple criteria (alignment, storage capacity, power availability) but only requires partial satisfaction of these criteria to enable transmission. The controller evaluates several conditions and transmits data when sufficient conditions are met, achieving high reliability without requiring all possible criteria to be satisfied, thus avoiding excessive complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures reliable and efficient data transmission of operational condition data from sensors within the azimuth thruster, reducing wear on connections and maintaining data integrity across varying orientations and storage capacities.
Implementation Method 1
a first inductor mounted on a first part of the upper housing and configured to provide a magnetic field; and a second inductor mounted on a second part of the lower housing and configured to generate an electrical current from the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus to control transmission of data, the apparatus comprising: a controller configured to: receive data from at least a first sensor within an azimuth thruster; control storage of the received data in memory; determine whether at least one criterion is satisfied, the at least one criterion varying with the relative positioning of a first antenna mounted on a lower housing of the azimuth thruster and a second antenna mounted on an upper housing of the azimuth thruster, the lower housing being configured to rotate relative to the upper housing; and control transmission of the stored data from the first antenna in response to determining that the at least one criterion is satisfied.