US5701121A — Transducer and interrogator device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 117 words

A passive actuator device for supplying power to an external device in response to an impinging magnetic powering field, comprising: an inductive coil adapted to receive a magnetic powering field transmitted from an interrogator, said coil providing an induced powering signal when in the presence of the magnetic field, a first portion of said powering signal supplying power to said actuator device, a plurality of output terminals for connection to the external device, and a circuit operable upon being energized by the first portion of the powering signal to provide selectively a further portion of said powering signal as supply power to at least one of said output terminals to thereby supply power to the external device.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 117 words

A passive actuator device for supplying power to an external device in response to an impinging magnetic powering field, comprising: an inductive coil adapted to receive a magnetic powering field transmitted from an interrogator, said coil providing an induced powering signal when in the presence of the magnetic field, a first portion of said powering signal supplying power to said actuator device, a plurality of output terminals for connection to the external device, and a circuit operable upon being energized by the first portion of the powering signal to provide selectively a further portion of said powering signal as supply power to at least one of said output terminals to thereby supply power to the external device.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 55 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inductive coil is adapted to receive data via a modulated magnetic field and wherein the actuator device further comprises: a circuit coupled to said inductive coil and adapted to extract the data received by said inductive coil, wherein said data includes command and/or informational signals.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 57 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said circuit includes a switch coupled to said inductive coil; and wherein said circuit is operable to determine if the data constitutes a valid command and, upon receipt of the valid command, activate said switch to provide the further portion of the powering signal to the external device.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said inductive coil and said circuit are adapted to obtain the powering signal and the data from a single modulated magnetic field.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 14 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said switch comprises a transistor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additional supply power is sourced from a tap on said coil.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: driver means for providing information, status and/or code signals to said coil for transmission to said interrogator.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 55 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising rectifer means coupled between one end of said coil and a reference potential, said driver means being coupled to said coil between said one end of said coil and its other end wherein said coil is adapted to transmit said information, status and/or code signals.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 1, including means for dissipating any unused powering signal.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 32 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising modulator means adapted to modulate said powering signal with data, status and/or information signals for transmission via said coil to said interrogator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said modulator means utilizes coupled impedance signalling.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said modulator means utilizes shunting of a capacitor coupled to said coil, said shunting being synchronous with said powering signal.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 137 words

A passive actuator device adapted to be influenced by a magnetic field that is transmitted from an interrogator and that is modulated in accordance with a data communication, said device comprising: receiver means including an inductive coil adapted to receive the magnetic field and provide an induced powering signal when in the presence of the magnetic field, a first portion of said powering signal providing a source of power to said actuator device, logic means coupled to said receiver means and adapted to demodulate the powering signal to thereby extract the data communication, said logic means being further adapted to provide a control signal in accordance with the data communication, and switch means responsive to said control signal and being adapted to direct a further portion of said powering signal to an external electric or electromechanical device.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 137 words

A passive actuator device adapted to be influenced by a magnetic field that is transmitted from an interrogator and that is modulated in accordance with a data communication, said device comprising: receiver means including an inductive coil adapted to receive the magnetic field and provide an induced powering signal when in the presence of the magnetic field, a first portion of said powering signal providing a source of power to said actuator device, logic means coupled to said receiver means and adapted to demodulate the powering signal to thereby extract the data communication, said logic means being further adapted to provide a control signal in accordance with the data communication, and switch means responsive to said control signal and being adapted to direct a further portion of said powering signal to an external electric or electromechanical device.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 13, wherein the actuator is mounted on a rolling stock railway wagon and the external device is a solenoid.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 14, further comprising sensing means adapted to provide information regarding door operation to said actuator.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 30 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 13 wherein in response to said control signal, said logic means provides a command signal to provide a controlling function on said external device.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 31 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 13 or 16, further comprising: transmitter means coupled to said logic means, said transmitter means being adapted to transmit second data to the interrogator.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

An actuator device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second data includes information received from the external device.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 16 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 13, wherein said inductive coil is a single inductive coil.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 35 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 19, wherein the actuator is mounted on a rolling stock railway wagon and the external device is a solenoid operated pneumatic valve operable to open doors on said wagon.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 21 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 20, further comprising sensing means adapted to provide information regarding door operation to said actuator.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 19, wherein the further portion of said powering signal is sourced from a tap on said inductive coil.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 16 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 19, further including means for dissipating any unused powering signal.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 37 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 19, wherein the powering signal has a frequency and wherein said inductive coil is tuned by shunting of a capacitor, the shunting being synchronous with the frequency of said powering signal.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 30 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 19, wherein in response to said control signal, said logic means provides a command signal to provide a controlling function on said external device.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 15 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 25, wherein said data includes command and/or informational signals.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 30 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 19 or 25, further comprising transmitter means coupled to said logic means, said transmitter means being adapted to transmit data signals to the interrogator.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 34 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 19 or 25, further comprising modulator means adapted to modulate said powering signal with data, status and/or information signals for transmission by said inductive coil to the interrogator.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 15 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 28, wherein said modulator means utilizes coupled impedance signalling.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 28 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 28, wherein said modulator means utilizes shunting of a capacitor coupled to said coil, said shunting being synchronous with said powering signal.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 20 words

An actuator as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein said data signals include information received from the external device.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 217 words

A system for remote actuation of an external device, comprising: a passive actuator device and an inductive powering device adapted to remotely power said actuator device, said powering device generating a first near field, a first far field, a second near field and a second far field, said passive actuator device comprising: an inductive coil adapted to extract power from said near fields when in relatively close proximity to said powering device and to thereby provide a powering signal, wherein said actuator device is configured such that a first portion of the powering signal supplies electrical power used by said actuator device, and a circuit operable upon being energized by the first portion of the powering signal to provide selectively a further portion of the powering signal as supply power to the external device, and said powering device comprising: a field generating means having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted to generate the first fields, the second portion being adapted to generate the second fields, wherein: the first portion generates the first far field substantially antiphase with respect to the second far field generated from the second portion such that the first far field and the second far field substantially cancel each other at a predetermined distance from the generating means.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 217 words

A system for remote actuation of an external device, comprising: a passive actuator device and an inductive powering device adapted to remotely power said actuator device, said powering device generating a first near field, a first far field, a second near field and a second far field, said passive actuator device comprising: an inductive coil adapted to extract power from said near fields when in relatively close proximity to said powering device and to thereby provide a powering signal, wherein said actuator device is configured such that a first portion of the powering signal supplies electrical power used by said actuator device, and a circuit operable upon being energized by the first portion of the powering signal to provide selectively a further portion of the powering signal as supply power to the external device, and said powering device comprising: a field generating means having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being adapted to generate the first fields, the second portion being adapted to generate the second fields, wherein: the first portion generates the first far field substantially antiphase with respect to the second far field generated from the second portion such that the first far field and the second far field substantially cancel each other at a predetermined distance from the generating means.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system as claimed in claim 32, wherein each of the first and second near fields are substantially undiminished by the presence of the other of the first and second near fields.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 17 words

A system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the first and second portions each comprise a coil.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 41 words

A system as claimed in claim 34, wherein said first and second portions are located along opposite sides of a railway line and are spaced along the railway line by a distance approximately equal to the length of a railway wagon.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 17 words

A system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the first and second portions each comprise a coil.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 41 words

A system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said first and second portions are located along opposite sides of a railway line and are spaced along the railway line by a distance approximately equal to the length of a railway wagon.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 37 words

A system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the actuator is mounted on a rolling stock railway wagon and the external device is a solenoid, further wherein the powering device is located at a wagon unloading terminus.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 16 words

A system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said inductive coil is a single inductive coil.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-12-22	2001-06-23	2001-12-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-12-22	2005-06-23	2005-12-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-12-22	2009-06-23	2009-12-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Transducer and interrogator device

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