Fixed core inductive charger

Abstract

An inductively-coupled transformer charging apparatus comprising a charging port having a nonmoving secondary core and a charging coupler that is insertable therein. The charging coupler comprises a primary winding disposed around a primary core. The charging port comprises a fixed secondary core comprising two secondary core halves and two secondary windings, and includes an opening into which the charging coupler is inserted. Heat transfer media in the charging port remove heat during charging. The opening and coupler are sized such that a gap is provided between the secondary core halves and the coupler to provide for a slip fit therebetween. The close fitting relationship between the coupler and the charge port acts to remove dirt build-up present on the coupler as it is inserted into the charging port. The basic requirements of the present invention are that the secondary core has a fixed, nonmoving configuration, that the coupler be insertable into the secondary core, and that the center magnetic core of the coupler form part of a complete magnetic circuit in conjunction with the secondary core. The advantages of the present invention are simplicity and reliability. The present invention does not require moving parts to open and close the primary core halves. The gap provided between the secondary core halves and the inserted coupler is designed so that the respective cores are separated by a minimum, predefined distance, both of which are important parameters of the electrical design of the charging apparatus. Also, there are fewer problems due to dirt buildup due to the wiping action provided by the charging port when the coupler is inserted therein.