COUPLED INDUCTOR SYSTEM HAVING MULTI-TAP COIL

• US 20120242164A1
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triune Systems, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Triune Ip, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Inventors: Teggatz, Ross E., Chen, Wayne T., Smith, Brett, Blackall, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 10,332,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 21/12 discontinuously variable, e.g. tapped
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10

Abstract

Coupled inductor signal transfer systems are disclosed in which transmitter and receiver coils are inductively coupled in a configuration for wirelessly transferring power and/or data signals. In preferred implementations, the systems may be used for transmitting both power and data. Preferred embodiments of the invention have at least one multi-tap coil on the primary side and/or secondary side of the system. The selection of taps enables the effective size and/or number of coils to be dynamically changed according to operational needs.

Claims

1. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer comprising:

a primary side having a driver operably coupled to a primary side coil;

a secondary side having a secondary side coil operably coupled to receiver circuitry;

whereby a signal may be transmitted by the primary side and received by the secondary side; and

wherein at least one of the coils further comprises multiple taps adapted for reconfiguring the coil.

2. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 1 wherein the primary side coil comprises a plurality of taps.

3. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 1 wherein the secondary side coil comprises a plurality of taps.

4. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 1 wherein the primary side is adapted to transmit a power signal.

5. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 1 wherein the primary side is adapted to transmit a data signal.

6. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 1 further comprising feedback circuitry adapted to determine the resonant frequency of the primary side and to operate the driver at the resonant frequency.

7. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 1 wherein the primary side driver further comprises frequency adjustment circuitry.

8. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 1 wherein the primary side driver further comprises switching circuitry operably coupled to the primary side coil.

9. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 1 wherein the secondary side receiver further comprises switching circuitry operably coupled to the secondary side coil.

10. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 1 wherein the secondary side receiver further comprises a plurality of capacitors operably coupled to the secondary side coil.

11. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer comprising:

a primary side having a driver operably coupled to a primary side coil, the primary side coil having a plurality of taps selectably coupled to the driver; and

a secondary side having a secondary side coil operably coupled to receiver circuitry;

whereby a signal may be transmitted by the primary side and received by the secondary side.

12. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 11 wherein the primary side driver further comprises frequency adjustment circuitry.

13. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 11 wherein the secondary side coil comprises a plurality of taps.

14. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 11 wherein the primary side is adapted to transmit a power signal.

15. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 11 wherein the primary side is adapted to transmit a data signal.

16. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer comprising:

a primary side having a driver operably coupled to a primary side coil; and

a secondary side having a secondary side coil operably coupled to receiver circuitry, the secondary side coil having a plurality of taps selectably coupled to receiver circuitry;

whereby a signal may be transmitted by the primary side and received by the secondary side.

17. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 16 wherein the secondary side receiver circuitry further comprises a plurality of capacitors operably coupled to the primary side coil.

18. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 16 wherein the primary side coil comprises a plurality of taps.

19. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 16 wherein the secondary side is adapted to receive a power signal.

20. A coupled inductor system for wireless signal transfer according to claim 16 wherein the secondary side is adapted to receive a data signal.