RF Waveguide Communication for High-Temperature Machine Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex interconnected systems in high temperature environments face challenges in identifying faulty components due to noisy signals and bulky, expensive wiring, which are prone to failures, especially in systems with electronic components like actuators and sensors, and large-scale sensor deployments with varying signal paths.
Innovation Solution
A network of nodes using radio frequency waveguides for electromagnetic communication, incorporating capacitively coupled membranes and dielectric elements to transmit signals and power, enabling reliable communication and control in harsh environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire routing is used to connect sensors and electronic components, then communication between components is established, but the wiring becomes bulky, expensive, and vulnerable to interconnect failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire routing system with an electromagnetic field-based communication system. Sensors and electronic components communicate through electromagnetic signals rather than physical wire connections, eliminating the mechanical interconnect structure that causes complexity and failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary medium for signal transmission between sensors and electronic components. This intermediary allows energy and information transfer without direct physical contact, reducing the need for complex wire routing while maintaining communication reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more sensors and effectors are deployed in the machine, then monitoring and control capabilities are enhanced, but the number of interconnects increases leading to higher failure probabilities
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing physical wire connections with electromagnetic field communication, the system can support a greater number of sensors and effectors without proportionally increasing interconnect complexity. Each sensor communicates wirelessly through the electromagnetic field, allowing scalable deployment while maintaining system reliability.
3Reliability
If traditional wiring is used in high temperature environments, then electrical connections are established, but the wiring becomes vulnerable to thermal damage and interconnect failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces temperature-sensitive wire connections with electromagnetic field communication that is inherently more resistant to thermal effects. The electromagnetic signals can penetrate and operate in high temperature environments without the physical degradation that plagues traditional wiring systems.
4Ease of operation
If bulky wiring is used to reach difficult-to-access sensor locations, then signal transmission is achieved, but the cable volume, weight, and cost exceed practical limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates heavy cable infrastructure by using electromagnetic field communication to reach sensors in difficult-to-access locations. The electromagnetic signals can penetrate machine structures and reach remote sensors without requiring physical cable routing, dramatically reducing system weight while maintaining signal transmission capability.
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
The system reduces wiring complexity, weight, and cost while enhancing reliability and scalability by confining electromagnetic signals within waveguides, allowing for more nodes and sensors without significant performance compromise.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of waveguides configured to confine transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes
Implementation Method 2
the dielectric disk is configured to generate a plurality of acoustic pressure waves to mechanically vibrate the capacitively coupled membrane responsive to the pulse train broadcast through the first waveguide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes (68a, 68b) distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes (68a, 68b) is operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals (86). A controller (66) is operable to communicate with the network of nodes (68a, 68b) through the electromagnetic signals (86). A plurality of waveguides (70-73; 202; 222; 242) is configured to confine transmission of the electromagnetic signals (86) between the controller (66) and one or more of the nodes (68a. 68b). A radio frequency antenna (206) is coupled to a first end of a first waveguide (202; 222; 242) of the plurality of waveguides (70-73; 202; 222; 242). A radio frequency transceiver (204) is coupled between the controller (66) and the radio frequency antenna (206). A capacitively coupled membrane (208) at a second end of the first waveguide (202; 222; 242) is configured to establish communication between the first waveguide (202; 222; 242) and at least one node of the plurality of nodes (68a, 68b).