Multi-coil induction
First Claim
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1. An adaptive power control system for an electromagnetic induction power transfer apparatus comprising:
- an inductive power transmitter, comprising;
a first magnetic field source;
a power supply configured to switch between an active state and an inactive state at a selectable duty cycle;
a plurality of independently operable power-transmitting inductors coupled to the power supply and positioned around the first magnetic field source at axially symmetric intervals and in a non-concentric and non-overlapping arrangement with respect to each inductor of the plurality of independently operable power-transmitting inductors themselves and the first magnetic field source;
a processor operatively connected to the power supply and configured to vary a power transmitted by the plurality of independently operable power-transmitting inductors in response to an indication of a programmable load, wherein the processor is further configured to disable a first independently operable power-transmitting inductor while maintaining an operation of a second independently operable power-transmitting inductor once the first independently operable power-transmitting inductor generates a certain amount of heat.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface by selectively activating, deactivating, or modifying one or more of a plurality of transmit coils associated with an inductive power transmitter are disclosed.
30 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An adaptive power control system for an electromagnetic induction power transfer apparatus comprising:
an inductive power transmitter, comprising; a first magnetic field source; a power supply configured to switch between an active state and an inactive state at a selectable duty cycle; a plurality of independently operable power-transmitting inductors coupled to the power supply and positioned around the first magnetic field source at axially symmetric intervals and in a non-concentric and non-overlapping arrangement with respect to each inductor of the plurality of independently operable power-transmitting inductors themselves and the first magnetic field source; a processor operatively connected to the power supply and configured to vary a power transmitted by the plurality of independently operable power-transmitting inductors in response to an indication of a programmable load, wherein the processor is further configured to disable a first independently operable power-transmitting inductor while maintaining an operation of a second independently operable power-transmitting inductor once the first independently operable power-transmitting inductor generates a certain amount of heat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 27, 28)
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16. An electromagnetic induction power receiver comprising:
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a magnetic field source configured to be attracted to an electromagnetic induction power transmitter; a plurality of independently operable power-receiving inductors positioned around the magnetic field source at axially symmetric intervals and in a non-concentric arrangement with respect to each inductor of the plurality of independently operable power-receiving inductors themselves and the first magnetic field source, each positioned inductively proximate a corresponding one of a plurality of power-transmitting inductors; a processor configured to disable a first independently operable power-receiving inductor while maintaining an operation of a second independently operable power-receiving inductor if a temperature of the first independently operable power-receiving inductor reaches a temperature threshold; and a programmable load. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of modifying power output of an electromagnetic induction power transfer apparatus having a plurality of independently operable transmitter coils positioned around a centrally located alignment magnet at axially symmetrical intervals and in a non-concentric and non-overlapping arrangement comprising:
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determining a presence of an inductive power receiver; determining a location and an orientation of the inductive power receiver; and adjusting output of one or more of the plurality of independently operable transmitter coils positioned at the axially symmetrical intervals around the alignment magnet in response to the determined location and orientation of the inductive power receiver.
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24. A method of managing temperature of an electromagnetic induction power transfer apparatus comprising:
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operating a plurality of transmit coils to perform power transfer to an electronic device, the plurality of transmit coils including a first transmit coil and a second transmit coil; selecting the first transmit coil from the plurality of transmit coils based upon a temperature generated by the first transmit coil; disabling the first transmit coil for a first selected period of time to cool the first transmit coil while enabling the second transmit coil to continue performing power transfer to the electronic device; selecting the second transmit coil from the plurality of transmit coils upon a temperature generated by the second transmit coil; and disabling the second transmit coil for a second selected period of time to cool the second transmit coil while enabling the first transmit coil to continue performing power transfer to the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification