IP Library Granted Patent US 8,305,237
Granted Patent B2
US 8,305,237 · App. 13/289,555 · Granted Nov 6, 2012

Aircraft tire pressure loop link

Assignee: Eldec Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,305,237
App. No.
13/289,555
Granted
Nov 6, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The aircraft tire pressure loop link is formed of first and second single metal loops connected by parallel spaced apart metal shafts, and provides for coupling a magnetic field between a wheel hub coil and a tire pressure sensor coil to provide electromagnetic communication between a control unit connect to the wheel hub coil and a tire pressure sensor connected to the tire pressure sensor coil. The current induced in the first single metal loop travels the distance from the edge of the wheel axle coil to the periphery of the of the wheel rim to the second single metal loop, which generates the flux in the tire pressure sensor receiver coil necessary to power the tire pressure sensor.

Claims (25)

1. An aircraft tire pressure loop link for electromagnetically coupling a magnetic field between a wheel axle and a tire pressure sensor spaced apart from the wheel axle, the aircraft tire pressure loop link comprising:

a first single metal loop configured to be mounted adjacent to the wheel axle, said first single metal loop including a magnetic flux collector insert member electrically connected and attached to said first single metal loop, said magnetic flux collector insert member being configured to collect an impinging magnetic flux from the wheel axle to induce an electrical current in said first single metal loop; and

a second single metal loop connected to said first single metal loop, said second single metal loop being configured to be mounted adjacent to the tire pressure sensor such that the electrical current induced in said first single metal loop travels to said second single metal loop, to generate flux for powering the tire pressure sensor.

2. The aircraft tire pressure loop link of claim 1 , wherein said first single metal loop is formed of a metal having low magnetic permeability.

3. The aircraft tire pressure loop link of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic flux collector insert member is formed from a metal having high magnetic permeability.

4. The aircraft tire pressure loop link of claim 3 , wherein said magnetic flux collector insert member is formed from a nickel-iron magnetic alloy.

5. The aircraft tire pressure loop link of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive connecting arms electrically connected between said first single metal loop and said second single metal loop, said pair of spaced apart electrically conductive connecting arms being configured to carry the electrical current generated in said first single metal loop from the wheel axle to said second single metal loop, said pair of spaced apart electrically conductive connecting arms having first and second parallel spaced apart metal shafts connected between said first single metal loop and said second single metal loop.

6. The aircraft tire pressure loop link of claim 1 , wherein said second single metal loop is connected to said first single metal loop through at least one shaft comprising aluminum.

7. A method of enabling communication between an airplane wheel hub and a tire pressure sensor located on a rim of an airplane wheel, and of powering the tire pressure sensor, the wheel having a wheel axle and an aircraft tire pressure loop link, the aircraft tire pressure loop link including a first single metal loop adjacent to the wheel axle and a second single metal loop adjacent to the tire pressure sensor, the first single metal loop including a magnetic flux collector insert member electrically connected and attached to the first single metal loop, the magnetic flux collector insert member being configured to collect an impinging magnetic flux from the wheel axle to induce an electrical current in the first single metal loop, the second single metal loop being electrically connected to the first single metal loop, such that the electrical current induced in the first single metal loop can travel to the second single metal loop to generate flux for powering the tire pressure sensor, the method comprising:

collecting an impinging magnetic flux from the wheel axle with the magnetic flux collector insert member of the aircraft tire pressure loop link;

inducing an electrical current in the first single metal loop;

conducting the electrical current to the second single metal loop; and

generating flux for powering the tire pressure sensor at the second single metal loop.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the electrical current has a frequency of operation of at least 135 KHz.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of conducting the electrical current comprises conducting the electrical current along a signal path connection between the wheel axle and the tire pressure sensor, the signal path connection having a low impedance, and the electrical current having a low voltage.

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of returning the electrical current from the second single metal loop to the first single metal loop.

11. A method of enabling communication between an airplane wheel hub and a tire pressure sensor located on a rim of an airplane wheel, and of powering the tire pressure sensor, the wheel having a wheel axle and an aircraft tire pressure loop link, the aircraft tire pressure loop link including a first single metal loop adjacent to the wheel axle and a second single metal loop adjacent to the tire pressure sensor, the first single metal loop including a magnetic flux collector insert member electrically connected and attached to the first single metal loop, the magnetic flux collector insert member being configured to collect an impinging magnetic flux from the wheel axle to induce an electrical current in the first single metal loop, the first single metal loop and the second single metal loop being electrically connected through a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive connecting arms configured to carry an electrical current, the pair of spaced apart electrically conductive connecting arms having first and second parallel spaced apart metal shafts connected between the first single metal loop and the second single metal loop, the method comprising:

producing a first magnetic field at the wheel axle;

collecting magnetic flux from the first magnetic field with the magnetic flux collector insert member to induce an electrical current in the first single metal loop;

conducting the electrical current to the second single metal loop through the pair of spaced apart electrically conductive connecting arms;

returning the electrical current from the second single metal loop to the first single metal loop through the pair of spaced apart electrically conductive connecting arms; and

generating a second magnetic field for powering the tire pressure sensor at the second single metal loop.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the electrical current is alternating current.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the electrical current alternates at a frequency of at least 135 KHz.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the pair of spaced apart electrically conductive connecting arms provide a signal path connection between the wheel axle and the tire pressure sensor, the signal path connection having a low impedance, and the electrical current having a low voltage.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2022
From: ELDEC CORPORATION
To: ELDEC AEROSPACE CORP.
Reel/Frame 058942/0854 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 8, 2021
From: LAMPING, JEFF; FINEFROCK, MARK
To: ELDEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058341/0198 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 12409432 · Mar 23, 2009
Provisional Application 61038556 · Mar 21, 2008
Related Publication 20120050071A1 · Mar 1, 2012