RF Waveguide Communication for High-Temperature Sensor Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex interconnected systems in high-temperature environments face challenges in troubleshooting and communication due to increased interconnect failures, bulky and expensive wiring, and interference from internal or external sources, making it difficult to identify faulty components quickly and reliably.
Innovation Solution
A network of nodes using radio frequency waveguide communication, where electromagnetic signals are transmitted through waveguides, and a membrane is used to support communication between waveguides and nodes, with dielectric disks or rings generating acoustic pressure waves to mechanically vibrate membranes, enabling efficient communication and fault detection in high-temperature environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wiring systems are used to connect sensors and effectors in high-temperature environments, then communication between controller and components can be established, but the system complexity increases, wiring becomes bulky and expensive, and reliability decreases due to increased interconnect failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wiring systems with electromagnetic waveguide communication. Instead of using physical cables and connectors to transmit signals between the controller and sensors/effectors, the invention uses electromagnetic waves propagating through waveguides (such as hollow metallic waveguides or dielectric waveguides) to establish communication. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky interconnects while maintaining signal transmission capability in high-temperature environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces waveguides as intermediary structures to facilitate communication between the controller and remote components. The waveguides serve as mediator channels that guide electromagnetic signals from the controller to sensors and effectors located in difficult-to-access high-temperature zones, replacing direct electrical connections and reducing the number of interconnect points that could fail.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more sensors and effectors are deployed in high-temperature environments, then monitoring and control capabilities improve, but the number of interconnects increases leading to higher failure probabilities and更难 troubleshooting
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical wiring system with electromagnetic waveguide communication, the patent enables deployment of additional sensors and effectors without proportionally increasing the complexity of physical interconnections. The waveguide infrastructure provides a common communication medium that can serve multiple components, reducing the overall number of individual cable connections and connectors that could fail.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are placed in difficult-to-access locations for detailed machinery operation knowledge, then measurement accuracy improves, but wire routing becomes bulky and vulnerable to interconnect failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable routing system with electromagnetic waveguide communication, enabling sensors to be placed in difficult-to-access locations without requiring bulky wire runs. The waveguides can be strategically positioned to reach remote sensor locations while maintaining a cleaner, more manageable infrastructure compared to traditional cable routing through complex machinery spaces.
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 complexity and cost of wiring, increases reliability by reducing physical interconnections, and allows for more nodes and sensors without additional wiring, enhancing operational accuracy and response in harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of waveguides is configured to guide transmission of the one or more electromagnetic signals
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric disk in the first waveguide proximate to the membrane, where the dielectric disk is configured to generate a plurality of acoustic pressure waves to mechanically vibrate the membrane responsive to the pulse train broadcast through the first waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a network of nodes. A controller of the system is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through one or more electromagnetic signals. A plurality of waveguides is configured to guide transmission of the one or more electromagnetic signals. A radio frequency transceiver is configured to establish communication between the controller and a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. A membrane is configured to support communication between the first waveguide and at least one node of the plurality of nodes.