Smart structure with non-contact power and data interface
AssigneeSimmonds Precision Products, Inc.
InventorWilliam B. Spillman, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embedded smart structures include active electronics which control and collect data from sensors and actuators and transmit data to the exterior of a body by electromagnetic antenna radiation to a conformal power and data interrogation interface. Multiple embedded smart structures are powered and interrogated by a network of conformal powering and interrogation units. Multiple embedded sensors each having an antenna with a defined narrow band resonant frequency are powered and interrogated by a single external powering and data interrogation antenna.
Claims19
A smart structure, comprising:
- structural material forming a body,
- sensing means including at least one sensor embedded in the material of the body, wherein the sensor detects a physical condition of the body,
- a first antenna means embedded in the material of the body and connected to said embedded sensing means,
- a second antenna means exterior the body for transmitting power to said sensing means;
- and
- means exterior to the body for receiving data transmitted from said sensing means;
- wherein said embedded sensing means comprises data control means connected to said sensor and said first antenna means for transmitting said data to said exterior receiving means.
An embedded smart structure system comprising:
- structural material forming a body,
- at least two sensors embedded in the material of the body wherein each sensor operates on a physical condition of the body,
- said sensors being connected to an antenna means embedded in the material of the body and which receives a power signal for powering said sensors and which transmits data signals from each said sensor in a respective predetermined frequency band, and
- an antenna exterior to said body and positioned for electromagnetic coupling with said embedded antenna connected to said sensors,
- wherein said exterior antenna emits a broad frequency band power signal and receives transmitted data signals from said embedded antenna.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.