50 results about "Inductive transfer" patented technology

A system and method is provided for the inductive transfer of electric power between a substantially flat primary surface and a multitude of secondary devices in such a way that the power transfer is localized to the vicinities of individual device coils. The contact free power transfer does not require precise physical alignment between the primary surface and the secondary device and can allow the secondary device or devices to be placed anywhere and in arbitrary orientation with respect to the primary surface. Such power transfer is realized without the need of complex high frequency power switching network to turn the individual primary coils on or off and is completely scalable to almost arbitrary size. The local anti-resonance architecture of the primary device will block primary current from flowing when no secondary device or devices are in proximity to the local RF power network. The presence of a tuned secondary device detunes the local anti-resonance on the primary surface; thereby enable the RF power to be transferred from the local primary coils to the secondary device. The uniformity of the inductive coupling between the active primary surface and the secondary devices is improved with a novel multi-pole driving technique which produces an apparent traveling wave pattern across the primary surface.

The invention relates to a device for the inductive transfer of electric energy from a stationary unit comprising at least one primary inductance to a vehicle that is adjacent to said unit and has at least one second inductance. The stationary unit or the vehicle has a device for detecting the presence of an object in a predetermined area that covers at least the area lying between the primary inductance and the second inductance during the inductive energy transfer. The detection device has at least one contactless sensor and an evaluation unit that is connected to the sensor. At least the sensor of the detection device is integrated into or mounted on the same housing as the primary or secondary coil of the energy transfer device. The sensor can be an ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, infra-red sensor or an electric image sensor.

The invention relates to a device for the inductive transfer of electric energy from a stationary unit comprising at least one primary inductance (2) to a vehicle (1) that is adjacent to said unit and has at least one secondary inductance (4). The stationary unit has a device (12, 13, 14; 2, 16, 14) for detecting the presence of an electrically conductive object (11,1) in a predetermined area that borders the primary inductance (2). In particular, said area can be the area (10) lying between the primary inductance (2) and the secondary inductance (4) during the inductive energy transfer. The device has at least one measuring inductance, a measuring unit (13, 16) for measuring the impedance of the measuring inductance (12, 2) and an evaluation unit (14) that is connected to the measuring unit (13, 16). The measuring inductance can be identical to the primary inductance (2).; Preferably, the device is equipped with a plurality of measuring inductances (12) which form a regular two-dimensional arrangement extending approximately on one plane, said plane lying perpendicular to the main direction of the magnetic field (9) that is generated by the primary inductance during operation.

A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and / or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.

A method and apparatus for hands free inductive charging of batteries for an electric vehicle is characterized by the use of a transformer having a primary coil connected with a charging station and a secondary coil connected with a vehicle. More particularly, the when the vehicle is parked adjacent to the charging station, the primary coil is displaced via a self alignment mechanism to position the primary coil adjacent to the secondary coil to maximize the inductive transfer of charging current to the secondary coil. The self alignment mechanism preferably utilizes feedback signals from the secondary coil to automatically displace the primary coil in three directions to position the primary coil for maximum efficiency of the transformer.

An electronic key including an internal power source is provided for transferring electrical power to a merchandise security device to operate a mechanical lock mechanism. In one embodiment, the key transfers power to the device via electrical contacts disposed on a transfer probe of the electronic key and corresponding electrical contacts disposed within a transfer port of the device when the transfer probe engages the transfer port. In another embodiment, the key transfers power to the device via inductive transfer as a result of passing an electrical current through an inductive coil disposed within the transfer probe to generate a magnetic field in the vicinity of a corresponding inductive coil disposed within the transfer port and thereby induce an electric current in the inductive coil of the device. In other embodiments, the electronic key is programmed with a security code and the key initially programs the merchandise security device with the security code and subsequently determines whether the security code of the key matches the security code of the device to permit the key to transfer power to the device.

A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and / or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.

The invention relates to a device for detecting and monitoring damage to races or adjacent regions of bearing rings (1, 2, 3) of anti-friction bearings. The device includes a measuring device, disposed in the anti-friction bearing chamber, having a sensor and structure for supplying sensor measurement data to the outside. The device has an energy source, which is also disposed in the anti-friction roller bearing chamber and which comprises a first coil (16) for the measuring device and a second coil (18) disposed outside the anti-friction bearing chamber and destined for inductive transfer of electrical energy to the first coil (16). The second coil (18) extends only over a part of the bearing circumference and the energy source comprises an energy accumulator (19) connected to the first coil (16).

The invention relates to a device for the inductive transfer of electric energy from a stationary unit having a current supply device and a primary inductance which is connected thereto, to a vehicle that is adjacent to said unit and has a secondary inductance. The vehicle has a secondary control element for adjusting the secondary power taken from the secondary inductance and comprises a control device, said control device enabling the withdrawn secondary power to be modified in steps. Said stationary unit comprises a primary control element for adjusting the primary power which can be injected into the primary inductance, which contains a first measuring device, said measuring device enabling an operational parameter, influenced by the secondary power, of the current supply device to be measured. The primary control element adjusts the primary power which can be injected in accordance with modifications of the operational parameter measured by the first measuring device. The secondary power can be switched preferably between two steps by the switching device and has in one of the steps, a value which is at least approximately zero.