MAGNETIC POSITIONING FOR INDUCTIVE COUPLING
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic positioning system for use in inductive couplings. The magnetic positioning system having a magnet that provides sufficient magnetic force, but does not have enough electrical conductivity to overheat in the presence of the anticipated electromagnetic field. The magnet may be a bonded magnet or a shielded magnet. In another aspect a plurality of magnets are used to provide magnetic attraction forces and said magnetic repulsion forces that cooperate to align the inductive power supply and the remote device. In another aspect, a sensor allows differentiation between different positions of the remote device or inductive power supply. In another aspect, multiple magnets in the inductive power supply interact with multiple magnets in the remote device to position the remote device in different positions.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1-7. -7. (canceled)
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8. A magnetic positioning system for use in an inductive power supply system for wirelessly transferring power from an inductive power supply to a remote device using an electromagnetic field, said magnetic positioning system comprising:
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at least one of the inductive power supply and the remote device including a plurality of magnets disposed about a coil; the other one of the inductive power supply and the remote device including an additional magnet; wherein said plurality of magnets and said additional magnet provide a magnetic force for alignment of the inductive power supply and the remote device into a plurality of different positions about said coil; a sensor located in at least one of the inductive power supply and the remote device, wherein said sensor is configured to provide sensor output to differentiate between said plurality of different positions about said coil; and a controller located in at least one of the inductive power supply and the remote device, wherein said controller is in communication with said sensor, said controller programmed to provide an input to the remote device as a function of said sensor output. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An inductive power supply for wirelessly transferring power from an inductive power supply to a remote device, said inductive power supply comprising:
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a primary configured to transfer power wirelessly to a remote device by an inductive coupling, wherein the remote device is removably positionable in proximity to said inductive power supply for receiving power wirelessly; at least one magnet configured to provide a magnetic force for alignment of said inductive power supply and the remote device, said at least one magnet configured to provide for alignment of the remote device in a plurality of different positions; and an index magnet configured to provide a reference to assist in differentiating between said plurality of different positions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A magnetic positioning system for use in an inductive power supply system for wirelessly transferring power from an inductive power supply to a remote device using an electromagnetic field, said magnetic positioning system comprising:
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at least one of the inductive power supply and the remote device including a plurality of magnets, wherein said plurality of magnets are configured to provide a magnetic force for alignment of the inductive power supply and the remote device into a plurality of different positions; an index magnet located in at least one of the inductive power supply and the remote device, wherein said index magnet provides a reference to assist in differentiating between said plurality of different positions; a sensor located in at least one of the inductive power supply and the remote device, wherein said sensor is configured to provide sensor output to differentiate between said plurality of different positions; and a controller located in at least one of the inductive power supply and the remote device, wherein said controller is in communication with said sensor, said controller programmed to provide an input to the remote device as a function of said sensor output. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification