Use of Inductive Coupling to Automatically Charge

Votes: 5
Views: 6070
Transportation

A whole new generation of purely electric vehicles and "Plug-in" hybrids will soon be commercially available and attention has to be given to creating the infrastructure required to keep the batteries of these vehicles fully charged during their urban commutes.

The present approach is to re-charge the batteries at special charging "terminals" installed in people's homes or in specially designated public parking spaces. The problem with this is that the user has to physically go to the charging station and retrieve the plug and then manually connect the vehicle to the charging station. The open wire is also exposed to daily wear & tear and is also suceptible to possible vandalism. What is required is a more convenient way of quickly, efficiently and conventiently re-charging electric vehicles.

The solution is to use inductive coupling to recharge the vehicle each time that it parks. Inductive Coupling Technology (ICT) can be used to transfer wireless power from one surface to any ICT compatible device, eliminating the need for power cords and battery chargers. With the ICT technology, there are no on or off switches. It is possible to design the system to operate automatically and intelligently. When an ICT enabled area of the vehicle comes into contact with the ICT charging zone, the technology recognizes the product, interprets its power needs and immediately begins to transfer energy.

Copper coils are strategically placed within the charging panel located at the front end of each parking space and in the bumper of each electric vehicle. These coils determine not only the vehicle's power needs, but also the battery life and charging cycles. Intelligent, two-way communication keeps these devices running at peak efficiency without compromising the life of the battery or the life of the device.

There are many benefits to cutting the cord out of the system, but a number of primary factors stand out:
•Efficient: Transfers power with a rate greater than 90% efficiency, making it comparable to traditional hard wired charging.
•Safe: No exposed cords or contacts between charging surface and product.
•Convenient: Eliminates need for corded chargers and adaptors. Keeps vehicles charged wherever they are parked, on the jobsite or at home.
•Transparent to the User: The system does not affect non-electric vehicles or electric vehicles without an ICT charging system in their bumpers.
•Retrofit-able: The modular charging system can be quickly retro-fitted into any type of existing parking space
•Durable: There is no physical contact between the charging station and the vehicle, so there are no mechanical parts, plugs, wires or other components to wear out

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  • ABOUT THE ENTRANT

  • Name:
    Paul Tinari
  • Type of entry:
    individual
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