Wireless Torque Telemetry Auto-Tuning via Variable Capacitance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Torque measurement systems face challenges in maintaining accurate antenna tuning due to manufacturing variations, aging components, and changing operating conditions, leading to suboptimal power transfer and data communication between rotor and stator devices.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating microcontrollers and variable capacitive elements in both rotor and stator devices to enable automatic tuning of inductive antennas, adjusting capacitance values to refine initial tuning and optimize resonance frequencies for improved power transfer and data communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual tuning is performed at the factory, then initial antenna tuning accuracy is improved, but adaptability to varying operating conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna tuning accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to varying operating conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed manual tuning with automatic dynamic tuning. The system uses microcontrollers and variable capacitive elements to automatically adjust antenna resonance frequencies in real-time based on detected operating conditions, enabling the system to adapt dynamically to manufacturing variations, aging, and environmental changes while maintaining optimal tuning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by incorporating detection circuits that monitor antenna performance and feeding this information back to microcontrollers. The microcontrollers use this feedback to automatically adjust variable capacitive elements and optimize resonance frequencies, creating a closed-loop system that continuously maintains optimal tuning without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If fixed capacitance values are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to optimize resonance frequencies deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidresonance frequency optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically tune itself without external intervention. The microcontrollers and variable capacitive elements work together to self-optimize resonance frequencies based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for manual tuning while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If manual tuning is performed initially, then initial power transfer efficiency is improved, but sustained power transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsustained power transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static manual tuning to dynamic automatic tuning. The system continuously monitors and adjusts antenna resonance frequencies to match changing operating conditions over time, ensuring sustained optimal power transfer efficiency throughout the system's operational lifecycle rather than relying on initial factory tuning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances power transfer and data communication quality by allowing for real-time adjustments to maintain optimal tuning, even in varying environments, thereby extending the accuracy of torque measurements beyond initial factory settings.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor and stator each include an inductive antenna for bi-directional communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

adjusting capacitance values to refine initial tuning and optimize resonance frequencies for improved power transfer and data communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS8909145B2Wireless telemetry auto for torque measurement system

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A torque measurement system that includes a rotor device and a stator device can perform automatic tuning to improve the initial tuning performed during design and assembly. The stator device can include a variable capacitive element and a micro-controller configured to adjust a capacitance value of the variable capacitive element. Additionally or alternatively, the rotor device can include a variable capacitive element and a micro-controller configured to adjust a capacitance value of the variable capacitive element. The adjustment of the capacitive elements can be based on the quality of signal detected at either the rotor device or stator device.