Alignment independent and self-aligning inductive power transfer system
First Claim
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1. An inductive power transfer system comprising:
- an at least two-dimensional array of primary inductors;
a connection between said at least two-dimensional array of primary conductors to a power supply;
an appliance having at least one secondary inductor wherein when at at least one of said secondary inductors is placed in a effective proximity to at least one of said primary inductors in said at least two-dimensional array, power is transferred to said appliance through a transformer that is formed by said at least one of said primary inductors and said secondary inductor.
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Abstract
An inductive power transfer device is provided for recharging cordless appliances. The device includes a plurality of inductors arranged in an array and connected with a power supply via switches which are selectively operable to activate the respective inductors. The inductors serve as the primary coil of a transformer. The secondary coil of the transformer is arranged in the appliance. When the appliance is arranged proximate to the power transfer device with the respective coils in alignment, power is inductively transferred from the device to the appliance via the transformer.
262 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An inductive power transfer system comprising:
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an at least two-dimensional array of primary inductors; a connection between said at least two-dimensional array of primary conductors to a power supply; an appliance having at least one secondary inductor wherein when at at least one of said secondary inductors is placed in a effective proximity to at least one of said primary inductors in said at least two-dimensional array, power is transferred to said appliance through a transformer that is formed by said at least one of said primary inductors and said secondary inductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An inductive power transfer device for an appliance, comprising:
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a) a housing comprising a flat wall for interfacing with devices equipped with a compatible secondary inductor; b) at least one primary inductor arranged within said housing; c) means for connecting said at least one primary inductor to a power supply; d) a switch for individually switching each of said at least one said primary inductors so that current sufficient to inductively cause effective power to flow through said secondary inductor will flow through said primary inductor form said power connection means, when said primary inductor is in sufficient proximity with said secondary inductor to establish inductive power transfer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification