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US 9,071,076 B2Granted
Limitation of vampiric energy loss within a wireless inductive battery charger
OwnerJeffrey R. Eastlackinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Vampire energy loss occurs when an electronic or mechanical machine consumes energy while not being utilized for any useful purpose. Vampire energy losses in consumer electronic devices are under intense scrutiny for needlessly wasting an estimated 20% of the electric power production in the United States. It is also estimated by the US Department of Energy that by 2015 vampire electronics could be responsible for nearly 30 percent of the total household power consumption in the United States. Smarter vampire proof technologies are needed to address this growing problem.
Claims20
A wireless charger configured to control vampiric energy losses, the charger comprising:
- an AC feedback circuit configured to provide AC current;
- a DC circuit configured to provide DC current when the AC circuit is enabled, and configured to be deactivated when the AC circuit is disabled;
- a transformer coupled to both the AC circuit and the DC circuit;
- a power transmission unit having a primary coil configured to wirelessly transmit power to a target device having a corresponding secondary coil when the AC circuit is enabled;
- and
- a magnetically controlled switch that is connected to the AC circuit, the magnetically controlled switch being configured to enable the AC circuit when the magnetically controlled switch detects more than a threshold limit of magnetic field strength, and the magnetically controlled switch being configured to disable the AC circuit when the magnetically controlled switch detects less than the threshold limit of magnetic field strength,
- wherein the AC circuit is configured to enable wireless charging of the target device and to limit vampiric energy losses in the transformer, the DC circuit, the power transmission unit, and the target device when the AC circuit is disabled, and
- wherein the AC circuit is configured to enable wireless charging of the target device when the AC circuit is enabled.
5 more elements
A method of forming a wireless charger configured to control vampiric energy losses, the method comprising:
- forming an AC feedback circuit configured to provide AC current;
- forming a DC circuit configured to provide DC current when the AC circuit is enabled, and configured to be deactivated when the AC circuit is disabled;
- coupling a transformer to both the AC circuit and the DC circuit;
- forming a power transmission unit having a primary coil configured to wirelessly transmit inductive power to a target device having a corresponding secondary coil when the AC circuit is enabled;
- and
- connecting a magnetically controlled switch to the AC circuit, the magnetically controlled switch being configured to enable the AC circuit when the magnetically controlled switch detects more than a threshold limit of magnetic field strength, the magnetically controlled switch being configured to disable the AC circuit when the magnetically controlled switch detects less than the threshold limit of magnetic field strength,
- wherein the AC circuit is configured to enable wireless charging of the target device and to limit vampiric energy losses in the transformer, the DC circuit, the power transmission unit, and the target device when the AC circuit is disabled, and
- wherein the AC circuit is configured to enable wireless charging of the target device when the AC circuit is enabled.
5 more elements
A method of preventing vampiric power loss in a wireless charger for a target device, the method comprising:
- receiving AC current from an AC power source, the charger comprising
- an AC feedback circuit configured to provide AC current,
- a DC circuit configured to provide DC current when the AC circuit is enabled, and configured to be deactivated when the AC circuit is disabled,
- a transformer coupled to both the AC circuit and the DC circuit,
- a power transmission unit having a primary coil configured to wirelessly transmit inductive power to a target device having a corresponding secondary coil when the AC circuit is enabled, and
- a magnetically controlled switch that is connected to the AC circuit, the magnetically controlled switch being configured to enable the AC circuit when the magnetically controlled switch detects more than a threshold limit of magnetic field strength, and the magnetically controlled switch being configured to disable the AC circuit when the magnetically controlled switch detects less than the threshold limit of magnetic field strength,
- wherein the AC circuit is configured to enable wireless charging of the target device and to limit vampiric energy losses in the transformer, the DC circuit, the power transmission unit, and the target device when the AC circuit is disabled, and wherein the AC circuit is configured to enable wireless charging of the target device when the AC circuit is enabled;
- using the magnetically controlled switch, detecting more than the threshold limit of magnetic field strength and enabling the AC circuit;
- and
- wirelessly transmitting power to be received by the target device while the target device is physically contacting the power transmission unit and providing more than the threshold limit of magnetic field strength to the magnetically controlled switch.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.