System for transferring power and/or data through a non-ferrous skin of a vehicle

A method for aligning, moving and removing a magnetically attached module with respect to an external surface of a non-ferrous vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing a transducer coupled to the magnetically attached module, the first transducer including at least one of a piezoelectric transducer or a magnetic transducer and positioned on the external surface of the non-ferrous vehicle, the transducer configured to deform the external surface of the vehicle and to convert a deformation of the external surface of the vehicle into electrical energy;
• providing a cushion of air between a bottom surface of the magnetically attached module and the external surface of the vehicle to reduce magnetic force and thereby separate the magnetically attached module and the transducer from the vehicle;
• and
• using the cushion of air to move and position the magnetically attached module and the transducer at a desired location on the external surface of the vehicle without damaging the external surface of the vehicle.

A system for attaching a device to an exterior of a vehicle, subsequently operating the device and transferring electrical power, data or both from an interior of the vehicle to the device on the exterior of the vehicle, the system comprising:

• a first module suitable for disposition on an external surface of the vehicle;
• a first magnet arrangement attached to the first module, the first magnet arrangement configured to be adjacent to the external surface of the vehicle;
• a second module suitable for disposition on an internal surface of the vehicle;
• and
• a second magnet arrangement attached to the second module, the second magnet arrangement configured to be adjacent to the internal surface of the vehicle;
• wherein the first magnet arrangement and the second magnet arrangement are selected in combination to provide sufficient magnetic attraction therebetween to maintain the first module at a fixed position on the external surface of the vehicle by overcoming an air load force when the vehicle is in motion;
• a first transducer coupled to the first module, the first transducer including at least one of a piezoelectric transducer or a magnetic transducer and positioned on the external surface of the vehicle;
• and
• a second transducer coupled to the second module, the second transducer including at least one of a piezoelectric transducer or a magnetic transducer and positioned on the internal surface of the vehicle;
• wherein each of the first transducer and the second transducer is configured to deform the internal and external surfaces of the vehicle and to convert a deformation of the internal or the external surface of the vehicle into electrical energy, thereby providing a bidirectional signaling path between the first transducer and the second transducer for transferring electrical power;
• wherein at least a portion of vehicle skin is made of a non-ferrous material,
• wherein the non-ferrous skin of the vehicle includes a passage arranged to receive a conductor therethrough, the conductor being configured to provide a secondary bidirectional path between the first module and the second module for transfer of data, electrical power or both.