Wireless power transfer system for glass

• US 7,696,644 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2007
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cooktek Induction Systems, LLC (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: CookTek, LLC
• Inventors: Graber, Warren, Metz, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US11/671,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20080185918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104, 219520-522, 219/740, 219/203
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10

Abstract

A power transfer system for imparting power to at least one functional element, such as a movable glass-containing functional element, such as a sliding glass door. The power transfer system preferably includes a magnetic induction power transfer mechanism with a power transfer circuit having first and second separated coils, and a resonant circuit power driver having a resonant frequency. The power transfer mechanism is designed to apply power to the functional element and/or to other devices or systems connected to it. The power transfer system may include an electronic feedback mechanism with an electronic feedback circuit for sensing a predetermined condition concerning the functional element. To take one example, the electronic feedback circuit may be used to provide safety door detection feedback by sensing the position of a movable glass portion of sliding glass doors, and by relaying a feedback signal, which may be carried by a light wave, to the power transfer mechanism if the movable glass portion of the doors is determined to be in a closed position. A data link may be used to communicate information between the power transfer circuit and the functional element.

Claims

1. A power transfer system for imparting power to at least one functional element associated with at least one glass portion, comprising:

a magnetic induction power transfer mechanism including a resonant circuit power driver having a resonant frequency, and a power transfer circuit comprising at least first and second separated coils;

the resonant circuit power driver being electrically connected to the first coil, power being transferred from the first coil to the second coil by magnetic induction, and the second coil being electrically connected to the at least one functional element associated with the at least one glass portion;

wherein the at least one functional element associated with the at least one glass portion comprises an electrical element or circuit to which power is to be supplied.

2. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second coils is wound on a metallic core.

3. The power transfer system of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second coils is wound on a ferrite core.

4. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit power driver produces sine waves.

5. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit power driver produces pulse width modulated or square waves.

6. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the at least one functional element comprises an electrically conductive film for heating the glass.

7. The power transfer system of claim 6, wherein the at least one glass portion comprises sliding glass doors having a movable glass element and a stationary glass element.

8. The power transfer system of claim 6, wherein the power transfer system is used to impart power to at least one of the following:

bifold doors;

swinging doors;

a lighted sign;

digital, addressable display devices; and

movable windows.

9. The power transfer system of claim 6, further comprising an electronic feedback mechanism including an electronic feedback circuit for sensing a predetermined condition concerning the at least one glass portion.

10. The power transfer system of claim 9, wherein the electronic feedback circuit senses the position of the at least one glass portion, and relays a feedback signal to the power transfer mechanism if the at least one glass portion is determined to be in a predetermined dosed position.

11. The power transfer system of claim 10, wherein the signal relayed to the power transfer mechanism results in the application of power to a sliding or swinging glass door.

12. The power transfer system of claim 10 where the feedback signal comprises a light beam.

13. The power transfer system of claim 10, wherein the electronic feedback mechanism, upon sensing the predetermined position of the at least one glass portion, signals to the power transfer mechanism a glass door characteristic.

14. The power transfer system of claim 13, wherein a glass door characteristic includes one or more of the following:

temperature;

power delivered to the door;

or fault conditions.

15. The power transfer system of claim 9, further comprising a data link for providing bidirectional communication of information.

16. The power transfer system of claim 9, wherein the electronic feedback circuit is powered by the power transfer circuit.

17. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein power from the power transfer circuit is used for a lighting or sound application.

18. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the first and second coils comprise primary and secondary coils, and further comprising a resonant circuit located only on the primary coil and not on the secondary coil.

19. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the resonant circuit power driver comprises a self resonant driver producing sine waves which runs synchronous with the resonant frequency regardless of load.

20. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the resonant circuit power driver remains synchronous with the resonant frequency as load on the power driver changes.

21. The power transfer system of claim 20, further comprising a zero crossing detection circuit providing trigger signals to the resonant circuit power driver.

22. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein the at least one glass portion comprises at least a movable glass portion.