Rotor Clamp Receiver for Uniform Contactless Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical assemblies relying on brushes, contacts, or commutators for energy transfer between stator and rotor suffer from mechanical abrasion and wear, and wireless power transfer often results in pulsating energy reception due to angular position or speed dependencies.
Innovation Solution
A contactless energy transfer assembly featuring a stator with a transmitter and an annular clamp with semi-elliptical portions that secure a rotor, utilizing a receive antenna to facilitate uniform energy transfer over a full angular range through an axial gap, with a transmitter generating an AC wireless signal and a receive antenna configured to capture this signal continuously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brushes or contacts are used to transfer electrical energy between stator and rotor, then electrical energy transfer is achieved, but mechanical abrasion, friction and wear occur requiring regular service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact system (brushes and contacts) with an electromagnetic field-based contactless power transfer system. The transmitter on the stator and receiver on the rotor create magnetic coupling through the axial gap, eliminating all mechanical contact and associated wear while maintaining reliable electrical energy transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary medium to transfer electrical energy between the stator and rotor without direct contact. The transmitter generates magnetic flux that couples with the receiver through the axial gap, serving as a non-contact mediator for energy transfer.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If discrete antennas or single-pole magnet configuration are used for wireless power transfer, then contactless energy transfer is achieved, but pulsating or varying energy reception occurs based on angular position or speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic coupling system into multiple segments: multiple transmitter windings on the stator and multiple receiver windings on the rotor arranged in specific patterns. This segmentation creates overlapping magnetic fields that maintain consistent coupling regardless of rotor angular position, eliminating pulsating energy reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters including the axial gap distance, winding configurations, and magnetic circuit geometry to maintain stable magnetic coupling. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves consistent energy transfer across the full range of rotor positions and speeds.
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
The assembly provides continuous and reliable energy transfer independent of rotor position or speed, reducing mechanical wear and maintaining energy consistency across the entire angular rotation, suitable for various rotor sizes and manufacturing tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
A transmitter is associated with or on the stator, where the transmitter is configured to transmit an alternating current (AC) wireless signal
Implementation Method 2
A receiver is associated with of the annular clamp... configured to facilitate the uniform transfer of electrical energy via the axial gap between the transmitter and the receive antenna
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly for transferring electrical energy comprises a stator. A rotor is separated from the stator for relative rotation with respect to the stator. An axial gap is defined between the rotor and the stator. A transmitter is associated with or on the stator, where the transmitter is configured to transmit an alternating current (AC) wireless signal. An annular clamp comprises a first semi-elliptical portion and a second semi-elliptical portion that define an opening for receipt of the rotor. The annular clamp has fasteners to secure the first semi-elliptical portion to the second semi-elliptical portion about the rotor. A receiver is associated with of the annular clamp.