Toroidal Inductor Envelope for High Voltage Wireless Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer systems face challenges in high voltage environments due to excessive electric field gradients caused by sharp edges in metallic components, leading to issues like arcing and damage, and existing solutions are not suitable for transferring power between different potentials wirelessly.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a capacitor unit and an inductor unit connected in series, with the inductor unit designed as a toroidal shape to minimize electric field gradients, forming an LC resonant circuit that shields the capacitor unit and ensures smooth electric field distribution, allowing reliable power transfer between equipment at different potentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional metallic components with sharp edges are used in high voltage wireless power transfer, then power transfer capability is achieved, but excessive electric field gradients cause arcing and component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the capacitor support structure as a toroidal (doughnut-shaped) form rather than using conventional sharp-edged metallic components. This curved geometry eliminates sharp edges that would concentrate electric fields, thereby preventing arcing while maintaining wireless power transfer capability at high voltages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by specifically designing the high-voltage capacitor support structure with curved surfaces in the regions most susceptible to electric field concentration. The toroidal shape provides uniform curvature distribution, ensuring that no localized sharp edges create excessive field gradients, while other components can maintain their conventional designs
2Loss of energy
If capacitors are used in high voltage environment, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but sharp edges in capacitor structure lead to excessive electric field gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor support structure is designed as a toroidal shape that eliminates sharp edges. This curved geometry distributes the electric field uniformly around the capacitor, preventing field concentration at edges while maintaining the capacitor's electrical performance and power transfer efficiency
3Reliability
If shielding measures are applied to protect capacitors, then component reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toroidal support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the capacitor, eliminates sharp edges to prevent arcing, and creates a smooth electric field distribution. This multi-functionality achieves protection and reliability without adding separate shielding components, thereby avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support structure and shielding function into a single toroidal component. Rather than adding separate shielding measures to protect the capacitor, the support structure itself is designed with curved surfaces that inherently prevent electric field concentration, combining structural and protective functions
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 toroidal design effectively reduces electric field stresses, prevents capacitor damage, and enables efficient wireless power transfer between high voltage equipment, ensuring reliable operation across significant potential differences without arcing or excessive losses.
Implementation Method 1
the inductor unit is designed to form an envelope with a toroidal shape, the envelope forming an inductor coil with at least one turn and the ends of each turn are electrically insulated from each other by means of an insulation gap. The capacitor unit is disposed inside this envelope such that the envelope wraps the capacitor unit and the wires between the capacitor unit and the inductor unit
Implementation Method 2
One known way of doing such energy transfer in principle is by magnetic induction, using magnetically coupled LC resonators
Implementation Method 3
a power transfer device comprising a capacitor unit and an inductor unit connected in series to form an LC resonant circuit adapted for wireless power transfer
Implementation Method 4
The inductor unit is designed to form an envelope with a toroidal shape... to form a smooth electrical field distribution between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (1) for wireless power transfer comprising a power transfer device (2) comprising a capacitor unit (6) and an inductor unit (4) connected in series to form an LC resonant circuit. The inductor unit (4) is designed to form an envelope (5) with a toroidal shape, the envelope forming an inductor coil with at least one turn, which generates an oscillating magnetic field outside of the envelope used for the wireless power transfer. The ends of each turn are electrically insulated from each other by means of an insulation gap, and appropriately connected by wires inside the envelope. The capacitor unit (6) is disposed inside this envelope such that the envelope wraps the capacitor unit and wires between the capacitor unit and the inductor unit.