Inductively powered mobile sensor system
First Claim
1. An inductive power transfer system, the system comprising:
- a plurality of primary conductive paths operable to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space;
an inductive power pick-up associated with a sensor, the pick-up having a pick-up resonant circuit, and being moveable in relation to the primary conductive paths and being capable of receiving power from the field to supply the pick-up irrespective of a location and/or orientation of the pick-up within the defined space;
a first sensing unit operable to sense a power available to the pick-up;
a second sensing unit operable to sense an immediate power requirement of the pick-up; and
a control unit operable to control a frequency of oscillation of the electromagnetic field relative to a resonant frequency of the pick-up resonant circuit, and control a relative energization of the plurality of primary conductive paths to vary a vector orientation of the electromagnetic field at or adjacent the inductive power pick-up to match the power available with the immediate power requirement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an inductively powered sensor system having a primary conductive path capable of being energized to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space. An inductive power pick-up is associated with a sensor and is capable of receiving power from the field to supply the sensor. The system includes a first sensing unit to sense the power available to the pick-up and a control unit to increase or decrease the power available to the sensor dependant on the sensed power available. A method of inductively powering a sensor, an inductively powered sensor and an animal enclosure including one or more primary conductive path of an inductive power supply are also disclosed.
33 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An inductive power transfer system, the system comprising:
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a plurality of primary conductive paths operable to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space; an inductive power pick-up associated with a sensor, the pick-up having a pick-up resonant circuit, and being moveable in relation to the primary conductive paths and being capable of receiving power from the field to supply the pick-up irrespective of a location and/or orientation of the pick-up within the defined space; a first sensing unit operable to sense a power available to the pick-up; a second sensing unit operable to sense an immediate power requirement of the pick-up; and a control unit operable to control a frequency of oscillation of the electromagnetic field relative to a resonant frequency of the pick-up resonant circuit, and control a relative energization of the plurality of primary conductive paths to vary a vector orientation of the electromagnetic field at or adjacent the inductive power pick-up to match the power available with the immediate power requirement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of inductive power transfer provided in a defined space, the method comprising:
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generating an electromagnetic field in the defined space using one or more of a plurality of conductive paths; receiving power from the field at a pick-up associated with a sensor and comprising a pick-up resonant circuit, irrespective of a location and/or orientation of the pick-up within the defined space, the pick-up being moveable in relation to the primary conductive paths; sensing a power available to the pick-up provided in the defined space; sensing an immediate power requirement of the pick-up, and controlling a frequency of oscillation of the electromagnetic field relative to a resonant frequency of the pick-up resonant circuit, and controlling a relative energization of the plurality of primary conductive paths to vary a vector orientation of the electromagnetic field at or adjacent the pick-up to match the power available with the immediate power requirement. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An animal enclosure comprising:
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a perimeter defined by one or more walls, a floor and/or a ceiling; a plurality of conductive paths operable to provide an electromagnetic field in the space defined by the perimeter of the enclosure; and a power supply operable to energize the primary conductive paths to transfer power to a moveable inductive power pick-up located within the defined space and irrespective of a location and/or orientation of the pick-up relative to the primary conductive paths, the inductive power pick-up comprising a pick-up resonant circuit and being associated with a sensor, the inductive power pick-up further comprising a first sensing unit operable to sense a power available to the pick-up and a second sensing unit operable to sense an immediate power requirement of the pick-up, wherein the power supply is operable to control a frequency of oscillation of the electromagnetic field relative to a resonant frequency of the pick-up resonant circuit and control a relative energization of the plurality of primary conductive paths to vary a vector orientation of the electromagnetic field at or adjacent the pick-up to match the power available with the immediate power requirement. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An inductive power supply comprising a plurality of conductive paths capable of providing an electromagnetic field in a defined space and being configured to transfer power to a moveable inductive power pick-up located within the defined space irrespective of the location and/or orientation of the pick-up relative to the primary conductive paths, wherein the power supply may be adjusted to control a frequency of oscillation of the electromagnetic field relative to a resonant frequency of the pick-up and control energization of the plurality of primary conductive paths to vary a vector orientation of the electromagnetic field at or adjacent the pick-up to match a sensed power available to the pick-up with an immediate power requirement.
Specification