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`as) United States
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`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2010/0181841 Al
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`(43) Pub. Date: Jul. 22, 2010
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`Azancotet al.
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`US 20100181841A1
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`(75)
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`Inventors:
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`Related U.S. Application Data
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`(60) Provisional application No. 60/897,868, filed on Jan.
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`29, 2007, provisional application No. 61/006,488,
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`filed on Jan. 16, 2008, provisional application No.
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`60/935,694, filed on Aug. 27, 2007.
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`Publication Classification
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`(51)
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`Int. Cl.
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`HO02J 17/00
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`(52) US. CMe coeccccccssssssssssssssssvseseesessessssasisssssenes 307/104
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`(2006.01)
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`(54) PINLESS POWER COUPLING
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`Yossi Azancot, Jerusalem (IL);
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`Amir Ben-Shalom, Modiin (IL);
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`Oola Greenwald, Mevasseret Zion
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`(IL); Arik Rofe, Jerusalem (IL)
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`Correspondence Address:
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`William H. Dippert
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`Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
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`U.S. Steel Tower, 600 Grant Street, 44th Floor
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`Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (US)
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`(73) Assignee:
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`POWERMATLTD., NEVE ILAN
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`dL)
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`(22)
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`(21) Appl. No.:
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`PCTFiled:
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`(86) PCT No::
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`§ 371 (©),
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`(2), (4) Date:
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`12/524,987
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`Jan.28, 2008
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`PCT/IL08/00124
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`Mar. 10, 2010
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`ABSTRACT
`(57)
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`A pin-less power coupling arrangement comprising at least
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`one pin-less powerjack; the powerjack comprising a primary
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`coil shielded behind an insulating layer for inductive coupling
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`to a pin-less power plug; said power plug comprising a sec-
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`ondary coil wherein said insulating layer is substantially flat
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`and said powerplug andsaid powerjack maybe aligned by an
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`alignment means. Various such alignment means are dis-
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`cussedas are enabled surfaces for supporting inductive power
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`jacks and inductive plugs coupled to various appliances.
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`Tone
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`Microcontroller
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`345
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`Receiver
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`LOAD
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`342
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`140
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`1000
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`SO
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`ome ee wee ee ee eee eee
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`Power
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`102
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`Alignment Mechanism
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`Electric
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`Load
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`Fig. 1
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`Driving
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`US 2010/0181841 Al
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`1212a
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`Patent Application Publication 1212b
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`244
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`245 eet
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`f 250
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`140a
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`Oct
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`120A
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`US 2010/0181841 Al
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`Provide an optical transmitter within the secondary unit
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`Provide an optical receiver within the primary unit
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`PINLESS POWER COUPLING
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`[0001] The present inventionis directed to providing a pin-
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`less power coupling system. Moreparticularly the invention
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`is related to efficient inductive power transmission across
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`substantially flat surfaces.
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`BACKGROUND
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`[0002] Electrical connections are commonlyfacilitated by
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`the use of plugs and jacks. Powerjacks are fixed connectors
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`whichare stationary relative to the surface into which they are
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`embedded. Power plugs are movable connectors which are
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`adapted to electrically couple with powerjacks. The plug-
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`jack coupling allows a movable device hardwiredto the plug
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`to be selectively connected to a power jack and disconnected
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`and removed when required. In such electrical couplingsit is
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`common for the plug and jack to be mechanically coupled
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`together and conductively connected using a pin and socket
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`combination. The pin and socket coupling provides a way to
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`align the plug to the jack efficiently and to prevent the two
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`from becoming disconnected while in use and the pin,typi-
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`cally copper or brass, forms a conducting contact with a
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`conductive element lining the socket. Where poweris being
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`transmitted, such as in a mains power point, where there is a
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`dangerof injury from electrocution, it is commonthatthe pin
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`is provided on the plug so that the live power lines may be
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`safely shielded within the sockets of the power jack. Never-
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`theless, sincethe live powerlines are notfully insulated there
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`is arisk of injury associated with mains sockets, particularly
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`to children who may be tempted to push smallfingers or other
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`objects into a live socket. It is therefore common to provide
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`additional protection such as throughthe use of socket guards
`and the like.
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`[0003] Moreover, a socket if not maintained, collects dust
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`which may impede electrical connection or even clog the
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`socket, making insertion of the pin difficult. For this reason,
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`powersockets are typically mounted upon walls and are not
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`angled upwards. This configuration also reduces the risk of
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`shorting or electrocution as a result of liquid spillages.
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`Inductive power connectors for providing insulated
`[0004]
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`electrical connection are known. For example U.S. Pat. No.
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`7,210,940 to Baily et al. describes an inductive coupling for
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`transferring electrical energy to or from a transducer and
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`measuring circuit. Baily’s system consists of a male connec-
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`tor having a single layer solenoid woundon a ferromagnetic
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`rod and a female connector having a second single layer
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`solenoid. By inserting the male connector into the female
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`connector, the two solenoids are brought into alignment,
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`enabling inductive energy transfer therebetween. This cou-
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`pling provides a sealed signal connection without the disad-
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`vantages of having exposed contact surfaces.
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`In Baily’s system the female connectorstill repre-
`[0005]
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`sents a socket and the male connector a pin. Although there
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`are no exposed contact surfaces, such electrical power jacks
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`cannot be located upon surfaces which needto beflat such as
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`table tops, counters and the like. Because such surfaces are
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`often precisely where electrical connection would be most
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`convenient, this results in unsightly and inconvenient, exten-
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`sive power connecting cables.
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`[0006] Other electrical powertransmission systems allow-
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`ing a powerreceiving electrical device to be placed anywhere
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`upon an extended base unit covering a larger area have been
`Page 17 of 27
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`proposed. These provide freedom of movement without
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`requiring the trailing wires inherent
`in Baily. One such
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`example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,164,255 to Hui. In
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`Hui’s system a planar inductive battery charging system is
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`designed to enable electronic devices to be recharged. The
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`system includesa planar charging module having a charging
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`surface on which a device to be recharged is placed. Within
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`the charging module, andparallel to the charging surface,is at
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`least one, and preferably an array of primary windings that
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`couple energy inductively to a secondary winding formed in
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`the device to be recharged. Hui’s system also provides sec-
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`ondary modules that allow the system to be used with con-
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`ventional electronic devices not supplied with secondary
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`Such systemsare adequate for charging batteries, in
`[0007]
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`that they typically provide a relatively low powerinductive
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`coupling. It will be appreciated however, that extended base
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`units such as Hui’s charging surface which allows energy
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`transfer approximately uniformly over the whole area of the
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`unit, are not generally suitable for providing the high energy
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`requirements of manyelectric devices.
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`[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,744, to Sabo, titled “Alignment
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`independent andself aligning inductive powertransfer sys-
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`tem” describes an inductive power transfer device for
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`recharging cordless appliances. It also addresses the problem
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`of pinlessly aligning a secondary inductive coil to a primary
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`inductive coil. Sabo’s device includesa plurality of inductors
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`arranged in an array and connected to a power supply via
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`switches whichare selectively operableto activate the respec-
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`tive inductors. The inductors serve as the primary coil of a
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`transformer. The secondary coil of the transformer
`is
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`arranged within the appliance. When the appliance is posi-
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`tioned proximate to the powertransfer device with the respec-
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`tive coils in alignment, poweris inductively transferred from
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`the device to the appliance via the transformer.
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`[0009] Nevertheless the need remains for a cost effective
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`and efficient pinless power coupling mechanism and the
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`present invention addresses this need.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`It is an aim of the invention to provide a pinless
`[0010]
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`powercoupling arrangement comprising at least one pinless
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`power jack comprising a primary coil shielded behind an
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`insulating layer for inductive coupling to a pinless powerplug
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`comprising a secondary coil wherein the insulating layer is
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`substantially flat and the pinless power plug and the power
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`jack are alignable by an alignment means.
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`[0011] Typically the alignment between said power plug
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`and said powerjack is maintained whilst said power plug is
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`rotated through 360 degrees about a central axis.
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`[0012] Optionally the alignment is being selected from
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`visual, audible and tactile means.
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`[0013] Optionally the insulating layer is translucent allow-
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`ing direct visual alignment.
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`[0014] Alternatively insulating layer is visually marked to
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`indicate the location of the powerjack allowing direct visual
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`alignment.
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`[0015] Optionally the alignment means comprisesan illu-
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`minated indicator configured to indicate when a plug is
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`aligned to the powerjack.
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`[0016] Typically the illuminated indicatoris selected from
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`the group comprising LEDs, an LED scale, and LCD screens.
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`[0017]
`Preferably the visual indicator is configuredto pro-
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`vide a graduated indication of proximity to full alignment.
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`Page 17 of 27
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`US 2010/0181841 Al
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`Jul. 22, 2010
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`the alignment means comprises an
`[0018] Optionally,
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`Preferably the alignment meansis a tactile indicator
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`comprising at least one magnetic anchor configured to couple
`audible indicator configured to indicate when a plug is
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`with at least one magnetic snag ofat least one pinless power
`aligned to the powerjack.
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`jack.
`[0019] Typically the audible indicator is selected from the
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`[0036] Typically magnetic anchor is selected from the
`group comprising at least one buzzer, at least one bell, at least
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`group comprises elements selected from the list ofpermanent
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`onespeaker,at least one clapper and any combinationthereof.
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`magnets, electromagnets and ferromagnetic elements.
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`[0020] Optionally, the audible indicator is configured to
`[0037] Alternatively the alignment meansis a tactile indi-
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`cator.
`provide graduated indication of proximity to alignment.
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`Preferably the alignment meansis a tactile indicator
`[0021]
`[0038] Alternatively the alignment meansis selected from
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`comprising at least one magnetic snag configured to couple
`the group comprising suckers, hook-and-loop arrangements,
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`with at least one magnetic anchorcarried by the pinless power
`corresponding ridge-and-groove arrangements and combina-
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`tions thereof.
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`plug.
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`[0039] Optionally the pinless powerplug is connectable to
`[0022]
`In preferred embodiments the magnetic snag has an
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`at least one electric load by a powercord.
`annular configuration such that an annular magnetic anchor
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`[0040] Alternatively the pinless powerplugis hardwired to
`engages said magnetic snag at any angle.
`at least one electric load.
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`[0023] Typically the magnetic snag is selected from the
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`[0041]
`Inanotheraspect,the present invention is directed to
`group comprising at least one permanent magnet,at least one
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`providing a pinless powerplug andanelectric device perma-
`electromagnet and at
`least one ferromagnetic element.
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`nently coupled together in a unitary device.
`Optionally the magnetic anchor is selected from the group
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`[0042] One embodiment of the invention is directed to a
`comprising at least one permanent magnet,at least one elec-
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`lightfitting comprising a pinless powerplug coupled to a light
`tromagnetandat least one ferromagnetic element. Preferably
`source.
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`the polarities of the magnetic snag and magnetic anchor are
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`[0043]
`In another embodiment, the pinless power plug is
`selected such that the powerplugs will only align with com-
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`coupled to a a traveling power socket having at least one
`patible powerjacks.
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`socket for pinned plugs and serves as an adaptor forretrofit-
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`[0024] Alternatively the alignment meansis a tactile indi-
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`ting power devices of the prior art to power jacks of the
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`cator selected from the group comprising at least one sucker,
`invention.
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`at least one hook-and-loop arrangement, at least one ridge-
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`Preferably the pinless power jack provides powerin
`[0044]
`and-groove arrangement and combinationsthereof.
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`the range of between 1 watt and 200 watts. Typically the
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`Itisa further aim ofthe invention to provide a power
`[0025]
`pinless powerjack provides powerin the range of between 5
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`watts to 110 watts.
`surface comprising an array of pinless powerjacks.
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`[0026] Typically the power surface is a horizontal work
`the
`[0045]
`In preferred embodiments of the invention,
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`surface. Alternatively, the power surface is a vertical wall.
`power coupling additionally comprises a regulator. Option-
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`Alternatively again, the powersurface is a ceiling.
`ally the regulatoris a signal transfer system.
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`Still another aim of the invention is to provide a
`[0027]
`[0046]
`Itistherefore another aim ofthe present invention to
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`pinless powerplug comprising at least one secondary coil for
`provide a signal transfer system for regulating powertransfer
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`inductive coupling to a pinless powerjack shielded behind an
`between a primary coil behindasurface layer and a secondary
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`insulating layer wherein the insulating layer is substantially
`coil brought into alignment with the primary coil; the signal
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`flat and the powerplug and the powerjack are alignable by an
`transfer system comprising at least one optical transmitter in
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`alignment means.
`front of a surface layer for transmitting electromagnetic
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`radiation of a type and intensity capable of penetrating the
`[0028] Optionally, the pinless power plug comprises at
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`surface layer and being received by at least one optical
`least two secondary coils. Preferably the pinless powerplug is
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`receiver behind the surface layer.
`adapted for coupling with an array of said primary coils
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`Preferably the optical transmitter comprises a light
`[0047]
`wherein said at least two secondary coils are offset by a
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`emitting diode. Optionally the optical transmitter transmits
`distance which is different to the intercoil spacing of said
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`an infra red signal. Typically, the optical receiver is selected
`array of said primary coils.
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`from the group comprising: phototransistors, photodiodes
`[0029] Optionally the alignment means comprises a visual
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`and light dependentresistors.
`indicator configured to indicate when the plugis aligned to a
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`[0048]
`In preferred embodiments the surface layer is con-
`powerjack.
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`structed from a material selected from the group comprising
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`[0030] Typically the visual indicator is selected from the
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`glass, plastic, mica, formica, wood, wood veneer, canvas,
`group comprising Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), LED scales
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`cardboard,stone, linoleum and paper. Optionally, the surface
`and LCD screens.
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`layer comprises a generally opaque panel punctuated by at
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`Preferably the visual indicator is configuredto pro-
`[0031]
`least one optical path for guiding the optical signal to the
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`vide a graduated indication of proximity to full alignment.
`optical receiver. Typically, the optical path is selected from
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`[0032] Optionally the alignment means comprises an
`the group comprising: waveguides, optical fibers and win-
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`dows.
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`audible indicator configured to indicate when the plug is
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`aligned to a powerjack.
`[0049] The optical signal may carry encodeddata pertain-
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`[0033] Typically this audible indicator is selected from the
`ing to at least one of the group comprising:
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`group comprising buzzers,bells, speakers, clappers and com-
`[0050]
`presence of an electric load;
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`bination thereof.
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`required operating voltage for the electric load;
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`[0052]
`required operating current for the electric load;
`[0034] Optionally the audible indicator is configured to
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`provide a graduated indication ofproximity to full alignment.
`[0053]
`required operating temperature fortheelectric load;
`Page 18 of 27
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`Page 18 of 27
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`US 2010/0181841 Al
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`Jul. 22, 2010
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`[0054] measured operating voltage for the electric load;
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`[0055] measured operating current for the electric load;
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`[0056] measured operating temperature for the electric
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`load, and
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`[0057]
`auser identification code.
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`[0058] Optionally, the inductive energy couple is a device
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`selected from the group comprising: a transformer, a DC-to-
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`DC converter, an AC-to-DC converter, an AC-to-AC con-
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`verter, a flyback transformer, a flyback converter, a full-
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`bridge converter, a half-bridge converter and a forward
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`converter. Typically, the primary coil is galvanically isolated
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`from the secondary coil.
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`[0059]
`In preferred embodiments the optical receiver is
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`coaxial with said primary coil and said optical receiver is
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`coaxial with said secondary coil such that when said primary
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`coil is alignedto said secondary coil, and said optical receiver
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`is aligned to said optical transmitter.
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`[0060] A further aspect of the invention is directed to pro-
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`vide a method for regulating powertransfer across an induc-
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`tive coupling comprising a primary coil behind a surface layer
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`and a secondary coil in front of the surface layer, the method
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`comprising the following steps:
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`a. providing at least one optical transmitter in
`[0061]
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`front of the surface layer;
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`b. providing at least one optical receiver behind
`[0062]
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`the surface layer;
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`[0063]
`c. communicating a regulating signalto the opti-
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`cal transmitter;
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`[0064]
` d. the optical transmitter transmitting the regulat-
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`ing signal as electromagnetic radiation of a type and
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`intensity capable of penetrating the surface layer;
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`e. receiving the electromagnetic radiation by the
`[0065]
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`optical receiver; and
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`f. adjusting the power transfer according to the
`[0066]
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`regulation signal.
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`[0067] Optionally, the regulation signal carries details of
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`powerrequirements of the load. Typically, the method regu-
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`lates powertransfer across an inductive coupling wherein the
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`optical signal is provided by monitoring at least one operating
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`parameter of the electric load and encoding the monitored
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`parameter data into the optical signal. Alternatively or addi-
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`tionally, the method regulates power transfer across an induc-
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`tive coupling wherein the optical signal carries data pertain-
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`ing to at
`least one parameter selected from the group
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`comprising operating voltage, operating current and operat-
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`ing temperature. Preferably, the method comprises the pre-
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`liminary step of detecting the presence of an electric load.
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`[0068] The term “jack” as used herein refers to any fixed
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`connector for receiving and for providing powerto an elec-
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`trical plug. The term “jack”is not defined by the genderof the
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`connector and doesnot indicate having sockets for receiving
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`protruding pins of a plug.
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`[0069] The term “plug”as used herein refers to any move-
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`able connectorfor electrically connecting to a jack as above.
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`The term “plug”is not defined by the gender of the connector
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`and does not imply havingprotrusionsforfitting into a socket.
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`[0070]
`It will be noted that although genderbased defini-
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`tions are sometimes used for the terms jacks and plugs, the
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`above definitions are in keeping with IEEE STD 100 and
`ANSI Y32.16 standards.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
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`[0071]
`For a better understanding of the invention and to
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`show how it maybe carried into effect, reference will now be
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`made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying draw-
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`Page 19 of 27
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`[0072] With specific reference now to the drawings in
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`detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of
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`example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the
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`preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are
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`presented in the cause of providing whatis believed to be the
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`most useful and readily understood description of the prin-
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`ciples and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard,
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`no attempt is made to showstructural details of the invention
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`in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental under-
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`standingofthe invention;the description taken with the draw-
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`ings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the
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`several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
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`In the accompanying drawings:
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`[0073]
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically represent-
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`ing the main features of an inductive power transfer system
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`according to one embodimentof the present invention;
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`FIG. 2a is a schematic representation of a pinless
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`power coupling consisting of a pinless power jack and a
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`pinless powerplug according to another embodimentof the
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`present invention;
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`FIG. 2b-d show three exemplary applications of the
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`power coupling of FIG. 2a providing power to a computer,
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`light bulb and pinless power adaptor;
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`[0076]
`FIGS. 3a@ and 35 show an exemplary configuration
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`for an induction coil in schematic and exploded representa-
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`tion respectively;
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`[0077]
`FIGS. 4a-c show three exemplary tactile alignment
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`mechanisms for aligning a pinless power plug to a pinless
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`powerjack according to further embodiments of the inven-
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`tion;
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`[0078]
`FIGS. 5a-h show eight magnetic configurations for
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`use in a tactile alignment mechanism for a pinless power
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`coupling;
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`FIGS. 6a-e show three exemplary plug-mounted
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`visual alignment mechanismsfor a pinless power coupling;
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`[0080]
`FIGS. 7a-d show four exemplary surface-mounted
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`visual alignment mechanismsfor a pinless power coupling;
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`[0081]
`FIGS. 8a and 84 show audible alignment meansfor
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`use with the pinless power coupling accordingto still further
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`embodiments of the invention;
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`FIG. 9 shows an exemplary optical transmitter for
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`regulating powertransfer to a computer via a pinless power
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`coupling;
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`FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the main
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`features of an exemplary signal transfer system for initiating
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`and regulating inductive power transfer from the pinless
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`powerplug;
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`[0084]
`FIG. 11a shows a powersurface including an array
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`of pinless power jacks in accordance with yet another
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`embodimentof the invention;
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`FIG. 115 shows two movable pinless power plugs
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`lying upon the powersurface of FIG. 11a;
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`[0086]
`FIG. 11c¢ shows a power plug provided with two
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`secondary coils for coupling with primary coils of the power
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`surface of FIG. 11a;
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`FIGS. 12a-c show three exemplary applications of
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`the powersurface of FIG. 11a providing powerto a computer,
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`light bulbs and pinless power adaptors respectively, and
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`[0088]
`FIG. 13 is a flow diagram flowchart showing a
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`method for transferring an optical regulation signal between
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`a primary unit and a secondary unit via an intermediate layer.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
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`EMBODIMENTS
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`[0089] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 whichis a 1000 for
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`pinlessly providing powerto an electric load 140, according
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`Page 19 of 27
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`US 2010/0181841 Al
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`Jul. 22, 2010
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`to a first embodimentof the invention. The powertransfer
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`system 1000 includes a pinless power coupling 100, an align-
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`ment mechanism 200 and a power, regulator 300.
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`[0090] The pinless power coupling 100 comprises a pinless
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`powerjack 110 and a pinless power plug 120. The pinless
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`powerjack 110 includes a primary inductive coil 112 wired to
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`a powersupply 102 via a driving unit 104. The p