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US 12,217,900 B2Granted
Thermal transfer system and method
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Monson, Andrew T. Fried
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a system for recharging a selected power source wirelessly, such as through a power transmission. The power source may be positioned within a subject and be charged wirelessly through the subject, such as tissue of the subject. A thermal transfer system is provided to transfer or transport thermal energy from a first position to a second position, such as away from the subject.
Claims17
A system for transferring thermal energy in a wireless recharger for an implantable system, comprising:
- a transmitter coil configured to transmit a power transfer signal;
- a power source to energize the transmitter coil to transmit the power transfer signal;
- a heat sink having an outer edge configured to absorb thermal energy from near the transmitter coil, wherein the heat sink defines a heat sink passage extending through the heat sink along a first length extending between a first heat sink passage terminal end at a first edge position and a second heat sink passage terminal end at a second edge position;
- and
- a heat pipe tube defining a heat pipe passage through the heat pipe tube, the heat pipe tube having a second length extending from a first heat pipe terminal end to a second heat pipe terminal end, the first heat pipe terminal end connected to the first heat sink passage terminal end of the heat sink passage at a first connection and the second heat pipe terminal end connected to the second heat sink passage terminal end of the heat sink passage at a second connection;
- wherein the heat pipe tube connected to the heat sink passage defines a heat pipe path.
3 more elements
A system for transferring thermal energy, comprising:
- a transmitter coil configured to transmit a power transfer signal;
- a power source to energize the transmitter coil to transmit the power transfer signal;
- a heat sink configured to absorb thermal energy from near the transmitter coil;
- and
- a heat pipe tube defining a heat pipe passage extending through the heat pipe tube along a heat passage length extending from a first terminal end of the heat pipe tube to a second terminal end of the heat pipe tube;
- wherein the heat sink defines a heat sink passage extending through the heat sink along a heat sink passage length extending from a first heat sink passage terminal end of the heat sink passage to a second heat sink passage terminal end of the heat sink passage;
- wherein the first terminal end of the heat pipe tube is connected to the first heat sink terminal end of the heat sink passage at a first connection and the second terminal end of the heat pipe tube is connect to the second heat sink passage terminal end of the heat sink passage at a second connection.
4 more elements
A method of transferring thermal energy in a wireless recharger for an implantable system, comprising:
- providing a heat sink near a transmitter coil, wherein the transmitter coil is configured to transmit a power transfer signal when energized by a power source;
- providing the heat sink having an outer edge that defines a heat sink passage extending along a heat sink passage length between a first heat sink passage terminal end at a first edge position and a second heat sink passage terminal end at a second edge position;
- positioning the heat sink to absorb thermal energy from the transmitter coil;
- and
- forming a heat pipe path with a heat pipe tube and the heat sink passage by connecting a first heat pipe terminal end of the heat pipe tube to the first heat sink passage terminal end of the heat sink passage at a first connection and connecting a second heat pipe terminal end of the heat pipe tube to the second heat sink passage terminal end of the heat sink passage at a second connection.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.