TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates in general to the field of wireless sensors, and more particularly in some embodiments, to gearbox multifunctional antenna penetration for internal sensor integration.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

A rotorcraft may include one or more rotor systems including one or more main rotor systems. A main rotor system generates aerodynamic lift to support the weight of the rotorcraft in flight, and thrust to move the rotorcraft in forward flight. Another example of a rotorcraft rotor system is a tail rotor system. A tail rotor system may generate thrust in the same direction as the main rotor system's rotation to counter the torque effect created by the main rotor system. Rotorcraft include one or more engines powering the rotor systems and gearboxes are used to convert between power and torque for the engines and the rotor systems. Sensors may be disposed in one or more systems of the rotorcraft, and may provide data from real time monitoring to rotorcraft systems or to outside data collection servers for later analysis.

SUMMARY

An exemplary internal wireless sensor monitoring system includes a wireless sensor positioned inside of an enclosed housing to monitor a condition in the housing, a wireless gateway positioned outside of the housing, a gateway antenna located in the housing configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless sensor, and a conductor extending through a penetration in the housing and connecting the gateway antenna and the wireless gateway.

An exemplary rotorcraft includes a wireless sensor positioned inside of a gearbox housing, a wireless gateway positioned outside of the gearbox housing, a gateway antenna located inside of the gearbox housing configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless sensor, and a conductor extending through a penetration in the housing and connecting the gateway antenna and the wireless gateway.

An exemplary method includes transmitting data from a wireless sensor positioned inside of a gearbox housing to a gateway antenna positioned inside of the gearbox housing, communicating the data from the gateway antenna over a wired connection to a wireless gateway located outside of the gearbox housing, the wired connection passing through a penetration in the gearbox housing, and transmitting the data from the wireless gateway to a rotorcraft computer.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of claimed subject matter.

