Systems and methods for dipole enhanced inductive power transfer
AssigneeThe University of British Columbia
InventorLorne A. Whitehead
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inductive power transfer apparatus is disclosed. A transmitter generates a first time varying magnetic field. A receiver is separated from the transmitter by a gap, but is located with the first time varying magnetic field. The receiver comprises: a conductor; and a receiver magnet located in the first time varying magnetic field and supported for movement in response to the first time varying magnetic field. The conductor and receiver are positioned relative to one another such that movement of the receiver magnet creates a second time-varying magnetic field in a vicinity of the conductor to thereby induce current in the conductor.
Claims38
A receiver for extracting energy from a first time-varying magnetic field, the receiver comprising:
- a conductor;
- and
- a support and a receiver magnet moveably mounted to the support by a rotational coupling, the receiver magnet located in the first time-varying magnetic field and the receiver magnet moveable relative to the support in response to the first time-varying magnetic field;
- wherein the conductor and receiver magnet are positioned relative to one another such that movement of the receiver magnet creates a second time-varying magnetic field in a vicinity of the conductor to thereby induce current in the conductor;
- and
- wherein the rotational coupling is connected between the support and the receiver magnet to permit unrestricted rotational motion of the receiver magnet relative to the support about a rotation axis in response to the first time-varying magnetic field.
A power transfer apparatus comprising:
- a transmitter for generating a first time varying magnetic field, at least a spatial orientation of the time varying magnetic field varying in direction with respect to time;
- and
- a receiver separated from the transmitter by a gap, the receiver comprising:
- a conductor;
- and
- a receiver support and a receiver magnet moveably mounted to the receiver support by a rotational coupling which permits unrestricted rotational motion of the receiver magnet relative to the support about a rotation axis, the receiver magnet located in the first time varying magnetic field and the receiver magnet moveable relative to the receiver support in response to the first time varying magnetic field;
- wherein the conductor and receiver magnet are positioned relative to one another such that movement of the receiver magnet creates a second time-varying magnetic field in a vicinity of the conductor to thereby induce current in the conductor.
A power transfer apparatus comprising:
- a transmitter for generating a first time varying magnetic field, at least a spatial orientation of the time varying magnetic field varying in direction with respect to time;
- a receiver separated from the transmitter by a gap, the receiver comprising a moveable receiver magnet located in first time varying magnetic field;
- and
- means for converting mechanical energy of the receiver magnet's motion into another form of energy;
- wherein the receiver further comprises a support and the receiver magnet is moveably mounted to the support for unrestricted rotational motion of the receiver magnet relative to the support about a rotation axis in response to the first time-varying magnetic field and wherein a ratio of a length of the gap to a maximum radius of motion of the receiver magnet is greater than or equal to 1.
A method delivering charge to an electrical load, the method comprising:
- locating a receiver magnet in a first time varying magnetic field;
- supporting the receiver magnet for movement, the receiver magnet moving with unrestricted rotational motion about a rotation axis in response to the first time varying magnetic field;
- positioning a coil comprising one or more turns relative to the receiver magnet such that movement of the receiver magnet creates a second time varying magnetic field in a vicinity of the coil to thereby induce current in the coil;
- and
- electrically connecting the coil to the load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.