Inductive systems for vehicles
First Claim
1. A vehicle system comprising:
- a charging portion having;
a primary coil configured to generate an inductive field, anda sensor configured to detect an object is proximate said charging portion and configured to identify the object from among a plurality of objects; and
a vehicle configured to traverse said charging portion, said vehicle including a secondary coil and a load electrically connected to said secondary coil, wherein said load receives electrical power from said secondary coil, said vehicle being configured to perform an automated vehicle control action based on a signal associated with said charging portion, such that said vehicle performs said automated vehicle control action when proximate said charging portion and such that said vehicle performs said automated vehicle control action for a pre-set period of time, andwherein said primary coil is configured to generate the inductive field when said vehicle traverses said charging portion in response to said sensor detecting said vehicle is proximate said charging portion and identifying said vehicle, said primary coil being separate from said sensor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inductively powered vehicle and an inductive charging segment. The vehicle may include a secondary coil, a drive motor, an electrical power storage device connected between said secondary coil and said drive motor, and a wireless communications unit. The charging segment may include a primary coil, a sense circuit operable to detect the presence of the vehicle based on a change in the detected impedance of the primary coil, and a power control unit operable to provide a time-varying current to the primary coil when the vehicle traverses the charging segment. The primary coil is positioned adjacent a track upper surface. The vehicle drive motor may be operable at first and second speed settings, and a remote control device can provide operating instructions to the vehicle wireless communications unit.
49 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A vehicle system comprising:
-
a charging portion having; a primary coil configured to generate an inductive field, and a sensor configured to detect an object is proximate said charging portion and configured to identify the object from among a plurality of objects; and a vehicle configured to traverse said charging portion, said vehicle including a secondary coil and a load electrically connected to said secondary coil, wherein said load receives electrical power from said secondary coil, said vehicle being configured to perform an automated vehicle control action based on a signal associated with said charging portion, such that said vehicle performs said automated vehicle control action when proximate said charging portion and such that said vehicle performs said automated vehicle control action for a pre-set period of time, and wherein said primary coil is configured to generate the inductive field when said vehicle traverses said charging portion in response to said sensor detecting said vehicle is proximate said charging portion and identifying said vehicle, said primary coil being separate from said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A multiple vehicle charging system comprising:
-
first and second vehicles each including a secondary coil, a controller, an electrical power storage device, and a drive motor, wherein said electrical power storage device is connected between said secondary coil and said drive motor in each of said respective first and second vehicles; and a drivable surface including a first charging portion, said first charging portion including a proximity sensor configured to detect said first and second vehicles when proximate said first charging portion and configured to distinguish said first vehicle from said second vehicle, a primary coil, and a power control unit, wherein said power control unit provides a time varying current to said primary coil to generate a first inductive field in response to said proximity sensor detecting at least one of said first and second vehicles as proximate said first charging portion, wherein said first and second vehicles receive power from said first inductive field when said first and second vehicles traverse said first charging portion, and wherein said controllers of said first and second vehicles are configured to initiate an automated vehicle control action based on a signal associated with said first charging portion, such that said first and second vehicles perform said automated vehicle control action when proximate said first charging portion and such that said first and second vehicles each perform said automated vehicle control action for a pre-set period of time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A vehicle system comprising:
-
a vehicle including a controller, a secondary coil, and an electrical power storage device electrically connected to said secondary coil; and an inductive power station including; an inductive sense circuit, a power control unit, and a primary coil separate from said inductive sense circuit, wherein said inductive sense circuit is configured to detect the presence of said vehicle based on a change in an impedance of said inductive sense circuit and configured to identify said vehicle from among a plurality of vehicles when said vehicle is proximate said inductive power station, said inductive sense circuit having an output corresponding to said detection, and wherein said power control unit is configured to control a power status of said primary coil based on said inductive sense circuit output, and wherein said controller is configured to initiate an automated vehicle control action based on a signal associated with said inductive power station, such that said vehicle performs said automated vehicle control action when proximate said inductive power station said such that said vehicle performs said automated vehicle control action for a pre-set period of time. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification