COMPACT POWER TRANSFER MECHANISM USING INDUCED EMF

• US 20160308396A1
• Filed: 04/07/2016
• Published: 10/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Lewis, Robert W., Hanchett, Leland J. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 10,840,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0061 using induction
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0082 Induction for charging or current transformation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

What is presented is a power-transfer system that provides resonant inductive power from a first object to a second object, which is adjacent to the first object. The system includes a first transformer portion that is positioned on the first object and having a first core portion. The first core portion includes a transmit unit configured to transfer an electromagnetic field to the second transformer portion. The first core portion also includes first circuitry that allows the transmit unit to transfer the electromagnetic field. The second transformer portion is positioned on the second object and has a second core portion. The second core portion includes a receiver unit configured to receive the electromagnetic field. The second core portion also includes second circuitry that allows the transmit unit to transfer the electromagnetic field.

Claims

1. A power-transfer system for providing resonant inductive power from a first object to a second object, wherein the first object and the second object are adjacent with respect to each other, said system comprising:

a) a first transformer portion positioned on the first object and having a first core portion, said first core portion comprising;

i) a transmit unit configured to transfer a constant AC electromagnetic field from said first transformer portion to said second transformer portion; and

ii) first circuitry configured to allow said transmit unit to sufficiently transfer the electromagnetic field;

b) said second transformer portion positioned on the second object and having a second core portion, said second core portion comprising;

i) a receiver unit configured to receive the electromagnetic field; and

ii) second circuitry configured to allow said transmit unit to sufficiently transfer the electromagnetic field.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a sensor configured to monitor the position of the second object.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a timing circuit configured for limiting the duration of time that full power can be provided to a load.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a sensor configured to monitor the position of the second object; and

an auxiliary position sensor configured to sense the specific position of the second object in comparison to the first object.

5. A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sensor is a reed switch influenced by a permanent magnet positioned on the second object.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first circuitry comprises:

a) a voltage regulator configured to control the voltage from a power source;

b) a Royer oscillator configured to transform the voltage output from said voltage regulator; and

c) a rectifier connected to the outputs of said Royer oscillator and configured to condition the voltage output from said Royer oscillator,

wherein the rectified Royer oscillator output signals are used to control output voltage of the voltage regulator.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first circuitry comprises:

a) a voltage regulator configured to stabilize the voltage from a power source;

b) a Royer oscillator configured to transform the voltage output from said voltage regulator; and

c) a rectifier connected to the outputs of said Royer oscillator and configured to condition the voltage output from said Royer oscillator.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said voltage regulator is configured to operate using SEP IC topology.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second circuitry comprises:

a) a rectifier configured to convert the AC voltage induced in said receiver unit to DC voltage; and

b) a voltage regulator configured to maintain a constant voltage level of the output from said rectifier.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said second circuitry further comprises an output voltage selector configured to allow the voltage supplied to a load to be selected by a user.

11. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first object is a door frame and the second object is a door movably connected to the first object.

12. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein an open circuit is created when said transmit unit is beyond the proximity of said receiver unit.

13. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the resonant frequency of the second circuitry is off-tuned from the general frequency of the electromagnetic field generated by the first circuitry.

14. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein one of said first or second transformer portion is cylindrically shaped.

15. A system in accordance with claim 13 wherein said first or second transformer portion is no more than one inch in diameter.