Adjustable inductive power transmission platform

• US 8,456,038 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2010
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Inventors: Azancot, Yossi, Ben-Shalom, Amir, Greenwald, Oola, Leibovitz, Alfred, Rofe, Arik
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, TOAN T
• Application Number:
  US12/731,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20100219697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 307/104
• 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 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

An adjustable inductive power transmission platform includes inductive power outlets embedded into adjustable modules having multiple configurations. The inductive power outlets are configured to couple with inductive power receivers to provide power to electrical loads wired thereto. The multiple configurations of the adjustable modules allow the position of the inductive power outlets to be adjusted to match the locations of inductive receivers to suit changing requirements.

Claims

1. An adjustable inductive power outlet system operable to provide power to at least one inductive power receiver, said adjustable inductive power outlet comprising:

at least one primary inductor operable to couple with at least one secondary inductor associated with the inductive power receiver and to transfer power inductively to at least one electrical load wired thereto; and

at least one configurable inductive power outlet module for securing said at least one primary inductor in a plurality of positions;

wherein said configurable inductive power outlet module comprises at least one mechanical connector for releasably fastening said primary inductor in a plurality of configurations.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said inductive power outlet module comprises at least one power dock configured to accommodate at least one primary inductor unit.

3. The system of claim 2, said power dock comprising at least one of:

a socket for releasably receiving said primary inductor unit and a clip for releasably securing said primary inductor unit.

4. The system of claim 2, said primary inductor unit comprising at least one electrical contact for connecting said primary inductor unit to a power line for providing power to said primary inductor.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein a plurality of said primary inductor units are connected in parallel to at least one power line.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein a plurality of the primary inductor units are connected to at least one power hub, said power hub for controlling power distribution to said primary inductor units.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one mechanical connector is configured to couple said inductive power outlet module to at least one further inductive power outlet module.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one electrical contact for electrically coupling said inductive power outlet module to at least one further inductive power outlet module.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to cover said primary inductors thereby providing a generally smooth worktop.

10. The system of claim 1, said at least one inductive power outlet module being configured to tile at least a portion of a work surface.

11. The system of claim 1, said inductive power outlet module being incorporated within at least one member of a group consisting of:

horizontal platforms, table-tops, kitchen work-tops, conference tables, work benches, desks, floors and combinations thereof.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said inductive power outlet module comprises at least one flexible strip capable of assuming a plurality of configurations, such that said primary inductor is movable into the vicinity of said secondary inductor.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said flexible strip comprises a plurality of jointed sections.

14. The system of claim 12, said flexible strip being closed into a band.

15. A primary inductor unit comprising a primary inductor configured to couple with a secondary inductor unit wired to an electrical load, said primary inductor unit being connectable to said at least one power dock of the system of claim 2.

16. A method for customizing an inductive power transmission system comprising:

obtaining at least one primary inductor operable to couple with at least one secondary inductor wired to an electrical load;

obtaining at least one adjustable inductive power outlet module comprising at least one mechanical connector for releasably fastening said primary inductor in a plurality of configurations; and

arranging said at least one adjustable inductive power outlet module in a selected configuration.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising coupling together a plurality of said inductive power outlet modules such that said primary inductor may be selectively positioned in a plurality of locations.

18. The method of claim 16, said inductive power outlet module comprising a plurality of power docks for accommodating said primary inductor, wherein the step of arranging said at least one adjustable power module inductive power outlet module in a selected configuration comprises docking said primary inductor into at least one said power dock.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of arranging said at least one adjustable inductive power outlet module in a selected configuration comprises selecting a configuration wherein said primary inductor is in the vicinity of said secondary inductor.