Method for modifying a barrier in an induction power and/or data transfer system to improve power transfer efficiency

{
  "publication_number": "US9929777B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Method for modifying a barrier in an induction power and/or data transfer system to improve power transfer efficiency",
  "abstract": "A method for increasing the power transfer efficiency of a wireless induction power and/or data transfer system comprising a magnetic field transmitter which is positioned on a first side of a barrier and a magnetic field receiver which is positioned on a second side of the barrier opposite the first side comprises the steps of disposing at least one flux flow member in or adjacent the barrier at least partially between the transmitter and the receiver. The flux flow member comprises a magnetic permeability different from the magnetic permeability of the barrier. As a result, the flux flow member increases the amount of magnetic flux generated by the transmitter which is coupled through the barrier and into the receiver.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for increasing the power transfer efficiency of a wireless induction power and/or data transfer system comprising: a magnetic field transmitter which is positioned on a first side of a barrier and a magnetic field receiver which is positioned on a second side of the barrier opposite the first side, the method comprising: disposing at least one flux flow member in the barrier at least partially between the transmitter and the receiver, the flux flow member being separate from the transmitter and the receiver and comprising a magnetic permeability lower than a magnetic permeability of the barrier; wherein the transmitter comprises two transmitter poles and the step of disposing at least one flux flow member in the barrier comprises incorporating the flux flow member into the barrier such that at least a portion of the flux flow member is positioned between the transmitter poles; wherein the flux flow member inhibits the magnetic flux generated by the transmitter from shorting through the barrier between the transmitter poles; and wherein the flux flow member increases the amount of magnetic flux generated by the transmitter which is coupled through the barrier and into the receiver.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, wherein the flux flow member comprises a thickness which is approximately the same as a thickness of the barrier at an interface between the barrier and the flux flow member.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, wherein the flux flow member comprises an elongated member which is positioned between the transmitter poles.",
    "4. The method of claim 3, wherein the flux flow member extends through the barrier generally perpendicular to the transmitter poles.",
    "5. The method of claim 4, wherein the flux flow member comprises a length which is sufficient to prevent the magnetic flux generated by the transmitter from shorting through the barrier around the ends of the flux flow member.",
    "6. The method of claim 4, wherein the flux flow member conforms to the shape of the barrier.",
    "7. The method of claim 4, wherein the flux flow member conforms to the cross sectional configuration of the barrier.",
    "8. The method of claim 1, wherein the flux flow member comprises at least a generally straight first portion which is positioned between the transmitter poles.",
    "9. The method of claim 8, wherein the flux flow member comprises at least a second portion which is positioned around the first portion and both of the transmitter poles.",
    "10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one flux flow member comprises a first flux flow member which is positioned around one of the transmitter poles.",
    "11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one flux flow member comprises a second flux flow member which is positioned around the other of the transmitter poles.",
    "12. The method of claim 1, wherein the flux flow member comprises a first hole which is aligned with one of the transmitter poles.",
    "13. The method of claim 12, wherein the flux flow member comprises a second hole which is aligned with the other of the transmitter poles.",
    "14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of incorporating the flux flow member into the barrier comprises: forming the flux flow member in a desired shape; forming a corresponding opening in the barrier; and securing the flux flow member to the barrier in or over the opening.",
    "15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of securing the flux flow member to the barrier comprises welding the flux flow member to the barrier.",
    "16. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of incorporating the flux flow member into the barrier comprises: providing the barrier in separate barrier sections; and welding the barrier sections together; wherein the flux flow member comprises the resulting weld bead.",
    "17. A wireless induction power and/or data transfer system which comprises: a magnetic field transmitter which is positioned on a first side of a barrier, the magnetic field transmitter comprising two transmitter poles; a magnetic field receiver which is positioned on a second side of the barrier opposite the first side; and at least one flux flow member which is disposed in the barrier at least partially between the transmitter and the receiver, the flux flow member being separate from the transmitter and the receiver and comprising a magnetic permeability lower than a magnetic permeability of the barrier; wherein at least a portion of the flux flow member is positioned between the transmitter poles; and wherein the flux flow member increases the amount of magnetic flux generated by the transmitter which is coupled through the barrier and into the receiver.",
    "18. The system of claim 17, wherein the flux flow member comprises a thickness which is approximately the same as a thickness of the barrier at an interface between the barrier and the flux flow member.",
    "19. The system of claim 17, wherein the flux flow member comprises an elongated member which is positioned between the transmitter poles.",
    "20. The system of claim 19, wherein the flux flow member extends through the barrier generally perpendicular to the transmitter poles.",
    "21. The system of claim 20, wherein the flux flow member comprises a length which is sufficient to prevent the magnetic flux generated by the transmitter from shorting through the barrier around the ends of the flux flow member.",
    "22. The system of claim 20, wherein the flux flow member conforms to the shape of the barrier.",
    "23. The system of claim 20, wherein the flux flow member conforms to the cross sectional configuration of the barrier.",
    "24. The system of claim 17, wherein the flux flow member comprises at least a generally straight first portion which is positioned between the transmitter poles.",
    "25. The system of claim 24, wherein the flux flow member comprises at least a second portion which is positioned around the first portion and both of the transmitter poles.",
    "26. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one flux flow member comprises a first flux flow member which is positioned around one of the transmitter poles.",
    "27. The system of claim 26, wherein the at least one flux flow member comprises a second flux flow member which is positioned around the other of the transmitter poles.",
    "28. The system of claim 17, wherein the flux flow member comprises a first hole which is aligned with one of the transmitter poles.",
    "29. The system of claim 28, wherein the flux flow member comprises a second hole which is aligned with the other of the transmitter poles.",
    "30. The system of claim 17, wherein the barrier comprises an opening and the flux flow member is secured to the barrier in or over the opening.",
    "31. The system of claim 30, wherein the step of securing the flux flow member to the barrier comprises welding the flux flow member is welded to the barrier.",
    "32. The system of claim 17, wherein the barrier comprises separate barrier sections and the flux flow member comprises a weld bead which is formed by welding the barrier sections together."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a magnetic induction system for wirelessly transmitting power and/or data through a barrier. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for mechanically modifying the barrier to improve the flow of magnetic flux from the magnetic field transmitter to the magnetic field receiver to thereby increase the power transfer efficiency of the system.\n\nSystems which employ magnetic induction to wirelessly transmit power and data signals through barriers are known in the art. Referring to FIG. 1, such induction power and data transfer systems commonly include a magnetic field transmitter 10 which is positioned on one side of a barrier 12 and a magnetic field receiver 14 which is positioned on the opposite side of the barrier. The magnetic field transmitter 10 typically includes a transmitter coil 16 which is wound around a transmitter core 18 and the magnetic field receiver 14 usually includes a receiver coil 20 which is wound around a receiver core 22. The transmitter 10 is connected to a signal generator 24 which when activated generates a time varying current that flows through the transmitter coil 16. The flow of current through the transmitter coil 16 generates a time varying magnetic field which in theory flows through the barrier 12 to the receiver 14. At the receiver 14, the time varying magnetic field flows through the receiver core 22 and causes a current to flow through the receiver coil 20 which may then be used to power a device 26 that is connected to the receiver coil.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04B 5/79",
    "H02J 17/00",
    "H02J 5/005",
    "H02J 50/005",
    "H02J 50/10",
    "H02J 50/70",
    "H02J 7/025",
    "H04B 5/0037"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H04B 5/00",
    "H02J 5/00",
    "H02J 50/10",
    "H02J 7/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "FMC Technologies Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Corey Jaskolski",
    "John J. Mulholland",
    "Daniel McStay"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2011-07-11",
  "publication_date": "2018-03-27",
  "grant_date": "2018-03-27",
  "priority_date": "2011-07-11",
  "application_number": "US-201114129077-A",
  "family_id": "47506324",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
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    "US4761724A",
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    "GB2455628A",
    "US20090156119A1",
    "US20110050382A1",
    "US20110115429A1",
    "US20110133568A1"
  ]
}