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:
Oct. 07, 2014
Filed:
May. 20, 2011
Edward D. Tate, Jr., Grand Blanc, MI (US);
Alan G. Holmes, Clarkston, MI (US);
Edward D. Tate, Jr., Grand Blanc, MI (US);
Alan G. Holmes, Clarkston, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An energy conversion system includes a first core section, a tank, a flexible structure, and an output coil. The tank contains a volume of fluid having a high magnetic permeability. The flexible structure is fluidly coupled to the tank and movable from a retracted to an extended position in response to the injection of the fluid from the tank. The output coil is in electrical communication with the first core section. A charging station includes a second core section and an input coil. The first and second core sections are in alignment to define an air gap therebetween. The air gap is reduced when the flexible structure is in the extended position within the air gap such that the flexible structure transmits magnetic flux between the second core section and the first core section. The magnetic flux in the first core section induces electrical current in the output coil.