Single Coil Pair, Multiple Axis Inductive Power Coupling Apparatus and Method
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first arm configured for a portion of the first arm to be rotated about a first axis running along the length of the first arm;
a second arm configured to be rotated about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and
an inductive power coupling coil pair coupled to the first arm and the second arm, wherein the inductive power coupling coil comprises;
a first coil coupled to the first arm and a second coil coupled to the second arm such that the first coil and the second coil are substantially perpendicular to one another; and
a magnetic core coupled to one of the first arm or the second arm, wherein the magnetic core transfers power, via an induced magnetic flux, from the first coil to the second coil in response to an electrical current being applied to the first coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronics support apparatus for rotating electronics is provided that eliminates the need for electrical contact brushes and/or reduces the number of inductive power coupling coil pairs required to provide power to the rotating electronics. With the apparatus, a single inductive power coupling coil pair is utilized in which the coils are oriented at approximately 90 degrees, i.e. at a right angle, to each other, e.g., the “outer” coil (secondary transformer coil) is oriented approximately 90 degrees to the “inner” coil (primary transformer coil). A transformer core, or “elbow core,” having an approximately 90 degree bend is provided for coupling the magnetic energy of the primary transformer coil with the secondary transformer coil, thus imparting or coupling energy simultaneously through 2 axes of motion.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first arm configured for a portion of the first arm to be rotated about a first axis running along the length of the first arm; a second arm configured to be rotated about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and an inductive power coupling coil pair coupled to the first arm and the second arm, wherein the inductive power coupling coil comprises; a first coil coupled to the first arm and a second coil coupled to the second arm such that the first coil and the second coil are substantially perpendicular to one another; and a magnetic core coupled to one of the first arm or the second arm, wherein the magnetic core transfers power, via an induced magnetic flux, from the first coil to the second coil in response to an electrical current being applied to the first coil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing an apparatus for moving electronics through a path of motion, comprising:
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providing a first arm configured for a portion of the first arm to be rotated about a first axis running along the length of the first arm; providing electronics coupled to the first arm; providing a second arm configured to be rotated about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and providing an inductive power coupling coil pair coupled to the first arm and the second arm, wherein the inductive power coupling coil comprises; a first coil coupled to the first arm and a second coil coupled to the second arm such that the first coil and the second coil are substantially perpendicular to one another; and a magnetic core coupled to one of the first arm or the second arm, wherein the magnetic core transfers power, via an induced magnetic flux, from the first coil to the second coil in response to an electrical current being applied to the first coil, and wherein the electronics are moved through a path of motion by virtue of the rotation of the first arm about the first axis and the rotation of the second arm about the second axis, and wherein the electronics are provided with electrical power via the inductive power coupling coil pair. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification