Radio frequency interface to sensor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12431925-B2
Application number	US-202217689095-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 8, 2022
Priority date	Oct 5, 2020
Publication date	Sep 30, 2025
Grant date	Sep 30, 2025

Abstract

A radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a controller configured to output a radio frequency signal, and at least one connected node configured to output a node signal indicative of monitored parameter of a machine. The radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a waveguide and a radio frequency interface module. The waveguide is in signal communication with the controller and is configured to guide the radio frequency signal toward the at least one connected node. The radio frequency interface module is configured to establish signal communication between the controller and the at least one connected node, and includes at least one detachable portion configured to detach from the at least one waveguide.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A radio frequency waveguide communication system, comprising:
a controller configured to communicate using a radio frequency signal;
at least one connected node configured to output a node signal indicative of a monitored parameter of a machine;
at least one waveguide operatively coupled between the controller and the at least one connected node to guide the radio frequency signal;
a radio frequency interface module configured to receive the node signal and to communicate with the controller using the radio frequency signal, the radio frequency interface including at least one detachable portion configured to detach from the at least one waveguide.

2. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency interface module is configured to generate a data signal based on the radio frequency signal and to send the data signal to the at least one connected node.

3. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 2 , wherein the radio frequency interface module is configured to generate a radio frequency signal based on the node signal and send the generated radio frequency signal to the controller.

4. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 3 , wherein the radio frequency interface module comprises:
a node configured to generate the data signal; and
a radio frequency adapter including the at least one detachable portion.

5. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 4 , wherein the smart node comprises:
at least one antenna; and
a transceiver processor configured to generate the data signal based on the radio frequency signal, the data signal being compatible with the at least one connected node and to generate a radio frequency signal based on the node signal.

6. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one antenna and the transceiver processor are disposed on a printed circuit board disposed in the conduit of the at least one waveguide.

7. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 4 , wherein the radio frequency adapter comprises:
an adapter housing configured to support a wiring network including one or more lead wires;
a sub-flange configured to couple the adapter housing to the distal end of the conduit; and
an interface node including an adapter end configured to communicate with the adapter housing and a node end configured to establish connection to the at least one connected node.

8. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 7 , wherein the interface sensor node includes at least one wire lead pathway configured to convey a lead wire from the adapter end to the node end.

9. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one lead wire includes a first wire end in signal communication with the transceiver and an opposing second end in signal communication with the at least one connected node.

10. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 7 , wherein the interface sensor node, the adapter housing, and the sub-flange are fabricated as a single integral component such that the radio frequency adapter is configured to detach completely from the at least one waveguide.

11. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 7 , wherein the interface sensor node, the adapter housing, and the sub-flange are separate individual components, and wherein the interface sensor node is configured to detach from the adapter housing.

12. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 9 , wherein the second end is connected to an intermediate connector interposed between the radio frequency adapter and the at least one connected node.

13. The radio frequency waveguide communication system of claim 12 , wherein the intermediate connector includes a first connector end that establishes signal communication with the node interface and an opposing second connector end that establishes signal communication with the at least one connected node.

14. A radio frequency interface module comprising:
at least one detachable portion configured to detach from at least one waveguide; and
a smart node configured to generate a data signal based on a radio frequency signal and to send the data signal to at least one connected node, the smart node comprising:
at least one antenna; and
a transceiver processor configured to convert the radio frequency signal into the data signal compatible with the at least one connected node,
wherein the at least one antenna and the transceiver processor are disposed on a printed circuit board.

15. The radio frequency interface module of claim 14 , wherein the printed circuit board is disposed in a conduit of the at least one waveguide, and
wherein the transceiver is configured to convert the node signal into the radio frequency signal.

16. The radio frequency interface module of claim 15 , further comprising:
a smart node configured to generate the data signal; and
a radio frequency adapter including the at least one detachable portion.

17. The radio frequency interface module of claim 16 , wherein the at least one antenna and the transceiver processor are formed on a printed circuit board disposed within the conduit of the at least one waveguide.

18. The radio frequency interface module of claim 15 , wherein the radio frequency adapter comprises:
an adapter housing configured to support a wiring network including one or more lead wires;
a sub-flange configured to couple the adapter housing to the distal end of the conduit; and
an interface sensor node including an adapter end configured to establish connection to the adapter housing and a node end configured to establish connection to the at least one connected node.

19. The radio frequency interface module of claim 18 , wherein the interface sensor node includes at least one wire lead pathway configured to convey a lead wire from the adapter end to the node end.

20. The radio frequency interface module of claim 19 , wherein the at least one lead wire includes a first wire end in signal communication with the transceiver and an opposing second end in signal communication with the at least one connected node.

Assignees

• Rtx Corp

Inventors

• Gilson Jonathan
• Mantese Joseph V
• Gok Gurkan
• Djuknic Goran
• Wood Coy Bruce
• Wysocki Joseph B
• Needham John A

Classifications

• H04B1/40

  Circuits · CPC title

• H04B1/02

  Transmitters · CPC title

• G07C5/0816

  Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction · CPC title

• H04B1/10 Primary

  Means associated with receiver for limiting or suppressing noise or interference · CPC title

• H04B3/52 Primary

  Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides · CPC title