The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 07, 2013
Filed:
Nov. 09, 2011
Gerard J Labonville, San Jose, CA (US);
Alan E. Loh, Los Altos, CA (US);
David W. Bailey, Redwood City, CA (US);
Brett J. Lockyer, San Jose, CA (US);
Gerard J Labonville, San Jose, CA (US);
Alan E. Loh, Los Altos, CA (US);
David W. Bailey, Redwood City, CA (US);
Brett J. Lockyer, San Jose, CA (US);
Intuitive Surgical Operation, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
A device for receiving data from a rotatable source includes a primary winding of a rotary transformer fixed to a support structure and connected to an electric power source. A secondary winding is rotatably supported by the support structure. An axial passage extends through the primary and secondary windings. An optical data transmitter is connected to the secondary winding. The optical data transmitter is rotatably supported by the support structure and aligned to transmit data through the axial passage in the rotary transformer. The secondary transformer winding provides power to the optical data transmitter without physical contact. An optical data receiver fixed to the support structure receives data from the optical data transmitter transmitted through the axial passage in the rotary transformer without physical contact. The transmission of power and data without physical contact allows the data source to rotate continuously.