Contactless coaxial winding transformer power transfer system

A contactless power transfer system for transferring power from a power source to an electric load, comprising:

• a first conductor coupled to one of the power source or the electric load;
• a core-mounted conductor coupled to the other of the power source or the electric load;
• and
• a magnetic core supporting and surrounding a portion of the core-mounted conductor, with the core-mounted conductor and magnetic core surrounding a portion of the first conductor so as to transfer power from the power source to the electric load;
• and
• a first converter coupling the first conductor to the power source.

A contactless power transfer system for transferring power from a power source to an electric load, comprising:

• a first conductor coupled to one of the power source or the electric load;
• a core-mounted conductor coupled to the other of the power source or the electric load;
• a magnetic core supporting and surrounding a portion of the core-mounted conductor, with the core-mounted conductor and magnetic core surrounding a portion of the first conductor so as to transfer power from the power source to the electric load, with a portion of the first conductor being movably received within the core-mounted conductor and magnetic core for relative motion therebetween during the power transfer;
• a position sensor for sensing the position of the core-mounted conductor relative to the position of the first conductor;
• and
• a positioning actuator responsive to the position sensor for positioning the core-mounted conductor in a selected position relative to the position of the first conductor.

A contactless power transfer system for transferring power from a power source to an electric load, comprising:

• a first conductor coupled to one of the power source or the electric load;
• a core-mounted conductor coupled to the other of the power source or the electric load;
• a magnetic core supporting and surrounding a portion of the core-mounted conductor, with the core-mounted conductor and magnetic core surrounding a portion of the first conductor so as to transfer power from the power source to the electric load, with a portion of the first conductor being movably received within the core-mounted conductor and magnetic core for relative motion therebetween during the power transfer;
• wherein the core has two flux transferring faces separated by a gap, and the first conductor is mounted from a fixed insulative support member extending through the core gap;
• and
• the contactless power transfer system further includes a fixed magnetic core member attached to the fixed insulative support to magnetically link the two flux transferring faces together.

A contactless power transfer system for transferring power from a power source to an electric load, comprising:

• a first conductor coupled to one of the power source or the electric load;
• a core-mounted conductor coupled to the other of the power source or the electric load;
• a magnetic core supporting and surrounding a portion of the core-mounted conductor, with the core-mounted conductor and magnetic core surrounding a portion of the first conductor so as to transfer power from the power source to the electric load, with a portion of the first conductor being movably received within the core-mounted conductor and magnetic core for relative motion therebetween during the power transfer;
• a fixed magnetic core member cooperating with the core to form a flux path through the core and the fixed core member;
• and
• an insulative support extending from the fixed core member and supporting the first conductor.

A contactless power delivery system for delivering power to an electric load moving along a path, comprising:

• a primary conductor coupled to an AC power source;
• and
• a secondary conductor and magnetic core supported by and coupled to the movable electric load, the secondary conductor and magnetic core substantially surrounding a portion of the primary conductor for receiving power therefrom as the electric load moves along the path;
• and
• a primary converter coupling the primary conductor to the AC power source.

A contactless power delivery system for delivering power to an electric load moving along a path, comprising:

• a primary conductor coupled to an AC power source;
• a secondary conductor and magnetic core supported by and coupled to the movable electric load, the secondary conductor and magnetic core substantially surrounding a portion of the primary conductor for receiving power therefrom as the electric load moves along the path;
• and
• a secondary converter coupling the secondary conductor to the electric load.

A contactless power distribution system for distributing power from an AC source to a portable electric load, comprising:

• an elongate primary conductor coupled to an AC power source;
• and
• a secondary coupling sheath having a secondary conductor coupled to the portable electric load, and a magnetic core surrounding the secondary conductor and being openable to couple and decouple the sheath to the primary conductor at any selected location along the length of the primary conductor, with the core substantially surrounding a portion of the primary conductor when the sheath is coupled therewith to power the portable electric load;
• wherein the primary conductor is substantially fixed to power plural portable electric loads each having a secondary coupling sheath coupled at selected locations along the length of the primary conductor.

A method of coupling an electric load to an AC power source, comprising the steps of:

• powering an elongate conductor with the AC power source;
• providing the electric load with a coupling sheath having a sheath conductor with an outer peripheral surface substantially surrounded by a magnetic core, the sheath conductor electrically coupled to the load;
• and
• circumferentially substantially surrounding a portion of the elongate conductor with both the sheath conductor and the core to receive power therefrom by magnetic induction to power the load.

A method of coupling an electric load to an AC power source, comprising the steps of:

• powering an elongate conductor supported adjacent a fixed magnetic member with the AC power source;
• providing the electric load with a coupling sheath having a sheath conductor surrounded by a magnetic core having two flux transferring surfaces, with the sheath conductor electrically coupled to the load;
• surrounding a portion of the elongate conductor with the sheath conductor and core to receive power therefrom by magnetic induction to power the load;
• and
• aligning the two flux transferring surfaces of the core with the fixed magnetic member.

A method of coupling an electric load to an AC power source, comprising the steps of:

• powering an elongate conductor with the AC power source;
• providing plural portable electric loads each electrically coupled to a coupling sheath, with each coupling sheath having a sheath conductor surrounded by a magnetic cored;
• and
• surrounding different portions of the elongate conductor with each of the coupling sheaths to simultaneously power each portable electric load by magnetic induction.

A method of coupling an electric load to an AC power source, comprising the steps of:

• powering an elongate conductor with the AC power source;
• providing the electric load with a coupling sheath having a sheath conductor surrounded by a magnetic core, the sheath conductor electrically coupled to the load;
• surrounding a portion of the elongate conductor with the sheath conductor and core to receive power therefrom by magnetic induction to power the load;
• generating power with the electric load when moving along a portion of the elongate conductor;
• delivering the generated power to the AC power source with the coupling sheath;
• and
• charging the AC power source with the generated power.

A method of coupling an electric load to an AC power source, comprising the steps of:

• powering a sheath conductor coupled to the AC power source, with the sheath conductor having an outer peripheral surface substantially surrounded by a magnetic core;
• providing an elongate conductor coupled to the load;
• and
• circumferentially substantially surrounding a portion of the elongate conductor with both the sheath conductor and the core to deliver power thereto by magnetic induction to power the load.

A method of coupling an electric load to an AC power source, comprising the steps of:

• powering one of an elongate conductor or a coupling sheath with the AC power source;
• providing the electric load with the other of the elongate conductor or the coupling sheath;
• with the coupling sheath having a sheath conductor surrounded by a magnetic core, the sheath conductor electrically coupled to one of the AC power source or the load, and with the coupling sheath being separable into at least two sheath segments;
• and
• separating the at least two sheath segments;
• receiving a portion of the elongate conductor between at least two sheath segments;
• and
• joining together the at least two sheath segments to surround the portion of the elongate conductor with the coupling sheath to transfer power by magnetic induction from the AC power source to the load.