Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly (16) is presented herein. The electrical connector (16) includes a pair of connector blocks (18) each defining a groove in an end surface (18B) that is configured to have an electrical conductor of an electrical cable (12) partially disposed within it, e.g. a carbon nanotube conductor. The electrical connector (16) also includes a housing (20) configured to receive connector blocks (18), align the groove of one connector block (18) with the groove of the other connector block (18), and hold the connector blocks (18) together such that the electrical conductors (12A) within the grooves are in direct physical and electrical contact with the one another and are compressed. An electrical cable assembly (10) incorporating such a connector (16) and an method (100) of manufacturing a cable assembly (10) using such a connector (16) is also presented.
Abstract:
A method to electrically charge an energy storage device (ESD) includes a step of electrically charging the ESD with energy transmitted through a regenerative braking electrical circuit (RBEC) disposed on vehicle by an electrical charging system (ECS) in electrical connection therewith. The ESD may be electrically charged by the ECS or a motor/generator that is also in electrical communication with the RBEC. The method also includes another step of electrically transmitting energy from the ESD through the RBEC and the ECS to supply energy to a power grid disposed external to the vehicle. An ECS for electrically charging an ESD is also presented that includes a first transducer, a second transducer that wirelessly receives energy from the first transducer, a motor/generator, and at least one electrical component which receives energy from the second transducer or energy from the motor/generator to electrically charge the ESD.
Abstract:
An electrical charging system (12) configured to wirelessly charge an energy storage device (14), such as a battery (14). The charging system (12) includes an off- transducer (18) in electrical communication with an alternating power source (48) and electromagnetically coupled to an on- vehicle transducer (20) connected to the energy storage device (14). A controller (53) adjusts a variable frequency oscillator (71) within the power transmitter (16), thereby changing the frequency of the sourced electrical power. The charging system (12) further includes a phase detection circuit (72) in communication with the controller (53) and the off-transducer (18) and configured to determine a phase difference between the alternating voltage and the alternating current supplied by the power source (48). The controller (53) is configured to adjust the variable frequency oscillator (71) based on the phase difference such that the frequency of the sourced electrical power maintains the phase difference within a desired range.
Abstract:
A method (100) to construct a tape wrapped unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable (10) is provided. The method (100) includes the step of twisting (112) a first wire (12) and a second wire (14) together to form a twisted pair (16). The method (100) further includes the step of wrapping (116) tape (18) around the twisted pair (16) with an effective amount of tension (34) on the tape (18) such that a separation distance (20) between the first wire (12) and second wire (14) does not substantially vary along the length of the twisted pair (16).
Abstract:
An electrical charging system (ECS) is used to electrically charge an energy storage device (ESD) using wireless electromagnetic or inductive charging. The ECS includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) electrical circuit, a first transducer, and a plurality of second transducers. The VCO electrical circuit sequentially excites a plurality of coils in a first transducer to select one of a plurality of second transducers in which to transfer energy when the ESD is electrically charged. ECS power efficiency is measured during the excitation of the plurality of coils and used to determine whether the ECS uses the electromagnetic or inductive approach to electrically charge the ESD. The VCO electrical circuit also assists to maintain an optimum ECS power efficiency during electrical charging of the ESD. A method to electrically charge an ESD associated with a first vehicle and an ESD associated with a second vehicle with the ECS is also presented.
Abstract:
A data transmission cable assembly (110) includes an elongate first conductor, an elongate second conductor, and a sheath (118) at least partially axially surrounding the first and second conductors (112A, 112B). The sheath (118) contains a plurality of electrically conductive particles (122) interspersed within a matrix formed of an electrically insulative polymeric material (120). The conductive particles (122) may be formed of a metallic material or and inherently conductive polymer material. The plurality conductive particles (122) may be filaments that form a plurality of electrically interconnected networks. Each network is electrically isolated from every other network. Each network contains less than 125 filaments and/or has a length less than 13 millimeters. The bulk conductivity of the sheath (118) is substantially equal to the conductivity of the electrically insulative polymeric material (120). The data transmission cable assembly (110) does not include a terminal that is configured to connect the sheath (118) to an electrical ground.
Abstract:
A system and method to detect a foreign object proximate to a source resonator that is part of a wireless energy transfer system. The wireless energy transfer system may be one used to wirelessly charge the batteries of an electric vehicle. Data from a visible light camera and a multiple zone temperature sensor are combined or fused to determine whether a foreign object, such a metallic object or an animal, is in the vicinity of, or in close proximity to, a source resonator. The system controls an electric current provided to the source resonator based on whether a foreign object is detected to reduce or inhibit energy emitted by the source resonator. The visible light camera may be a monochrome or color camera and the temperature sensor may be an infrared camera or a thermopile array.