Integrated resonator-shield structures

• US 9,396,867 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2014
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
• Original Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
• Inventors: Kurs, Andre B.
• Primary Examiner(s): KAPLAN, HAL IRA
• Application Number:
  US14/251,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20140225449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/2804 Printed windings
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/2823 Wires H01F27/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/42 Circuits specially adapted for the purpose of modifying, or compensating for, electric characteristics of transformers, reactors, or choke coils circuits for controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, for the purpose of obtaining a desired output H02P13/00; impedance networks H03H
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 37/00 Fixed inductances not covered by group H01F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/02 Arrangements of circuit components or wiring on supporting structure

Abstract

Described herein are configurations for an integrated resonator-shield structure for wireless power transfer. In embodiments a conductor shield is used to shield the resonator from perturbing objects. In embodiments the conductor shield is used for a current return path for the conductors of the resonator. The resonator shield can be divided into separate conductor segments to tailor the current distributions in the conductor shield.

Claims

1. An inductive resonator structure, comprising:

a block of magnetic material having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and second surface are parallel to each other;

a first plurality of conductor segments, wherein the conductor segments are routed over the first surface of the block of magnetic material; and

a second plurality of conductor segments routed around the block of magnetic material and substantially in the plane of the second surface.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of conductor segments are coupled to at least one of the second plurality of conductor segments.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second plurality of conductor segments are arranged so as to substantially equalize electrical current distribution in all of the conductor segments during an operation of the resonator.

4. The structure of claim 1, further comprising power and control circuitry configured to couple to at least one of the first plurality and the second plurality of conductor segments.

5. The structure of claim 4, wherein the circuitry is positioned at least partially inside a cavity of the block of magnetic material.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of conductor segments are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other.

7. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least two of the first plurality of conductor segments are arranged to be substantially non-parallel.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein each of the second plurality of conductor segments is arranged to be substantially parallel to each other.

9. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least two of the second plurality of conductor segments are arranged to be substantially non-parallel to one another.

10. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality and the second plurality of conductor segments are fabricated on a printed circuit board.

11. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality and the second plurality of conductor segments comprises Litz wire.

12. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality and the second plurality of conductor segments are formed on a flexible circuit.

13. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality and the second plurality of conductor segments comprise conductive tubing.

14. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality and the second plurality of conductor segments comprise conductive ribbon.

15. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality and the second plurality of conductor segments comprise copper wire.

16. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is adapted to transfer power via oscillating magnetic fields in a wireless power transfer system.

17. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a sheet of substrate, having a first and second side, wherein the first side of the sheet of substrate is proximate to the second side of the block of magnetic material.

18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the sheet of substrate comprises non-conductive material.

19. The structure of claim 17, further comprising a sheet of conductor proximate to the second side of the sheet of substrate.

20. The structure of claim 19, wherein the sheet of conductor is copper.

21. The structure of claim 19, wherein the sheet of conductor is aluminum.

22. A resonator structure for a wireless power transfer system, the resonator structure comprising:

a block of magnetic material having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and second surface are parallel to each other;

a first plurality of conductor segments, wherein the conductor segments are routed over the first surface of the block of magnetic material; and

a second plurality of conductor segments routed around the block of magnetic material and substantially in the plane of the second surface.

23. The structure of claim 22, further comprising at least one capacitor.

24. The structure of claim 22, wherein the first plurality of conductor segments are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other.

25. The structure of claim 22, wherein the second plurality of conductor segments are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other.

26. The structure of claim 22, further comprising a sheet of substrate, having a first and second side, wherein the first side of the sheet of substrate is proximate to the second side of the block of magnetic material.

27. The structure of claim 22, wherein the sheet of substrate is made of non-conductive material.

28. A wireless power source comprising a resonator structure for a wireless power transfer system, the wireless power source comprising:

a block of magnetic material having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and second surface are parallel to each other; and

a first plurality of conductor segments, wherein the conductor segments are routed over the first surface of the block of magnetic material; and

a second plurality of conductor segments routed around the block of magnetic material and substantially in the plane of the second surface.

29. A wireless power device comprising a resonator structure for a wireless power transfer system, the wireless power device comprising:

a block of magnetic material having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and second surface are parallel to each other; and

a first plurality of conductor segments, wherein the conductor segments are routed over the first surface of the block of magnetic; and

a second plurality of conductor segments routed around the block of magnetic material and substantially in the plane of the second surface.