Adaptive inductive power supply with communication
First Claim
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1. A contactless power supply for supplying power wirelessly to a remote device comprising:
- a tank circuit having a primary configured to transfer power to the remote device via an inductive coupling, said tank circuit having a resonant frequency;
a power source configured to operate at a rail voltage;
drive circuitry coupled to said power source and said tank circuit, said drive circuitry configured to supply power from said power source to said tank circuit based a control signal, said drive circuitry applying said power at an operating frequency and a duty cycle;
a circuit sensor coupled to said tank circuit, said circuit sensor providing sensor output indicative of an operating characteristic of power in said tank circuit;
a receiver for receiving information from the remote device;
a control system coupled to said drive circuitry and said circuit sensor, said control system configured to generate said control signal to direct operation of said drive circuitry, said control system configured to vary a first one of a phase of said control signal or a first operating parameter, said first operating parameter being one of said resonant frequency, said duty cycle, said operating frequency, and said rail voltage, wherein said first operating parameter is varied based on a) said sensor output indicative of said operating characteristic of power in said tank circuit and b) said information received from the remote device; and
said controller configured to vary a second operating parameter different from said first one of said phase or said first operating parameter, said second operating parameter being a second one of said resonant frequency, said duty cycle, said operating frequency, said rail voltage, and said phase of said control signal.
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Abstract
An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.
162 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A contactless power supply for supplying power wirelessly to a remote device comprising:
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a tank circuit having a primary configured to transfer power to the remote device via an inductive coupling, said tank circuit having a resonant frequency; a power source configured to operate at a rail voltage; drive circuitry coupled to said power source and said tank circuit, said drive circuitry configured to supply power from said power source to said tank circuit based a control signal, said drive circuitry applying said power at an operating frequency and a duty cycle; a circuit sensor coupled to said tank circuit, said circuit sensor providing sensor output indicative of an operating characteristic of power in said tank circuit; a receiver for receiving information from the remote device; a control system coupled to said drive circuitry and said circuit sensor, said control system configured to generate said control signal to direct operation of said drive circuitry, said control system configured to vary a first one of a phase of said control signal or a first operating parameter, said first operating parameter being one of said resonant frequency, said duty cycle, said operating frequency, and said rail voltage, wherein said first operating parameter is varied based on a) said sensor output indicative of said operating characteristic of power in said tank circuit and b) said information received from the remote device; and said controller configured to vary a second operating parameter different from said first one of said phase or said first operating parameter, said second operating parameter being a second one of said resonant frequency, said duty cycle, said operating frequency, said rail voltage, and said phase of said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating an inductive power supply for a remote device, the method including the steps of:
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providing a control signal to a drive circuit of the inductive power supply to control application of power to a tank circuit of the inductive power supply; establishing, based on application of power to the tank circuit, an inductive coupling between the inductive power supply and the remote device; monitoring at least one operating characteristic of power in the inductive power supply after establishing the inductive coupling; receiving information from the remote device; based upon said monitoring step and said receiving step, reconfiguring the inductive power supply by adjusting a first operating parameter of the power supply, the first operating parameter being one of a resonant frequency of the tank circuit, an operating frequency of power applied to the tank circuit, a rail voltage of power applied to the tank circuit, and a duty cycle of power provided to the tank circuit; and adjusting a second operating parameter of the inductive power supply, the second operating parameter being different from the first operating parameter, the second operating parameter being one of the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, the operating frequency of power applied to the tank circuit, the rail voltage of power applied to the tank circuit, the duty cycle of power applied to the tank circuit, and a phase of the control signal provided to the drive circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of operating an inductive power supply to supply wireless power from a primary to a remote device, the method including the steps of:
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providing a control signal to switching circuitry of the inductive power supply to control application of power to the primary; establishing, based on application of power to the primary, an inductive coupling between the primary of the inductive power supply and a secondary of the remote device; transferring power to the remote device via the inductive coupling; sensing a characteristic of power in the tank circuit; receiving information from the remote device; based on the characteristic of power sensed in the tank circuit and the information received from the remote device, varying power transferred to the remote device via the inductive coupling; and adjusting an operating parameter of the inductive power supply, the operating parameter being one of the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, the operating frequency of power applied to the tank circuit, the rail voltage of power applied to the tank circuit, the duty cycle of power applied to the tank circuit, and a phase of the control signal provided to the drive circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification