Rotary element apparatus with wireless power transfer

• US 6,278,210 B1
• Filed: 08/30/1999
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chiu, Andrew, Fatula, Joseph J. Jr., Contreras, Richard, Schieferstein, Rainer, Prada-Silva, Guillermo, Hitzfeld, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullins, Burton S.
• Application Number:
  US09/386,079
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 336/115, 336/117, 336/118, 336/119, 336/120, 336/122, 336/123, 336/130, 336/131, 336/132, 310/114, 310/46, 310/154, 310/67.R, 310/68.R, 310/112, 310/113, 310/268
• US Class Current: 310/112
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/18 Rotary transformers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 204/07 Current distribution within the bath

Abstract

The method and apparatus for supplying power to a rotary element by magnetic induction. A magnetic induction device having at least one secondary induction assembly including a secondary winding is mounted on the rotary element. A magnetic flux is induced the secondary induction assembly, causing an induced alternating current in the secondary winding of the secondary induction assembly. The secondary alternating current is converting to direct current and is stored in an electrical storage device. A rotary cathode plater is disclosed as a particular application of the apparatus by which power is transferred to a storage battery or high capacity capacitor, without the use of wires.

Claims

1. A method for wireless transfer of power to a rotary element having a rotation cycle, comprising the steps of:

A) providing at least one magnetic induction device having at least one secondary induction assembly mounted on said rotary element, such that said at least one secondary induction assembly rotates in unison with said rotary element, each secondary induction assembly including a secondary core and a secondary winding;

B) providing an electrical storage device connected to said at least one secondary induction assembly;

C) inducing a magnetic flux in said at least one secondary induction assembly, such that an alternating current is induced in said secondary winding of said at least one secondary induction assembly;

1) providing a designated home position in said defined rotation cycle;

2) providing at least one primary induction assembly having a primary core and a primary winding, said at least one primary induction assembly being aligned in close spatial proximity with said at least one secondary induction assembly when said rotary element is in said home position, such that when a magnetic flux is produced in said at least one primary induction assembly, said magnetic flux extends into said at least one secondary induction assembly;

3) providing that said rotary element comes to rest periodically in said home position;

4) passing an alternating current through said primary winding of said at least one primary induction assembly when said primary and secondary induction assemblies are aligned and at rest in said home position, such that a secondary alternating current is induced in said secondary winding of said at least one secondary induction assembly;

D) converting said induced alternating current to direct current; and

E) storing said direct current in said electrical storage device.

2. The method of claim 1 in which step C) comprises the further steps:

1) providing a plurality of magnets which produce a magnetic field in close proximity to said at least one secondary induction assembly, such that rotation of said at least one secondary induction assembly within said magnetic field produces an alternating current in said secondary winding of said at least one secondary induction assembly.

3. The method of claim 2 in wherein:

said plurality of magnets are permanent magnets.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said electrical storage device is a rechargeable battery.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said electrical storage device is a capacitor.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one charging apparatus includes at least two charging apparatuses which are symmetrically arranged for good balance during rotation.

7. A method for wireless transfer of power to a rotary element having a rotation cycle, comprising the steps of:

A) providing at least one magnetic induction device having at least one secondary induction assembly mounted on said rotary element, such that said at least one secondary induction assembly rotates in unison with said rotary element, each secondary induction assembly including a secondary core and a secondary winding;

B) providing an electrical storage device connected to said at least one secondary induction assembly;

C) inducing a magnetic flux in said at least one secondary induction assembly, such that an alternating current is induced in said secondary winding of said at least one secondary induction assembly;

1) providing a motor having a motor shaft which motivates the rotation of said rotary element, said motor shaft having first and second motor shaft portions, said first motor shaft portion being surrounded by a stationary primary winding;

2) providing that said secondary winding of said at least one secondary induction assembly surrounds said second motor shaft portion;

3) passing an alternating electric current through said stationary primary winding, thereby inducing a magnetic flux in said first portion of said motor shaft, said magnetic flux extending from said first motor shaft portion into said second motor shaft portion, which then induces an alternating electric current in said secondary winding of said at least one secondary induction assembly;

D) converting said induced alternating current to direct current; and

E) storing said direct current in said electrical storage device.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein:

said electrical storage device is a rechargeable battery.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein:

said electrical storage device is a capacitor.