Conductive-Coated Wireless Power Resonators for Heat Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless power transfer systems for implantable devices like VADs generate undesirable heat due to currents in nearby metal objects, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

Coating metal objects in wireless power transfer resonators with highly conductive materials like silver, copper, or gold to reduce heat generation by minimizing mirror currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If wireless power transfer systems are used to supply power to implantable devices, then power delivery is achieved, but undesirable heat is generated due to currents in nearby metal objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower deliveryVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies conductive coatings to metal objects within the resonator to convert the harmful effect of induced currents (which generate heat) into a beneficial effect. The conductive coatings provide controlled current paths that reduce unwanted eddy currents and heat generation in the metal structures, thereby converting the harmful thermal effect into improved system performance and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of metal objects by applying conductive coatings. This parameter change modifies how currents flow through the metal structures, reducing resistive heating and improving the overall thermal profile of the wireless power transfer system while maintaining power delivery capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If conductive coatings are applied to metal objects to reduce heat, then heat induction is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat inductionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies conductive coatings selectively to specific metal objects or specific regions of metal objects within the resonator assembly. This local application approach targets areas where heat generation is most problematic while leaving other components unchanged, thereby reducing overall heat induction without unnecessarily increasing device complexity across the entire system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Significantly reduces heat induction, enhancing system efficiency and safety by predicting and targeting current concentration areas for selective coating application.

Implementation Method 1

a metal object coated with a conductive material, wherein the conductive material facilitates reducing an amount of heat induced during operation of the resonator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

coating metal objects in wireless power transfer resonators with highly conductive materials like silver, copper, or gold to reduce heat generation by minimizing mirror currents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4440679B1Systems and methods for conductivity coatings on wireless power resonators
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 TC1 LLC
  • EP4440679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4440679B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4440679B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Resonators for use in a transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS) are provided. A resonator includes a housing, and a magnetic core positioned within the housing, the magnetic core including an annular sidewall and a central post that define an annular groove. The resonator further includes a coil element positioned within the annular groove and surrounding the central post, and a metal object coated with a conductive material, wherein the conductive material facilitates reducing an amount of heat induced during operation of the resonator.