Inductive power transmission for electrical devices

• US 9,509,146 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Manahan, Joseph Michael, Bowen, Scott J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thienvu
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stables, David M
• Application Number:
  US13/786,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20140256188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/02 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence

Abstract

An electrical system that includes an enclosure and a power source located outside the enclosure and generating a first current. The electrical system can also include a transmitting inductor located within the enclosure and electrically connected to the power source, where the first current generated by the power source flows through the transmitting inductor. The electrical system can further include a receiving inductor positioned proximate to the transmitting inductor within the enclosure, where the first current flowing through the transmitting inductor induces a second current to flow through the receiving inductor. The electrical system can also include a device located within the enclosure and electrically connected to the receiving inductor, wherein the second current induced in the receiving conductor powers the device.

Claims

1. An electrical system, comprising:

an enclosure located in a hazardous environment;

a power source located outside the enclosure and generating a first current;

a transmitting inductor located within the enclosure and electrically connected to the power source, wherein the first current generated by the power source flows through the transmitting inductor;

a receiving inductor positioned proximate to the transmitting inductor within the enclosure, wherein the first current flowing through the transmitting inductor induces a second current to flow through the receiving inductor; and

a device located within the enclosure and electrically connected to the receiving inductor, wherein the second current induced in the receiving inductor powers the device,

wherein generation of the second current induced in the receiving inductor and used to power the device prevents a condition that causes an explosion in the hazardous environment,

wherein the receiving inductor is separable from the transmitting inductor.

2. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a motor control center.

3. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a lighting device.

4. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is is one selected from a group consisting of National Electrical Manufacturer'"'"'s Association Type 7 enclosure, Type 8 enclosure, Type 9 enclosure, and Type 10 enclosure.

5. The electrical system of claim 1, further comprising:

an additional transmitting inductor electrically connected to the device, wherein the second current received by the device from the receiving inductor flows through the additional transmitting inductor;

an additional receiving inductor positioned proximate to the additional transmitting inductor, wherein the second current flowing through the additional transmitting inductor induces a third current to flow through the additional receiving inductor; and

an additional device electrically connected to the additional receiving inductor, wherein the third current induced in the additional receiving inductor powers the additional device.

6. The electrical system of claim 1, further comprising:

an additional transmitting inductor electrically connected to the transmitting inductor, wherein the first current that flows through the transmitting inductor subsequently flows through the additional transmitting inductor;

an additional receiving inductor positioned proximate to the additional transmitting inductor, wherein the first current flowing through the additional transmitting inductor induces a third current to flow through the additional receiving inductor; and

an additional device electrically connected to the additional receiving inductor, wherein the third current induced in the additional receiving inductor powers the additional device.

7. The electrical system of claim 6, wherein the additional transmitting inductor, the additional receiving inductor, and the additional device are positioned within an additional enclosure.

8. The electrical system of claim 1, wherein the device is maintainable without interrupting the power source by separating the receiving inductor from the transmitting inductor.

9. An inductive power source, comprising:

a cable comprising a conductor disposed within an insulating member;

a housing disposed on an outer surface of the insulating member, wherein the housing comprises;

a receiving inductor disposed within the housing;

an encroacher positioned on a bottom side of the housing and comprising a leading edge that penetrates the insulating member; and

a coupling feature disposed on an outer surface of the housing; and

a latch assembly movably coupled to the housing, wherein the latch assembly comprises;

an arm that extends from the housing;

a harness that couples to the insulating member of the cable; and

a latch that mechanically couples to the coupling feature of the housing.

10. The inductive power source of claim 9, wherein the harness mechanically couples to the insulating member on a side opposite where the encroacher penetrates the insulating member.

11. The inductive power source of claim 9, wherein the receiving inductor is electrically connected to an electrical device that receives power induced from the receiving inductor from current flowing through the conductor.

12. The inductive power source of claim 9, wherein the leading edge of the encroacher is made of an electrically conductive material and contacts the conductor.

13. The inductive power source of claim 9, wherein the leading edge of the encroacher penetrates the insulating member when the latch mechanically couples to the coupling feature.

14. The inductive power source of claim 9, wherein the latch assembly is hingedly coupled to the housing.

15. The inductive power source of claim 9, wherein the harness contacts at least a bottom portion of the insulating member of the cable.

16. An electrical system, comprising:

a first enclosure;

a second enclosure;

a power source located outside the first enclosure and the second enclosure, wherein the power source generates a first current;

a transmitting inductor coupled to the power source, wherein the transmitting inductor is disposed, in part, within the first enclosure and the second enclosure without a termination, wherein the first current generated by the power source flows through the transmitting inductor;

a first receiving inductor positioned proximate to the transmitting inductor within the first enclosure, wherein the first current flowing through the transmitting inductor induces a second current to flow through the first receiving inductor; and

a first device located within the first enclosure and electrically connected to the first receiving inductor, wherein the second current induced in the first receiving inductor powers the first device,

a second receiving inductor positioned proximate to the transmitting inductor within the second enclosure, wherein the first current flowing through the transmitting inductor induces a third current to flow through the second receiving inductor; and

a second device located within the second enclosure and electrically connected to the second receiving inductor, wherein the third current induced in the second receiving inductor powers the second device,

wherein the first receiving inductor is separable from the transmitting inductor, and

wherein the second receiving inductor is separable from the transmitting inductor.