Nucurrent, Inc.

Other

Jason Luzinski

Alberto Peralta

Jacob D Babcock

Vinit Singh

Md Nazmul Alam

Christine A Frysz

Pavel Shostak

Ajit Rajagopalan

Mark D Melone

Oleg Los

Glenn Riese

Robert Giometti

Matt Zamborsky

Michael Katz

Dennis Kapolnek

Michael Gotlieb

Unnati Wadkar

Rob Diebold

Jason Green

Christine M Frysz

Andrew Kovacs

Nazmul Alam

A wireless power transmitter is configured to (i) determine a coupling between the wireless power transmitter and a given wireless power receiver, (ii) receive, from the given wireless power receiver, a communication indicating a selected power mode for wireless transmission, wherein the selected power mode is selected based on the coupling between the wireless power transmitter and the given wireless power receiver, and (iii) in response to receiving the communication from the given wireless power receiver, cause the wireless power transmitter to begin operating in accordance with the selected power mode.

Wireless power transfer system with data versus power priority optimization

The present application relates to an apparatus which comprises a wireless power transfer system. This system comprises features which allow it to transfer more power wirelessly at extended distances than other systems operating in the same frequency range. The system possesses heat dissipation features; these features allow it to operate effectively in elevated-temperature environments, and to transfer power at higher levels and/or greater distances than a typical power-transfer system. The system also might include design features to withstand mechanical shocks, stresses, and impacts for use in a rugged environment. The system can also comprise adaptations to reduce electromagnetic interference, and can comprise specially shaped components with magnetic/ferrimagnetic properties that enhance performance. Other potential features include power conditioning by combining, within one circuit or one board, multiple elements that protect against excessive current, over-voltage, and/or reverse voltage.

Wireless power transfer system with extended wireless charging range

A method for providing an electronic device includes manufacturing the electronic device at a manufacturing location, wherein manufacturing the electronic device includes connecting a wireless receiver system to the electronic device. The method further includes packaging the electronic device at a packaging location. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting data to the electronic device at a data transmission site, wherein wirelessly transmitting the data to the electronic device is performed by transferring data via near field magnetic induction utilizing a wireless transmission system, the wireless transmission system configured to magnetically connect with the wireless receiver system associated with the electronic device.

High speed data communications system for industrial use in packaged goods

Various embodiments of a wireless connector system are described. The system has a transmitter module and a receiver module that are configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and/or data via near field magnetic coupling. The wireless connector system is designed to increase the amount of wirelessly transmitted electrical power over a greater separation distance. The system is configured with various sensing circuits that alert the system to the presence of the receiver module to begin transfer of electrical power as well as undesirable objects and increased temperature that could interfere with the operation of the system. The wireless connector system is a relatively small footprint that is designed to be surface mounted.

Wireless connector system

A testing device for testing electronic devices includes a test controller and a wireless power transmission system. The test controller is configured to generate testing signals for transmission to at least one of the plurality of electronic devices and receive testing data, in response to the testing signals. The wireless power transmission system is configured to receive the testing signal from the test controller, generate a power signal and a first asynchronous serial data signal in accordance with a wireless power and data transfer protocol, the first asynchronous serial data signal based on the testing signals, decode the power signal to extract a second data signal compliant with the wireless power and data transfer protocol, and decode the second data signal compliant with the wireless power and data transfer protocol to extract a second asynchronous serial data signal, the second asynchronous serial data signal based on the testing data.

Testing device for electronic devices with in-band virtualized wired communications

The present application relates to an apparatus which comprises a wireless power transmission system. This system comprises features which allow it to transfer more power wirelessly to multiple devices simultaneously, each at extended distances than other systems operating in the same frequency range. The system including heat dissipation features, allowing the system to operate effectively in elevated-temperature environments and to transfer power at higher levels and/or greater distances than a typical power-transfer system. The system also may include design features to withstand mechanical shocks, stresses, and impacts for use in a rugged environment. The system may include features to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or specially shaped components with magnetic/ferrimagnetic properties that enhance performance. Other potential features include power conditioning by combining, within one circuit or one board, multiple elements that protect against excessive current, over-voltage, and/or reverse voltage.

Wireless power transfer system for simultaneous transfer to multiple devices

A method for providing an electronic device includes manufacturing the electronic device at a manufacturing location, wherein manufacturing the electronic device includes connecting a wireless receiver system to the electronic device. The method further includes packaging the electronic device at a packaging location. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting data to the electronic device at a data transmission site, wherein wirelessly transmitting the data to the electronic device is performed by transferring data via near field magnetic induction utilizing a wireless transmission system and transmitting data via an out of band communications system, the wireless transmission system configured to magnetically connect with the wireless receiver system associated with the electronic device.

High speed data communications system for industrial use in packaged goods with out of band communications hand off

A method for operating a wireless power transfer system includes determining a driving signal for transfer of the AC wireless signals, the driving signals based on an operating frequency for the AC wireless signals, a power requirement for the wireless power signals, data contained in the wireless data signals, and one or more thermal mitigation features. Each of the one or more thermal mitigation features are configured to reduce temperature of at least one surface or volume of the wireless transmission system or the wireless receiver system. The method further includes providing the driving signal to an amplifier of the wireless power transmission system and driving a transmitter antenna of the wireless power transmission system, by the amplifier, based on the driving signal.

Software based thermal mitigation for wireless power and data transfer systems

A wireless power transmission system includes a wireless power transmitter, a wireless power transfer circuit electrically connectable to the at least one wireless power transmitter, and a transmitter controller. The transmitter controller is configured to perform an initial foreign object detection prior to any transmission of wireless power, the initial foreign object detection for detecting presence of a foreign object within a charge volume, the initial foreign object detection determining an initial quality factor (Q). The controller is further configured to begin wireless power transfer negotiations with one of the one or more wireless power receivers, if the initial Q has a value in a range indicating that an object in the charge volume is a wireless power receiver, and perform continuous foreign object detection, if the initial Q has the value in the range indicating that an object in the charge volume is a wireless power receiver.

Detection of foreign objects in large charging volume applications

Various embodiments of inductor coils, antennas, and transmission bases configured for wireless electrical energy transmission are provided. These embodiments are configured to wirelessly transmit or receive electrical energy or data via near field magnetic coupling. The embodiments of inductor coils comprise a figure eight configuration that improve efficiency of wireless transmission efficiency. The embodiments of the transmission base are configured with at least one transmitting antenna and a transmitting electrical circuit positioned within the transmission base. The transmission base is configured so that at least one electronic device can be wirelessly electrically charged or powered by positioning the at least one device in contact with or adjacent to the transmission base.

Inductor coil structures to influence wireless transmission performance

A wireless power transmission system includes a transmitter antenna, a transmission controller, an amplifier, and a variable resistor. The transmission controller is configured to (i) provide a driving signal for driving the transmitter antenna based on an operating frequency for the wireless power transfer system and (ii) perform one or more of encoding the wireless data signals, decoding the wireless data signals, receiving the wireless data signals, or transmitting the wireless data signals. The variable resistor is in electrical connection with the transmitter antenna and configured to alter a quality factor (Q) of the transmitter antenna, wherein alterations in the Q by the variable resistor change an operating mode of the wireless power transmission system.

Wireless power transfer system with mode switching using selective quality factor alteration

A method for operating a wireless power transmission system includes providing a driving signal for driving a transmission antenna of the wireless power transmission system, the driving signal based, at least, on an operating frequency for the wireless power transmission system. The method further includes inverting, by the at least one transistor, a direct current (DC) input power signal to generate an AC wireless signal at the operating frequency, based on provided driving signals. The method includes receiving, at a damping circuit, damping signals configured for switching the damping transistor to one of an active mode and an inactive mode to control signal damping, wherein the damping signals switch to the active mode periodically. The method further includes selectively damping, by the damping circuit, the AC wireless signals, during transmission of the wireless data signals if the damping signals set the damping circuit to the active mode.

Wireless power transmission systems and methods with selective signal damping at periodic active mode windows

A wireless power transmission system includes a transmitter antenna, transmission controller, and an amplifier. The transmitter controller is configured to provide a driving signal for driving the transmitter antenna based on, at least, an operating mode for transmission of AC wireless signals and determine the operating mode for transmission of the AC wireless signals, wherein the operating mode includes a power level for the wireless power signals and a data rate for the wireless data signals, the power level chosen from a series of available power levels and the data rate chosen from a series of available data rates, each of the series of available power levels corresponding to one of the series of available data rates, wherein corresponding pairs of available power levels and available data rates are inversely related.

A method of operating a power and data transfer system includes determining, by a wireless transmission system, presence of a wireless receiver system. The method further includes starting wireless power and data transfer via the wireless transmission system, if presence of the wireless receiver system is detected. The method further includes determining if power at a load associated with the wireless receiver system exceeds a threshold for out of band communications. The method further includes, if the power at the load exceeds the threshold for out of band communications, handing over wireless data transfer to an out of band communications system that is in operative communication with the wireless transmission system.

Wireless power and data transfer system with out of band communications hand off

Various embodiments of a multi-mode antenna are described. The antenna is preferably constructed having a first inductor coil and a second inductor coil. A plurality of shielding materials are positioned throughout the antenna to minimize interference of the magnetic fields that emanate from the coils from surrounding materials. The antenna comprises a coil control circuit having at least one of an electric filter and an electrical switch configured to modify the electrical impedance of either or both the first and second coils.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Jason Luzinski