US5157319A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contactless battery charging system
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
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Filing: 1991-09-27
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Granted: 1992-10-20
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Expires: 2011-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A contactless recharging system and method for recharging an energy storage device onboard an electric vehicle has a primary converter for converting power from a power source into high frequency power. A secondary converter on board the vehicle is coupled to the battery for converting high frequency power into charging power supplied to the energy storage device. The primary and secondary converters are coupled together by a contactless coupling of a conductor loop and a coupling link forming a coaxial winding transformer. The coupling link has a magnetic core and a core-mounted conductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic core. The core-mounted conductor selectively at least partially surrounds a portion of the conductor loop to transfer power therebetween. The core-mounted conductor is coupled to either the primary or the secondary converter, with the conductor loop being mounted to the other of the primary and the secondary converters.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith W. Klontz
- 👤 Deepakraj M. Divan
- 👤 Donald W. Novotny
- 👤 Robert D. Lorenz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01F; H01F38/00; H01F38/14; B; B60; B60L; B60L53/00; B60L53/10; B60L53/12; B60L53/126; B60L53/14; B60L53/30; B60L53/31; B60L53/35; B60L53/60; B60L53/65; H02; H02J; H02J50/00; H02J50/10; H02J50/12; H02J7/00; H02J7/70; B60L2210/00; B60L2210/20; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/7072; Y02T10/72; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/10; Y02T90/12; Y02T90/14; Y02T90/16; Y02T90/167; Y04; Y04S; Y04S30/00; Y04S30/10; Y04S30/14; Y10; Y10S; Y10S336/00; Y10S336/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A contactless charging system for charging an energy storage device, comprising: a primary converter for converting power from a power source into high frequency power; a secondary converter coupled to the energy storage device for converting high frequency power into charging power to charge the energy storage device; a conductor loop coupled to one of the primary converter and the secondary converter; and a coupling link having a magnetic core and a core-mounted conductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic core, the core-mounted conductor coupled to the other of the primary converter and the secondary converter, the core-mounted conductor for selectively at least partially surrounding a portion of the conductor loop to transfer power therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A contactless charging system for charging an energy storage device, comprising: a primary converter for converting power from a power source into high frequency power; a secondary converter coupled to the energy storage device for converting high frequency power into charging power to charge the energy storage device; a conductor loop coupled to one of the primary converter and the secondary converter; and a coupling link having a magnetic core and a core-mounted conductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic core, the core-mounted conductor coupled to the other of the primary converter and the secondary converter, the core-mounted conductor for selectively at least partially surrounding a portion of the conductor loop to transfer power therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A contactless charging system according to claim 1 wherein: the conductor loop is coupled to the secondary converter; and the coupling link core-mounted conductor is coupled to the primary converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contactless charging system according to claim 2 wherein the coupling link is coupled to the primary converter by a flexible tether.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contactless charging system according to claim 2 wherein the coupling link is coupled to the primary converter by a positionable arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A contactless charging system according to claim 1 wherein: the conductor loop is coupled to the primary converter; and the coupling link core-mounted conductor is coupled to the secondary converter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contactless charging system according to claim 5 wherein the coupling link is coupled to the primary converter by a flexible tether.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contactless recharging system according to claim 5 wherein the coupling link is coupled to the primary converter by a positionable arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A contactless recharging system according to wherein the primary converter comprises a current source converter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A contactless recharging system according to wherein the primary converter comprises a current source converter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A contactless recharging system according to wherein the primary converter comprises a voltage source converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A contactless recharging system according to wherein the primary converter comprises a voltage source converter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A contactless recharging system ,according to wherein the secondary converter has a power conditioner tapping a portion of the transferred power and conditioning the tapped portion of the transferred power.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A contactless recharging system ,according to wherein the secondary converter has a power conditioner tapping a portion of the transferred power and conditioning the tapped portion of the transferred power.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contactless recharging system according to claim 10 wherein the energy storage device is mounted on an electric vehicle having an onboard vehicle load.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contactless recharging system according to claim 11 wherein the conditioned tapped portion of the transferred power powers the onboard vehicle load.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
A contactless recharging system according to claim 1 wherein the coupling link magnetic core is split into at least two segments pivoted together, with the core-mounted conductor being split into at least two segments corresponding to the split of the magnetic core, the link being openable to receive the conductor loop and closable to substantially surround the conductor loop.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A contactless recharging system according to claim 1 wherein the system further includes a conductor loop magnetic core segment permanently surrounding a portion of the conductor loop.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A contactless recharging system according to claim 14 wherein the coupling link magnetic core and the conductor loop magnetic core segment are configured for coupling together to provide a flux path about the conductor loop.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contactless recharging system according to claim 14 wherein the conductor loop magnetic core segment supports a portion of the conductor loop.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contactless charging system according to claim 1 wherein the primary converter comprises a resonant frequency converter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A contactless charging system according to claim 1 wherein the primary converter includes control logic for controlling the charging in response to operator inputs and other feedback signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A contactless charging system according to claim 1 wherein the secondary converter includes control logic for controlling the charging in response to operator inputs and other feedback signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A contactless charging system according to claim 1 wherein the primary and secondary converters each include control logic for controlling in part the charging in response to operator inputs and other feedback signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
119 words
A contactless battery charging system for charging a battery onboard an electric vehicle, comprising: a primary converter for converting power from a power source into high frequency power; a secondary converter on board the vehicle coupled to the battery for converting high frequency power into charging power to charge the battery; a conductor loop coupled to one of the primary converter and the secondary converter; and a coupling link having a magnetic core and a core-mounted conductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic core, the core-mounted conductor coupled to the other of the primary converter and the secondary converter, the core-mounted conductor for selectively at least partially surrounding a portion of the conductor loop to transfer power therebetween.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
119 words
A contactless battery charging system for charging a battery onboard an electric vehicle, comprising: a primary converter for converting power from a power source into high frequency power; a secondary converter on board the vehicle coupled to the battery for converting high frequency power into charging power to charge the battery; a conductor loop coupled to one of the primary converter and the secondary converter; and a coupling link having a magnetic core and a core-mounted conductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic core, the core-mounted conductor coupled to the other of the primary converter and the secondary converter, the core-mounted conductor for selectively at least partially surrounding a portion of the conductor loop to transfer power therebetween.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 21 wherein: the conductor loop is coupled to the secondary converter; and the core-mounted conductor is coupled to the primary converter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 22 wherein the coupling link is coupled to the primary converter by a flexible tether.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 22 wherein the coupling link is coupled to the primary converter by a positionable arm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 21 wherein: the conductor loop is coupled to the primary converter; and the core-mounted conductor is coupled to the secondary converter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 25 wherein the coupling link is coupled to the primary converter by a flexible tether.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 25 wherein the coupling link is coupled to the primary converter by a positionable arm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 21 wherein the primary converter comprises a current source converter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 21 wherein the primary converter comprises a voltage source converter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 21 wherein: the electric vehicle has an onboard vehicle load; and the secondary converter has an optical power conditioner tapping a portion of the transferred power and conditioning the tapped portion of the transferred power for powering the onboard vehicle load.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
61 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 21 wherein the coupling link magnetic core is split into at least two segments openably joined together, with the core-mounted conductor being split into at least two segments corresponding to the split of the magnetic core, the link being openable to receive the conductor loop and closable to substantially surround the conductor loop.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 31 wherein the at least two segments of the coupling link magnetic core are pivoted together.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
55 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 21 wherein: the system further includes a conductor loop magnetic core segment permanently surrounding a portion of the conductor loop; and the coupling link magnetic core and the conductor loop magnetic core segment are configured for coupling together to provide a flux path about the conductor loop.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
A contactless battery charging system according to claim 21 wherein the conductor loop magnetic core segment supports a portion of the conductor loop.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of charging an energy storage device, comprising the steps of: converting power from a power source into high frequency power; providing a conductor loop coupled to one of the primary converter and the secondary converter; providing the other of the primary converter and the secondary converter with a coupling link having a magnetic core and a core-mounted conductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic core; and selectively joining the coupling link to the conductor loop to at least partially surround a portion of the conductor loop; transferring the high frequency power between the primary and secondary converters; converting the transferred high frequency power into charging power; and charging the energy storage device with the converted charging power.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of charging an energy storage device, comprising the steps of: converting power from a power source into high frequency power; providing a conductor loop coupled to one of the primary converter and the secondary converter; providing the other of the primary converter and the secondary converter with a coupling link having a magnetic core and a core-mounted conductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic core; and selectively joining the coupling link to the conductor loop to at least partially surround a portion of the conductor loop; transferring the high frequency power between the primary and secondary converters; converting the transferred high frequency power into charging power; and charging the energy storage device with the converted charging power.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of charging according to claim 35 wherein the providing steps comprise providing the conductor loop coupled to the secondary converter and providing the primary converter with the coupling link.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of charging according to claim 36 wherein the providing steps comprise providing the primary converter with the coupling link coupled thereto by a flexible tether.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of charging according to claim 37 wherein the providing steps comprise providing the primary converter with the coupling link coupled thereto by a positionable arm.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of charging according to claim 38 wherein the method further includes the step of automatically coupling the coupling link to the conductor loop using the positionable arm.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of charging according to claim 35 wherein the providing steps comprise providing the conductor loop coupled to the primary converter and providing the secondary converter with the coupling link.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of charging according to claim 40 wherein the providing steps comprise providing the secondary converter with the coupling link coupled thereto by a positionable arm.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of charging according to claim 41 wherein the method further includes the steps of automatically coupling the coupling link to the conductor loop using the positionable arm.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of charging according to claim 41 wherein: the energy storage device is mounted on an electric vehicle having an onboard vehicle load; and the converting step comprises converting the transferred high frequency power into charging power onboard the vehicle.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of charging an energy storage device with power from an AC power source, comprising the steps of: providing a conductor loop coupled to one of the energy storage device and the AC power source; providing the other of the energy storage device and the AC power source with a coupling link having a magnetic core and a core-mounted conductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic core, the link being separable into at least two link segments; separating the at least two link segments; receiving a portion of the conductor loop between the two separated link segments; joining together the at least two link segments to surround the portion of the conductor loop with the coupling link; transferring power from the AC power source by magnetic induction between the conductor loop and the coupling link to charge the energy storage device.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of charging an energy storage device with power from an AC power source, comprising the steps of: providing a conductor loop coupled to one of the energy storage device and the AC power source; providing the other of the energy storage device and the AC power source with a coupling link having a magnetic core and a core-mounted conductor at least partially surrounded by the magnetic core, the link being separable into at least two link segments; separating the at least two link segments; receiving a portion of the conductor loop between the two separated link segments; joining together the at least two link segments to surround the portion of the conductor loop with the coupling link; transferring power from the AC power source by magnetic induction between the conductor loop and the coupling link to charge the energy storage device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein: at least two of the link segments are separable and joinable by a relatively translational motion therebetween; the separating step comprises sliding the at least two link segments apart from one another; and the joining step comprises sliding the at least two link segments together.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein; at least two of the link segments are pivoted together to be pivotally separable and joinable; the separating step comprises pivotally separating the at least two link segments apart from one another; and the joining step comprises pivotally joining the at least two link segments together.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein: at least two of the link segments are radially separable and joinable by a relatively translational motion therebetween in radial directions respectively away from and toward a longitudinal axis of the received portion of the conductor loop; the separating step comprises moving the at least two link segments substantially radially apart from one another; and the joining step comprises moving the at least two link segments together substantially radially toward the received portion of the conductor loop.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 44 further including, between the separating and receiving steps, the step of inserting the portion of the conductor loop between the separated at least two link segments.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
41 words
A contactless recharging system according to claim 1 wherein the coupling link is separable into at least two link segments which are translationally openable for disengaging the conductor loop and translationally closable for engaging the conductor loop for power transfer therebetween.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
56 words
A contactless recharging system according to claim 1 wherein the coupling link is separable into at least two link segments which are radially openable for disengaging the conductor loop and radially closable for engaging the conductor loop in radial directions respectively away from and toward a longitudinal axis of the surrounded portion of the conductor loop.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-20 | 1996-04-20 | 1996-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-20 | 2000-04-20 | 2000-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-20 | 2004-04-20 | 2004-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |