Resonant power transfer systems with protective algorithm

• US 10,644,514 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2019
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hansen, John Freddy
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaplan, Hal
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ly, Xuan
• Application Number:
  US16/355,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20190214830A1
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 307104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings

Abstract

Systems for tuning a wireless power transfer system are provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, a TET system includes a receive resonator is adapted to be implanted in a human patient and is configured to receive wireless power from a transmit resonator. The system can include a controller configured to identify if a foreign object is interfering with the transmission of power or generating an induced voltage in the receive resonator. The controller can also be configured to control the transmit resonator to phase match with the foreign object. Methods of use are also provided.

Claims

1. A wireless power transfer system, comprising:

a transmit resonator configured to transmit wireless power in a frequency band;

a receive resonator configured to be implanted in a human patient, the receive resonator further configured to receive wireless power from the transmit resonator; and

a controller coupled to the transmit resonator and configured to;

determine the presence of interference that is capable of affecting transmission of wireless power from the transmit resonator to the receive resonator by;

temporarily halting transmission of power from the transmit resonator to the receive resonator during predetermined periods; and

determining, during the predetermined periods when the transmission of power is temporarily halted, that the receive resonator is picking up wireless power signals in the same frequency band that the transmit resonator uses;

generate an alert to notify a user of the interference; and

control the wireless power transfer system to address the interference.

2. The wireless power transfer system according to claim 1, wherein to generate an alert, the controller is configured to generate at least one of an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

3. The wireless power transfer system according to claim 1, wherein to generate an alert, the controller is configured to transmit at least one of an email and a text message.

4. The wireless power transfer system according to claim 1, wherein to control the wireless power transfer system, the controller is configured to tune at least one of the transmit resonator and the receive resonator to compensate for the interference.

5. The wireless power transfer system according to claim 1, wherein to control the wireless power transfer system, the controller is configured to deactivate the transmit resonator.

6. The wireless power transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the interference is an additional transmit resonator.

7. A method of operating a wireless power transfer system including a transmit resonator and a receive resonator, said method comprising:

determining the presence of interference that is capable of affecting transmission in a frequency band of wireless power from the transmit resonator to the receive resonator by;

temporarily halting transmission of power from the transmit resonator to the receive resonator during predetermined periods; and

determining, during the predetermined periods when the transmission of power is temporarily halted, that the receive resonator is picking up wireless power signals in the same frequency band that the transmit resonator uses;

generating an alert to notify a user of the interference; and

controlling the wireless power transfer system to address the interference.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein generating an alert comprises generating at least one of an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein generating an alert comprises transmitting at least one of an email and a text message.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein controlling the wireless power transfer system comprises tuning at least one of the transmit resonator and the receive resonator to compensate for the interference.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein controlling the wireless power transfer system comprises deactivating the transmit resonator.