High Reliability, Low Cost, Transmission of Data and Power Through a Magnetically Coupled Rotating Interface

Data transmission through helicopter rotating interfaces using sliprings is much less reliable than desired. WHile sliprings offer many advantages, they also have several principal disadvantages. Dropout and errors are introduced onto signals as the interfaces wear and become contaminated. In addition, misalignment of the contacting surface due to relative movement between the fixed interface and the moving interface superimposes electrical noise onto data signals. Tetra proposes a magnetically coupled interface that does not require physical contact eliminating the problems with presently used slip rings. Small misalignments between two core sections have a minimal affect on coupling. Electromagnetic interference is much lower than with current methods. Encoding techniques are used which allow the rapid transmission of numerous electrical signals (such as strain gauge, rotor shaft torque, and radar signals) in both direction across the interface. Cost of the system is minimized due to the simplicity of the magnetic interface (no mechanically moving parts) and the longevity of operation.