Bi-directional rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack and method

• US 7,654,683 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2006
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vutility Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stephen K. Ellis
• Inventors: Ellis, Stephen K.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US11/595,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20080112158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 362/158, 362/183
• US Class Current: 362/158
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/202 Casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A bi-directional rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack and method employing sealed induction coils to power an electrical device underwater, in liquids, or in high humidity conditions.

Claims

1. A bi-directional water resistant rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system comprising:

a. a power pack having;

i. a water impervious sealed housing with an interior, said sealed housing of a thickness and constructed of a material to allow magnetic induction to occur,

ii. an interior magnetic induction coil or coils located within the interior of the sealed housing structured and positioned to respond to a corresponding exterior magnetic induction coil or coils located exterior to the housing when juxtaposed and activated by an independent external power source to convert electromagnetic energy into electric current in a charging mode, and to release electromagnetic energy in a discharging mode,

iii. a rechargeable battery and/or capacitor located within the sealed housing and associated with the interior induction coil for selective storage of electromagnetic energy from an induction coil or coils and release of electromagnetic energy to an induction coil or coils,

iv. internal electronics operably associated with the induction coil or coils and rechargeable battery and/or capacitor to selectively charge said battery and/or capacitor, in one mode and discharge said battery and/or capacitor in another mode through the interior magnetic induction coil to generate electromagnetic energy, and

b. an electronic device sealed within a water impervious case with a slot to accommodate at least one removably inserted power pack, the electronic device having;

i. a corresponding exterior magnetic induction coil positioned near the slot to be operably associated with the inserted power pack interior magnetic induction coil to generate electricity from the electromagnetic energy released by the power pack interior magnetic induction coil, and

ii. regulation and transmission means to transmit electric current produced by the exterior corresponding induction coil to power the electric device.

2. A rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system, according to claim 1, wherein the impervious case slot includes liquid evacuation ports or physical channels in communication with the slot interior to allow liquids to escape when a power pack is inserted therein when the power pack system is operated in a liquid environment.

3. A rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system, according to claim 2, wherein the power pack and slot have corresponding alignment means to aid in the insertion and removal of the power pack for proper operating alignment.

4. A rechargeable/replaceable magnetic induction power pack system, according to claim 1, wherein the electric device is a flashlight having:

i. support structure within the water impervious case having a light opening,

ii. an electrical powered light emitter mounted on the support structure or case, and

iii. circuitry mounted on the support structure and connected to the light emitter and the induction coil adapted to selectively power the light emitter to produce light.

5. A rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system according to claim 4 including a cover.

6. A rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system according to claim 5 wherein the cover is a magnifying lens and including a reflector associated with the light emitter.

7. A rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system, according to claim 1, including a wireless communication link between the battery and electric device.

8. A method of using a bi-directional liquid resistant rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system comprising:

a. charging a power pack having;

i. a liquid impervious sealed housing with an interior, said sealed housing of a thickness and constructed of a material to allow magnetic induction to occur,

ii. an interior magnetic induction coil or coils located within the interior of the sealed housing structured and positioned to respond to a corresponding exterior magnetic induction coil or coils located independent of and exterior to the housing when juxlaposed and activated by an external power source to convert electromagnetic energy into electric current in a charging mode, and to release electromagnetic energy in a discharging mode,

iii. a rechargeable battery arid/or capacitor located within the sealed housing and associated with the interior induction coil or coils for selective storage of electromagnetic energy from art induction coil or coils and release of electromagnetic energy to an induction coil or coils,

iv. internal electronics operably associated with the induction coil and rechargeable battery and/or capacitor to selectively charge said battery and/or capacitor, in one mode and discharge said battery and/or capacitor in another mode through the interior magnetic induction coil to generate electromagnetic energy, and

b. inserting the power pack into an electronic device scaled within a liquid impervious case with a slot to accommodate at least one removably inserted power pack, the electronic device having;

i. a corresponding exterior magnetic induction coil positioned near the slot to be operably associated with the inserted power pack interior magnetic induction coil to generate electricity from the electromagnetic energy released by the power pack interior magnetic induction coil, and

ii. regulation and transmission means to transmit electric current produced by the exterior corresponding induction coil to power an electric device, and

c. powering the electronic device with the replaceable/rechargeable power pack.

9. A method off using a bi-directional liquid resistant rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system according to claim 8, wherein charging a power pack comprises charging a scaled battery by solar photo voltaic power.

10. A method of using a bi-directional liquid resistant rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system according to claim 8, including a wireless communication link between the battery and electric device.

11. A method of using a bi-directional liquid resistant rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication link between the battery and electric device is of RF type technology.

12. A method of using a bi-directional liquid resistant rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication link between the battery and electric device is of wireless optical type technology.

13. A method of using a bi-directional liquid resistant rechargeable/replaceable induction power pack system according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication link between the battery and electric device is of magnetic relay type technology.