MAGNETICALLY PERMEABLE STRUCTURES

• US 20130249303A1
• Filed: 11/07/2012
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Van Boheemen, Edward, Keeling, Nicholas A., Kissin, Michael, Beaver, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 9,160,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/022 Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/263 Fastening parts of the core together
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/005 Impregnating or encapsulating insulating of windings H01F41/12
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/0206 Manufacturing of magnetic cores by mechanical means magnetic cores per se H01F27/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method for wireless power transfer are disclosed. A method of forming a physical core of a wireless power transfer device includes positioning two or more electromagnetically permeable members adjacent to one another and applying longitudinal pressure to an end of the electromagnetically permeable members, the electromagnetically permeable members at least partially encapsulated in retaining compound. A wireless power transfer device includes a casing in which is housed an induction coil, a plurality of electromagnetically permeable members arranged in a line and a retaining compound.

Claims

1. A wireless power transfer device, comprising:

a casing in which is housed;

an induction coil;

a plurality of electromagnetically permeable, two or more of the electromagnetically permeable members abutting one another; and

a retaining compound at least partially encapsulating the electromagnetically permeable members.

2. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetically permeable members are arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel lines.

3. The wireless power transfer device of claim 2, wherein the spacing between adjacent parallel lines is configured to allow a substantial portion of the electromagnetic field produced by the induction coil to pass through the parallel lines of electromagnetically permeable members.

4. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetically permeable members include ferrite bars.

5. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetically permeable members and induction coil are housed within the casing.

6. A method of forming a physical core of a wireless power transfer device, comprising:

positioning two or more electromagnetically permeable members adjacent to one another;

applying longitudinal pressure to a first end of one of the electromagnetically permeable members; and

at least partially encapsulating the electromagnetically permeable members in retaining compound.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

allowing the retaining compound to at least partially set; and

releasing the longitudinal pressure applied to the first end of the one electromagnetically permeable member.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of positioning two or more electromagnetically permeable members includes positioning the two or more electromagnetically permeable members adjacent one another within a wireless power transfer device casing.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the application of longitudinal pressure is applied by positioning a resilient spring member between the first end of the one electromagnetically permeable member and a first portion of the casing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the two or more electromagnetically permeable members are arranged in a line, wherein an additional resilient spring member is positioned between a second end of the two or more electromagnetically permeable members and a second portion of the casing.

11. A method of forming a wireless power transfer device, comprising the steps of:

positioning two or more electromagnetically permeable members and an induction coil within a casing;

arranging the electromagnetically permeable members to form a line of electromagnetically permeable members;

positioning the electromagnetically permeable members in electromagnetic association with the induction coil;

applying longitudinal pressure to a first end of the line of electromagnetically permeable members, and

at least partially encapsulating the electromagnetically permeable members in a retaining compound.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

allowing the retaining compound to at least partially set, and

releasing the longitudinal pressure applied to the end of each line of electromagnetically permeable members.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of positioning two or more electromagnetically permeable members includes positioning the two or more electromagnetically permeable members adjacent one another within a wireless power transfer device casing.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the application of longitudinal pressure is applied by positioning a resilient spring member between the first end of the line of electromagnetically permeable members and a first portion of the casing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein an additional resilient spring member is positioned between a second end of the line of electromagnetically permeable members and a second portion of the casing.