Inductively coupled data and power transfer system and apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and apparatus for transferring electronic data and/or power from one station to another by means of a transportable pod comprising a solid state memory device and further provided with an inductively linked, electrically insulated connector. The transportable pod comprises a battery which is used to power a remote host docking station, which may be used in an underwater environment for the collection of subsea data. The transportable pod can be transferred alternately from a home docking station, where it is charged up, and where it's stored data is uploaded and to a remote host docking station where is provides power, and where it collects and stores data collected by the remote host docking station.

1 . A transportable pod;
 said transportable pod comprising a battery, a solid state memory device, and an inductively coupled connector,   said battery and said solid state memory device being electrically coupled to said inductively coupled connector via control electronic circuitry   wherein, during use, electrical power is transferred between said battery and a docking station external to said pod via said inductively coupled connector and data is transferred between said docking station and said solid state memory device via said inductively coupled connector.   
   
   
       2 . A transportable pod according to  claim 1  wherein said inductively coupled connector is electrically insulated. 
   
   
       3 . A transportable pod according to  claim 1  wherein said transportable pod is adapted to operate in an underwater environment. 
   
   
       4 . A transportable pod according to  claim 1 , said control electronic circuitry comprising a filter circuit which separates a low frequency electrical power component to be coupled to or from said battery and a high frequency data component to be coupled to or from said memory device. 
   
   
       5 . A transportable pod according to  claim 1 , said control electronic circuitry comprising a DC to AC converter. 
   
   
       6 . A transportable pod according to  claim 1 , said control electronic circuitry comprising an AC to DC converter. 
   
   
       7 . A transportable pod according to  claim 1 , said control electronic circuitry comprising a modem operable to decode a data stream received from said docking station or to encode a data stream to be transferred to said docking station. 
   
   
       8 . A transportable pod according to  claim 1  said transportable pod further comprising a captive mechanical interface to facilitate connection of said pod to said docking station. 
   
   
       9 . A transportable pod according to  claim 1  wherein the average density of said pod is less than that of water. 
   
   
       10 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system comprising the transportable pod of  claim 1  and a remote host docking station comprising an inductively coupled connector wherein during use, said battery of said pod provides electrical power to said remote host docking station via said respective inductively coupled connector of said pod and data is received from said remote host docking station via said respective inductively coupled connector of said docking station and said pod and is stored on said memory device. 
   
   
       11 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 10  wherein said received data from said remote host docking station is collected from a sensor connected to said remote host docking station. 
   
   
       12 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 10  wherein said remote host docking station is located underwater. 
   
   
       13 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 10  further comprising an array of sensors connected to said remote host docking station, wherein, during use, said transportable pod provides electrical power to said remote host docking station via said respective inductively coupled connector of said pod and said docking station, and data from said array of sensors is received via said respective inductively coupled connector of said docking station and said pod and is stored in said solid state memory device of said pod. 
   
   
       14 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 10  wherein said transportable pod further comprises a captive mechanical interface to facilitate connection of said pod to said docking station. 
   
   
       15 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 10  wherein said pod further comprises a mechanism for detachment of said pod from said remote host docking station. 
   
   
       16 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 15  wherein said mechanism for detachment of said pod from said remote host docking station is triggered by a radio signal. 
   
   
       17 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 15  wherein said mechanism for detachment of said pod from said remote host docking station is triggered by an acoustic signal. 
   
   
       18 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 10  wherein said remote host docking station is located underwater and wherein said pod further comprises an expandable bladder which is inflated after detachment of said pod from said remote host docking station. 
   
   
       19 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 10  wherein said remote host docking station is located underwater and wherein said pod further comprises a spooled line that is attached to said remote host station and which is deployed as said transportable pod rises to the surface. 
   
   
       20 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system comprising the transportable pod of  claim 1  and a home docking station comprising an inductively coupled connector wherein, during use said battery of said pod is charged by said home docking station via said respective inductively coupled connector of said home docking station and said pod, and stored data in said solid state memory device of said pod transferred to said home docking station via said respective inductively coupled connector of said pod and said home docking station. 
   
   
       21 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system;
 said system comprising a transportable pod and a docking station, said pod comprising a battery a solid state memory device, each coupled to an inductively coupled connector, said docking station also comprising an inductively coupled connector   wherein, during use, data and electrical power is transferred from said pod to said docking station or to said pod from said docking station via said respective inductively coupled connector of said pod and said docking station.   
   
   
       22 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system;
 said system comprising a home station and a remote host station and further comprising a transportable pod, said transportable pod comprising a battery, a solid state memory device, each coupled to an inductively coupled connector, said home station comprising an inductively coupled connector and said remote host station also comprising an inductively coupled connector   wherein, during use, electrical power is transferred from said home station to said remote host station via said battery of said pod and via each said inductively coupled connector of said home station, said pod and said remote station and data is transferred from said remote host station to said home station via said memory device of said pod and via each said inductively coupled connector of said home station, said remote station and said pod.   
   
   
       23 . An inductively coupled data and power transfer system according to  claim 22  wherein said transfer of power and data takes place through said pod alternately docking on said home station and said remote host station.