Single-wire transmission of sensor data
A hoist system includes a load attaching member a single conductor connecting the load attaching member to a hoist for raising and lowering the load attaching member and single conductor. A sensor is operatively connected to the load attaching member to sense a monitored parameter of the load attaching member. The sensor is electrically connected to a receiving module of the hoist for single wired-transmission along the single conductor from the sensor to the receiving module.
1. A hoist system comprising:
a load attaching member;
a single conductor connecting the load attaching member to a hoist for raising and lowering the load attaching member and the single conductor; and
a sensor operatively connected to the load attaching member to sense a monitored parameter of the load attaching member, wherein the sensor is electrically connected to a receiving module of the hoist for single wired-transmission along the single conductor from the sensor to the receiving module.
2. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein all power and/or data transmission between the sensor and the receiving module is conducted along the single conductor.
3. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the single conductor is connected as a monopole between the sensor and the receiving module without a second conductor completing a closed circuit between the sensor and the receiving module.
4. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the single conductor forms an open circuit between the sensor and the receiving module.
5. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to:
generate sensor data for the monitored parameter;
transform the sensor data into a wave of time-variant electrical charge densities; and
transmit the wave of time variant electrical charge densities along the single conductor.
6. The hoist system as recited in claim 5 , wherein the receiving module is configured to:
receive the wave of time variant electrical charge densities from the single conductor; and
extract the sensor data from the wave of time variant electrical charge densities.
7. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured for monitoring the monitored parameter optically.
8. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured for monitoring the monitored parameter electrically.
9. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured for monitoring one or more loads on the load attaching member as the monitored parameter.
10. The hoist system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the sensor includes a stress sensing element for sensing loads locally at the load attaching member.
11. The hoist system as recited in claim 10 , further comprising a second stress sensing element at a receiving module end of the single conductor opposite the load attaching member for sensing loads on the single conductor proximate the hoist.
12. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to generate analog sensor data.
13. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to generate digital sensor data.
14. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hoist is configured to be mounted to at least one of an aircraft, a crane, a winch, an elevator, or a suspension structure.
15. The hoist system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the receiving module is configured for health monitoring the load attaching member, single conductor, and hoist based on sensor data from the sensor.
16. An aircraft including:
an airframe; and
a hoist system including:
a load attaching member;
a single conductor connecting the load attaching member to a hoist for raising and lowering the load attaching member and the single conductor; and
a sensor operatively connected to the load attaching member to sense a monitored parameter of the load attaching member, wherein the sensor is electrically connected to a receiving module of the hoist for single wired-transmission along the single conductor from the sensor to the receiving module.
17. A method comprising:
transmitting data from a sensor configured to monitor at least one parameter of a hoist system along a cable having only a single conductor.