Apparatus and method for inductive power transfer on an electrified roadway using a rotating secondary inductor
First Claim
1. An apparatus for inductive power transfer from an electrified roadway to an electric motor, the apparatus comprising:
- a steel belted radial tire;
an insulated electric wire, wherein the insulated electric wire is wrapped around the steel belt to form an in-tire pickup inductor for inductively transferring power from the electrified roadway; and
a battery pack for providing battery pack power to the electric drive motor;
a controller, wherein the controller determines if there is sufficient inductive power to power the electric motor, and wherein if the controller determines there is insufficient inductive power, the controller determines if there is sufficient inductive power and battery pack power to power the electric motor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention described herein provides an energy transfer system via a tire based inductor system. By using the tire, the area inside the tire, the tire rim, or the wheel as the inductive pick-up for a powered roadway system the prior art problems are solved. Namely, since the tire/wheel is always in contact, or near contact with the road, the air gap is reduced to a minimum, and substantially fixed, distance. By mounting the secondary on the perimeter of a wheel, relative motion between the road and inductor is minimized. In addition, the pick-up can be encased in the tire, eliminating the problem of road debris, snow and ice entirely. Also, some heating of the tire due to electrical losses may enhance traction and tread performance on snowy or wet roads. In all configurations, the vehicle'"'"'s wheel suspension adjusts vertically adjusting for road imperfections and obstacles.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for inductive power transfer from an electrified roadway to an electric motor, the apparatus comprising:
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a steel belted radial tire; an insulated electric wire, wherein the insulated electric wire is wrapped around the steel belt to form an in-tire pickup inductor for inductively transferring power from the electrified roadway; and a battery pack for providing battery pack power to the electric drive motor; a controller, wherein the controller determines if there is sufficient inductive power to power the electric motor, and wherein if the controller determines there is insufficient inductive power, the controller determines if there is sufficient inductive power and battery pack power to power the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A shielded mobile inductor system for inductively coupling power from an electrified roadway to an electric motor, the system comprising:
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a battery pack for providing battery pack power; at least one tire; at least one inductor positioned integral with the at least one tire; and a controller, wherein the controller determines if there is sufficient inductive power to power the electric motor, and wherein if the controller determines there is insufficient inductive power, the controller determines if there is sufficient inductive power and battery pack power to power the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for inductive power transfer to an electric vehicle having an electric motor and a battery for providing battery power and having at least one tire on an electrified roadway, the method comprising:
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collocating an inductive pick up device with the at least one tire; inductively coupling power from the electrified roadway via the inductive pickup; and providing a controller for determining if there is sufficient inductive power to power the electric motor, and wherein determining there is insufficient inductive power, determining if there is sufficient inductive power and battery power to power the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification