WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR MOVABLE GLASS

• US 20080185918A1
• Filed: 02/06/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cooktek Induction Systems, LLC (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cooktek Induction Systems, LLC (Middleby Corporation)
• Inventors: Metz, Reinhard, Graber, Warren S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,696,644 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10

Abstract

A power transfer system for imparting power to at least one functional element, such as a movable glass-containing functional element, such as a sliding glass door. The power transfer system preferably includes a magnetic induction power transfer mechanism with a power transfer circuit having first and second separated coils, and a resonant circuit power driver having a resonant frequency. The power transfer mechanism is designed to apply power to the functional element and/or to other devices or systems connected to it. The power transfer system may include an electronic feedback mechanism with an electronic feedback circuit for sensing a predetermined condition concerning the functional element. To take one example, the electronic feedback circuit may be used to provide safety door detection feedback by sensing the position of a movable glass portion of sliding glass doors, and by relaying a feedback signal, which may be carried by a light wave, to the power transfer mechanism if the movable glass portion of the doors is determined to be in a closed position. A data link may be used to communicate information between the power transfer circuit and the functional element.

Claims

1. A power transfer system for imparting power to at least one functional element, comprising:

a magnetic induction power transfer mechanism including a power transfer circuit comprising at least first and second separated coils and a resonant circuit power driver having a resonant frequency, the power transfer mechanism being designed to apply power to elements associated with the movable glass.

2. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second coils is wound on a metallic core.

3. The power transfer system of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second coils is wound on a ferrite core.

4. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit power driver produces sine waves.

5. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit power driver produces pulse width modulated or square waves.

6. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the at least one functional element include at least one movable glass portion, the movable glass portion including an electrically conductive and optically transparent film, wherein when electrical current supplied by the power transfer mechanism passes through the film, the film is caused to heat the glass.

7. The power transfer system of claim 6, wherein the at least one functional element comprises sliding glass doors having a movable glass portion and a stationary glass portion.

8. The power transfer system of claim 6, wherein the at least one functional element comprises at least one of the following:

bifold doors;

swinging doors;

a lighted sign; and

movable windows.

9. The power transfer system of claim 6, further comprising an electronic feedback mechanism including an electronic feedback circuit for sensing a predetermined condition concerning the at least one functional element.

10. The power transfer system of claim 9, wherein the at least one functional element comprises sliding or swinging glass doors including a movable glass portion, and wherein the electronic feedback circuit senses the position of the movable glass portion of the doors, and relays a feedback signal to the power transfer mechanism if the movable glass portion of the doors is determined to be in a closed position.

11. The power transfer system of claim 10, wherein the signal relayed to the power transfer mechanism results in the application of power to the sliding or swinging glass door.

12. The power transfer system of claim 10 where the feedback signal comprises a light beam.

13. The power transfer system of claim 10, wherein the electronic feedback mechanism, upon sensing the movable glass portion of the doors to be in a closed position, signals to the power transfer mechanism a moveable glass door characteristic.

14. The power transfer system of claim 13, wherein a moveable glass door characteristic includes one or more of the following:

temperature;

power delivered to the door or fault conditions.

15. The power transfer system of claim 9, further comprising a data link for communicating information to the power transfer circuit derived from the electronic feedback circuit.

16. The power transfer system of claim 9, wherein the electronic feedback circuit is powered by the power transfer circuit.

17. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein power from the power transfer circuit is used for a lighting or sound application.

18. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the first and second coils comprise primary and secondary coils, and further comprising a resonant circuit located only on the primary coil and not on the secondary coil.

19. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit power driver comprises a self-resonant driver producing sine waves which runs synchronous with the resonant frequency regardless of load.

20. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the resonant circuit power driver remains synchronous with the resonant frequency as load on the power driver changes.

21. The power transfer system of claim 20, further comprising a zero crossing detection circuit providing trigger signals to the resonant circuit power driver.