ABSTRACT
Abstract
An inductive wireless power transfer and communication system includes an electrostatic shield for one of the coils. The electrostatic shield is inductively coupled with the coil and is configured as an open circuit. A signal processing element or elements, especially a modulator or a demodulator, are connected across the electrical discontinuity in the electrostatic shield. Because the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the coil, the modulator or demodulator can operate on the signal on the coil.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/031,077, filed on Jul. 30, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
In the field of wireless power transfer, inductive coupling has been used to provide power to and communicate with a device without making electrical contact. This technique has been used, for example, with implanted medical devices. Systems utilizing this technique have an external unit that is a power transmitter and a medical device implanted within the body of a patient that is a power receiving unit. A coil driver applies an AC signal to a primary coil in the external unit, generating a magnetic field. The power transmitter is placed in proximity to the body of the patient so that the magnetic field induces a current on a secondary coil in the implanted medical device. A power management unit in the implant can use the current induced on the secondary coil to charge a battery or to directly operate the implanted medical device. To provide communication between the coils, the power signal on the secondary coil is load modulated by a modulator. This modulation is picked up by a demodulator attached to the primary coil. Using this method, systems communicate and transmit power on a single inductive link simultaneously.
In these inductive power transfer and communication systems, the coils are susceptible to parasitic capacitances and parasitic conductances. In particular, parasitic variations can be introduced by the presence of tissue near the coils, a circumstance which is presented frequently with implanted medical devices when the external unit is handled or when it is placed near the target implant. These parasitic variations can alter the inductive link between the coils, reducing the efficiency of power transfer or interfering with the communication of data. To address the changes in operation of the inductive link caused by parasitic variations, prior art systems have used frequency shifting or active re-tuning. See Troyk, U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,511; Stover, U.S. Pat. No. 7,190,153. These solutions may address the parasitic variations, but prevent the operation of the system at very fixed frequencies. For regulatory reasons, the use of some compliant technologies (such as near field communication, regulated under ISO/IEC 18092) requires operation at very fixed frequencies.
The coils in inductive power transfer and communication systems usually operate with large currents and/or voltages. Accordingly the modulation elements and demodulation elements applied to these coils need to be able to handle large currents, large voltages, or both. This generally increases the size of the components used to modulate the power signal and increases the stress levels on the components, and requires the demodulator to tolerate a large input signal. This can add to the weight and cost of the device, and reduce the longevity of the device.
Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for inductive power transfer and communication systems that are resistant or immune to parasitic variations introduced externally and that accomplish modulation and demodulation with lesser demands on the modulation and demodulation components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield according to the invention.
FIGS. 1B-F depict side views of the exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield of FIG. 1A .
FIG. 1G depicts an exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transfer system with uplink communication according to the invention.
FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield according to the invention.
FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield according to the invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system using a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a demodulator.
FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method of communicating between two coils according to the invention.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method of communicating between two coils according to the invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method of communicating between two coils according to the invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method of communicating between two coils according to the invention.
SUMMARY
An inductive wireless power transfer and communication system includes an electrostatic shield for one of the coils. The electrostatic shield is inductively coupled with the coil and is configured as an open circuit. A signal processing element or elements, especially a modulator or a demodulator, are connected across the electrical discontinuity in the electrostatic shield. Because the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the coil, the modulator or demodulator can operate on the signal on the coil.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In this Detailed Description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
FIG. 1A shows an exemplary embodiment of a coil and a shield according to the present invention. A primary coil 101 is surrounded by a coil guard 102 . The primary coil 101 and the coil guard 102 are not in electrical contact. An insulator may be placed between the primary coil 101 and the coil guard 102 , and the coil guard 102 and/or the primary coil 101 could be electrically insulated. The coil guard 102 is an electrostatic shield for the primary coil 101 which protects the primary coil 101 from external parasitic effects. Because the electrostatic shield 102 is structured as a close-fitting conductive sheath that is axially aligned with the primary coil 101 , it inductively couples with the primary coil 101 when the primary coil 101 generates a magnetic field. The primary coil 101 and the electrostatic shield 102 effectively operate similar to a transformer, with the electrostatic shield 102 being a single turn secondary coil. If the electrostatic shield 102 completely encircled the coil 101 , it would act as a shorted turn, dissipating energy and altering the operation of the inductive link between the primary coil 101 and the target coil. To avoid this, the electrostatic shield 102 has a gap 103 extending the axial length of the electrostatic shield 102 which prevents current from circulating. The electrostatic shield 102 is configured as an open circuit, wherein the gap 103 is the conductive discontinuity. The gap 103 does not need to be a gap in the protection of the electrostatic shield 102 , it need only be a conductive discontinuity preventing induced current from circulating in the electrostatic shield 102 . Although the electrostatic shield 102 shields the primary coil 101 from parasitic variations, the coupling between the electrostatic shield 102 and the primary coil 101 causes changes in the impedance of the electrostatic shield 102 to show up as an effective change in the impedance of the primary coil 101 .
To connect electrical components across the primary coil 101 , connection is made at the opposite ends of the coil. To connect electrical components across the electrostatic shield 102 , connection is made at the opposite sides
111 and 112 of the gap 103 . The electrostatic shield may also be center tapped by connecting to a point 113 substantially opposite the gap 103 . The electrostatic shield can be configured in a balanced or unbalanced configuration. For a balanced configuration, the electrostatic shield can be grounded at the center tap point 113 . Connecting at different points along the axial length of the electrostatic shield 102
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/031,077, filed on Jul. 30, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
In the field of wireless power transfer, inductive coupling has been used to provide power to and communicate with a device without making electrical contact. This technique has been used, for example, with implanted medical devices. Systems utilizing this technique have an external unit that is a power transmitter and a medical device implanted within the body of a patient that is a power receiving unit. A coil driver applies an AC signal to a primary coil in the external unit, generating a magnetic field. The power transmitter is placed in proximity to the body of the patient so that the magnetic field induces a current on a secondary coil in the implanted medical device. A power management unit in the implant can use the current induced on the secondary coil to charge a battery or to directly operate the implanted medical device. To provide communication between the coils, the power signal on the secondary coil is load modulated by a modulator. This modulation is picked up by a demodulator attached to the primary coil. Using this method, systems communicate and transmit power on a single inductive link simultaneously.
In these inductive power transfer and communication systems, the coils are susceptible to parasitic capacitances and parasitic conductances. In particular, parasitic variations can be introduced by the presence of tissue near the coils, a circumstance which is presented frequently with implanted medical devices when the external unit is handled or when it is placed near the target implant. These parasitic variations can alter the inductive link between the coils, reducing the efficiency of power transfer or interfering with the communication of data. To address the changes in operation of the inductive link caused by parasitic variations, prior art systems have used frequency shifting or active re-tuning. See Troyk, U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,511; Stover, U.S. Pat. No. 7,190,153. These solutions may address the parasitic variations, but prevent the operation of the system at very fixed frequencies. For regulatory reasons, the use of some compliant technologies (such as near field communication, regulated under ISO/IEC 18092) requires operation at very fixed frequencies.
The coils in inductive power transfer and communication systems usually operate with large currents and/or voltages. Accordingly the modulation elements and demodulation elements applied to these coils need to be able to handle large currents, large voltages, or both. This generally increases the size of the components used to modulate the power signal and increases the stress levels on the components, and requires the demodulator to tolerate a large input signal. This can add to the weight and cost of the device, and reduce the longevity of the device.
Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for inductive power transfer and communication systems that are resistant or immune to parasitic variations introduced externally and that accomplish modulation and demodulation with lesser demands on the modulation and demodulation components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield according to the invention.
FIGS. 1B-F depict side views of the exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield of FIG. 1A .
FIG. 1G depicts an exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transfer system with uplink communication according to the invention.
FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield according to the invention.
FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a coil and shield according to the invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system using a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a demodulator.
FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method of communicating between two coils according to the invention.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method of communicating between two coils according to the invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method of communicating between two coils according to the invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method of communicating between two coils according to the invention.
SUMMARY
An inductive wireless power transfer and communication system includes an electrostatic shield for one of the coils. The electrostatic shield is inductively coupled with the coil and is configured as an open circuit. A signal processing element or elements, especially a modulator or a demodulator, are connected across the electrical discontinuity in the electrostatic shield. Because the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the coil, the modulator or demodulator can operate on the signal on the coil.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In this Detailed Description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
FIG. 1A shows an exemplary embodiment of a coil and a shield according to the present invention. A primary coil 101 is surrounded by a coil guard 102 . The primary coil 101 and the coil guard 102 are not in electrical contact. An insulator may be placed between the primary coil 101 and the coil guard 102 , and the coil guard 102 and/or the primary coil 101 could be electrically insulated. The coil guard 102 is an electrostatic shield for the primary coil 101 which protects the primary coil 101 from external parasitic effects. Because the electrostatic shield 102 is structured as a close-fitting conductive sheath that is axially aligned with the primary coil 101 , it inductively couples with the primary coil 101 when the primary coil 101 generates a magnetic field. The primary coil 101 and the electrostatic shield 102 effectively operate similar to a transformer, with the electrostatic shield 102 being a single turn secondary coil. If the electrostatic shield 102 completely encircled the coil 101 , it would act as a shorted turn, dissipating energy and altering the operation of the inductive link between the primary coil 101 and the target coil. To avoid this, the electrostatic shield 102 has a gap 103 extending the axial length of the electrostatic shield 102 which prevents current from circulating. The electrostatic shield 102 is configured as an open circuit, wherein the gap 103 is the conductive discontinuity. The gap 103 does not need to be a gap in the protection of the electrostatic shield 102 , it need only be a conductive discontinuity preventing induced current from circulating in the electrostatic shield 102 . Although the electrostatic shield 102 shields the primary coil 101 from parasitic variations, the coupling between the electrostatic shield 102 and the primary coil 101 causes changes in the impedance of the electrostatic shield 102 to show up as an effective change in the impedance of the primary coil 101 .
To connect electrical components across the primary coil 101 , connection is made at the opposite ends of the coil. To connect electrical components across the electrostatic shield 102 , connection is made at the opposite sides
111 and 112 of the gap 103 . The electrostatic shield may also be center tapped by connecting to a point 113 substantially opposite the gap 103 . The electrostatic shield can be configured in a balanced or unbalanced configuration. For a balanced configuration, the electrostatic shield can be grounded at the center tap point 113 . Connecting at different points along the axial length of the electrostatic shield 102 can yield different electrical characteristics for the electrostatic shield 102 which can easily be tested and accounted for. In preferred embodiments, connections to the opposite sides
111 and 112 of the gap 103 and to the center tap 113 are all made along one open end of the electrostatic shield 102 to facilitate making connection to associated electronic systems.
FIGS. 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F depict side views of the coil and shield of FIG. 1A . FIG. 1B shows the location of the primary coil 101 , the electrostatic shield 102 , the gap 103 , the sides of the gap
111 and 112 , and the center tap 113 . It also depicts the magnetic field 120 generated inside the primary coil 101 . These elements are present in FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F , though they may not be labeled there.
Attention must be paid to the wires connecting the electrostatic shield 102 to associated electronic systems. A
first wire
131 C, 131 D, 131 E and 131 F in respective FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F connects point 111 to an associated electronic system at point 114 , and a
second wire
132 C, 132 D, 132 E and 132 F in respective FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F connects point 112 to an associated electronic system at point 115 . To inductively couple with the primary coil 101 , the electrostatic shield 102 and each pair of wires 131 C- 132 C, 131 D- 132 D, 131 E- 132 E and 131 F- 132 F in respective FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F must form a loop which encloses at least part of the magnetic field 120 generated inside the primary coil 101 . In embodiments, associated electronic systems coupled to the electrostatic shield 102 are placed substantially opposite the gap 103 . If, as shown in FIG. 1C , the wires
131 C and 132 C are routed away from the gap 103 and around the diameter of the electrostatic shield 102 , then none of the magnetic field 120 inside the primary coil 101 will be enclosed so the electrostatic shield 102 and the primary coil 101 will not inductively couple.
In FIG. 1D , wires
131 D and 132 D are routed across the gap 103 and around the diameter of the electrostatic shield 102 to reach the associated electronic systems at points
114 and 115 . Wire 131 D, wire 132 D, and the electrostatic shield 102 form a continuous loop between points
114 and 115 that encloses the magnetic field 120 . Accordingly, the electrostatic shield 102 and the primary coil 101 are inductively coupled. Because the wire 131 D, wire 132 D, and the electrostatic shield 102 actually encircle the magnetic field 120 twice, the signal between points
114 and 115 will be double what it would be if the magnetic field 120 was only encircled once.
In FIG. 1E , wires
131 E and 132 E are routed across the gap 103 and around the diameter of the electrostatic shield 102 to reach the associated electronic systems at points
114 and 115 . The electrostatic shield 102 is grounded at the center tap 113 . The portion of the electrostatic shield 102 between points
113 and 111 and wire 131 E substantially enclose the magnetic field 120 . Similarly, the portion of the electrostatic shield 102 between points
113 and 112 and wire 132 E substantially enclose the magnetic field 120 . Accordingly, the electrostatic shield 102 and the primary coil 101 are inductively coupled.
FIG. 1F depicts an embodiment in which wires
131 F and 132 F are routed directly to points
114 and 115 respectively, without going around the circumference of the electrostatic shield 102 . The portion of the electrostatic shield 102 between points
113 and 111 and wire 131 F enclose a portion of the magnetic field 120 , but not the entire field. The portion of the electrostatic shield 102 between points
113 and 112 and wire 123 F enclose a portion of the magnetic field 120 , but not the entire field. Because at least a portion of the magnetic field 120 is enclosed, the primary coil 101 and electrostatic shield 102 would still inductively couple. This may be suitable for some embodiments.
FIG. 1G depicts an alternative embodiment of a coil and a shield according to the invention. Terminal points 114 G and 115 G connect respective points
111 G and 112 G to an associated electronic system. In FIG. 1G , the electrostatic shield 102 G guarding the primary coil 101 wraps around the primary coil twice, but does not make electrical contact with itself, so the gap 103 is still present between point 111 G and point 112 G. The electrostatic shield 102 G is grounded at the center tap 113 G. The portion of the electrostatic shield 102 G between points
113 G and 111 G substantially encloses the magnetic field 120 . The portion of the electrostatic shield 102 G between the points
113 G and 112 G substantially encloses the magnetic field 120 . Accordingly, the electrostatic shield 102 G and the primary coil 101 are inductively coupled.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram demonstrating how the elements of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power and communication system interact according to the invention. This embodiment provides power to and uplinks data from one or more target devices 210 . The system includes a power transmitting unit 200 and one or more target devices 210 . The power transmitting unit 200 includes a primary coil 201 and an electrostatic shield 203 . The primary coil 201 is connected to a coil driver 202 . The primary coil 201 is inductively coupled to the electrostatic shield 203 through inductive link 220 . A demodulator 204 is connected to the electrostatic shield 203 and has a data output 205 . The target devices 210 each include a coil 211 . The primary coil 201 of the power transmitting unit 200 is inductively coupled to the target device coils 211 through inductive links 221 . Preferably, the link 221 between the primary coil 201 of the power transmitting unit 200 and the target device coils 211 is a resonant inductive link. The target device coils 211 are attached to load modulators 212 which have data inputs 213 , wherein these data inputs 213 may be configured to receive digital data.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of the exemplary wireless power and communication system of FIG. 2 . It depicts the power transmitting unit 300 and one target device 310 . The electrostatic shield and connecting wires are represented as an inductor 303 . The uplink demodulator 304 is coupled across the gap of the electrostatic shield 303 . The electrostatic shield 303 , the primary coil 302 , and the target device coil 311 are inductively coupled.
The coil driver 301 is coupled to the primary coil 302 . The coil driver 301 applies an AC drive signal to the primary coil 302 . This results in a carrier signal on the primary coil 302 . Because the primary coil 302 is inductively coupled to the target device coil 311 and the electrostatic shield 303 , the carrier signal is a function of the characteristics of all three inductors and the loads across them, and is present on all three inductors.
A rectifier and regulator 313 are coupled to the target device 310 , and rectify and regulate the carrier signal received on the target device coil 311 to use as power. The uplink modulator 312 is coupled to the target device coil 311 and receives uplink data at the data input 314 . To communicate, the uplink modulator 312 alters the carrier signal. The uplink modulator 312 may, for example, amplitude modulate the carrier signal. Preferably, the uplink modulator 312 changes the load presented on the target device coil 311 , resulting in a change in the carrier signal. Because the carrier signal is present on all three
inductors
302 , 303 , and 311 , changes modulated onto the carrier signal by the uplink modulator 312 on the target device coil 311 appear at the uplink demodulator 304 coupled across the gap of the electrostatic shield 303 . The uplink demodulator 304 may therefore demodulate the carrier signal to recover and output the uplink data at the data output 305 . When multiple target devices 310 are used, the rectifiers and regulators 313 in each target device 310 may continually rectify and regulate the carrier signal for power, and the system may use time-division multiplexing to communicate between the uplink modulators 312 and the uplink demodulator 304 separately.
FIGS. 4 and 5 depict alternative embodiments of a coil and shield according to the present invention. In FIG. 4 , the electrostatic shield 402 is adjacent to the inner surface of the coil 401 , extends circumferentially around the inner surface of the coil 401 , and is open on both ends. In this configuration, the electrostatic shield 402 protects the coil 401 from parasitic variations presented by objects inside the coil 401 . In FIG. 5 , the coil 501 has an electrostatic shield portion 502 conforming to the inner surface of the coil 501 and an electrostatic shield portion 503 conforming to the outer surface of the coil, to protect from parasitic variations originating from either direction. The outer shield 503 is adjacent to the outer surface of the coil 501 and surrounds the coil 501 circumferentially. The inner shield 502 is adjacent to the inner surface of the coil 501 and extends around the inner surface of the coil 501 circumferentially. In embodiments, the two shields
502 and 503 are electrically coupled together such that they act as a single inductive element. This can be accomplished by connecting each side of a gap to the corresponding side of the other gap as shown in FIG. 5 . Other parts of the two electrostatic shields
502 and 503 may be connected, such as connecting the center tap terminals.
A coil and shield according to the invention may both be cylindrical as shown. They may also taper from one end to the other, which may result in a truncated conical structure, or may otherwise be irregularly shaped. In a preferred embodiment, the coil and shield conform to the shape of a residual portion of an amputated limb.
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment of a wireless power transfer and communication system according to the invention. FIG. 6 includes a power transmitting device 600 and a target device 610 . The <figure-callout id="600" label="power tran
CLAIMS
Claims ( 48 )
I claim:
1. A wireless power transfer and communication system comprising:
a first coil;
an electrostatic shield for the first coil, the electrostatic shield having a gap extending the axial length of the electrostatic shield, wherein the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the first coil;
a first signal processor coupled across the gap of the electrostatic shield;
a second coil, the second coil being inductively coupled to the first coil;
a second signal processor coupled to the second coil; and
a coil driver coupled to the first coil and configured to generate a carrier signal on the first coil.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first signal processor and the second signal processor communicate through modulation of the carrier signal.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first signal processor comprises a modulator configured to modulate data onto the carrier signal and the second signal processor comprises a demodulator configured to demodulate the carrier signal and output the data.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the second signal processor comprises a modulator configured to modulate data onto the carrier signal and the first signal processor comprises a demodulator configured to demodulate the carrier signal and output the data.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the first coil as a single turn secondary winding.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the gap prevents the electrostatic shield from acting as a shorted turn.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrostatic shield is adjacent to the outer surface of the first coil, surrounds the first coil circumferentially, and is open on both ends.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrostatic shield is adjacent to the inner surface of the first coil, extends around the inner surface of the first coil circumferentially, and is open on both ends.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrostatic shield has an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion is adjacent to the outer surface of the first coil and surrounds the first coil circumferentially, the inner portion is adjacent to the inner surface of the first coil and extends around the inner surface of the first coil circumferentially, and both the outer portion and the inner portion are open on both ends.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the gap extends the axial length of both the outer portion and the inner portion of the electrostatic shield.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the electrostatic shield has a cylindrical or truncated conical structure that is open on both ends and which is coaxial with the first coil; and
the gap extends from one open end of the electrostatic shield to the other.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein a center tap of the electrostatic shield is connected to ground.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the first coil and the electrostatic shield are configured to fit over a limb of a patient.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the limb is a residual portion of an amputated limb.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein the electrostatic shield is positioned to reduce parasitic variations introduced on the first coil by the limb.
16. The system of claim 13 further comprising:
an implantable biological sensor providing sensor data to the second signal processor, wherein the second signal processor is configured to modulate the carrier signal with the sensor data, and the first signal processor demodulates the carrier signal and outputs received sensor data.
17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:
a prosthetic device with a prosthetic controller, wherein the prosthetic controller is coupled to the first signal processor and receives the received sensor data and generates control signals to actuate the prosthetic device.
18. A method of communicating between a first coil and a second coil, the first coil having an electrostatic shield, the first coil being inductively coupled with the electrostatic shield, the first coil being inductively coupled with the second coil, comprising:
generating a carrier signal on the first coil;
receiving an input data signal;
modulating the carrier signal with the data from the input data signal on the second coil;
demodulating the carrier signal on the electrostatic shield; and
outputting an output data signal comprising the data demodulated from the carrier signal.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein modulating the carrier signal on the second coil is changing the impedance presented to the first coil by the second coil.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the input data signal is sensor data received from a biological sensor.
21. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
actuating a prosthetic device based on the output data signal.
22. A method of communicating between a first coil and a second coil, the first coil having an electrostatic shield, the first coil being inductively coupled with the electrostatic shield, the first coil being inductively coupled with the second coil, comprising:
generating a carrier signal on the first coil;
receiving an input data signal;
modulating the carrier signal with the data from the input data signal on the electrostatic shield;
demodulating the carrier signal on the second coil; and
outputting an output data signal comprising the data demodulated from the carrier signal.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein modulating the carrier signal on the electrostatic shield is changing the impedance presented to the first coil by the electrostatic shield.
24. A wireless power transfer and communication apparatus comprising:
a first coil;
a coil driver circuit, the coil driver circuit being coupled to the first coil and configured to generate a carrier signal on the first coil;
an electrostatic shield for the first coil, the electrostatic shield having a gap extending the axial length of the electrostatic shield, wherein the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the first coil; and
a demodulator connected across the gap of the electrostatic shield, wherein the demodulator demodulates the carrier signal.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the first coil inductively couples to a second coil, and wherein the carrier signal is modulated by changing the impedance of the second coil.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising:
an implantable biological sensor providing sensor data to a modulator, wherein the modulator is coupled to a second coil, the second coil being inductively coupled to the first coil, and wherein the modulator is configured to modulate the carrier signal with the sensor data.
27. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising:
a prosthetic device with a prosthetic controller, wherein the prosthetic controller is coupled to the demodulator and generates control signals to actuate the prosthetic device based on the demodulated carrier signal.
28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the first coil as a single turn secondary coil.
29. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the gap prevents the electrostatic shield from acting as a shorted turn.
30. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein:
the electrostatic shield has a cylindrical or truncated conical structure that is open on both ends and which is coaxial with the first coil; and
wherein the gap extends from one open end of the electrostatic shield to the other.
31. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the electrostatic shield is adjacent to the outer surface of the first coil, surrounds the first coil circumferentially and is open on both ends.
32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the gap extends from one open end of the electrostatic shield to the other.
33. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the electrostatic shield is adjacent to the inner surface of the first coil, extends around the inner surface of the first coil circumferentially, and is open on both ends.
34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the gap extends from one open end of the electrostatic shield to the other.
35. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein a center tap of the electrostatic shield is connected to ground.
36. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the first coil and the electrostatic shield are configured to fit over a limb of a patient.
37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the limb is a residual portion of an amputated limb.
38. A wireless power transfer and communication apparatus comprising:
a first coil;
a coil driver circuit, the coil driver circuit being coupled to the first coil and configured to generate a carrier signal on the first coil;
an electrostatic shield for the first coil, the electrostatic shield having a gap extending the axial length of the electrostatic shield, wherein the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the first coil; and
a modulator connected across the gap of the electrostatic shield, wherein the modulator modulates the carrier signal.
39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the first coil as a single turn secondary coil.
40. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the gap prevents the electrostatic shield from acting as a shorted turn.
41. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein:
the electrostatic shield has a cylindrical or truncated conical structure that is open on both ends and which is coaxial with the first coil; and
wherein the gap extends from one open end of the electrostatic shield to the other.
42. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the electrostatic shield is adjacent to the outer surface of the first coil, surrounds the first coil circumferentially and is open on both ends.
43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the gap extends from one open end of the electrostatic shield to the other.
44. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the electrostatic shield is adjacent to the inner surface of the first coil, extends around the inner surface of the first coil circumferentially, and is open on both ends.
45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the gap extends from one open end of the electrostatic shield to the other.
46. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein a center tap of the electrostatic shield is connected to ground.
47. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the first coil and the electrostatic shield are configured to fit over a limb of a patient.
48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the limb is a residual portion of an amputated limb.
US14/814,447
2014-07-30
2015-07-30
Wireless power transfer and communications
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US9962085B2
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US14/814,447
US9962085B2
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2014-07-30
2015-07-30
Wireless power transfer and communications
US15/015,112
US10512553B2
( en )
2014-07-30
2016-02-03
Inductive link coil de-tuning compensation and control
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2014-07-30
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US14/814,447
US9962085B2
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2015-07-30
Wireless power transfer and communications
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