Abstract:
A method is presented of allocating communication time slots contained in repeating frames for communication between an inductive wireless power transmitter and at least two inductive wireless power receivers, wherein the power transmitter and the power receivers are arranged to communicate by means of modulation and demodulation of an inductive power signal. The transmitter sends synchronization messages marking the start of the communication time slots and the frames, and messages indicating if a time slot is unallocated. A receiver may send, during an unallocated time slot, send a message to the transmitter requesting allocation of the unallocated communication time slot. The transmitter subsequently sends messages to indicate if the communication was successfully received, and if the allocation request is granted.
Abstract:
A wireless power transfer system comprises a power transmitter generating a wireless power signal providing power to a plurality of power receivers (105, 109). The power transmitter (101) comprises a receiver (203) receiving data messages from the power receivers (105, 109) on a load modulation channel divided into time slots. A time slot processor (205) allocates time slots as dedicated time slots for individual power receivers or as common time slots for load modulation by any power receiver (105, 109). An identity controller (207) links a temporary identity to each of the power receivers (105) and a message processor (209) determines the source power receiver for messages in response to temporary identity information in the messages. Specifically, the message processor (209) determines the source for a first message received in a common time slot as the first power receiver (105) if the temporary identity information in the first message is indicative of a temporary identity assigned to the first power receiver (105).
Abstract:
A wireless power transfer system comprises a power transmitter (101) arranged to generate a wireless inductive power transfer signal for powering a power receiver (105). The system comprises a temperature controlled power loop setting an operating temperature for a heating part of a powered device. The system further comprises a receiver (207) for receiving a first temperature for a part of a powered device where the powered device is powered by the power receiver (105). A comparator (209) compares the measured temperature to a first reference temperature associated with the power transmitter (101). In response to the first temperature exceeding the reference temperature, a controller (213) proceeds to restrict the power of the power transfer signal and/or to generate a user alert. The first temperature may specifically relate to a contact surface of the powered device and the reference temperature may be a maximum allowable temperature of a contact surface for receiving the powered device during power transfer.
Abstract:
:A power transmitter and/or receiver for a wireless power transfer system comprises a power transfer coil (103, 107) arranged to exchange power via a power transfer signal. A receiver (207, 307) is arranged to receive first data from the complementary power transfer apparatus. The first data is modulated onto the power transfer signal in accordance with a first modulation scheme where each data symbol is represented by a sequence of time intervals each having a constant modulation level dependent on a data symbol value for the data symbol. A transmitter (205, 305) is arranged to transmit second data to the complementary power transfer apparatus by modulating the power transfer signal in accordance with a second modulation scheme. The symbol duration for data symbols of the second modulation scheme are a divisor of a duration of at least one time interval of the sequence of time intervals. A synchronizer (209, 309) is further arranged to synchronize the transmitter (205, 305) to transmit the second data aligned with the first data by synchronizing the transmission of the second data to the power transfer signal.
Abstract:
A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (101) arranged to provide a power transfer to a plurality of power receivers (105, 109) via a wireless inductive power signal. T power transmitter (101) comprises a receiver (203) for receiving data messages, load modulated on the wireless inductive power signal and a broadcast transmitter (205) broadcasting on a broadcast communication channel. The power receivers (105) comprise a transmitter (505) for load modulating data message on the power signal. The power transmitter (101) comprises a communication controller (207) which broadcasts first indications indicative of the wireless inductive power signal being available for load modulation in a time interval. A first power receiver comprises a broadcast receiver (507) receiving first indications from the power transmitter (101) and a transmission controller (509) aligning transmissions of data messages with received first indications. The invention may improve communication for scenarios where one power transmitter simultaneously supports a plurality power receivers.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a battery pack for battery powered lighting systems comprising: • an outer wall surrounding the battery module made of a thermally insulating material, • a battery holder disposed within the outer wall comprising a plurality of battery receptacles in which batteries fit, and made of a thermally conductive material, and • a wireless power exchanger, comprising a wireless power tube coupled to the battery holder and disposed in the central opening, the wireless power tube being arranged for exchanging energy wirelessly with a wireless power stick that can be inserted into the wireless tube.
Abstract:
A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (101) providing power to a power receiver (105) via an inductive power signal. The power transmitter (101) and receiver (105) can operate in different modes including a test mode and a power transfer mode. Operating parameters of the power receiver (105) are constrained in the test mode relative (and specifically the loading). A foreign object detector (209) generates a foreign object detection estimate from a comparison of a measured load to an expected load of the inductive power signal when the power receiver is operating in the test mode. A controller (211) enters the power transmitter (101) and receiver (103) into the power transfer mode when the foreign object detection estimate is indicative of no detection of a foreign object. In the power transfer mode, a parasitic power loss detector (207) generates a parasitic power loss detection for the power transfer if a parasitic power loss estimate is outside a range.
Abstract:
A power transmitter (101) is arranged to transfer power to a power receiver (105) using a wireless inductive power signal. The power transmitter (101) comprises a power signal generator (207) which drives an inductor (103) to provide the power signal to an inductor of the power receiver (105). A power loop control is employed by the power receiver (105) providing power control error messages to the power transmitter (101). The power transmitter (101) comprises a query message processor (209) which can detect a query message received from the power receiver (105) using load modulation of the power signal. A modification processor (211) is arranged to modify a response of the power loop controller to the power control error messages dependent on the query message. The power receiver (105) can detect the modifications to the operation of the power control and thus can interpret this as a response to the query message.
Abstract:
A power transmitter (101) comprises a transmitter coil (103) for generating the power transfer signal during a power transfer phase. A driver (201) generates a drive signal for the transmitter coil (103) to generate the power transfer signal during the power transfer phase. A communicator (205) receives messages from the power receiver (105) and a controller (203) is arranged to, during the power transfer phase, generate a reduced power time interval during which a power level of the power transfer signal is reduced where the reduced power time interval is generated in response to the communicator (205) receiving a reduced power time interval request message from the power receiver (105). The power receiver (105) may generate a request message when e.g. a change in operating mode occurs. The power receiver (105) may ensure that a request message, and thus a reduced power time interval, is only generated when the power receiver can handle a power interruption for the power transfer signal.
Abstract:
A power transmitter (101) of a wireless power transfer system provides wireless power to a power receiver (105). The power transmitter (101) comprises a variable resonance circuit (201) generating an inductive power transfer signal in response to a drive signal. The resonance circuit comprises a capacitive and inductive impedance (201, 203), at least one of which is variable. The resonance frequency can be varied by at least one of the impedances being variable in response to a control signal. A driver (205) generates the drive signal with a variable drive frequency. A frequency modulator (305) applies frequency modulation to the drive signal by varying the variable drive frequency in response to data values to be transmitted to the power receiver (105). An adapter (309) generates the control signal in response to the data values such that the variable resonance frequency follows the variations in the drive frequency resulting from the frequency modulation of the drive signal.