Lighting devices employing class-E power amplifier for inductive power and data transfer in high-moisture operating environments
First Claim
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1. An inductive-coupling lighting system for use in a high-moisture operating environment, the inductive-coupling lighting system comprising:
- a light-module receptacle including a first inductive coupler and an input power connection through which the light-module receptacle receives an input power signal carrying a lighting-control signal representing command information, the first inductive coupler including a socket defined by a first watertight housing, a primary solenoid, a class-E power amplifier, a modulation controller, and associated electrical circuitry encompassed by the first watertight housing, the modulation controller configured to determine a type of the lighting-control signal and to produce a digital switching signal based on the command information, the digital switching signal, when applied to the class-E power amplifier, causing a switching device of the class-E power amplifier to switch and thereby generate a high-frequency sinusoidal waveform applied to the primary solenoid; and
a light module including a second inductive coupler, light controller circuitry, and a light-emitting device, the second inductive coupler including a plug defined by a second watertight housing and sized to plug into the socket when the light module is in a mated condition with the light-module receptacle, the second watertight housing containing a secondary solenoid that, when in the mated condition and in response to application of the high-frequency sinusoidal waveform to the primary solenoid, provides an induced voltage simultaneously powering the light controller circuitry and signaling to it the command information by which change is made to an illumination state the light-emitting device.
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Abstract
An inductive-coupling lighting system for use in high-moisture operating environments provides electromagnetic inductive coupling for simultaneous wireless (contactless) transfer of power and lighting-control commands.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An inductive-coupling lighting system for use in a high-moisture operating environment, the inductive-coupling lighting system comprising:
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a light-module receptacle including a first inductive coupler and an input power connection through which the light-module receptacle receives an input power signal carrying a lighting-control signal representing command information, the first inductive coupler including a socket defined by a first watertight housing, a primary solenoid, a class-E power amplifier, a modulation controller, and associated electrical circuitry encompassed by the first watertight housing, the modulation controller configured to determine a type of the lighting-control signal and to produce a digital switching signal based on the command information, the digital switching signal, when applied to the class-E power amplifier, causing a switching device of the class-E power amplifier to switch and thereby generate a high-frequency sinusoidal waveform applied to the primary solenoid; and a light module including a second inductive coupler, light controller circuitry, and a light-emitting device, the second inductive coupler including a plug defined by a second watertight housing and sized to plug into the socket when the light module is in a mated condition with the light-module receptacle, the second watertight housing containing a secondary solenoid that, when in the mated condition and in response to application of the high-frequency sinusoidal waveform to the primary solenoid, provides an induced voltage simultaneously powering the light controller circuitry and signaling to it the command information by which change is made to an illumination state the light-emitting device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A light-module receptacle, comprising:
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an input power connection through which the light-module receptacle receives an input power signal carrying a lighting-control signal representing command information; and an inductive coupler including a socket defined by a watertight housing, a primary solenoid, a class-E power amplifier, a modulation controller, and associated electrical circuitry encompassed by the watertight housing, the modulation controller configured to; determine a type of the lighting-control signal; and produce, based on the command information, a digital switching signal that, when applied to the class-E power amplifier, causes a switching device of the class-E power amplifier to switch and thereby generate a high-frequency sinusoidal waveform applied to the primary solenoid to simultaneously transfer power and the command information to a light module. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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18. A light module, comprising:
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a light-emitting device; light controller circuitry; and an inductive coupler including a plug defined by a watertight housing and sized to plug into a socket of a light-module receptacle when the light module is in a mated condition with the light-module receptacle, the watertight housing containing a secondary solenoid that, when in the mated condition and in response to application of a high-frequency sinusoidal waveform to a primary solenoid of the light-module receptacle, provides an induced voltage simultaneously powering the light controller circuitry and signaling to it command information by which change is made to an illumination state the light-emitting device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification