US 2014/0232334 A1 · RECONFIGURABLE COIL TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed involving reconfigurable coils. Such coils may be used in applications, including (but not limited to) wireless charging and near field communications (NFC). For instance, a reconfigurable coil may include a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. Two or more configurations may be established. These configurations may correspond to particular current paths. For example, in a circular configuration, a path is provided having the same rotational sense in both first and second conductive portions. However, in a figure eight configuration, a path is provided having a first rotational sense in the first conductive portion and a second rotational sense in the second conductive portion. A switch coupled between these portions may set the coil's configuration. Configurations may be selected based on one or more operating conditions involving the coil.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a first electrically conductive portion;
a second electrically conductive portion;
and
a switch coupled between the first and second conductive portions, the switch having a first setting and a second setting;
wherein the first setting provides a first current path, the first current path having a first rotational sense in the first conductive portion and a second rotational sense in the second conductive portion;
and
wherein the second setting provides a second current path, the second current path having a same rotational sense in the first and second conductive portions.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/243,376Filed 2 Apr 2014

Priority

30 Mar 2011

Published

21 Aug 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H02J 50/90
Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power: involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
H01F 21/12
Variable inductances or transformers of the signal type: discontinuously variable, e.g. tapped
H01Q 1/2216
Associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a…:…
H01Q 7/00
Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and

Reconfigurable coil techniques

Life of this patent

Reconfigurable coil techniques

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20