System and method of filling an air gap between a pair of core sections of a transformer
First Claim
1. An electric vehicle comprising an energy conversion system, wherein the energy conversion system includes:
- a first core section configured for alignment with a second core section to define an air gap therebetween and to form a transformer;
a tank configured for containing a volume of fluid having a magnetic permeability;
a flexible structure fluidly coupled to the tank and movable from a retracted position to an extended position in response to the injection of fluid from the tank into the expandable structure such that the air gap is reduced, wherein the flexible structure is configured to transmit magnetic flux between the second core section and the first core section, through the fluid within the expandable structure; and
an output coil in electrical communication with the first core section, wherein the magnetic flux in the first core section induces electrical current in the output coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy conversion system includes a first core section, a tank, a flexible structure, and an output coil. The tank contains a volume of fluid having a high magnetic permeability. The flexible structure is fluidly coupled to the tank and movable from a retracted to an extended position in response to the injection of the fluid from the tank. The output coil is in electrical communication with the first core section. A charging station includes a second core section and an input coil. The first and second core sections are in alignment to define an air gap therebetween. The air gap is reduced when the flexible structure is in the extended position within the air gap such that the flexible structure transmits magnetic flux between the second core section and the first core section. The magnetic flux in the first core section induces electrical current in the output coil.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An electric vehicle comprising an energy conversion system, wherein the energy conversion system includes:
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a first core section configured for alignment with a second core section to define an air gap therebetween and to form a transformer; a tank configured for containing a volume of fluid having a magnetic permeability; a flexible structure fluidly coupled to the tank and movable from a retracted position to an extended position in response to the injection of fluid from the tank into the expandable structure such that the air gap is reduced, wherein the flexible structure is configured to transmit magnetic flux between the second core section and the first core section, through the fluid within the expandable structure; and an output coil in electrical communication with the first core section, wherein the magnetic flux in the first core section induces electrical current in the output coil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A charging system comprising:
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an energy conversion system including; a first core section; a tank containing a volume of fluid having a high magnetic permeability; a flexible structure fluidly coupled to the tank and movable from a retracted position to an extended position in response to the injection of fluid from the tank into the expandable structure; an output coil in electrical communication with the first core section; and a charging station including; a second core section in alignment with the first core section to define an air gap therebetween and to form a transformer; an input coil in electrical communication with the second core section; wherein the air gap is reduced when the flexible structure is in the extended position within the air gap such that the flexible structure transmits magnetic flux between the second core section and the first core section, through the fluid within the expandable structure; and wherein the magnetic flux in the first core section induces electrical current in the output coil. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of filling an air gap defined between a pair of core sections of a transformer, the method comprising:
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disposing a flexible structure between the pair of core sections; injecting a fluid having a magnetic permeability into the flexible structure to move the flexible structure from a retracted position to an extended position such that the air gap is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification