Low Frequency Sensor Transmitter for Metal Enclosure Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication with sensors within metal enclosures is challenging due to signal attenuation, making it difficult to detect conditions such as leaks or impacts without penetrating the enclosure, which is problematic for sealed tanks or containers.
Innovation Solution
A sensor transmitter system that uses a low frequency generator to transmit a low frequency wireless signal when a condition is detected, allowing the signal to penetrate the metal enclosure and be received externally, without the need for wired connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is used to communicate sensor data from inside metal enclosures, then wireless communication capability is improved, but signal attenuation increases making transmission difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the wireless signal to low frequency (e.g., below 1 MHz, particularly around 100 kHz), which significantly reduces signal attenuation when penetrating metal enclosures. This parameter change allows wireless communication to function effectively inside sealed metal tanks without requiring wire penetrations.
2Reliability
If wire penetrations are made in sealed tanks to hardwire sensors, then reliable signal transmission is improved, but tank sealing integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire penetration system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless transmission system. By using low frequency electromagnetic signals that can penetrate metal, the system eliminates the need for physical wire penetrations, thereby maintaining tank sealing integrity while achieving reliable sensor data transmission.
3Speed
If high frequency wireless signals are used for communication, then communication speed is improved, but penetration capability through metal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter from high frequency to low frequency (e.g., 100 kHz range). While this reduces communication speed compared to high frequency signals, it dramatically improves penetration capability through metal enclosures, enabling reliable transmission of sensor data from inside sealed tanks.
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
Enables effective communication of sensor data through metal enclosures with minimal signal attenuation, allowing for the detection of conditions like leaks or impacts without opening the enclosure, using a low frequency wireless signal that can penetrate metal effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a low frequency generator positioned within a metal enclosure and electrically coupled to the power supply and the at least one sensor. The low frequency generator transmits a low frequency wireless signal indicative of the presence of the condition within the metal enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor transmitter for communicating wirelessly a presence of a condition within a metal enclosure includes a power supply, at least one sensor where each sensor senses a presence of a condition, and a low frequency generator positioned within a metal enclosure and electrically coupled to the power supply and the at least one sensor. The low frequency generator transmits a low frequency wireless signal indicative of the presence of the condition within the metal enclosure when the condition is present at one sensor.