Apparatus, system, and method for wireless charging of a device within a sterilizable vessel

• US 10,236,709 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2016
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Inventors: Decker, Gregory G., Peterson, Brian R., Jankins, Eric, Planck, William A., Halberg, Leslie I., Hamilton, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Application Number:
  US15/339,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20170324267A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 320107, 320108, 320114, 320115
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/00 Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/502 the energy repeater being integrated together with the emitter or the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

In various examples, a system includes a power generating device configured to generate and transfer power to an electrical device. A sterilizable vessel is configured to accommodate the electrical device. The vessel is configured to allow power to be at least partially wirelessly transferred from the power generating device, through the vessel, and to the electrical device. In other examples, a method includes wirelessly powering and/or charging an electrical device disposed within a sterilizable vessel.

Claims

1. A system for wirelessly charging a battery, the system comprising:

a power generating device configured to generate and transfer power to the battery, the power generating device electrically coupled to a source coil; and

a sterilizable vessel configured to accommodate the battery, the battery including a receiving coil disposed within the battery, the vessel being configured to allow power to be at least partially wirelessly transferred from the power generating device, through the vessel, and to the battery within the vessel, wherein the source coil electrically coupled to the power generating device is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to the receiving coil of the battery to wirelessly transfer power from the power generating device to the battery.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the source coil is disposed within the power generating device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a repeater coil configured to receive the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the source coil and transmit the electromagnetic waves to the receiving coil of the battery to wirelessly transfer power from the power generating device, through the vessel, and to the battery.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes the source coil electrically coupled to the power generating device so that the power generating device is electrically coupled to the source coil of the vessel, the source coil being configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to the receiving coil of the battery to at least partially wirelessly transfer power from the power generating device to the battery.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a tray sized and shaped to accommodate at least one battery within an interior of the tray.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a sterilizable container sized and shaped to accommodate at least one battery within an interior of the sterilizable container.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the sterilizable container includes a closure, which, when in a closed position, seals the interior of the sterilzable container.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes an opening in a wall of the vessel, the opening being configured to allow wireless power transfer through the wall of the vessel from the power generating device to the battery.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein a non-metallic material is disposed within the opening.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein a wall of the vessel includes a metallic material, a thickness of the wall being configured to allow wireless power transfer through the wall of the vessel from the power generating device to the battery.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein a wall of the vessel includes a metallic material, the power generating device being configured to transmit power at a frequency that allows wireless power transfer through the wall of the vessel from the power generating device to the battery.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein a wall of the vessel includes a non-metallic material to allow wireless power transfer through the wall of the vessel from the power generating device to the battery.

13. A system for wirelessly recharging a battery, the system comprising:

a power generating device configured to generate and transfer power to the battery, the power generating device being electrically coupled to a source coil disposed within the power generating device; and

a sterilizable container sized and shaped to accommodate the battery within an interior of the sterilizable container, the sterilizable container including a closure, which, when in a closed position, seals the interior of the sterilzable container, the battery including a receiving coil disposed within the battery, the sterilizable container being configured to allow power to be at least partially wirelessly transferred from the source coil electrically coupled to the power generating device, through the sterilizable container, and to the battery, wherein the source coil is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to the receiving coil to wirelessly transfer power from the power generating device to the battery to charge the battery within the sealed sterilizable container.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the source coil is disposed within the power generating device.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the sterilizable container includes a repeater coil configured to receive the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the source coil and transmit the electromagnetic waves to the receiving coil of the battery to wirelessly transfer power from the power generating device, through the sterilizable container, and to the battery.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the sterilizable container includes the source coil electrically coupled to the power generating device so that the power generating device is electrically coupled to the source coil of the sterilizable container, the source coil being configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to the receiving coil of the battery to at least partially wirelessly transfer power from the power generating device to the battery to charge the battery within the sterilizable container.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the sterilizable container includes an opening in a wall of the sterilizable container, the opening being configured to allow wireless power transfer through the wall of the sterilizable container from the power generating device to the battery.

18. A system comprising:

a battery including a receiving coil disposed within the battery;

a power generating device configured to generate and transfer power to the battery, the power generating device electrically coupled to a source coil; and

a sterilizable vessel configured to accommodate the battery within an interior of the vessel, the vessel being configured to allow power to be at least partially wirelessly transferred from the power generating device, through the vessel, and to the battery within the vessel, wherein the source coil is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to the receiving coil to wirelessly transfer power from the power generating device to the battery within the interior of the vessel.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the source coil is disposed within the power generating device, the vessel including a repeater coil configured to receive the electromagnetic waves and transmit the electromagnetic waves to the receiving coil to wirelessly transfer power from the power generating device, through the vessel, and to the battery.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the vessel includes the source coil, the power generating device being electrically coupled to the source coil of the vessel, the source coil being configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to the receiving coil to at least partially wirelessly transfer power from the power generating device to the battery.