Wireless communication system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9905124-B2
Application number	US-201514730990-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 4, 2015
Priority date	Jun 26, 2014
Publication date	Feb 27, 2018
Grant date	Feb 27, 2018

Abstract

There is provided a wireless communication system for a marine propulsor, comprising: a transmitter; a receiver; and a waveguide, arranged to convey an electromagnetic data signal between the transmitter and the receiver; wherein the waveguide comprises an electrically non-conductive solid or liquid medium for propagating the electromagnetic data signal.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A marine propulsor comprising a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising:
a transmitter;
a receiver; and
a drive shaft defining a hollow interior, the hollow interior comprising a waveguide, arranged to convey an electromagnetic data signal between the transmitter and the receiver;
wherein the waveguide comprises an electrically non-conductive solid or liquid medium for propagating the electromagnetic data signal.

2. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , wherein the electrically non-conductive medium is a liquid comprising an oil, a grease, a gel, a foam, a fuel, or a hydrocarbon fuel.

3. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is configured for multi-mode wave propagation.

4. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is configured for single-mode wave propagation.

5. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , wherein the receiver and the transmitter are disposed at least partially in the waveguide, or wherein one of the receiver and the transmitter is disposed at least partially in the waveguide and the other of the receiver and the transmitter is disposed out of the waveguide, or wherein the receiver and the transmitter are disposed out of the waveguide.

6. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is constructed from a metal or a metal alloy.

7. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide has a generally circular cross-section, or wherein the waveguide has a generally rectangular cross-section.

8. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , wherein one or both of the receiver and the transmitter is integrally formed with and a part of the waveguide.

9. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , including a thermoelectric generator configured to power the wireless communication system.

10. The marine propulsor according to claim 9 , wherein the thermoelectric generator is configured to generate power using a temperature difference between a liquid inside the marine propulsor and water outside the marine propulsor.

11. The marine propulsor according to claim 10 , wherein the liquid inside the marine propulsor is of the same type as the electrically non-conductive liquid medium for conveying the electromagnetic data signal.

12. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , including a sensor which is configured to detect a physical parameter of the marine propulsor, the electromagnetic data signal corresponding to the physical parameter.

13. The marine propulsor according to claim 12 , wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor.

14. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , including a re-radiating element for bridging around an obstacle or a space in the propulsor to convey the electromagnetic data signal.

15. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , wherein the waveguide comprises a conventional liquid-containing component of the marine propulsor.

16. A method of operating a wireless communication system according to claim 1 , the method comprising:
determining dielectric properties of the solid or liquid medium;
propagating the electromagnetic data signal; and
adapting protocol, frequency and/or channels to suit the dielectric properties in order to optimise the quality of the electromagnetic data signal.

17. A method of determining a change in the quality of an oil in a marine propulsor, comprising the steps: providing a marine propulsor with a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising a transmitter; a receiver; and a waveguide arranged to convey an electromagnetic data signal between the transmitter and the receiver, the waveguide comprising an electrically non-conductive oil for propagating the electromagnetic data signal; monitoring a power required by the transmitter to convey the electromagnetic data signal; and identifying a change in the required power which is indicative of a change in the quality of the oil.

18. The marine propulsor according to claim 1 , further comprising an upper portion, an elongate middle portion, and a lower portion including a propeller, the upper portion and the lower portion being separated from the middle portion by internal dividing structural walls, the drive shaft extending within the upper portion, the middle portion and the lower portion.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
determining the change in the quality of the oil based on the change in the required power.

Assignees

• Rolls Royce Plc

Inventors

• Edwards Huw L
• Ong Max C Y
• Thompson Haydn A
• Watson Graham

Classifications

• H04B13/00 Primary

  Transmission systems characterised by the medium used for transmission, not provided for in groups H04B3/00 - H04B11/00 · CPC title

• B63H2005/1256

  with mechanical power transmission to propellers · CPC title

• B63H5/125

  movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction {, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters}({outboard units or Z-drives B63H20/00; } movably mounted for steering purposes only, {rudders carrying propellers} B63H25/42) · CPC title

• G01N22/00

  Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more (G01N3/00 - G01N17/00, G01N24/00 take precedence) · CPC title

• G08C17/02 Primary

  using a radio link · CPC title