Adaptive inductive power supply with communication
First Claim
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1. A contactless power supply for inductively providing power to a plurality of remote devices, said contactless power supply comprising:
- a resonant circuit having a primary for transferring power to the plurality of remote devices by an inductive coupling, said resonant circuit having a variable resonant frequency;
an inverter coupled to said resonant circuit, said inverter configured to drive said resonant circuit at a frequency of operation such that power is transferred inductively from said primary to one or more of the plurality of remote devices; and
a contactless power supply controller coupled to said resonant circuit and said inverter, said contactless power supply controller configured to determine a resonant frequency setting for said resonant circuit to transfer power to the plurality of remote devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A contactless power supply for inductively providing power to a plurality of remote devices, said contactless power supply comprising:
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a resonant circuit having a primary for transferring power to the plurality of remote devices by an inductive coupling, said resonant circuit having a variable resonant frequency; an inverter coupled to said resonant circuit, said inverter configured to drive said resonant circuit at a frequency of operation such that power is transferred inductively from said primary to one or more of the plurality of remote devices; and a contactless power supply controller coupled to said resonant circuit and said inverter, said contactless power supply controller configured to determine a resonant frequency setting for said resonant circuit to transfer power to the plurality of remote devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a contactless power supply for transferring power wirelessly to a plurality of remote devices, said method comprising:
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determining a resonant frequency setting for a resonant circuit to transfer power wirelessly to the plurality of remote devices; varying a variable impedance element of the resonant circuit to adjust a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit such that the resonant frequency substantially corresponds to the resonant frequency setting; and powering the resonant circuit to transmit power wirelessly to the plurality of remote devices. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A contactless power supply for inductively providing power to a plurality of remote devices, said contactless power supply comprising:
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a resonant circuit having at least one of a variable capacitor with a variable capacitance and a variable inductor with a variable inductance, said resonant circuit having a variable resonant frequency that varies based on changes in at least one of said variable inductance and said variable capacitance, said resonant circuit having a primary for transferring power wirelessly to the plurality of remote devices; an inverter coupled to said resonant circuit, said inverter configured to drive said resonant circuit at a frequency of operation such that power is transferred inductively from said primary to one or more of the plurality of remote devices; and a wireless power supply controller coupled said inverter, wherein said wireless power supply controller is programmed to vary said variable resonant frequency of said resonant circuit by at least one of (i) varying said capacitance of said variable capacitor of said resonant circuit; and
(ii) varying said variable inductance of said variable inductor of said resonant circuit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification