SYSTEM FOR INDUCTIVELY POWERING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

• US 20130099696A1
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation (Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P.)
• Inventors: Maxik, Fredric S., Bartine, David E., Soler, Robert R., Pierron, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,847,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/291
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/105 using magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/026 Fastening of transformers or ballasts
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

An inductive coupling system for delivering power from an induction assembly attached to a first side of a structure to a load assembly positioned on a second side of a structure. The induction assembly may couple with the load assembly so as to removably attach the load assembly to the second side of the structure. Furthermore, a triggering device in the load assembly may initiate the inductive coupling between the induction and load assemblies.

Claims

1. A system for inductively providing power to an electrical device comprising:

a load assembly comprising a receiver circuit, an electrical device, and a first attaching device; and

an induction assembly comprising an induction circuit operable to couple to the receiver circuit, a switch configured to control the operation of the induction circuit, and a second attaching device;

wherein the receiver circuit is operable to inductively couple to the induction assembly and provide power to the electrical device;

wherein the switch is transitionable between a first state and a second state when the load assembly is brought in proximity to the induction assembly;

wherein the induction circuit is inoperable when the switch is positioned in the first state, and operable when the switch is positioned in the second state;

wherein the induction assembly, switch, and first attaching device are attachable to a first side of a structure;

wherein the first attaching device couples to the second attaching device when brought into proximity of the second attaching device; and

wherein the load assembly is removably attachable to a second side of the structure generally opposite the second attaching device.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of reed switches and Hall effect switches.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the load assembly comprises a triggering magnet, and wherein the proximity of the triggering magnet with respect to the switch causes the switch to transition between the first state and the second state.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first attachment device comprises a first attaching magnet, and wherein the second attachment device comprises a second attaching magnet.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the second attaching magnet is an electromagnet having a non-operating state and an operating state;

wherein the second attaching magnet is in the non-operating state when the switch is in the first state;

wherein the second attaching magnet is in the operating state when the switch is in the second state; and

wherein the first attaching magnet couples to the second attaching magnet when the second attaching magnet is in the operating state.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the induction assembly further comprises a first current regulating device functionally coupled to the second attaching magnet and configured to control the amount of current delivered to the second attaching magnet;

wherein the load assembly comprises a triggering device operable to produce a magnetic field;

wherein the switch comprises a device operable to determine a magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the triggering device;

wherein the proximity of the triggering device to the switch causes the switch to transition between the first state and the second state;

wherein the switch provides an indication of the magnitude of the magnetic field produced by the triggering device to the first current regulating device;

wherein the first current regulating device provides current to the second attaching magnet in proportion to the magnitude of the magnetic field indicated by the switch; and

wherein the second attaching magnet generates a magnetic field proportional to the current provided by the first current regulating device.

7. A system according to claim 5 wherein the induction assembly further comprises a second current regulating device functionally coupled to the induction circuit and configured to control the amount of current delivered to the induction circuit;

wherein the load assembly comprises a triggering device operable to produce a magnetic field;

wherein the switch comprises a device operable to determine a magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the triggering device;

wherein the proximity of the triggering device to the switch causes the switch to transition between the first state and the second state;

wherein the switch provides an indication of the magnitude of the magnetic field produced by the triggering device to the second current regulating device;

wherein the second current regulating device provides current to the induction circuit proportionate to the magnitude of the magnetic field indicated by the switch; and

wherein the induction circuit generates an electromagnetic field proportional to the current provided by the second current regulating device.

8. A system according to claim 4 wherein the first attaching magnet is an electromagnet having a non-operating state and an operating state;

wherein the first attaching magnet is functionally coupled to the receiver circuit; and

wherein the first attaching magnet is configured to generate a magnetic field when the receiver circuit is inductively coupled to the induction circuit.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the first attaching magnet is configured to generate a magnetic field proportional to power received by the receiver circuit.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the coupling of the second attachment device to the first attachment device is determined by their relative orientation.

11. A system according to claim 8 wherein the first attachment device couples to the second attachment device when oriented generally parallel to the second attachment device;

and wherein the first attachment device does not couple to the second attachment device when oriented generally perpendicular to the second attachment device.

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein the electrical device comprises an illuminant, and wherein the illuminant is operable to be energized by the receiver circuit, thereby emitting light.

13. A system according to claim 10 wherein the illuminant is a light-emitting diode.

14. A system according to claim 1 wherein the switch transitions from the second state to the first state when the load assembly is removed from proximity to the induction assembly.

15. A system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a fastener; and

a housing having an aperture configured to permit the fastener to be positioned therethrough;

wherein the induction circuit, the switch, and the second attaching device are disposed within the housing; and

wherein the fastener is configured to be positioned through the aperture of the housing and attached to the first side of the structure.

16. A system for providing electrical power to and remotely attaching a lighting device comprising:

a load assembly comprising a receiver circuit, an illuminant, a first attaching magnet, and a triggering magnet; and

an induction assembly comprising an induction circuit operable to couple to the receiver circuit, a switch configured to control the operation of the induction assembly, and a second attaching magnet;

wherein the receiver circuit is operable to inductively couple to the induction circuit and provide power to the illuminant;

wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of reed switches and Hall effect switches;

wherein the switch is transitionable between a first state and a second state when the triggering magnet is brought in proximity to the switch;

wherein the induction circuit is inoperable when the switch is positioned in the first state, and operable when the switch is in the second state;

wherein the induction assembly is attachable to a first side of a structure; and

wherein the first attaching device couples to the second attaching device when brought into proximity of the second attaching device; and

wherein the load assembly is removably attachable to a second side of the structure generally opposite the second attaching device.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the second attaching magnet is an electromagnet having a non-operating state and an operating state;

wherein the second attaching magnet is in the non-operating state when the switch is in the first state;

wherein the second attaching magnet is in the operating state when the switch is in the second state; and

wherein the first attaching magnet couples to the second attaching magnet when the second attaching magnet is in the operating state.

18. A system according to claim 16 wherein the induction assembly further comprises a first current regulating device functionally coupled to the second attaching magnet and configured to control the amount of current delivered to the second attaching magnet;

wherein the load assembly comprises a triggering device operable to produce a magnetic field;

wherein the switch comprises a device operable to determine a magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the triggering device;

wherein the proximity of the triggering device to the switch causes the switch to transition between the first state and the second state;

wherein the switch provides an indication of the magnitude of the magnetic field produced by the triggering device to the first current regulating device;

wherein the first current regulating device provides current to the second attaching magnet in proportion to the magnitude of the magnetic field indicated by the switch; and

wherein the second attaching magnet generates a magnetic field proportional to the current provided by the first current regulating device.

19. A system according to claim 16 further comprising wherein the induction assembly further comprises a second current regulating device functionally coupled to the induction circuit and configured to control the amount of current delivered to the induction circuit;

wherein the load assembly comprises a triggering device operable to produce a magnetic field;

wherein the switch comprises a device operable to determine a magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the triggering device;

wherein the proximity of the triggering device to the switch causes the switch to transition between the first state and the second state;

wherein the switch provides an indication of the magnitude of the magnetic field produced by the triggering device to the second current regulating device;

wherein the second current regulating device provides current to the induction circuit proportionate to the magnitude of the magnetic field indicated by the switch; and

wherein the induction circuit generates an electromagnetic field proportional to the current provided by the second current regulating device.

20. A system according to claim 16 wherein the coupling of the second attachment device to the first attachment device is determined by their relative orientation.

21. A system according to claim 19 wherein the first attachment device couples to the second attachment device when oriented generally parallel to the second attachment device;

and wherein the first attachment device does not couple to the second attachment device when oriented generally perpendicular to the second attachment device.

22. A system according to claim 16 wherein the illuminant is a light-emitting diode.

23. A method of installing a lighting system that includes a load assembly having a receiver circuit, an illuminant electrically coupled with the receiver circuit, a first attaching device, and a triggering device, and an induction assembly having an induction circuit, a switch functionally coupled to the induction circuit, and a second attaching device, the method comprising the steps of;

attaching the induction assembly to a first side of a structure;

connecting the induction circuit to a power source;

positioning the load assembly to interface with a second side of the structure in a location generally opposite and in proximity to the induction assembly;

coupling the first attaching device to the second attaching device;

transitioning the switch to transition between a first state and a second state to regulate the flow of electricity through the induction circuit;

energizing the induction circuit by permitting current to flow therethrough;

inductively coupling the induction circuit to the receiving circuit;

delivering power to the receiver circuit via the inductive; and

delivering the power received by the receiver circuit to the illuminant.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the step of positioning the load assembly further comprises the steps of:

orienting the load assembly in an orientation that is rotated about 90 degrees from the orientation of the induction assembly;

positioning the load assembly to interface with a second side of the structure in a location generally opposite the induction assembly; and

rotating the load assembly so as to have an orientation that is rotated about 0 degrees from the orientation of the induction assembly

25. A method according to claim 23 wherein the illuminant is positioned within the load assembly housing so as to emit visible radiation in a desired direction.

26. A method according to claim 23 further comprising the steps of:

repositioning the bad assembly to a position outside beyond the proximity of the induction assembly, thereby decoupling the induction circuit and the receiver circuit, decoupling the first attaching device from the second attaching device, detaching the bad assembly from the second side of the structure, and ceasing the interaction between the triggering magnet and the switch;

transitioning the switch from the second state to the first state; and

preventing the flow of electricity through the induction circuit, thereby de-energizing the induction circuit.