Abstract: A radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a controller configured to output a radio frequency signal, and at least one connected node configured to output a node signal indicative of monitored parameter of a machine. The radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a waveguide and a radio frequency interface module. The waveguide is in signal communication with the controller and is configured to guide the radio frequency signal toward the at least one connected node. The radio frequency interface module is configured to establish signal communication between the controller and the at least one connected node, and includes at least one detachable portion configured to detach from the at least one waveguide.

Abstract: A system includes a network of nodes. A controller of the system is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through one or more electromagnetic signals. A plurality of waveguides is configured to guide transmission of the one or more electromagnetic signals. A radio frequency transceiver is configured to establish communication between the controller and a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. A membrane is configured to support communication between the first waveguide and at least one node of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for signal communication. This signal communication apparatus includes a waveguide with an internal channel. The internal channel includes a plurality of channel segments interconnected at a junction. The waveguide includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface partially form a peripheral boundary of the internal channel at the junction. The first surface meets the second surface at a first corner. The first surface is angularly offset from the second surface by an obtuse angle.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a housing including a first component providing an AC signal into an input cable. The input cable extends to an input conductive plate. The input conductive plate is in contact with a dielectric plate, and an output conductive plate is attached to an opposed side of the dielectric plate. The output connective plate extends to an output cable extending to a second component, such that a capacitance based connection is provided between the input and output cables, to communicate from first component sensor to the second component.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a radio frequency transceiver, a first antenna coupled to the radio frequency transceiver, a second antenna coupled to one or more sensor nodes, and a controller coupled to the radio frequency transceiver. The controller is configured to select at least one sensor node to interrogate, transmit one or more interrogation frequencies from the radio frequency transceiver through the first antenna to the second antenna, receive one or more sensor frequencies at the first antenna broadcast from the second antenna based on a frequency response of the at least one sensor node to the one or more interrogation frequencies, and determine one or more sensed values based on the sensor frequencies received at the radio frequency transceiver through the first antenna.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through one or more radio frequencies, where the machine includes a cooler portion and a hotter portion. The system includes a means for communicating with the network of nodes using a higher frequency to communicate with one or more of the nodes in the cooler portion of the machine and a lower frequency to communicate with one or more of the nodes in the hotter portion of the machine.

Abstract: A radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a controller configured to output a radio frequency signal, and at least one connected node configured to output a node signal indicative of monitored parameter of a machine. The radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a waveguide and a radio frequency interface module. The waveguide is in signal communication with the controller and is configured to guide the radio frequency signal toward the at least one connected node. The radio frequency interface module is configured to establish signal communication between the controller and the at least one connected node, and includes at least one detachable portion configured to detach from the at least one waveguide.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a waveguide system and a radio frequency transceiver/detector coupled to the waveguide system and configured to emit a calibration signal in the waveguide system to establish a reference baseline between the radio frequency transceiver/detector and a calibration plane associated with an aperture of the waveguide system, emit a measurement signal in the waveguide system to transmit a radio frequency signal from the radio frequency transceiver/detector out of the aperture of the waveguide system, and detect a reflection of the measurement signal at the radio frequency transceiver/detector based on an interaction between the measurement signal and a component of the machine. A measurement result of the reflection of the measurement signal can be adjusted with respect to a reflection of the calibration signal.

Abstract: A multi-mode microwave waveguide blade sensing system includes a transceiver, a waveguide, and a probe sensor. The transceiver generates a microwave energy signal having a first waveguide mode and a different second waveguide mode. The waveguide includes a first end that receives the microwave energy signal. The probe sensor includes a proximate end that receives the microwave energy signal from the transceiver and a distal end including an aperture that outputs the microwave energy signal. The probe sensor directs the microwave energy signal at a first direction based on the first waveguide mode and a different second direction different based on the second waveguide mode. The probe sensor receives different levels of reflected microwave energy based at least in part on a location at which the at least one microwave energy signal is reflected from the machine.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine, a controller, and a power extraction system within at least one of the nodes. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through one or more radio frequencies. The controller is configured to communicate with the network of nodes by transmitting the one or more radio frequencies through one or more waveguides. The power extraction system is configured to extract power from the one or more radio frequencies as a first power source, extract power from a second power source, and provide power to one or more components of the system based on power extracted from either or both of the first power source and the second power source.

Abstract: A radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a controller configured to output a radio frequency signal, and at least one connected node configured to output a node signal indicative of monitored parameter of a machine. The radio frequency waveguide communication system includes a waveguide and a radio frequency interface module. The waveguide is in signal communication with the controller and is configured to guide the radio frequency signal toward the at least one connected node. The radio frequency interface module is configured to establish signal communication between the controller and the at least one connected node, and includes at least one detachable portion configured to detach from the at least one waveguide.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a radio frequency transceiver, a first antenna coupled to the radio frequency transceiver, a second antenna coupled to one or more sensor nodes, and a controller coupled to the radio frequency transceiver. The controller is configured to select at least one sensor node to interrogate, transmit one or more interrogation frequencies from the radio frequency transceiver through the first antenna to the second antenna, receive one or more sensor frequencies at the first antenna broadcast from the second antenna based on a frequency response of the at least one sensor node to the one or more interrogation frequencies, and determine one or more sensed values based on the sensor frequencies received at the radio frequency transceiver through the first antenna.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. A means is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through one or more electromagnetic signals. A plurality of waveguides is configured to guide transmission of the one or more electromagnetic signals. A radio frequency antenna is coupled to a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. A radio frequency transceiver is coupled between the means and the radio frequency antenna. A membrane is configured to support communication between the first waveguide and at least one node of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine, a controller, and a plurality of waveguides. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through one or more radio frequencies, where the machine includes a cooler portion and a hotter portion. The controller is operable to communicate with the network of nodes using a higher frequency to communicate with one or more of the nodes in the cooler portion of the machine and a lower frequency to communicate with one or more of the nodes in the hotter portion of the machine. The waveguides are configured to guide transmission of the one or more radio frequencies between the controller and one or more of the nodes.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a housing including a first component providing an AC signal into an input cable. The input cable extends to an input conductive plate. The input conductive plate is in contact with a dielectric plate, and an output conductive plate is attached to an opposed side of the dielectric plate. The output connective plate extends to an output cable extending to a second component, such that a capacitance based connection is provided between the input and output cables, to communicate from first component sensor to the second component.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate using a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the nodes using electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides configured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extracted from at least one of the electromagnetic signals when a signal-to-noise ratio is above a threshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured to use energy stored in an onboard energy storage system when the signal-to-noise ratio is below the threshold.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through the electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides configured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to receive a portion of the electromagnetic signals in a first waveguide and boost a transmission characteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals in a second waveguide.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. A means is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through one or more electromagnetic signals. A plurality of waveguides is configured to guide transmission of the one or more electromagnetic signals. A radio frequency antenna is coupled to a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. A radio frequency transceiver is coupled between the means and the radio frequency antenna. A membrane is configured to support communication between the first waveguide and at least one node of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a radio frequency transceiver, a first antenna coupled to the radio frequency transceiver, a second antenna coupled to one or more sensor nodes, and a controller coupled to the radio frequency transceiver. The controller is configured to select at least one sensor node to interrogate, transmit one or more interrogation frequencies from the radio frequency transceiver through the first antenna to the second antenna, receive one or more sensor frequencies at the first antenna broadcast from the second antenna based on a frequency response of the at least one sensor node to the one or more interrogation frequencies, and determine one or more sensed values based on the sensor frequencies received at the radio frequency transceiver through the first antenna.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through the electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides configured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to receive a portion of the electromagnetic signals in a first waveguide and boost a transmission characteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals in a second waveguide.