SPLIT WINDING REPEATER

• US 20150207337A1
• Filed: 01/22/2015
• Published: 07/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Electrochem Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Peterson, Brian R., Jankins, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 9,842,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2027/2809 on stacked layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/146 in combination with capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type

Abstract

A circuit for transferring wireless electrical energy through a lossy material is described. The circuit comprises a first inductive winding portion connected electrically in series to a second inductive winding portion and at least one capacitor. Interaction of the first or second inductive winding portions with an electromagnetic field emanating from an electrical power source causes electrical energy to be induced within the circuit. The first inductive winding portion is preferably positionable adjacent a first sidewall of a lossy material and the second inductive winding portion is preferably positionable adjacent the second and opposite sidewall of the lossy material. At least one intermediate substrate composed of a ferrite material is preferably positioned between the first and second inductive winding portions as a shield that minimizes electromagnetic field interference.

Claims

1. A wireless electrical energy transfer circuit, comprising:

a) a first inductive winding portion connected electrically in series to a second inductive winding portion, wherein the first and second inductive winding portions are capable of resonating at a resonant frequency;

b) at least one capacitor connected electrically in series to the first and second inductive winding portions; and

c) at least one intermediate substrate composed of a ferrite material positioned between the first and second inductive winding portions.

2. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 1 wherein either of the first or second inductive winding portions comprises an inductor structure having an electrically conductive inductor wire wrapped circumferentially around an inductor body composed of a magnetic material.

3. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 1 wherein either of the first or second inductive winding portions comprises a conductive trace that resides on an external insulative substrate surface.

4. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 1 wherein exposure to an electromagnetic field causes either of the first inductive winding portion or the second inductive winding portion to resonate at the resonant frequency.

5. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 1 wherein the first inductive winding portion comprises a first electrically conductive trace residing on an external surface of a first insulative substrate and the second inductive winding portion comprises a second electrically conductive trace residing on an external surface of a second insulative substrate.

6. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 5 wherein the first and second insulative substrates comprise a composite material composed of fiberglass and epoxy resin.

7. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 1 wherein interaction of the first or second inductive winding portion with a first magnetic field emanating from an electrical source causes electrical energy to pass through at least one electrical connection between the first and second inductive winding portions.

8. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 1 wherein the ferrite material is selected from the group consisting of manganese zinc ferrite, nickel zinc ferrite, strontium ferrite, barium ferrite and cobalt ferrite.

9. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 1 wherein the first inductive winding portion positionable adjacent a first sidewall of a lossy material composed of a metallic material and the second inductive winding portion positionable adjacent a second sidewall, opposite the first sidewall of the lossy material.

10. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 1 wherein the resonant frequency ranges from about 1 kHz to about 100 MHz.

11. A wireless electrical energy transfer circuit, comprising:

a) a first inductive coil positionable adjacent a lossy material first sidewall and a second inductive coil positionable adjacent a lossy material second sidewall, the first inductive coil electrically connected in series to the second inductive coil, and wherein both the first and second inductive coils are capable of resonating at a resonant frequency;

b) at least one capacitor electrically connected in series to the first and second inductive coils;

c) a first intermediate substrate composed of a first ferrite material positioned between the first inductive coil and the lossy material first sidewall; and

d) a second intermediate substrate composed of a second ferrite material positioned between the second inductive coil and the lossy material second side.

12. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 11 wherein interaction of a first magnetic field emanating from an electrical power source with the first or second inductive coil causes a second magnetic field to form about the first or second inductive coil which induces an electrical energy therewithin.

13. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 12 wherein the induced electrical energy is capable of wirelessly exiting the circuit through a third magnetic field formed about the first or second inductive coil.

14. The wireless electrical power transfer circuit of claim 11 wherein the first inductive coil comprises a first electrically conductive trace positioned on an external surface of a first insulative substrate and the second inductive coil comprises a second electrically conductive trace positioned on an external surface of a second insulative substrate.

15. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 14 wherein the first or second insulative substrate comprises a composite material composed of fiberglass and epoxy resin.

16. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 11 wherein each of the first and second intermediate substrates are composed of a ferrite material selected from the group consisting of manganese zinc ferrite, nickel zinc ferrite, strontium ferrite, barium ferrite and cobalt ferrite.

17. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 11 wherein the resonant frequency ranges from about 1 kHz to about 100 MHz.

18. The wireless electrical energy transfer circuit of claim 11 wherein the lossy material is composed of a metallic material.

19. A method of transferring wireless electrical power, the method comprising the following steps:

a) providing a first inductive winding portion and a second inductive winding portion connected electrically in series to the first inductive winding portion;

b) providing at least one capacitor connected electrically in series between the first inductive winding portion and the second inductive winding portion to enable the first and second inductive winding portions to resonate at a resonant frequency;

c) positioning at least one intermediate substrate composed of a ferrite material between the first and second winding portions; and

d) exposing either the first or second inductive winding portions to a first magnetic field emanating from an electrical energy source so that electrical energy is induced between the first and second inductive winding portions.

20. The method of claim 19 including positioning a lossy material composed of a metallic material between the first and second inductive winding portions.

21. The method of claim 19 including selecting the resonant frequency of the first or second inductive winding portions at a frequency between about 1 kHz to about 100 MHz.

22. The method of claim 19 including selecting the ferrite material from the group consisting of manganese zinc ferrite, nickel zinc ferrite, strontium ferrite, barium ferrite and cobalt ferrite.

23. The method of claim 19 including providing either of the first or second inductive winding portions an inductor structure having an electrically conductive inductor wire wrapped circumferentially around an inductor body composed of a magnetic material.

24. The method of claim 19 including providing the first or second inductive winding portions comprised of a conductive trace that resides on an external substrate surface.

25. The method of claim 19 including positioning the first inductive winding portion adjacent a first sidewall of a first substrate composed of a metallic material and positioning the second inductive winding portion adjacent a second sidewall, opposite the first sidewall of the first substrate.