Base distribution network for dynamic wireless charging
First Claim
1. A device for distributing power, the device comprising:
- a first plurality of charging coils configured to provide wireless power;
a first plurality of switches, each switch of the first plurality of switches paired with one charging coil of the first plurality of charging coils and each switch configured to selectively control power to its respective charging coil;
a second plurality of charging coils configured to provide wireless power;
a second plurality of switches, each switch of the second plurality of switches paired with one charging coil of the second plurality of charging coils and each switch configured to selectively control power to its respective charging coil;
a first control unit configured to control the first plurality of switches; and
a second control unit configured to control the second plurality of switches,the first and second pluralities of charging coils being interleaved, the first and second control units being further configured to power only one charging coil from each of the first and second pluralities of charging coils, respectively, at a time such that adjacent charging coils are powered from different control units based on one or more control signals from each control unit, and the first plurality of switches being configured to couple the first plurality of charging coils to the control unit and the second plurality of switches being configured to couple the second plurality of charging coils to the control unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Dynamic systems may require a large number of coils (charging pads) which may be installed into the roadway to wirelessly provide power to electric vehicles as they are traveling along the roadway. The current in each of these coils may need to be turned on and off as a vehicle drives over the coils in order to efficiently utilize power and properly convey power to the passing vehicles. The supply network behind these coils may need to be capable of managing the individual coils with minimal infrastructure and cost as well as be capable of distributing the required power from the power grid to these pads efficiently and safely. The supply network may include charging coils, switches, local controllers, and distribution circuitry within a modular element, which may receive power from external sources and may be controlled by a central controller.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A device for distributing power, the device comprising:
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a first plurality of charging coils configured to provide wireless power; a first plurality of switches, each switch of the first plurality of switches paired with one charging coil of the first plurality of charging coils and each switch configured to selectively control power to its respective charging coil; a second plurality of charging coils configured to provide wireless power; a second plurality of switches, each switch of the second plurality of switches paired with one charging coil of the second plurality of charging coils and each switch configured to selectively control power to its respective charging coil; a first control unit configured to control the first plurality of switches; and a second control unit configured to control the second plurality of switches, the first and second pluralities of charging coils being interleaved, the first and second control units being further configured to power only one charging coil from each of the first and second pluralities of charging coils, respectively, at a time such that adjacent charging coils are powered from different control units based on one or more control signals from each control unit, and the first plurality of switches being configured to couple the first plurality of charging coils to the control unit and the second plurality of switches being configured to couple the second plurality of charging coils to the control unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for distributing power, the method comprising:
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selectively coupling one charging coil of a first plurality of charging coils to a first control unit via a first plurality of switches, the charging coils configured to provide wireless power; selectively coupling one charging coil of a second plurality of charging coils to a second control unit via a second plurality of switches; generating, via the one charging coil of the first plurality of charging coils a wireless field to distribute power; and generating, via the one charging coil of the second plurality of charging coils another wireless field to distribute power, the first and second pluralities of charging coils being interleaved and generating the wireless fields via the first and second charging coils via the first and second control units, respectively, at a same time such that adjacent charging coils are powered from different control units based on one or more control signals from each control unit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for distributing power, the device comprising:
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a first plurality of means for providing wireless power; a second plurality of means for providing wireless power; a first plurality of means for selectively controlling configured to selectively provide power to the first plurality of wireless power providing means; a second plurality of means for selectively controlling configured to selectively provide power to the second plurality of wireless power providing means; a first means for controlling the first plurality of selectively controlling means; and a second means for controlling the second plurality of selectively controlling means, the first and second pluralities of wireless power providing means being interleaved, the first and second controlling means being configured to power only one wireless power providing means from each of the first and second pluralities of wireless power providing means, respectively, at a time such that adjacent wireless power providing means are powered from different controlling means based on one or more control signals from each controlling means, and each of the first plurality of selectively controlling means further configured to respectively couple one of the first plurality of wireless power providing means to the controlling means and each of the second plurality of selectively controlling means further configured to respectively couple one of the plurality of wireless power providing means to the controlling means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification