System and method for inductively transferring AC power and self alignment between a vehicle and a recharging station
First Claim
1. A system for charging a rechargeable battery, comprising:
- a power transformer includinga first core, the first core including first, second, and third pole surface areas; and
a second core, the second core including first, second, and third pole surface areas, and whereinthe first core and the second core are separated by first, second, and third air gaps,the first air gap separating the first pole surface area of the first core and the first pole surface area of the second core, the second air gap separating the second pole surface area of the first core and the second pole surface area of the second core, and the third air gap separating the third pole surface area of the first core and the third pole surface area of the second core; and
a semi-permeable magnetic membrane comprising an epoxy binder and a ferromagnetic material embedded within the epoxy binder, whereinthe semi-permeable magnetic membrane coats each of the first, second, and third poles on the first core, andthe semi-permeable magnetic membrane coats each of the first, second, and third poles on the second core,the first core is electrically connected to a primary voltage source, andthe second core is located apart from the first core until recharging occurs and further is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for hands free inductive charging of batteries for an electric vehicle is characterized by the use of a transformer having a primary coil connected with a charging station and a secondary coil connected with a vehicle. More particularly, the when the vehicle is parked adjacent to the charging station, the primary coil is displaced via a self alignment mechanism to position the primary coil adjacent to the secondary coil to maximize the inductive transfer of charging current to the secondary coil. The self alignment mechanism preferably utilizes feedback signals from the secondary coil to automatically displace the primary coil in three directions to position the primary coil for maximum efficiency of the transformer.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for charging a rechargeable battery, comprising:
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a power transformer including a first core, the first core including first, second, and third pole surface areas; and a second core, the second core including first, second, and third pole surface areas, and wherein the first core and the second core are separated by first, second, and third air gaps, the first air gap separating the first pole surface area of the first core and the first pole surface area of the second core, the second air gap separating the second pole surface area of the first core and the second pole surface area of the second core, and the third air gap separating the third pole surface area of the first core and the third pole surface area of the second core; and a semi-permeable magnetic membrane comprising an epoxy binder and a ferromagnetic material embedded within the epoxy binder, wherein the semi-permeable magnetic membrane coats each of the first, second, and third poles on the first core, and the semi-permeable magnetic membrane coats each of the first, second, and third poles on the second core, the first core is electrically connected to a primary voltage source, and the second core is located apart from the first core until recharging occurs and further is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An inductively coupled battery recharging system, comprising:
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a first inductive winding coupled to an exterior power source and including a first core, a first winding area of the first core including a first winding cross sectional area; a first pole section of the first core including a first pole sectional area, a second pole section of the first core including a second pole sectional area, and a third pole section of the first core including a third pole section area, wherein the first core first, second and third surface areas are substantially similar in shape and size; and a second inductive winding coupled to a rechargeable battery and including a second core, a second winding area of the second core including a second winding cross sectional area; a first pole section of the second core including a first pole sectional area, and a second pole section of the second core includes a second pole sectional area, and a third pole section of the second core including a third pole sectional area, wherein the second core first, second, and third pole sectional areas are substantially similar in shape and size, the first and second core winding sectional areas are substantially similar in shape and size, and the first, second, and third pole sectional areas of the first and second cores are substantially similar in shape and size, respectively, and further wherein, the ratio of the area of the pole of the core to the area of the winding of the core is between 2.0 and 5.0, whereby a first magnetic flux area formed between the first pole of the first core and the first pole of the second core, and a second magnetic flux area formed between the second pole of the first core and the second pole of the second core, and a third magnetic flux area formed between the third pole of the first core and the third pole of the second core are substantially contained, respectively, within a first volume formed by the cross sectional areas of the first pole of the first core and the first pole of the second core, the second pole of the first core and the second pole of the second core, and the third pole of the first core and the third pole of the second core. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for inductively charging a battery in a vehicle, comprising
(a) a fixture; -
(b) an interface plate connected with said fixture and movable with respect thereto; (c) a transformer including (1) a primary coil mounted on said interface plate; and (2) a secondary coil mounted on the vehicle, whereby when the vehicle is positioned adjacent to said fixture and said secondary coil is opposite said primary coil and power is supplied to said primary coil, inductive power is transmitted to said secondary coil to charge the vehicle battery. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification