Offset Stranded Wire Coil Embedded in Concrete
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Embedding wireless power transfer coils in concrete poses challenges such as degradation due to structural material interactions and maintaining strength characteristics, as well as optimizing magnetic field shaping and load transfer without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves embedding offset stranded wires in concrete with increased insulation thickness and using materials like glass fibers or large aggregates to enhance structural integrity and minimize resistance and inductance changes, allowing for effective load transfer and magnetic field optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wireless power transfer coils are embedded directly in concrete, then the structure is simplified and integration is improved, but the coil performance degrades due to interaction with structural material
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive encapsulant material is introduced as an intermediary between the wireless power transfer coil and the concrete structural material. This encapsulant layer prevents direct contact between the coil and concrete, eliminating the harmful interaction that degrades coil performance while maintaining the embedded configuration. The encapsulant acts as a protective barrier that preserves electrical properties without compromising structural integration.
2Reliability
If insulation thickness around the coil is increased to protect from concrete degradation, then coil performance is maintained, but the overall size of the embedded assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film encapsulant that provides sufficient electrical isolation and protection between the coil and concrete without requiring excessive thickness. This thin protective layer maintains coil performance by preventing concrete degradation while minimizing the increase in overall assembly volume, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and size.
3Strength
If offset winding configuration is used to maintain strength characteristics, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes offset winding configuration where successive turns of the coil are displaced relative to each other along the winding direction. This parameter change in the winding geometry distributes stress more evenly throughout the coil structure and surrounding concrete, enhancing structural integrity. While the winding pattern is more complex, the principle of offsetting maintains strength characteristics through geometric parameter optimization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the adverse effects of embedding coils on resistance and inductance, maintaining performance and structural integrity, while enabling efficient load transfer and magnetic field optimization.
Implementation Method 1
Wireless power transfer coils may be embedded in concrete or roadways for the purpose of transferring electrical energy to a wireless power transfer coil in an automobile
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure covers apparatuses and associated methods for embedding a wireless power transfer coil in concrete. In embodiments, a wireless power inductor pad embedded in concrete includes a wireless power inductor pad comprising a first and second layer of continuously strung stranded wire, each layer arranged in a circular pattern. The first layer is positioned above the second layer such that the stranded wire of the first layer is offset vertically from the stranded wire of the second layer by a vertical wire-to-wire distance. Additionally, the first layer is offset horizontally from the second layer such that the stranded wire of the first layer is offset horizontally from the stranded wire of the second layer by a horizontal wire-to-wire distance; the horizontal wire-to-wire distance being zero inches. Finally, concrete permeates between the first and second layers and between the stranded wires of each layer.