Wireless power and data transfer device for harsh and extreme environments

• US 8,946,941 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2012
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
• Inventors: Maughan, Thomas G., Kirkwood, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amaya, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US13/424,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20120175969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• 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 wireless power and data connector includes a socket and a plug. The socket has a power port for connecting to a wired power transmission line, a data port for connecting to a wired data communication line, a wireless power transmitter, and a wireless data transceiver. The plug includes a power port for connecting to a wired instrument power transmission line, a data port for connecting to a wired instrument data communication line, a wireless power receiver, and a wireless data transceiver. The socket has a concave portion and the plug has a convex region shaped such that the convex region of the plug removably fits within the concave region of the socket. The wireless power transmitter and wireless power receiver transmit power from the socket to the plug using magnetically coupled resonant tank circuits.

Claims

1. A wireless power and data connector comprising a socket and a plug;

wherein the socket comprises;

a power port for connecting to a wired power transmission line;

a data port for connecting to a wired data communication line;

a wireless power transmitter;

a wireless data transceiver;

wherein the plug comprises;

a power port for connecting to a wired instrument power transmission line;

a data port for connecting to a wired instrument data communication line;

a wireless power receiver;

a wireless data transceiver;

wherein the socket has a concave portion and the plug has a convex region shaped such that the convex region of the plug removably and fits within the concave region of the socket;

wherein the wireless power transmitter and wireless power receiver transmit power from the socket to the plug using magnetically coupled resonant tank circuits.