Inductive power transfer apparatus

• US 20120025603A1
• Filed: 02/05/2010
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auckland UniServices Limited (Auckland University)
• Original Assignee: Auckland UniServices Limited (Auckland University)
• Inventors: Boys, John Talbot, Huang, Chang-Yu
• Granted Patent: US 9,283,858 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/12 Inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A magnetic flux pad for generating or receiving magnetic flux has two pole areas (11, 12), a permeable core (14) and a coil (16) wound about the core. The pad allows useable flux to be generated at a significant height above a surface of the pad.

Claims

1. A magnetic flux pad having a front face and a back face for generating or receiving magnetic flux, the pad comprising:

two pole areas for sending or receiving flux;

a magnetically permeable core magnetically connecting the pole areas;

a coil wound about the core; and

whereby the flux enters the pad at one of the pole areas and exits the pad at the other pole area.

2. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flux shaper such that flux is directed into a space beyond a front face of the pad.

3. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flux shaper is located adjacent to a back face of the pad.

4. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flux shaper comprises a member constructed from a flux repelling material.

5. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flux shaper such that flux is substantially prevented from escaping from the core.

6. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 5 wherein the flux shaper comprises a flux repelling member located adjacent to a front face of the pad.

7. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 6 wherein the flux shaper further comprises a flux repelling member located adjacent to a rear face of the pad.

8. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coil comprises a plurality of coils.

9. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 8 wherein the coils are connected electrically in parallel.

10. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 8 wherein the coils are connected magnetically in series.

11. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 1 wherein each pole area includes a plurality of fingers.

15. An IPT system including a magnetic flux pad or IPT power transfer pad according to claim 1.

19. A magnetic flux pad as claimed in claim 3 wherein the flux shaper comprises a member constructed from a flux repelling material.

22. An IPT system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the system supplies power to an electric vehicle.

12. A magnetic flux pad having a front face and a back face for generating a magnetic flux in a space beyond the front face of the pad, the pad comprising:

two pole areas for sending or receiving flux;

a magnetically permeable core magnetically connecting the pole areas;

a coil wound about the core;

a flux repelling member provided adjacent to a rear face; and

whereby the flux enters the pad at one of the pole areas and exits the pad at the other pole area.

20. An IPT system including a magnetic flux pad or IPT power transfer pad according to claim 12.

13. An IPT power transfer pad comprising:

a magnetic flux carrying member having a high magnetic permeability and two ends, each end being substantially adjacent a peripheral edge of the pad; and

one or more windings provided about at least a part of the flux carrying member;

and wherein said pad is configured such that magnetic flux exits or enters the flux carrying member substantially only at or adjacent to the ends.

21. An IPT system including a magnetic flux pad or IPT power transfer pad according to claim 13.

14. An IPT system including a first magnetic flux pad or IPT power transfer pad for connection to a power supply and a second magnetic flux pad or IPT power transfer pad for connection to a load, the first and second magnetic flux pads or IPT power pads having one or more windings with a same number of turns, and wherein the number of turns is selected dependent on a required operating frequency.

16. An IPT system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the system supplies power to an electric vehicle.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)