System for transferring electrical energy

• US 9,467,207 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2013
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Meyer, Christopher D., Morgan, Brian C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): YESHAW, ESAYAS G
• Application Number:
  US14/024,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20150069847A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/50 using additional energy repeaters between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A system for transferring electrical power, data or both, by way of magnetic induction between a first article and a second article. A first electrically conductive coil is integrated in the first article and a second electrically conductive coil is integrated to a second article. A fastener comprising ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material is configured to be positioned through the first coil and the second coil to provide an efficient magnetic conductance path between the first coil and the second coil and to removably secure the first article and the second article together. A control circuit selectively energizes the first coil or second coil with alternating current to transfer electrical energy to the other of said first and second coil.

Claims

1. A system for transferring electrical power, data or both, by way of magnetic induction between two separable articles, comprising:

a first electrically conductive coil integrated into the first article, said first coil connectible to electrical components integrated within the first article,

a second electrically conductive coil integrated into the second article, said second coil connectible to electrical components integrated within the second article,

a fastener comprising a clip formed of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material and having two legs which are configured to be positioned through said first coil and through said second coil, respectively, to provide an efficient magnetic conductance path between the first coil and the second coil and to detachably secure the first and second articles together, and

a control circuit which selectively energizes said first coil or said second coil with alternating current.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said fastener is permanently attached to one of the first and second articles.

3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said fastener is constructed at least partially of a material of high magnetic permeability.

4. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said first article is an article of clothing.

5. The system as defined in claim 4, wherein the control circuit is attached to the article of clothing.

6. The system as defined in claim 4, wherein the article of clothing comprises a separate attachment portion which the fastener is configured to be removably secured to.

7. The system as defined in claim 6, wherein the attachment portion comprises a pocket, gusset, pleat, or webbing.

8. The system as defined in claim 7, wherein the attachment portion is webbing comprising one or more loops, the first coil is integrated at least partially into a loop thereof, and the fastener is configured to slip through said loop.

9. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein a rectifier circuit is connected to said second coil.

10. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip is generally U-shaped and the two legs abut at the ends of the generally U-shape fastener.

11. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the second article is an electrically powered device.

12. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first coil, and/or the second coil is connected to an electrical energy storage or providing device.

13. An article for transferring electrical power, data or both, by way of magnetic induction to and/or from another, separable article, comprising:

an electrically conductive coil integrated into the article, said coil connectible to electrical components integrated within the article, said coil configured to transfer electrical power, data, or both to and/or from an electrically conductive coil integrated into another, separable article, and

a fastener comprising a clip formed of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material and having two legs, wherein one leg is configured to be positioned through said coil in the article, and the other leg is configured to be positioned through said coil in the another separable article to provide an efficient magnetic conductance path between the coil in the article and the coil in the another separable article and to detachably secure the article and the another, separable article together.

14. The article as defined in claim 13, further comprising:

a control circuit which selectively energizes said coil in the article or said coil in the another separable article with alternating current.

15. The article as defined in claim 13, wherein the article is an article of clothing comprises a separate attachment portion which the fastener is configured to be removably secured to.

16. The article as defined in claim 15, wherein the attachment portion comprises a pocket, gusset, pleat, or webbing.

17. The article as defined in claim 16, wherein the attachment portion is webbing comprising one or more loops, the conductive coil is integrated at least partially into a loop thereof, and the fastener is configured to slip through said loop.

18. The article as defined in claim 13, wherein the article is an electrically powered article.

19. The article as defined in claim 13, wherein the one leg of said fastener is configured to be removably positioned through said coil in the article to removably secure the article and the another, separable article together, and the other leg of the fastener is configured to remain in said coil in the another separable article.

20. An article for transferring electrical power, data or both, by way of magnetic induction to and/or from another, separable article, comprising:

an electrically conductive coil integrated into the article, said coil connectible to electrical components integrated within the article, said coil configured to transfer electrical power, data, or both to and/or from an electrically conductive coil integrated into another, separable article, and

a fastener comprising a strap formed of flexible ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material which is configured to be positioned through said coil in the article and said coil in the another separable article to provide an efficient magnetic conductance path between the coil in the article and the coil in the another separable article and to detachably secure the article and the another, separable article together.