Capacitor Bank Powered Wireless Sensor for Aircraft Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor technologies require bulky batteries or wired connections for power, which are impractical and unreliable, especially in large or complex applications like aircraft, where they can be difficult to install and maintain, and are susceptible to discharge or failure.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained monitoring system using a capacitor bank charged by an electromagnetic signal to provide power to wireless sensors, allowing for wireless data readout without the need for wired connections, featuring a power circuit to convert electromagnetic signals into electrical power, a capacitor bank to store and supply power, and a wireless readout to transmit data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If batteries or battery packs are used to supply power to sensors, then sufficient power can be supplied to the sensors, but the batteries become large or bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from traditional batteries and implements it through a capacitor bank charged by an external electromagnetic signal (such as a cellular signal). This removes the need for bulky battery packs while maintaining sufficient power supply capability for the sensor and wireless transmitter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary energy storage element (capacitor bank) between the external electromagnetic signal and the sensor power requirements. The capacitor bank temporarily stores energy from the electromagnetic signal and releases it to power the sensor, eliminating the need for large batteries.
2Reliability
If wired connections are used to supply power or enable sensor readout, then reliable power and data transmission can be achieved, but complications are introduced particularly in aircraft or other applications where sensors may need to be distributed across large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless electromagnetic signal-based power and data transmission system. The sensor and transmitter communicate wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical cables while maintaining reliability through the use of a capacitor bank for local power storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system becomes self-contained by using the capacitor bank to store energy from ambient electromagnetic signals, allowing it to operate independently without external wired power connections. The system serves itself by harvesting energy from the environment.
3Ease of operation
If batteries are connected to sensors, then the sensors can operate, but the batteries are subject to discharge or failure, rendering the sensor unusable and substantially impacting operational reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces long-lasting but unreliable batteries with a capacitor bank that can be rapidly recharged from ambient electromagnetic signals. The capacitor provides short-term energy storage that is continuously replenished, eliminating the discharge and failure issues associated with batteries while maintaining sensor operation.
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
This solution reduces the size and weight of sensor systems, improves reliability, and enables installation in hard-to-access locations by providing power only when needed, capturing and retaining sensor data until readout, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional battery-powered or wired sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a power circuit configured to convert an electromagnetic signal to electrical power
Implementation Method 2
a capacitor bank coupled to an output of the power circuit and to the sensor, the capacitor bank arranged to receive electrical power from the power circuit and to supply electrical power to the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses and methods provide for technology that monitors a component. A monitoring apparatus includes a sensor to monitor a state of a component, a power circuit to convert an electromagnetic signal to electrical power, a capacitor bank coupled to the power circuit and to the sensor to receive electrical power from the power circuit and to supply electrical power to the sensor, and a wireless readout to convert data from the sensor into a wireless communication signal. A method of monitoring a component includes coupling a sensor to a component, the sensor configured to monitor a state of the component, applying power to the sensor from a capacitor bank, and storing data obtained from the sensor, where the data relates to a state of the component. The method can include charging the capacitor bank via a power circuit, where the power circuit converts an electromagnetic signal to electrical power.