Rotating Interface Power and Control Signal Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems require multiple slip rings to provide power and control to rotating components like aircraft propeller blades, leading to increased complexity and poor functionality in noisy environments due to the need for complicated digital signal modulation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a control unit and a distributor unit that utilizes power transitions within a power signal to generate output signals, where the distributor unit is rotatably coupled with the control unit and powered by the same signal to provide power and control, reducing the need for multiple slip rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple slip rings are used to provide power and control to rotating components, then power and control transmission is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate control signals into a single modulated power signal that is transmitted through one slip ring. The control unit modulates the power signal to encode multiple control channels, which are then demodulated at the distributor unit to recover the individual control signals. This merging approach eliminates the need for multiple slip rings while maintaining reliable power and control transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The single power signal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power to the distributor unit and encodes multiple control signals for different deicing zones. The modulated power signal acts as both a power carrier and a communication medium, allowing the system to perform power transmission and control signaling through a single interface rather than requiring separate dedicated lines for each function.
2Device complexity
If digital signal modulation is used to reduce slip rings, then the number of slip rings is reduced, but system complexity and noise susceptibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor unit is powered directly from the modulated power signal itself, eliminating the need for a separate power line. The power signal serves dual purposes: providing power to the distributor unit and carrying the control information. This self-service approach reduces the number of required slip rings while maintaining reliability, as the system uses its own power carrier to both energize and control the distributed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses amplitude modulation of the power signal to encode control information. By varying the amplitude of the power signal according to the control requirements, the system transmits control data through the power line itself. This parameter change approach allows for simple, robust communication that is less susceptible to noise compared to high-frequency digital modulation schemes.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system (10) operable to provide power and control through a rotating interface. The system (10) generally includes a control unit (12) and a distributor unit (14). The control unit (12) is operable to generate a power signal having a plurality of power transitions. The distributor unit (14) is operable to rotatably couple with the control unit (12), receive the power signal from the control unit (12), identify power transitions within the power signal, and generate a plurality of output signals corresponding to the identified power transitions. The distributor unit (14) is also at least substantially powered by the power signal to enable generation of the output signals.