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WO2010124165A1 - Interconnexion couplée de manière inductive et optique - Google Patents

Interconnexion couplée de manière inductive et optique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010124165A1
WO2010124165A1 PCT/US2010/032174 US2010032174W WO2010124165A1 WO 2010124165 A1 WO2010124165 A1 WO 2010124165A1 US 2010032174 W US2010032174 W US 2010032174W WO 2010124165 A1 WO2010124165 A1 WO 2010124165A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
connector assembly
connector
primary
optical
male
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2010/032174
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English (en)
Inventor
Christopher M. Baer
Lee Fredette
Stephen J. Krak
Georgeanne M. Purvinis Friend
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
Original Assignee
Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Battelle Memorial Institute Inc filed Critical Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
Publication of WO2010124165A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010124165A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G15/00—Cable fittings
    • H02G15/08—Cable junctions
    • H02G15/10—Cable junctions protected by boxes, e.g. by distribution, connection or junction boxes
    • H02G15/12—Cable junctions protected by boxes, e.g. by distribution, connection or junction boxes for incorporating transformers, loading coils or amplifiers
    • H02G15/14—Cable junctions protected by boxes, e.g. by distribution, connection or junction boxes for incorporating transformers, loading coils or amplifiers specially adapted for submarine cables
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
    • G02B6/3817—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres containing optical and electrical conductors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4246—Bidirectionally operating package structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F38/00—Adaptations of transformers or inductances for specific applications or functions
    • H01F38/14—Inductive couplings

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to the art of connectors that transmit power and data and, more particularly, to a detachable connector for a cable that transmits power and data using a non-contact inductive and/or optical coupling.
  • connections have reliability and performance issues as well.
  • small amounts of foreign matter can cause degradation of performance because fiber optic connectors have extremely precise optical alignment requirements and use light beams which are sensitive to obstruction.
  • some prior art connectors include a plug unit with one or more probes, a receptacle unit with one or more openings and a central cavity containing an optically clear dielectric fluid.
  • the plug is inserted though seals in the openings.
  • the seals tend to wear and allow the dielectric fluid to leak out of the receptacle and allow seawater to enter the receptacle.
  • the present invention is directed to an electro-optical connector assembly for use in hazardous environments.
  • the connector assembly preferably is formed with a male connector and a female connector.
  • the male connector includes a first window, a probe having an outer surface with a latch finger slot, a main body having an outer surface with a grip area and an intermediate tapered surface connecting the outer surface of the probe to the outer surface of the main body.
  • the female connector includes a second window and a hollow, generally cylindrical housing having an inner axial bore with an alignment cone adapted to receive the tapered surface of the male connector.
  • the female connector also has a main body having an outer surface with a grip area and a set of latch fingers adapted to engage the latch finger slot.
  • the connector assembly also includes a power transfer coupling that is formed with a loosely coupled transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding adapted to be arranged in close proximity so that electrical power may be transmitted across the electro-optical connector assembly.
  • a data transfer coupling in the connection assembly includes a laser diode for generating a light beam adapted to carry data, optics for collimating the light beam emitting from the diode and directing the beam through the first and second windows, and a lens for directing the light beam on a detecting photodiode.
  • an alignment device is provided for aligning the primary and secondary windings and the optical windows.
  • the primary and secondary windings are concentrically arranged, thus obviating the need for an alignment device.
  • the optical coupling in the second embodiment includes a single window in each coupling part and also does not need an alignment device.
  • Figure 1 is an isometric view of an inductively and optically coupled connector assembly in a disengaged configuration
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the connector assembly of
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an inductive power transfer coupling in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic view of an optical data coupling in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 5 shows a cross-section of a connector assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein an optical transfer occurs in the radial direction and a power transfer occurs in the axial direction;
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative connector assembly wherein the primary part of a transformer is located radially within an optical assembly in a male connector:
  • Figure 7 shows a cross-section of a loosely coupled transformer with a flat axial core-to-core interface
  • FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a loosely coupled transformer with an angled axial core-to-core interface
  • Figure 9 shows a cross-section of a loosely coupled transformer with a combination radial and axial core-to-core interface
  • Figure 10 shows a cross-section of a loosely coupled transformer with a radial core-to-core interface
  • Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical assembly shown in Figure 5;
  • Figure 12 shows the details of an optical assembly as shown in
  • Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a transfer coupling having a transformer which transmits power radially and an optical coupling that transmits data in the axial direction;
  • Figure 14 shows a coupling with an optical assembly located radially within a transformer assembly in a male connector part
  • Figure 15 shows a loosely coupled transformer with a radial core-to-core interface
  • Figure 16 shows a loosely coupled transformer with overlapping C cores and a radial core interface
  • Figure 17 shows a loosely coupled transformer with a radial core-to-core interface
  • Figure 18 shows a loosely coupled transformer with overlapping C cores and a radial core-to-core interface
  • Figure 19 shows a loosely coupled transformer with radial and axial core-to-core interface
  • Figure 20 shows the primary and secondary windings of an overlapping C core
  • Figure 21 shows the overlapping for primary and secondary cores of a loosely coupled transformer having a curved shape
  • Figure 22 shows the details of an optical coupling having one window
  • Figure 23 shows the details of an optical coupling employing two windows
  • Figure 24 is an exploded view of a loosely coupled transformer with concentric windings.
  • an electro-optical connector assembly 20 for use in hazardous environments, such as deep sea conditions, that preferably includes both electrical and optical coupling in accordance with the invention.
  • Connector assembly 20 is a mechanical connect and disconnect device enabling a cable 24 to be connected to another cable 26 in a detachable manner.
  • Connector assembly 20 is based on current industry practice for wet mate connectors but, unlike current connectors, incorporates the novel aspects of a preferred embodiment of the invention as set forth below.
  • Connector assembly 20 may transmit both power and data. The power is transmitted across connector assembly 20 through a non-contact inductive transfer coupling 30 depicted in Figure 3. Data transfer occurs either by inductive data transfer coupling (not shown) or an optical data transfer coupling 34 as depicted in Figure 4.
  • connector 20 includes a male connector 36 adapted to mate with a female connector 38.
  • Male connector 36 has a main housing 42 located at a proximal end 44 and a cylindrical probe 46 at a distal end 48.
  • Main housing 42 is preferably attached to cable 24 and is preferably formed with two opposing depressions 50, e.g., four- inch long rectangular depressions, constituting a grip area 51 that is designed to receive standard grippers of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) (not shown).
  • An intermediate section 52 connects main housing 42 to cylindrical probe 46 and has a tapered surface 54 having an associated circumference that diminishes evenly from main housing 42 to cylindrical probe 46.
  • ROV remotely operated vehicle
  • cylindrical probe 46 has a circumferentially extending latch finger slot 56 and a radially extending alignment pin 58.
  • Female connector 38 has an outer housing 60 located at a proximal end 62 and a cylindrical receptacle 64 at a distal end 66. Outer housing 60 is attached to cable 26 and is preferably formed with two opposing depressions 70, e.g., four-inch long rectangular depressions, constituting a grip area 72 that is designed to receive standard grippers of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) (again not shown).
  • a collar 74 is formed at distal end 66 of female connector 38 with a central cavity 78 having an inner surface 80. Inner surface 80 includes an alignment cone 82 shaped to match tapered surface 54 of intermediate section 52 of male connector 36.
  • a longitudinally extending alignment slot 84 is formed in inner surface 80, while a pair of diametrically opposed latch fingers 86 extends from inner surface 80.
  • a gripper (not shown) extending from a remotely operated submersible vehicle (not shown) may manipulate each of the male and female connectors 36, 38.
  • Connector assembly 20 incorporates a self- aligning design which helps guide male and female connectors 36, 38 and helps avoid binding.
  • connectors 36, 38 When brought together, connectors 36, 38 must be rotated so that alignment pin 58 engages alignment slot 84, which ensures that connectors 36, 38 have the proper relative rotational orientation so as to align optical data coupling 34 as depicted in Figure 4.
  • latch fingers 86 extend within latch finger slot 56.
  • Fingers 86 allow the two connectors 36, 38 of connector assembly 20 to engage with a low force of less than 50 lbs during connect and disconnect operations but will also resist breaking when a high force, which can easily exceed 3000 lbs. is applied in tension through connected cables 24, 26 under operating conditions.
  • Power transfer coupling 30 includes a primary part 88 and a secondary part 89 of a loosely coupled transformer 90 including a primary winding 92 in one of connectors 36, 38 and a secondary winding 93 located m the other one of connectors 36, 38.
  • transformer 90 is physically separable.
  • Primary and secondary windings 92, 93 are arranged in close proximity when male and female connectors 36, 38 are mated together.
  • the transformer design is conical or cylindrical in shape to aid in mechanical alignment when male and female connectors 36, 38 are interconnected.
  • Power is initially provided from a source 94 located at either a beginning of one of cables 24, 26 or along the length of a respective cable 24 ? 26. Power is transmitted along cable 24 to a primary power converter 95, which applies conditioned power to primary winding 92 of transformer 90.
  • Primary power converter 95 is preferably of a resonance-type converter which functions to loosely couple transformer 90 by canceling the negative effects in the inherent leakage inductance.
  • control circuitry 96 for primary power converter 95 automatically adjusts the operating frequency to track the resonant frequency.
  • the frequency-tracking feature is able to accommodate for changes in the resonant frequency caused by component tolerances, transformer spacing and alignment, load demands and temperature. Phase-locked loop techniques may also be employed to provide closed-loop, auto adjustment control of the operating frequency for primary power converter 95.
  • connector assembly 20 includes an insertion detector 100 to determine when male and female connectors 36, 38 are fully engaged to one another.
  • Inductive power transfer coupling 30 is able to prevent power loss by not transmitting power across gap 97 unless male and female connectors 36, 38 are fully engaged.
  • one or more permanent magnets 102 are provided on male connector 36, while one or more hall sensors 104 are placed on female connector 38. Once male and female connectors 36, 38 are fully engaged, hall sensors 104 detect the presence of permanent magnets 102 and enable primary power converter 95 to transfer power across loosely coupled transformer 90.
  • control circuit 96 is modified to measure the reluctance of loosely coupled transformer 90. Control circuit 96 is modified to detect when the measured reluctance exceeds a predetermined threshold. When male and female connectors 36, 38 arc fully engaged, the measured reluctance will pass the threshold and control circuit 96 will activate primary power converter 95.
  • data 105 is preferably transferred across connector assembly 20 by use of either an inductive coupling or an optical coupling.
  • data 105 may be transferred across gap 97 by using the same loosely coupled transformer 90 as that used by inductive transfer coupling 30 or by use of a separate transformer coupling (not shown).
  • optical data transfer coupling 34 is used and data 105 is transferred through a first window 1 12 and a second window 1 14 that are aligned when male and female connectors 36, 38 are connected.
  • a data signal is superimposed onto the power waveform applied to loosely coupled transformer 90.
  • Optical transfer of data 105 across connector 20 uses a separate first optical communications channel 115 that is independent of inductive power transfer coupling 30.
  • Optical communications channel 115 transfers data 105 in one direction and a second optica] channel 116 transfers data 105 in another direction, although channels 115, 1 16 share some structure.
  • an optical assembly 1 17 in male connector 36 is separable from an optical assembly 1 18 in female connector 38.
  • first optical channel 1 15 includes an optical transmitter 120 that is driven by an electrical data signal 122.
  • optical transmitter 120 is attached to a conventional set of wires 123 that transmits electrical data signal 122 along cable 24.
  • Electrical data signal 122 activates a laser or photodiode 126 that generates light 128 in the form of a laser beam 130.
  • Photodiode 126 preferably transmits laser beam 130 at visible wavelengths corresponding to a blue color as such wavelengths exhibit minimized absorption compared to other light wavelengths. However, other visible or infrared wavelengths may also be used effectively.
  • light 128 passes through transmission optics 131 that are designed to collimate light 128 which is directed out of male connector 36 toward female connector 38. More specifically, beam 130 carries an optical signal 132 corresponding to electrical data signal 122 through a beam splitter 133 and then through window 1 12 located in male connector 36. Beam 130 then travels across gap 97 and through window 114 in female connector 38.
  • Gap 97 between windows 1 12, 1 14 ensures that windows 112, 1 14 are not in contact with one another. Gap 97 may or may not contain water.
  • Beam 130 is then reflected off a beam splitter 134 and directed through receiving optics 135.
  • Receiving optics 135 focus laser beam 130 onto a receiving photodiode 140 that converts optical signal 132 carried by laser beam 130 to an electrical signal 142.
  • Electrical signal 142 is then carried along another wire 144 starting in female connector 38 and extending further along cable 26 to some final destination.
  • Optical communication channel 116 has parts generally corresponding to optical communication channel 115.
  • Communication channel 1 16 includes a conventional set of wires 158 which transmit an electrical data signal 162 along cable 26. Electric data signal 162 activates a
  • U photodiode 166 that generates light 168 in the form of a laser beam 169.
  • Light 168 passes through transmission optics 170 that are designed to collimate light 168 and direct light 168 out of female connector 38 towards male connector 36. More specifically, beam 169 carries an optical signal 173 corresponding to electric data signal 162 through beam splitter 134 then through windows 1 14 and 112 where the light reflects off beam splitter 133 and is directed through optics 170. The light is then processed by receiver photodiode 180 and becomes an electric signal 182 which travels through loose wires 184 through cable 24.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown an alternate configuration of an underwater electrical optical connector assembly designated 20', wherein optical transfer occurs in the radial direction and power transfers occur in the axial direction.
  • Each connector 36, 38 is provided with a respective electronics cavity 200, 202.
  • primary transformer part 88 and secondary transformer part 89 are located so that power may be transferred in the axial direction between male connector 36 and female connector 38.
  • An optical assembly 1 17' of male connector 36 is able to radially transmit optical signals to be received by an annular optical assembly 1 18' of female connector 38.
  • Wire channels 250, 251 are provided to contain wires 144, 158, such as shown in Figure 4, and transmit signals from optical assembly 117' to electronics cavity 200 and from optics assembly 1 18 to electronics cavity 202.
  • wire channels 252 and 253 are provided for primary transformer 88 and secondary transformer 89, respectively.
  • Figure 6 shows a slightly different configuration of an underwater electrical optical connector assembly designated 20".
  • primary transformer part 88 and secondary transformer part 89 are arranged to transmit power in the axial direction.
  • Optical assembly 117" of male connector 36 is in an annular configuration and is arranged to radially transmit optical signals to optical assembly part 11 8" located on female connector 38.
  • Wire channels 250, 251 contain wires 144 and 158 that transmit signals for optical assembly 117" to electronics cavity 200 and from optics assembly 1 18" to electronics cavity 202.
  • Wire channel 252 is provided between primary transformer parts 88 and electronics cavity 200, and wire channel 253 is provided between secondary transformer part 89 and electronic cavity 202.
  • Figures 7-10 show various different arrangements of loosely coupled transformer 90.
  • Figure 7 discloses a loosely coupled transformer having a primary transformer part 88 and a secondary transformer part 89 in the form of a cylindrical product core with a flat axial core-to-core interface indicated at 256.
  • primary transformer part 88' and secondary transformer part 89' are formed of a cylindrical core with an angled axial core-to-core interface indicated at 258.
  • Figure 9 there is shown primary transformer part 88" and secondary transformer part 89" arranged with a cylindrical core having a radial and axial core-to-core slanted interface 260.
  • Figure 10 shows primary transformer part 88'" and secondary transformer part 89 m arranged with a cylindrical core having a radial core-to-core interface indicated at 262.
  • Figure 1 1 shows the optical details of optical assembly 1 17 ! and optical assembly 118' shown in Figure 5. More particularly, photodiode 166 is arranged to pass a beam through window 112' in a radial direction through another window 1 14', and through a lens 300 and be received by photodiode 180. Another light channel is provided with photodiode 126 sending light passing through another set of windows 112A, 114 ⁇ to a lens assembly 301 and finally to detecting photodiode 140.
  • Figure 12 shows details of the optical transfer device of Figure
  • photodiode 126 is positioned to pass light through a window 1 12" in the radial direction then through a window 1 14" to photo detector 140.
  • primary transformer 88 is located between photo detector 140 and photodiode 126.
  • Another light channel is also provided with photodiode 126 sending light passing through another set of windows 112 A, i 14A to detecting photodiode 140.
  • FIG. 13 there is shown an alternate configuration of the underwater electrical optical connector assembly designated 20'" wherein optical data transfer occurs in the axial direction and power transfer occurs in the radial direction.
  • primary transformer part 88' and secondary transformer part 89' are located so that power may be transferred in the radial direction between male connector 36 and female connector 38.
  • An optical assembly 117 of male connector 36 is able to axially transmit optical signals to proceed by optical assembly 1 18 of female connector 38.
  • Wire channels 250, 251 contain wires 144, 158 that transmit signals from optical assembly 1 17 to electronics cavity 200 and from optics assembly 1 18 to electronics cavity 202.
  • wire channels 252, 253 are provided for primary transformer 88' and secondary transformer 89'.
  • Figure 14 show r s a slightly different configuration of an underwater electrical optical connector assembly designated 20".
  • primary transformer part 88" and secondary transformer part 89' are arranged to transmit power in a radial direction.
  • Optical assembly 1 17 of male connector 36 is arranged to axially transmit optical signals between the optical assembly part 1 17 and optical assembly part 118 located on female connector 38.
  • Wire channels 250, 251 contain wires 144, 158 that transmit signals from optical assembly 117 to electronics cavity 200 and from optical assembly 118 to electronics cavity 202.
  • Wire channel 252 is provided between primary transformer part 88 and electronics cavity 200, while wire channel 253 is provided between secondary transformer part 89 and corresponding electronics cavity 202.
  • Figures 15-19 show various arrangements of the loosely coupled transformers.
  • Figure 15 shows a loosely coupled transformer having a primary transformer part 88' and a secondary transformer part 89' including a cylindrical core with a radial core-to-core interface 266.
  • primary transformer part 88'" and secondary transformer part 89"' are in the form of overlapping C-cores 267, with a radial core-to-core interface 268.
  • Figure 17 shows a cylindrical core with a radial core-to-core interface 270, wherein optics 1 17 are located radially within primary transformer part 88.
  • Figure 18 shows overlapping C-cores 271 , with a radial core-to-core interface 272 and optics 1 17 located radially inwardly of the core.
  • Figure 19 shows a primary transformer 88" and a secondary transformer core part 89" with a radial and axial core-to-core interface 274, along with optics 1 17 and 1 18 arranged to transfer information across an axial interface. Also shown are primary and secondary windings 92', 93' 192" and 193" each having a wire wrapped around a respective core 267, 271.
  • Figures 20 and 21 show isometric views of C-core transformer designs. More specifically, Figure 20 shows overlapping cores 267 and Figure 21 shows overlapping C-cores 271.
  • Figures 22 and 23 show optional arrangements for the optical connector of the present invention.
  • Figure 22 is analogous to the embodiment depicted in Figure 4, and the separate parts will not be discussed individually other than to note that dichroic reflectors 280 are used in place of beam splitters 133 and 134.
  • the use of an extra mirror in the dichroic reflectors 280 allows the detectors and transmitter to be arranged in a side-by-side configuration.
  • Figure 23 depicts a situation where two pairs of windows 282, 284 are used instead of a single window, such as shown in Figures 1 1 and 12. However, in this case, Figure 23 shows the details of an axially connecting optical interface 390.
  • loosely coupled transformer 90 is formed as a coaxial cylinder, with a circumferential gap between the inner primary half 302 and outer secondary half 304 of transformer 90.
  • Transformer 90 is physically and electrically separable in an axial direction along the circumferential gap. More specifically, an inner wire coil 306 and primary magnetic core 308 combine to form primary winding 88 formed in a cylindrical shape. An outer secondary wire coil 310 and secondary magnetic core 312 form secondary winding 89 formed in a cylindrical shape. Primary and secondary coils 306, 310 are wound onto inner and outer bobbins 314 and 316, respectively, to maintain proper form.
  • Secondary winding 89 encloses primary winding 88 in order to minimize external flux leakage and power loses to the surrounding environment.
  • the primary and secondary magnetic core pieces 308, 312 surround coils 306, 310, resulting in excellent shielding of coils 306, 310 and preventing noise coupling to and from the environment.
  • primary and secondary coils 306, 310 are arranged near each other and form a magnetic coupling when male and female connector parts 36, 38 (depicted in Figures 1 and 2) are mated.
  • the cylindrical shape of the connector parts allow transformer 90 to operate without particular radial alignment. In the radial direction, transformer 90 is omm-directional and therefore there is no requirement for an alignment pin or other radial alignment structure.
  • An alternating voltage is applied to primary coil 306.
  • primary coil 306 induces an alternating voltage in secondary coil 310. Electrical power thus crosses the circumferential gap without direct electrical contact.
  • the cylindrical shape of the detachable interconnect provides for better electrical performance versus other geometries. f ⁇ 055j
  • the coupling efficiency of a transformer depends strongly on the distance or size of the gap between the primary and secondary windings. If the gap length is maintained, position shifts along alternate axes have minor effect on coupling efficiency.
  • the coaxial design of detachable connector 20 assures an average gap length that is constant between primary and secondary cores 308, 312, Therefore, the coupling efficiency is maintained regardless of the radial alignment of the male and female connector parts 36, 38.
  • a practical amount of axial misalignment in the separable transformer 90 has little effect on the coupling efficiency. Also, scaling the power transfer rating of connector 20 is easily accomplished by changing the transformers physical geometry in only one direction. For the same diameter core pieces, the amount of power transferred by transformer 90 may be increased simply by extending its axial direction. With this arrangement, the use of fiber optics is not required and therefore the precise alignment requirements associated with fiber optic connections is eliminated. [0056] Although described with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.
  • a communications channel that is independent of the power transmitting hardware may also transmit the data.
  • the independent communications channel would use a dedicated, independent magnetic structure to inductively couple data and preferably has a transmitter circuit, a loosely coupled transformer, and a receiver circuit.
  • the transmitter circuit applies a data signal to the primary coil of the transformer.
  • the primary coil is inductively coupled to the secondary coil, which allows for data transfer.
  • a receiver circuit decodes the transferred data.
  • the electro-optical connector assembly of the invention is seen to be particularly advantageous for use in underwater, deep sea conditions, the connector assembly can also be effectively employed in other hazardous environments, including: industrial settings, particularly where explosions are a hazard as found in refineries, grain handling facilities or other facilities having explosive dusts; shallow water and buried line applications, particularly where digging would be expensive or best avoided; and nuclear facilities where connection/disconnection speed or reliability is important.
  • industrial settings particularly where explosions are a hazard as found in refineries, grain handling facilities or other facilities having explosive dusts
  • shallow water and buried line applications particularly where digging would be expensive or best avoided
  • nuclear facilities where connection/disconnection speed or reliability is important.
  • the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Optical Communication System (AREA)

Abstract

Un ensemble connecteur électro-optique sous-marin (20 ; 20' ; 20'' ; 20''') pour une utilisation dans divers environnements est formé à partir d'un connecteur mâle (36) et d'un connecteur femelle (38). L'ensemble connecteur (20 ; 20' ; 20'' ; 20''') comprend également un couplage de transfert de puissance (30) qui comporte un transformateur couplé de façon lâche (90) ayant un enroulement primaire (92) et un enroulement secondaire (93) aptes à être agencés en étroite proximité de telle sorte que la puissance électrique peut être transmise à travers l'ensemble connecteur électro-optique (20 ; 20' ; 20'' ; 20'''). Un couplage de transfert de données (34) comprend une diode laser (126) pour générer un faisceau de lumière (130) apte à transporter des données (105), des éléments optiques (131) pour collimater le faisceau de lumière (130) émis à partir de la diode (126) et diriger le faisceau (130) à travers des première et seconde fenêtres (112, 114 ; 112', 114' ; 112'', 114'') et une lentille (135) pour diriger le faisceau de lumière (130) sur une photodiode de détection (140). Un dispositif d'alignement (58) est prévu pour aligner les enroulements primaire et secondaire (92, 93) et les fenêtres optiques (112, 114 ; 112', 114' ; 112'', 114'') ou les enroulements primaire et secondaire (92, 93) sont agencés de manière concentrique, éliminant ainsi le besoin du dispositif d'alignement (58).
PCT/US2010/032174 2009-04-23 2010-04-23 Interconnexion couplée de manière inductive et optique Ceased WO2010124165A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US17208609P 2009-04-23 2009-04-23
US61/172,086 2009-04-23

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