Worksurface power transfer
First Claim
1. A power transfer system for distributing power throughout a spacial area, said spacial area having at least two work units comprising a first work unit and a second work unit, said power transfer system comprising:
- incoming means for receiving incoming power from a source of electrical power;
first power distribution means connected to said incoming means and secured to said first work unit, for selectively applying said incoming power to first electrical devices to be energized;
second power distribution means secured to said second work unit, for selectively applying power to second electrical devices to be energized; and
inductive transfer means connected to said first power distribution means and to said second power distribution means, for inductively transferring said incoming power from said first power distribution means to said second power distribution means when said first work unit is physically adjacent to said second work unit.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power transfer system (100) is used with a primary table (102) and one or more secondary tables (170). Incoming power is supplied from a source outlet receptacle block (108) to raceway assemblies (120, 134) and an energy center (140) on the primary table (102). The raceway assemblies (120, 134) are connected to a primary winding circuit (136) having a primary winding (160). A secondary table (170) also includes raceway assemblies (120, 134) connected to a secondary winding circuit (176). When the tables (102, 170) are in close proximity, magnetic flux generated from current flowing through the primary winding (160) commonly flows through the secondary winding (186), thereby inductively generating power which can be applied to the raceway assemblies (120, 134) associated with the secondary table (170).
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A power transfer system for distributing power throughout a spacial area, said spacial area having at least two work units comprising a first work unit and a second work unit, said power transfer system comprising:
-
incoming means for receiving incoming power from a source of electrical power; first power distribution means connected to said incoming means and secured to said first work unit, for selectively applying said incoming power to first electrical devices to be energized; second power distribution means secured to said second work unit, for selectively applying power to second electrical devices to be energized; and inductive transfer means connected to said first power distribution means and to said second power distribution means, for inductively transferring said incoming power from said first power distribution means to said second power distribution means when said first work unit is physically adjacent to said second work unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A power transfer system for distributing power to a plurality of work units comprising at least first, second and third work units, said power transfer system comprising:
-
incoming means for receiving incoming power from a source of electrical power; first power distribution means connected to said incoming means for selectively applying said incoming power to first electrical devices to be energized, said first power distribution means being associated with said first work unit; a first primary inductive circuit connected to said first power distribution means; a first secondary inductive circuit located on said second work unit; second power distribution means connected to said first secondary inductive circuit, for selectively applying power received through said first secondary inductive circuit to second electrical devices to be energized; a second primary inductive circuit connected to said second power distribution means; a second secondary inductive circuit associated with said third work unit; third power distribution means located on said third work unit and connected to said second secondary inductive circuit, for selectively applying power to third electrical devices to be energized; when said first secondary inductive circuit is moved substantially adjacent to said first primary integrated circuit, said incoming power is inductively transferred to said second power distribution means through said first primary inductive circuit and said first secondary inductive circuit; and when said second secondary inductive circuit is moved substantially adjacent to said second primary inductive circuit, with said first secondary inductive circuit substantially adjacent to said first primary inductive circuit, said incoming power is inductively transferred to said third power distribution means through said second primary inductive circuit and said second secondary inductive circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification