Wireless Engine Sensor Antenna Signal Interference Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wired engine sensor systems for turbine engines are cumbersome due to additional weight and space requirements, and prone to incorrect failure indications from wiring issues.

Innovation Solution

A wireless engine sensor system using antenna assemblies with multicore processor boards and transmitter/receiver modules to communicate data between sensors and an engine controller, and between the controller and external components, with signal interference correction capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connection is used between sensor and engine controller, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but weight and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsensor system weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the wiring and cabling from the sensor system, eliminating the physical connection between the sensor and engine controller. The sensor becomes a standalone wireless unit that communicates with the engine controller through wireless signal transmission, thereby removing the weight and space occupation of cables while maintaining data transmission functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The sensor uses a wireless transceiver to transmit data to the engine controller, substituting the mechanical cable connection with electromagnetic signal transmission, thus eliminating the need for physical wiring while maintaining reliable data communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If wired connection is used between sensor and engine controller, then stable signal transmission is achieved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission stabilityVSAvoidengine controller space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the wiring and cabling components from the engine controller assembly, extracting the physical connection infrastructure. This eliminates the space required for cable routing, connectors, and wiring harnesses, allowing the engine controller to occupy less space while maintaining stable signal transmission through wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The engine controller incorporates a wireless receiver that communicates with the sensor through electromagnetic signals, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and reducing the space required for signal transmission infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If wired connection is used, then direct data transmission is achieved, but incorrect failure indications occur due to wiring failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection accuracyVSAvoidwiring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the wiring system from the sensor assembly, making the sensor wirelessly connected to the engine controller. This eliminates the wiring failures that cause incorrect failure indications, as there are no physical cables that can disconnect or short circuit. The sensor can reliably indicate its operational status without the complexity of wired connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with wireless communication. The sensor uses wireless signal transmission to communicate with the engine controller, eliminating the wiring failures that lead to incorrect failure indications. The wireless system provides more reliable failure detection since there are no physical connections that can malfunction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Weight of moving object

If wireless communication is implemented, then weight and space are reduced, but signal interference may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor system weightVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms in the wireless communication system. The sensor and engine controller can detect signal interference and adjust transmission parameters accordingly. The system monitors signal quality and can retransmit or modify signals to overcome interference, maintaining reliable communication while benefiting from the weight and space reductions of wireless technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 weight and space requirements while minimizing incorrect failure signals, enabling reliable wireless data transmission and analysis for improved engine monitoring and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

One antenna assembly received in a sensor port of the engine controller receives/transmits information to and from the sensors. Another antenna assembly received in a component port of the engine controller receives/transmits information to and from an external component.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP1916868B1Smart wireless engine sensor
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 UNITED TECH CORP
  • EP1916868B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1916868B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1916868B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Sensors (28) are mounted to an engine (10) to detect engine conditions and send information to an engine controller (26) or other engine component through a wireless connection. Ports (30, 32) are located on the engine controller (26). An antenna assembly (40a) is plugged into one of the ports (30) and wirelessly receives the signal from the sensor (28). Another antenna assembly (40b) transmits a signal from the engine controller (26) to an external component (34). A processor (50) within the antenna assemblies (40a, 40b) monitors and adjusts the signals to correct for signal interference.