The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 09, 1996
Filed:
Apr. 29, 1994
Russell M Abbott, Riverside, CA (US);
George R Woody, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Hughes Aircraft Company, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
An inductive charging apparatus for use in charging a battery of an electric vehicle, for example, that provides for a tactile feel. The inductive charging apparatus comprises an inductive charging coupler and a charge port disposed in the electric vehicle and coupled to the battery of the electric vehicle. The charging coupler comprises a center magnetic core, and a primary winding disposed around the center magnetic core. A charger cable is coupled between the primary winding and an external power source for coupling energy to the charging coupler. A coupler housing is provided that has two mating coupler halves that are configured to provide a handle, and the mating coupler halves enclose the primary winding and the center magnetic core, and secures the charger cable in the handle. A plurality of indentations are formed in the side of the housing. The charge port has an opening into which the inductive charging coupler is inserted. The charge port comprises a ferrite core and a secondary winding disposed adjacent to the ferrite core that is coupled to the battery of the electric vehicle. A plurality of flexible fingers protrude from the opening that engage the indentations in the side of the housing of the coupler when the coupler is inserted into the charge port.