Modular control unit and systems comprising the same
A control unit can comprise a housing and circuitry disposed within the housing. The circuitry can comprise a communications module, a memory, and a processor in communication with the memory and the communications module. A power source can be disposed within the housing. An input port that is configured to mate with a complementary output of a sensor unit that is external to the housing. The input port can be in communication with the circuitry. The input port can be configured to interface with the sensor unit.
1 . A sensing apparatus comprising:
a first sensor assembly; and
a second sensor assembly,
wherein each sensor assembly of the first and second sensor assemblies comprises:
a sensor unit; and
a control unit having:
a housing;
circuitry disposed within the housing, the circuitry comprising:
a communications module;
a memory; and
a processor in communication with the memory and the communications module;
a power source disposed within the housing; and
an input port that is configured to mate with a complementary output of the sensor unit that is external to the housing,
wherein the input port is in communication with the circuitry, and wherein the input port is configured to interface with the sensor unit, and
wherein the sensor unit is coupled to the first end of the control unit, and wherein the sensor unit comprises an output port that is in communication with the input port of the control unit,
wherein the first sensor assembly is mechanically coupled to the second sensor assembly,
wherein the first sensor assembly is not in electrical communication with the second sensor assembly.
2 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the sensor units comprises sensing instrumentation, wherein the sensing instrumentation is selected from the group consisting of: a gyroscope, an orientation sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a natural gamma detector, a magnetic susceptibility sensor, a resistivity sensor, an induced polarization sensor, and an acoustic televiewer.
3 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a supplemental battery, wherein the supplemental battery is in engagement with at least one of the control unit or the sensor unit of each of the first and second sensor assemblies.
4 . The sensing apparatus of claim 3 , each of the power source and the supplemental battery is selectively configured to be switched on and off.
5 . The sensing apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the circuitry is configured to switch the power source and the supplemental battery on and off.
6 . The sensing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the power source and the supplemental battery are electrically coupled in series.
7 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input port comprises one of:
a male port comprising pins that are configured to engage a plurality of targets of a female socket of the sensor unit; or
a female port comprising a plurality of targets that are configured to engage respective pins of a male socket of the sensor unit.
8 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one of the control unit or the sensor unit further comprises at least one gasket that forms a fluid seal between the sensor unit and the control unit, and wherein the collar surrounds the at least one gasket.
9 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input port of the control unit is configured to interface with the output port of the sensor unit only in a predetermined rotational alignment, wherein the first end of the control unit comprises an alignment feature that allows mating with the sensor unit only upon rotational alignment of a corresponding feature of the sensor unit, wherein the alignment feature of the control unit is configured for sliding engagement with the corresponding feature of the sensor unit, wherein, upon rotational alignment between the alignment feature of the control unit and the corresponding feature of the sensor unit, the input port is in the predetermined rotational alignment with the output port of the sensor unit so that axial sliding of the alignment feature of the control unit along the corresponding feature of the sensor unit effects rotationally aligned engagement of the input port with the outlet port of the sensor unit.
10 . The sensing apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the alignment feature comprises at least one surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one surface is configured to slidingly engage a corresponding at least one surface of the sensor unit extending parallel to the longitudinal axis to allow mating with the sensor unit only upon rotational alignment of the at least one surface of the assignment feature and the corresponding at least one surface of the sensor unit.
11 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the memory has instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine a type of sensor unit based on a signal received from the sensor unit.
12 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry further comprises a DC/DC converter that is configured to change the voltage based on at least one of a requirement from the sensor unit or a requirement from the communications module.
13 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the memory has instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine a depth of the control unit.
14 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the power source is a battery, wherein the battery comprises a battery management system.
15 . The sensing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to detect a property of the power source via a battery management system, wherein the circuitry is configured to establish a setting based on the property of the power source, wherein the setting is a power usage or a usage of a DC/DC converter.
16 . A system comprising:
a sensing apparatus as in claim 1 ; and
a computing device in communication with the communications module of the control unit.
17 . A system comprising:
a sensing apparatus as in claim 1 ; and
a computing device in communication with the communications module of the control unit, wherein the computing device comprises a memory and at least one processor in communication with the memory of the computing device, wherein the memory of the computing device has instructions thereon that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive data from the first control unit;
receive data from the second control unit; and
store the data from the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit so that the data from the first sensor unit is related to the data from the second sensor unit.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the system is configured to determine a relative position of the first sensor assembly with respect to the second sensor assembly.