Magnetically permeable structures

• US 9,160,205 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2012
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Van Boheemen, Edward, Kissin, Michael, Beaver, Jonathan, Keeling, Nicholas A
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, TOAN T
• Application Number:
  US13/671,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20130249303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/022 Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/263 Fastening parts of the core together
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/005 Impregnating or encapsulating insulating of windings H01F41/12
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/0206 Manufacturing of magnetic cores by mechanical means magnetic cores per se H01F27/24
• 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 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• 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: H05K 13/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method for wireless power transfer are disclosed. A method of forming a physical core of a wireless power transfer device includes positioning two or more electromagnetically permeable members adjacent to one another and applying longitudinal pressure to an end of the electromagnetically permeable members, the electromagnetically permeable members at least partially encapsulated in retaining compound. A wireless power transfer device includes a casing in which is housed an induction coil, a plurality of electromagnetically permeable members arranged in a line and a retaining compound.

Claims

1. A wireless power transfer device, comprising:

a casing in which is housed;

an induction coil;

a plurality of electromagnetically permeable members, two or more of the electromagnetically permeable members abutting one another; and

a retaining compound at least partially encapsulating the electromagnetically permeable members, wherein the retaining compound maintains an applied longitudinal pressure between adjacent electromagnetically permeable members.

2. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetically permeable members are arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel lines.

3. The wireless power transfer device of claim 2, wherein the spacing between adjacent parallel lines is configured to allow a substantial portion of the electromagnetic field produced by the induction coil to pass through the parallel lines of electromagnetically permeable members.

4. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetically permeable members include ferrite bars.

5. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetically permeable members and induction coil are housed within the casing.

6. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the applied pressure reduces air gaps between the two or more of the electromagnetically permeable members abutting one another when positioned end to end to form a bar or positioned in a grid.

7. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the applied pressure ensures tight coupling between the two or more of the electromagnetically permeable members abutting one another.

8. The wireless power transfer device of claim 7, wherein the tight coupling results in a permeability of the two or more of the electromagnetically permeable members abutting one another being substantially similar to a permeability of a single electromagnetically permeable member.

9. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the retaining compound is further configured to maintain a position of the plurality of electromagnetically permeable members.

10. The wireless power transfer device of claim 1, wherein the retaining compound is further configured to maintain a spacing of and an orientation of the induction coil.