6048results about "Coils" patented technology

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for transferring power wirelessly to electronic devices. The system can utilize magnetic coupling between two coils at close proximity to transfer sufficient power to charge an electronic device. Embodiments of the invention pertain to an array of spiral coils that can be used to transmit power for transfer to receiver coils. Potential applications of this technology include charging consumer electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, PDAs, etc), developing hermetically sealed devices for extreme environments, and less invasive transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) systems. Various embodiments of the subject system can be referred to as PowerPad system. Embodiments can incorporate one or more of the following: planar inductors, PCB transformers, and very high frequency power supplies. Embodiments of the invention also pertain to planar inductors having characteristics that allow the production of even magnetic field, as well as systems that incorporate such planar inductors.

A system and method for transferring power does not require direct electrical conductive contacts. There is provided a primary unit having a power supply and a substantially laminar surface having at least one conductor that generates an electromagnetic field when a current flows therethrough and having an active area defined within a perimeter of the surface, the at least one conductor being arranged such that electromagnetic field lines generated by the at least one conductor are substantially parallel to the plane of the surface within the active area; and at least one secondary device including at least one conductor that may be wound about a core; wherein the active area has a perimeter large enough to surround the conductor or core of the at least one secondary device in any orientation thereof substantially parallel to the surface of the primary unit in the active area, such that when the at least one secondary device is placed on or in proximity to the active area in a predetermined orientation, the electromagnetic field induces a current in the at least one conductor of the at least one secondary device.

A multilayer printed circuit board (“PCB”) coil that simulates a coil formed from litz wire. The PCB includes a plurality of alternating conductor and insulating layers interconnected to cooperatively form the coil. Each conductor layer includes a trace that follows the desired coil shape and is divided into a plurality of discrete conductor segments. The segments are electrically connected across layers to provide a plurality of current flow paths (or filaments) that undulate between the layers in a regular, repeating pattern. The coil may be configured so that each filament spends a substantially equal amount of time in proximity to the paired coil and therefore contributes substantially equally to the self or mutual inductance of the coil. Each conductor layer may include a plurality of associated traces and intralayer connector that interconnected so that each filament undulates not only upwardly / downwardly, but also inwardly / outwardly in a regular, repeating pattern.

There is disclosed a system and method for transferring power without requiring direct electrical conductive contacts. There is provided a primary unit having a power supply and a substantially laminar charging surface having at least one conductor that generates an electromagnetic field when a current flows therethrough and having an charging area defined within a perimeter of the surface, the at least one conductor being arranged such that electromagnetic field lines generated by the at least one conductor are substantially parallel to the plane of the surface or at least subtend an angle of 45° or less to the surface within the charging area; and at least one secondary device including at least one conductor that may be wound about a core. Because the electromagnetic field is spread over the charging area and is generally parallel or near-parallel thereto, coupling with flat secondary devices such as mobile telephones and the like is significantly improved in various orientations thereof.

A magnetic field position and orientation measurement system contains, confines and re-directs the magnetic field from one or more transmitters such that the fields are attenuated in areas outside of the operating volume in areas where metallic objects are commonly found. A thin barrier made of a highly permeable material such as ferrite or mumetal is placed on top of a conductive plate. The thickness of the permeable layer is from 0.01 inches to 0.25 inches while the conductive plate, preferably made of an aluminum alloy, may preferably be from {fraction (3 / 16)} of an inch to ¼ inch in thickness. On top of the permeable barrier, a rhombic three axis transmitter is placed. In the preferred embodiment, the transmitter consists of a PC board carrying the transmitter. PC boards having thicknesses varying from 0.03125-0.125 inches may be employed. Thus, the entire "stack" including the transmitter, the permeable barrier and the conductive plate may only be from ½ inch to ⅝ of an inch in thickness. The permeable barrier may have a flat, planar configuration. Alternatively, it may be made to resemble, in cross-section, a cake pan having a flat central region with uplifted peripheral edges. Alternatively, the permeable barrier may have a generally flat configuration with peripheral edges that taper outwardly from the top surface thereof to the bottom surface thereof with the taper making an angle with the bottom surface in the range of, preferably, 30° to 85°.

An inductive power supply system for providing power to one or more inductively powered devices. The system includes a mechanism for varying the physical distance or the respective orientation between the primary coil and secondary coil to control the amount of power supplied to the inductively powered device. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an inductive power supply system having a primary coil and a receptacle disposed within the magnetic field generated by the primary coil. One or more inductively powered devices are placed randomly within the receptacle to receive power inductively from the primary coil. The power supply circuit includes circuitry for adjusting the power supplied to the primary coil to optimize operation based on the position and cumulative characteristics of the inductively powered device(s) disposed within the receptacle.

A transmitter head for a system for contactless energy transmission includes a support connected to at least one ferrite core. The ferrite core is embodied at least partially in the E-form and a flat winding is arranged around one leg of the E.

The vehicle power supply apparatus 100 has a power transmitting unit 110 including a power transmission side coil 111 for generating an alternating magnetic field, a positioning member 112 for positioning the power transmission side coil 111 in a vehicle 20, and a power transmission side circuit 114 supplying an electric current to the power transmission side coil 111; and a power receiving unit 120 including a power receipt side coil 121 disposed in a rear window member 30 which is a non-magnetic portion of the vehicle 20 and generating an induced current based on an alternating magnetic field generated by the power transmission side coil 111 and a power receipt side circuit 122 supplying, to a power-supplied object, electric power based on the induced current generated by the power receipt side coil 121.

An interconnect module and a method of manufacturing the same is described comprising: a substrate, an interconnect section formed on the substrate, and a variable passive device section formed on the substrate located laterally adjacent to the interconnect section. The interconnect section has at least two metal interconnect layers separated by a dielectric layer and the variable passive device has at least one moveable element. The moveable element is formed from a metal layer which is formed from the same material and at the same time as one of the two interconnect layers. The moveable element is formed on the dielectric layer and is released by local removal of the dielectric layer. Additional interconnect layers and intermediate dielectric layers may be added.

A transducer is provided for use in a position sensor which senses the position of two relatively movable members. In one form, the transducer has a plurality of sensor windings having a number of loops arranged in succession and connected in series so that signals induced in adjacent loops by a common electromagnetic field oppose each other and an excitation winding having at least one loop super-imposed on but electrically isolated from the loops of the sensor windings.

Adjustable gastric band implants contain a hollow elastomeric balloon with fixed end points encircling a patient's stomach just inferior to the esophago-gastric junction. These balloons can expand and contract through the introduction of saline solution into the balloon. In current bands, this saline solution must be injected into a subcutaneous port with a needle to reach the port located below the skin surface. The port communicates hydraulically with the band via a catheter. As an alternative to using a percutaneously accessed injection port, a system for regulating the flow of saline that is totally implanted may rely upon bi-directionally pumping fluid from an implant device. This system instead transfers AC magnetic flux energy from an external primary coil to a secondary coil that powers the pump in the implanted reservoir. A magnetically permeable rod centered within the primary coil increases power coupled to the secondary coil.

Described herein designs for high frequency printed circuit board (PCB) resonator coils. The resonator coils are printed or etched on a thin substrate. The number of loops of the resonator coil, the width of each trace, the spacing between the traces, and the like are adjusted to increase the quality factor Q of the resonator coils.

A magnet structure produces a field within a magnet gap. The field is provided at least in part by a pair of permanent magnets that are fixed in place by a frame. The frame fixes a magnet assembly that is adapted to hold the magnetic material composing the permanent magnets, such that the quantity of the magnetic material can be adjusted to suit the particular application. The magnetic material can be provided in the form of discrete magnetic elements, such as magnetic “bricks”. The frame also functions as the flux collector and return. Accordingly, the general geometry of the magnet structure is fixed, and the amount of magnetic material, and therefore the magnetic field strength, is adjustable.

A system and method for variable power transfer in an inductive charging or power system. In accordance with an embodiment the system comprises a pad or similar base unit that contains a primary, which creates an alternating magnetic field. A receiver comprises a means for receiving the energy from the alternating magnetic field from the pad and transferring it to a mobile device, battery, or other device. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be incorporated into the system to provide greater power transfer efficiency, and to allow the system to be easily modified for applications that have different power requirements. These include variations in the material used to manufacture the primary and / or the receiver coils; modified circuit designs to be used on the primary and / or receiver side; and additional circuits and components that perform specialized tasks, such as mobile device or battery identification, and automatic voltage or power-setting for different devices or batteries.

A method for tracking an object includes producing energy fields at a plurality of different frequencies in a vicinity of the object, and receiving signals that are generated at a location of the object at the different frequencies in response to the energy fields. Multiple computations are made of spatial coordinates of the object based on the signals received at the different frequencies. Convergence of the computations is tested in order to ascertain whether the energy fields have been perturbed by an article in the vicinity of the object.

Described herein are improved configurations for providing a stranded printed circuit board trace comprising, a plurality of conductor layers, a plurality of individual conductor traces on each of the said conductor layers, and a plurality of vias for connecting individual conductor traces on different said conductor layers, the vias located on the outside edges of the stranded trace. The individual conductor traces of each layer may be routed from vias on one side of the stranded printed circuit board trace to vias on the other side in a substantially diagonal direction with respect to the axis of the stranded printed circuit board trace. In embodiments, the stranded printed circuit board trace configuration may be applied to a wireless power transfer system.

Example embodiments of the invention may provide systems and methods for multiple transformers. The systems and methods may include a first transformer that may include a first primary winding and a first secondary winding, where the first primary winding may be inductively coupled to the first secondary winding, where the first transformer may be associated with a first rotational current flow direction in the first primary winding. The systems and methods may further include a second transformer that may include a second primary winding and a second secondary winding, where the second primary winding may be inductively coupled to the second secondary winding, where the second transformer may be associated with a second rotational current flow direction opposite the first rotational current flow direction in the second primary winding, where a first section of the first primary winding may be positioned adjacent to a second section of the second primary winding, and where the adjacent first and second sections may include a substantially same first linear current flow direction.

A position detector is provided for detecting the relative movement of first and second members which are mounted for relative movement along a measuring path. One of the members comprises a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field and the other member comprises first and second conductors which are inductively coupled to said magnetic field generator. The arrangement of the first and second conductors and the magnetic field generator is such that output signals are generated in a first and second receive circuits whose position varies with the relative movement between the two members. In addition to carrying information relating to the relative position between the two members, the signals induced in the receive circuits also comprise information defining the relative orientation of the two movable members, and by suitable processing of the received signals the relative orientation of the two members can also be determined. In a preferred form of the invention, the system operates to define the relative position and orientation of the two movable members in first and second directions from which the relative orientation of the two members in a plane containing the two directions can be determined. The signals induced in the receive circuits can also be processed to give an indication of the gap between the two circuits and to provide an indication of the full relative orientation of the two members.

The present invention describes a planar transformer having a plurality of juxtaposed magnetic cores as well as a two-layer printed circuit board for spiralling a plurality of windings. Each arm of a plurality of juxtaposed magnetic cores respectively goes through a corresponding hole in the middle of these windings, to magnetically couple the current in the main winding to the other windings.

Improved termination features for multilayer electronic components are disclosed. Monolithic components are provided with plated terminations whereby the need for typical thick-film termination stripes is eliminated or greatly simplified. Such termination technology eliminates many typical termination problems and enables a higher number of terminations with finer pitch, which may be especially beneficial on smaller electronic components. The subject plated terminations are guided and anchored by exposed internal electrode tabs and additional anchor tab portions which may optionally extend to the cover layers of a multilayer component. Such anchor tabs may be positioned internally or externally relative to a chip structure to nucleate additional metallized plating material. External anchor tabs positioned on one or both of top and bottom surfaces of a monolithic structure can facilitate the formation of selective wrap-around plated terminations. The disclosed technology may be utilized with a plurality of monolithic multilayer components, including interdigitated capacitors, multilayer capacitor arrays, and integrated passive components. A variety of different plating techniques and termination materials may be employed in the formation of the subject self-determining plated terminations.

A rechargeable apparatus is provided for being recharged by an power source. The rechargeable apparatus include a rechargeable battery and a secondary inductive coil excited by the power source. The secondary inductive coil includes a first inductor having a first axis, a second inductor having a second axis, and a third inductor having a third axis. The first, second, and third axes are mutually orthogonal. The first, second, and third inductors produce a power output in response to said power source. The secondary inductive coil is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery whereby charging energy is coupled from the power source to the rechargeable battery regardless of an orientation of the secondary inductive coil to the power source.

A rechargeable apparatus is provided for being recharged by an power source. The rechargeable apparatus include a rechargeable battery and a secondary inductive coil excited by the power source. The secondary inductive coil includes a first inductor having a first axis, a second inductor having a second axis, and a third inductor having a third axis. The first, second, and third axes are mutually orthogonal. The first, second, and third inductors produce a power output in response to said power source. The secondary inductive coil is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery whereby charging energy is coupled from the power source to the rechargeable battery regardless of an orientation of the secondary inductive coil to the power source.

An enhanced inductive coil design for use in data storage magnetic disk drives with areal density over 35 Gb / in2, features a double wound twin coil that is able to achieve a yoke length of 15 μm or less by reducing the insulation spacing between the two coils. The coil further presents improved reliability by reducing the possibility of occurrence of electrical shorting. The coil is made by forming two interleafing conductors on the same layer with a demesne process. A tri-level process is implemented in the layout of the first conductor to ensure that the coil width and spacing are uniform and even, in order for the second conductor to be wound therebetween. A conformal dielectric layer of approximately 0.1 to 0.2 μm in thickness is deposited between the two conductors and serves as insulation. The two conductors are formed by a copper seed layer plating process that eliminates potential damage to the conductors during production.

Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus holds and positions at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; dispenses paper from the first roll; dispenses paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, positions the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and dispenses from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The proximity sensor incorporates “static” and noise immunity circuitry.

PCT No. PCT / GB96 / 02560 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 17, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 17, 1998 PCT Filed Oct. 17, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97 / 14935 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 24, 1997A position encoder is provided for indicating the relative position between first and second relatively movable members. One of the members carries a multi-pole magnetic scale which generates a magnetic field whose magnitude and direction vary with position and the other member carries at least one sense conductor. A saturable magnetic element is located in the positionally varying magnetic field of the magnetic scale and an excitation winding is provided which, when energized, generates a magnetic filed which interacts with the positionally varying magnetic field to cause different portions of the saturable magnetic element to saturate and desaturate at different times. The arrangement of the sense conductor is such that as the magnetic element is driven into and out of saturation, it outputs a signal which is indicative of the position of the magnetic scale relative to the sense conductor.

The invention provides tunable embedded high frequency inductor devices. The inductor device comprises a dielectric substrate. A first conductive line is disposed on a first surface of the dielectric substrate. A second conductive line is disposed on a second surface of the dielectric substrate. An interconnection is disposed perforating the dielectric substrate and connecting the first conductive line with the second conductive line. A coupling region is defined between the first and the second conductive lines. A conductive plug connecting the first conductive line and the second line is disposed in the coupling region. Alternatively, an opening is disposed in the first and second conductive lines to tune inductance of the inductor.