Electromagnetic alignment of inductive coils
First Claim
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1. A method of aligning an inductive power transmitter with an inductive power receiver, comprising:
- determining if the inductive power receiver is aligned with respect to the inductive power transmitter by receiving a signal from the inductive power receiver;
upon determining that the inductive power receiver is not aligned with respect to the alignment axis, producing a series of magnetic field pulses that repel the inductive power receiver to stimulate alignment of the inductive power receiver along the alignment axis; and
otherwise, wirelessly transmitting power to the inductive power receiver.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for automatically aligning a power-transmitting inductor with a power-receiving inductor. One embodiment includes a method of applying a direct current pulse to a transmit coil of a power-transmitting inductor to attract the power-receiving inductor into alignment along an alignment axis.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of aligning an inductive power transmitter with an inductive power receiver, comprising:
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determining if the inductive power receiver is aligned with respect to the inductive power transmitter by receiving a signal from the inductive power receiver; upon determining that the inductive power receiver is not aligned with respect to the alignment axis, producing a series of magnetic field pulses that repel the inductive power receiver to stimulate alignment of the inductive power receiver along the alignment axis; and otherwise, wirelessly transmitting power to the inductive power receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of aligning an inductive power transmitter with an inductive power receiver, comprising:
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receiving a signal at the inductive power transmitter from the inductive power transmitter that the inductive power receiver is not aligned along an alignment axis with the inductive power transmitter; upon receiving the signal, enabling the inductive power transmitter to produce a series of magnetic field pulses that repel the inductive power receiver to stimulate alignment of the inductive power receiver along the alignment axis. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of disconnecting an inductive power receiver from an inductive power transmitter, comprising:
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receiving a signal at the inductive power transmitter that the inductive power receiver is prepared to be disconnected from the inductive power transmitter; and upon receiving the signal, producing a series of magnetic field pulses that repel the inductive power receiver. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An inductive charging system comprising:
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an inductive charging device comprising; a housing comprising an interface surface for receiving an electronic device; and a transmit coil within the housing and positioned below the interface surface; wherein; the inductive charging device is configured to apply a series of direct current pulses to the transmit coil that repel a magnetic field source included within the electronic device to cause a receive coil within the electronic device to align with the transmit coil. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. An inductive charging system comprising:
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an inductive charging device comprising; a housing comprising an interface surface for receiving an electronic device; and a transmit coil within the housing and positioned below the interface surface; wherein; the inductive charging device is configured to apply a series of direct current pulses to the transmit coil that repel a magnetic field source included within the electronic device to align a receive coil within the electronic device with the transmit coil. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification