Wireless power and communication systems using magnetic vector potential
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a power supply circuit for providing a DC voltage;
an input conductor selectably connected to the power supply circuit, the input conductor extending along a plane;
a switching mechanism coupled between the power supply circuit and the input conductor and configured to connect and disconnect the input conductor to the power supply circuit;
a controller communicably coupled with the switching mechanism for controlling a connection state of the switching mechanism, wherein the controller is configured to control the switching mechanism, such that the power supply circuit provides a series of input voltage pulses to the input conductor, thereby creating a radial electric field extending from the input conductor; and
an output circuit that at least partially resides in the plane and that extends away from the input conductor in the plane, the output circuit not being electrically connected to the input conductor, wherein the output circuit is configured to receive the radial electric field such that output voltage pules are induced in the output circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods are provided for driving an input conductor with a signal comprising a series of voltage pulses. The pulses can beneficially invoke the skin effect to generate a time-varying magnetic vector potential that projects radially from a surface of the input conductor. The time-varying magnetic vector potential can provide an electric field for inducing output voltage pulses in an output circuit. The input conductor and output circuit can have various configurations. For example, the input conductor can extend along a plane, and the output circuit can at least partially reside in the plane and extend away from the input conductor in the plane. Such a geometry can reduce any back coupling between the two circuits, e.g., between electromagnetic fields caused by any current in the two circuits. Such a geometry would not normally allow for induction between the two circuits, which can reduce any Lenz effects.
43 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a power supply circuit for providing a DC voltage; an input conductor selectably connected to the power supply circuit, the input conductor extending along a plane; a switching mechanism coupled between the power supply circuit and the input conductor and configured to connect and disconnect the input conductor to the power supply circuit; a controller communicably coupled with the switching mechanism for controlling a connection state of the switching mechanism, wherein the controller is configured to control the switching mechanism, such that the power supply circuit provides a series of input voltage pulses to the input conductor, thereby creating a radial electric field extending from the input conductor; and an output circuit that at least partially resides in the plane and that extends away from the input conductor in the plane, the output circuit not being electrically connected to the input conductor, wherein the output circuit is configured to receive the radial electric field such that output voltage pules are induced in the output circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of providing wireless communication, the method comprising:
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receiving, at an output circuit, a time-varying magnetic vector potential, the time-varying magnetic vector potential being curl-free and varying in a direction of propagation of the magnetic vector potential; and inducing a current in the output circuit in response to the time-varying magnetic vector potential, wherein the output circuit includes a conductor connected to a load, wherein the current is induced in the conductor, wherein the time-varying magnetic vector potential creates an electric field that induces the current, wherein the conductor has a first lead that is at a higher voltage than a second lead. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus comprising:
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an output circuit configured to receive a time-varying magnetic vector potential such that the time-varying magnetic vector potential induces a current in the output circuit, the time-varying magnetic vector potential being curl-free and forming a longitudinal wave, wherein the output circuit includes a wire, and wherein the wire forms a coil, and wherein the coil is a pancake coil having a plurality of rings, the pancake coil forming a plane, wherein an inner ring of the pancake coil is a first ring that receives the time-varying magnetic vector potential, wherein the time-varying magnetic vector potential radiates outwardly in the plane toward the inner ring. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus comprising:
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an output circuit configured to receive a time-varying magnetic vector potential such that the time-varying magnetic vector potential induces a current in the output circuit, the time-varying magnetic vector potential being curl-free and forming a longitudinal wave, wherein the output circuit includes a wire, and wherein the wire forms a coil, and wherein the coil is a first cylindrical solenoid having a plurality of rings, a first axis of the first cylindrical solenoid being through a center of the plurality of rings, and wherein the time-varying magnetic vector potential propagates in a direction having a component that is parallel to the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification