Abstract: A selectively controllable electromagnetic shield having an electromagnetic shielding material and a mechanism for selectively generating an aperture in the shield. The mechanism for selectively generating an aperture may be a magnetic field source that generates a magnetic field of sufficient strength to substantially saturate all or a portion of the shielding material. For example, a permanent magnet or DC electromagnet may be used to selectively saturate the shield. In its un-saturated state, the magnetic shield has a high permeability and functions as a flux path for the magnetic field. Once saturated, the permeability of the shield is substantially reduced so that the magnetic field lines are no longer drawn into the shield to the same degree. As a result, once saturated, a substantially greater amount of the electromagnetic field may flow through or around the shield in the saturated region.

Abstract: A wireless power system that may align a portable electronic device with an inductive wireless power supply. The induction coils used for transferring power wirelessly may be used as DC electromagnets to align the portable electronic device with the inductive wireless power supply. A DC current may be supplied to the primary coil and to the secondary coil to generate DC electromagnetic fields and attractive force between the primary and secondary coils. This attractive force may be used for alignment.

Abstract: An air freshener device is provided which includes a portion to display cut flowers or other decorative accents, as well as an optionally-powered portion that contains fragrance and one or more of a variety of fragrance dispersal devices. The air freshener device may include an inductive charging system to allow for the device to be electrically charged and placed remotely from its charging base station relying on on-board electrical power storage. Other power sources such as AC or DC power supplies, batteries, or capacitors may also be used to power the air freshener device.

Abstract: An inductive power supply that maintains resonance and adjusts duty cycle based on feedback from a secondary circuit. A controller, driver circuit and switching circuit cooperate to generate an AC signal at a selected operating frequency and duty cycle. The AC signal is applied to the tank circuit to create an inductive field for powering the secondary. The secondary communicates feedback about the received power back to the primary controller. The power transfer efficiency may be optimized by maintaining the operating frequency substantially at resonance, and the amount of power transferred may be controlled by adjusting the duty cycle.

Abstract: A wireless power supply includes a multi-layer shim assembly. Each shim aids in alignment of coils and routing of conductors in a multi-layer coil array. A shield or PCB can be used as part of the multi-layer shim assembly. Wires can be routed through channels to the edge of the shim assembly or wires can protrude through a portion of the multi-layer shim assembly. Traces can be used to route current through the multi-layer shim assembly. Plastic shims can be created by over-molding coils with plastic.

Abstract: A wireless power adapter that mounts to the docking station port of a portable computer, such as a laptop computer, notebook computer or tablet computer. The wireless power adapter includes a docking port electrical connector selected to interface with the pre-existing docking port electrical connector on the portable computer. The adapter docking port electrical connector includes power pins to connect with the pre-existing power pins of the portable computer docking port electrical connector. The wireless power adapter may include an inductive secondary to wirelessly receive power from an inductive primary. The wireless power adapter may include a mechanical connector that interfaces with the pre-existing docking station mechanical connector on the portable computer. The present invention may also include a remote inductive power supply having a base adapted to support the laptop and adapter combination.

Abstract: An inductive power supply system to wirelessly charge a remote device based on detected battery characteristics. The system includes an inductive power supply with a primary coil capable of inductively providing power to a secondary coil in a remote device. The inductive power supply and remote device include communication means for wirelessly communicating. The system further includes a remote device, having a battery with detectable battery characteristics. In operation, the remote device is capable of detecting the battery characteristics by applying a qualification charge to the battery. The inductive power supply system is capable of identifying the battery installed in the remote device by analyzing the detected battery characteristics. The inductive power supply system selects an appropriate charging algorithm based on the analyzed characteristics.

Abstract: The specification discloses a simple and effective system for tracking position and rotation of an object or portable device located within an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field may be produced by a primary coil, which inductively couples with one or more secondary coils located within a portable device. The relative strength of this inductive coupling may be used to determine the position, rotation, or both of the portable device relative to the primary coil.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge lamp assembly for a fluid treatment system. The lamp assembly can include an inductive secondary, first and second electrodes coupled to the inductive secondary, and a lamp including a dielectric barrier interposed between the first and second electrodes. The dielectric barrier can define a discharge chamber including a discharge gas, and one of the first and second electrodes can extend within the discharge chamber. The inductive secondary can be adapted to receive power from a nearby inductive primary to promote a dielectric barrier discharge in the discharge chamber. The resulting dielectric barrier discharge can generate ultraviolet light for the treatment of air or water, or for other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides wireless power supply systems that wirelessly supply power to a remote device for rapidly charging a charge storage capacitor, which charges a battery with the power stored in the charge storage capacitor. This allows the remote device to be positioned near the inductive power supply for rapid charging of the charge storage capacitor and allows battery charging to continue even after the remote device is removed from the inductive power supply.

Abstract: A wireless power supply system that detects communications in the input power to the switching circuit. In this aspect of the invention, the wireless power supply includes a detector for generating a signal indicative of the current in the input to the switching circuitry, a band-pass filter for filtering the detected signal, an amplifier for amplifying the filtered signal, a filter for filtering the amplified signal and a comparator for converting the final signal into a stream of high and low signals that can be passed to a controller for processing as binary data stream.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling inductive power transfer in an inductive power transfer system and a method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting. The method of controlling inductive power transfer including measuring a characteristic of input power, a characteristic of power in the tank circuit, and receiving information from a secondary device. Estimating power consumption based on the measured characteristic of tank circuit power and received information and comparing the measured characteristic of input power, the information from the secondary device, and the estimated power consumption to determine there is an unacceptable power loss. The method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting including changing the distance between a primary side and a secondary side and changing a load of the secondary side.

Abstract: A multilayer printed circuit board (“PCB”) coil that simulates a coil formed from litz wire. The PCB includes a plurality of alternating conductor and insulating layers interconnected to cooperatively form the coil. Each conductor layer includes a trace that follows the desired coil shape and is divided into a plurality of discrete conductor segments. The segments are electrically connected across layers to provide a plurality of current flow paths (or filaments) that undulate between the layers in a regular, repeating pattern. The coil may be configured so that each filament spends a substantially equal amount of time in proximity to the paired coil and therefore contributes substantially equally to the self or mutual inductance of the coil. Each conductor layer may include a plurality of associated traces and intralayer connector that interconnected so that each filament undulates not only upwardly/downwardly, but also inwardly/outwardly in a regular, repeating pattern.

Abstract: A wireless power system having at least one of a remote device with multiple wireless power inputs capable of receiving power from a different wireless power source, a remote device including a hybrid secondary that can be selectively configured for multiple uses, a remote device including a hybrid secondary, a far field wireless power source having a low power mode, a remote device having the capability of communicating with multiple different wireless power sources to indicate that a wireless power hot spot is nearby, a wireless power supply including multiple wireless power transmitters.

Abstract: A flux concentrator and method for manufacturing a flux concentrator is provided. The method can include combining powdered soft magnetic material, a binder, a solvent, a internal lubricant; mixing the materials to create a mixture, evaporating the solvent from the mixture, molding the mixture to form a flux concentrator, and curing the flux concentrator. The flux concentrator may be laminated and broken into multiple pieces, which makes the flux concentrator more flexible. Breaking the flux concentrator does not significantly affect the magnetic properties. Since the permeability of the binder is very similar to that of air, adding tiny air gaps between the fractions is not significantly different than adding more binder.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a UV bulb, a moisture detector, and a control circuit responsive to the moisture detector to terminate power to the bulb when moisture is detected. The moisture detector includes a nonconductive substrate and a pair of conductors on the substrate. When moisture is not present, the detector is nonconductive. However, when moisture accumulates on the detector, the moisture provides a conductive path between the conductors so that the detector becomes conductive. When moisture is detected, the control circuit terminates power to the bulb and/or provides an appropriate indication to the system user.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a plunger for mechanically interconnecting a remote device with the power supply. The plunger may be extendable/retractable to interfit with the remote device. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply with a movable primary that allows for close alignment between the primary and the secondary when the remote device is disposed within a range of different positions with respect to the charging surface. The movable primary may, for example, be coupled to the remote device by a peg, a plunger or a magnet. Alternatively, the position of the movable primary may be adjusted manually. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a charging bowl having a plurality of charging stations disposed about a common axis. Each charging station may include a movable primary that permits some freedom in positioning of the remote device on the charging surface.

Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp assembly having a secondary circuit with starter circuitry that provides pre-heating when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at a pre-heat frequency and that provides normal operation when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at an operating frequency. In one embodiment, the starter circuitry includes a pre-heat capacitor connected between the lamp electrodes and an operating capacitor located between the secondary coil and the lamp. The pre-heat capacitor is selected so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a lesser impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas of the lamp when power is applied to the secondary circuit at the pre-heat frequency, and so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a greater impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas when power is applied the operating frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a load used for communication in a remote device having a dynamic communication load configuration. In one embodiment, the dynamic communication load configuration vanes as a function of a characteristic of power in the remote device. The remote device toggles between load configurations to communicate with the inductive power supply. A sensor in the remote device detects a characteristic of power in the remote device and configures the communication load based on the sensor output. In another embodiment, the remote device adjusts the dynamic communication load configuration in the remote device in response to a failure to receive a response from the inductive power supply.

Abstract: An air freshener device is provided which includes a portion to display cut flowers or other decorative accents, as well as an optionally-powered portion that contains fragrance and one or more of a variety of fragrance dispersal devices. The air freshener device may include an inductive charging system to allow for the device to be electrically charged and placed remotely from its charging base station relying on on-board electrical power storage. Other power sources such as AC or DC power supplies, batteries, or capacitors may also be used to power the air freshener device.