Abstract: A wireless power transmitter and method for providing power to a remote secondary coil of a power receiver include a primary coil, a driver, and a signal receiving circuit wherein the power transmitter is configured to switch between a standby mode and a transmission mode. In the standby mode, the power transmitter is configured to wait for an activation signal from the power receiver. In the transmission mode, the driver is operable to provide an oscillating voltage across the primary coil such that the primary coil transmits power to the remote secondary coil; and the signal receiving circuit receives feedback signals from the power receiver concurrently with uninterrupted power transfer.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for integrating inductive power outlet functionality to provide power transfer to electrical devices, as an in-surface wireless charging system, embedded into a host such as a furniture item. An inductive power outlet may include a body casing for containing a primary inductor a driving unit and a fastening mechanism. The body casing may have dimensions suitable for introduction into a passageway through a plate of the item of furniture. The fastening mechanism may be utilized to secure the body casing to the plate of the item of furniture.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer system and method for transferring power to an electrical device wirelessly includes an inductive power outlet and an inductive power receiver. During operation, instruction signals are sent from the inductive power outlet to the inductive power receiver. When no instruction signals are transferred, the system is configured to deactivate such that power is drawn by the system only during operation.

Abstract: A wireless power system comprising a secondary unit and a wireless power outlet configured to provide an electric charge wirelessly to the secondary unit comprises a primary inductive coil connected to a power source via a driver configured to provide an oscillating driving voltage to the primary inductive coil. The secondary unit is configured to receive an electric charge wirelessly from the wireless power outlet, and comprises a secondary inductive coil wired to an electric load. The wireless power outlet and secondary unit are each configured to ensure compatibility with one another.

Abstract: A wireless power outlet configured to transmit power to a wireless power receiver is provided. The wireless power outlet comprises a metal shielding comprising a substantially circular base and a core protruding therefrom, a primary inductive coil constituted by two substantially circular windings one atop the other and giving rise to an internal space, the core being received within the space, and a power source comprising a driver configured to provide an oscillating driving voltage to the primary inductive coil. The base has a diameter which is at least about 10% larger than an outer diameter of the windings, the circular windings comprise a wire having between 165 and 175 thin wire strands, and the space formed within the winding has a diameter between 20 and 21 mm.

Abstract: A transmission-guard is disclosed for preventing an inductive power outlet from transmitting power in the absence of an inductive power receiver. A transmission lock is associated with an inductive power outlet and a transmission key is associated with an inductive power receiver. The transmission lock is configured to prevent a primary inductor from connecting to the power supply unless triggered by a release signal via the transmission key.

Abstract: A system and method for inductively providing electrical power at a plurality of power levels to electrical devices. The system may include an inductive power outlet unit conductively coupled to a power supply and an inductive power receiver unit associated with the electrical device. The inductive power outlet unit includes a driver device operable to generate power at a plurality of power levels and electrical power is transferred to the electrical device at a power level selected from the plurality of power levels, in accordance with electrical power requirements of the electrical device. The power receiver may be operable in a plurality of modes having a secondary inductor configured to operate selectively with a plurality of inductance values.

Abstract: A control circuit for an inductive power outlet configured to transfer power to an inductive power receiver includes a resonant circuit having a characteristic resonant peak and connected to a primary coil configured to inductively couple with a secondary coil of the inductive power receiver, a frequency driver operable to provide a driving voltage oscillating at an operating frequency higher than the characteristic resonant peak of the resonant circuit across the primary coil, a magnitude detector operable to monitor primary coil voltage, and a data demodulator operable to detect modulated peaks in primary coil voltage indicating that a communications modulator of the inductive power receiver has transitioned from a first state to a second state. The communications modulation determines a characteristic frequency of the peaks and extracts modulated data sent in communication signals from the inductive power receiver.

Abstract: A transmission-guard is disclosed for preventing an inductive power outlet from transmitting power in the absence of an inductive power receiver. A transmission lock is associated with an inductive power outlet and a transmission key is associated with an inductive power receiver. The transmission lock is configured to prevent a primary inductor from connecting to the power supply unless triggered by a release signal via the transmission key.

Abstract: An inductive power outlet for providing power to an electric load via an inductive power receiver includes at least one primary inductive coil wired to a power supply via a driver configured to provide a driving voltage across the primary inductive coil such that a secondary voltage is induced in a secondary inductive coil associated with the inductive power receiver. The driver may include a controller configured to receive feedback control signals from the inductive power receiver indicating if more or less power is required. The controller may be further configured to adjust the driving voltage according to the control signals.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer system and method for transferring power to an electrical device wirelessly. The system includes an inductive power outlet and an inductive power receiver. During operation, instruction signals are sent from the inductive power outlet to the inductive power receiver. When no instruction signals are transferred, the system is configured to deactivate such that power is drawn by the system only during operation.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer system and method for transferring power to an electrical device wirelessly. The system includes an inductive power outlet and an inductive power receiver. During operation, instruction signals are sent from the inductive power outlet to the inductive power receiver. When no instruction signals are transferred, the system is configured to deactivate such that power is drawn by the system only during operation.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer system for charging batteries may include an inductive power transmitter, an inductive power receiver and an electrochemical cell or battery. The inductive power receiver may include a secondary inductor incorporated in enabled batteries or battery packaging, which when inductively coupled to a primary inductor of an inductive transmitter is operable to supply a potential across the electrochemical cell or battery thereby enabling the cell or battery to be charged or maintained at a charged level. The inductive battery may be in the shape of an industry standard battery.

Abstract: A triggerable power transmitter for power transmission from a primary coil to an inductively coupled secondary coil in a power receiver has a primary coil; a driver for electrically driving the primary coil; a front end receiving analog signal indicative of resonance properties of the primary coil and generating digital information in response to the analog signal; and a processor capable of: determining if said primary coil is coupled to a secondary coil based on the digital information, and triggering power from the primary coil to said secondary coil when said primary coil is inductively coupled to said secondary coil. The effective inductance of the primary coil increases reducing the resonance frequency when a secondary coil is inductively coupled to the primary coil. However, foreign material such as a metal sheet placed on the primary coil increases the effective resistance thus shortening the decay time of the resonance.

Abstract: An efficiency monitor for monitoring the efficiency of power transmission by an inductive power outlet. The efficiency monitor includes an input power monitor, for measuring the input power delivered to the primary coil, and an output power monitor, for measuring the output power received by the secondary coil. The input and output powers are used by a processor to determine an index of power-loss. A circuit breaker may be used to disconnect the inductive power outlet in case of excessive power loss.

Abstract: A control circuit for an inductive power outlet configured to transfer power to an inductive power receiver includes a resonant circuit having a characteristic resonant peak and connected to a primary coil configured to inductively couple with a secondary coil of the inductive power receiver, a frequency driver operable to provide a driving voltage oscillating at an operating frequency higher than the characteristic resonant peak of the resonant circuit across the primary coil, a magnitude detector operable to monitor primary coil voltage, and a data demodulator operable to detect modulated peaks in primary coil voltage indicating that a communications modulator of the inductive power receiver has transitioned from a first state to a second state. The communications modulation determines a characteristic frequency of the peaks and extracts modulated data sent in communication signals from the inductive power receiver.

Abstract: An inductive power receiver including a resonant circuit, a rectifier, a rectified current sense, and a communication and control unit includes a communications modulator and at least one signal generator operable to generate a set of communication signals including a series of pulses generated at characteristic frequencies. Communication signals provide instructions for an inductive power outlet to regulate power transfer to the inductive power receiver.

Abstract: An inductive power receiver configured for receiving power transferred from an inductive power outlet having a primary coil includes a secondary coil configured to form an inductive couple with the primary coil thereby facilitating the power transfer. The inductive power receiver further includes a transmission circuit having a variable amplifier configured to vary the voltage of the power drawn by the secondary coil, and a modulator configured to control the variable amplifier. The inductive power receiver is configured to modulate a signal by the varying of the voltage. An inductive power outlet configured for transferring power to the inductive power receiver includes a primary coil and a receiving circuit configured to detect changes in voltage of the power transferred and to produce an output signal based on the changes.

Abstract: A system for locating a locator device includes a seeker device that sends a seeker signal which is received by the locator device and the locator device is operable to transmit a locator signal when a seeker signal is received. The locator device is used to provide an indication of the location of the locator device.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer system is provided that includes at least one inductive power receiver having at least one secondary inductor for forming an inductive couple with a primary inductor and providing power to an electric load and at least one inductive power outlet having at least one primary inductor wired to a power supply via a driver configured to provide a driving voltage across the primary inductor. The driving voltage is oscillating at a transmission frequency significantly different from the natural frequency of the inductive couple. The system further includes at least one power monitor and at least one frequency modulator operable to adjust the natural frequency of the inductive couple thereby regulating power provided to the electric load.