GB2547452B

GB2547452B - An inductive coupling device and system

Info

Publication number: GB2547452B
Application number: GB1602870.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Limpkin George
Original assignee: Inductronics Tech Ltd
Current assignee: Inductronics Tech Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-18
Filing date: 2016-02-18
Publication date: 2019-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-18
Also published as: GB2547452A; GB201602870D0; CN109075017B; WO2017141224A1; CN109075017A

Description

AN INDUCTIVE COUPLING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for inductively coupling an appliance to an electrical system. It also relates to an inductive coupling which couples an appliance to a single electrical cable. The invention also relates to an inductive coupling which is separable for coupling to the cable wherein a separable part may be embedded in the appliance.

Background

Traditional electrical appliances are supplied with electricity by electrical contact with a power supply installation. An electrically conductive portion of the power supply installation must be available for the contact. Inadvertently touching the exposed cable can provide a serious electrical shock.

Inductive coupling appliances connected to a sheathed cable overcome the electrical hazard.

An object of the present invention is to physically secure a cable to an inductive coupling device as well inductively couple the cable to the device in one convenient simple operation.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an inductive coupling device for transferring to an electrical apparatus comprising a first coupler a user selected amount of induced current from an electrical cable which is coupled to the device, comprising: the first coupler; a connecting means for connecting the first coupler with a second coupler; and the second coupler comprising a collar rotatable around a central pole, wherein the first and second couplers are arranged to physically and inductively connect the apparatus to the cable wrapped around the collar in a channel around a magnetic loop comprising a ferrous core including the central pole for the second coupler, the collar allowing the second coupler to slide along the cable in the channel; and a conductive loop wound around the ferrous core in the first coupler to carry current transferred by induction from the cable to the apparatus.

Thus the cable is physically secured to the coupling device as it is inductively coupled to the coupling device by connecting the first and second coupler.

Preferably the connecting means includes a permanent magnet that connects the first and second couplers. The first and second couplers are thereby easily connected by bringing them close together.

Preferably a ferrous stud is provided on one of the couplers for connecting to the permanent magnet on the other coupler. Thus only one magnet is needed. The ferrous stud is ideally easily and inexpensively formed.

Preferably the stud is supported on a branch off the magnetic loop provided on either the first or second coupler. Preferably a portion of the magnetic loop transfers in use a combined flux from the permanent magnet and flux induced in the magnetic loop by current in the cable. Preferably the magnetic loop is arranged to magnetically saturate at a preselected level of flux so as to provide a maximum preselected level of power to the electrical apparatus or an appliance. Preferably the magnets are located so as not to cause saturation of the magnetic loop with flux solely from the magnets.

Thus upon connection of the couplers it is possible to form a closed magnetic circuit comprising a portion of the magnetic loop. By allowing the magnetic circuit, which holds the couplers together, to share a portion of the magnetic loop, which inductively couples the cable to the electrical apparatus, the inductive coupling device is made cost efficient.

Preferably the connection means is arranged to connect the couplers so as to leave a gap therebetween. Preferably the connection means sets the distance of the gap upon connection of the couplers so as to transfer a predetermined amount of power from the cable by induction to a maximum power requirement that is available for normal operation of the apparatus. Thus by altering the connection means, the coupling device is made suitable for operation of the apparatus by a power supply which provides a constant current amplitude alternating current (AC) so as to provide a preselected time varying voltage and current to the appliance from the cable.

Preferably the couplers comprise a non-conductive and non-magnetic material to support the ferrous core. Safety of the inductive coupling device is thereby enhanced as a user can connect and disconnect the couplers without touching any electrically conductive material.

Preferably the core comprises an interface surface at a junction in the magnetic loop between couplers, in which the interface surface forms a portion of the surface of the coupler. Thus upon connection of the couplers the interface surfaces of each coupler are either brought into contact one with another or a preselected gap is defined between them by the connecting means.

Preferably the interface surface has a preselected area to restrict flux through the loop. The power which may be transferred from the cable to the apparatus by induction is thereby limited to the amount of power required by the apparatus in normal use.

Preferably the inductive coupling device is formed integrally with the apparatus.

Each coupler forms a portion of the magnetic loop when the couplers are connected.

Preferably the inductive coupling device comprises an electric converter to receive the current supplied by the conductive loop and transform it into a voltage and current matched to an electrical requirement of the apparatus. Thus electrical power taken from the cable by induction is converted efficiently from an alternating voltage and current induced in the conductive loop to a voltage and current suitable for use by the apparatus.

Preferably the inductive coupling device comprises a converter housing attached to the apparatus, wherein the housing contains the electrical converter. Thus apparatus is easily held without touching the electrical converter contained in the housing.

Preferably a first coupler is held within the housing. Preferably a second coupler is fastened by a flexible fastener to the first coupler or to the housing. The first interface surface of the core of the first housing is exposed upon disconnecting the first coupler from the second. The second coupler is left dangling from the flexible fastener. A second interface surface of a core in the second coupler is also exposed by disconnection. To couple the cable to the inductive coupling apparatus all that is required is for a turn of the cable to be wrapped around the collar and then for the couplers to be connected. The first coupler is held conveniently within the housing; thus a person has two hands available for wrapping the cable. The second coupler is suspended by the flexible fastener. Thus a user may position the second coupler with one hand without having to support the entire weight of the second coupler and wrap a turn around a portion of the core in the second coupler.

Preferably the second coupler comprises a non-conductive casing. The casing is ideally held by user handling the second coupler.

Preferably the channel is formed from a non-conductive material supporting a portion of the magnetic loop. A user may wrap the cable around a portion of the magnetic loop in the second coupler so that the cable is placed in the channel. Thus when the user connects the couplers, there is room for the cable in the channel so that the two couplers may be brought together without interference of the cable.

Preferably the non-conductive casing of the second coupler comprises a slot for the cable as a passage through the non-conductive casing to the channel. Preferably the slot provides for secured side-by-side passage of two ends of the electrical cable upon connection of the couplers. The slot is open ended. The open end of the slot is exposed when the couplers are disconnected so that the cable can be easily inserted through the open end of the slot and into the channel. A single turn of the cable around the magnetic loop brings both ends of the cable side by side. The two side-by-side ends conveniently pass through the slot. Thus the two couplers may be brought together for connection. Conveniently the wrapped cable in the channel with passes through the slot does not interfere with connecting the couplers.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical system comprising: an electrical appliance having an inductive coupling device comprising a cable, a power supply to provide a time varying electrical current to the cable coupled by a turn around the magnetic loop of the coupling device.

In a preferred embodiment therefore the electrical system only requires a single electrical cable to inductively transfer power from the power supply to the electrical appliance.

Preferably the electrical system comprises a plurality of the electrical appliances, wherein each of the appliances is coupled to the cable by a turn around the magnetic loop. Several different appliances each with its own inductive coupling device are easily and conveniently connected to the cable.

Preferably each inductive coupling device of each appliance is arranged for a time average constant current provided as alternating current from the power supply to transfer up to an amount of power required for normal operation of the appliance. Thus there is no need to adjust the voltage or current supplied by the power supply when an additional appliance is coupled to the cable.

Optionally a coupling device may be addressable, by way of a separate communication device, such as radio frequency (RF) device, in order to vary an electrical and/or another characteristic of the coupling device. Alternatively an electrical and/or another characteristic of the coupling device may be varied via a communication channel such as a fibre optic pathway.

The invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the drawings in which:

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a view from a top side of an electric appliance comprising an inductive coupling and electric converter;

Figure 2 shows a view from a rear side of the electric appliance of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a view from the rear side of the electric appliance as in Figure 2 in which the inductive coupling is opened to receive an electrical cable;

Figure 4 shows a view from the front side of six of the electric appliances side by side and an electrical power supply from which two electrical cables extend in parallel alongside the two electrical appliances;

Figure 5 shows a view from the rear side of three of the electrical appliances, and one of the electrical cables strung from the power supply to the three appliances, where the inductive couplings are closed around the electrical cable to provide electrical power from the cable to the appliances;

Figure 6 shows a view from the rear side of two of the electrical appliances side by side and the one the electrical cables strung from the power supply to the five appliances;

Figure 7 shows a view from the rear side of five of a second type of electrical appliance, where each of the second type of electrical appliances comprises one of the inductive couplings through which one of the electrical cables is strung from the power supply;

Figure 8 shows a view from the rear side of four of a third type of electrical appliance, where each of the third type of electrical appliances comprises one of the inductive couplings through which one of the electrical cables is strung from the power supply;

Figure 9 shows a view from the rear side of the first, second, and third type of electrical appliance connected in sequence by an electrical cable extending from a power supply and through the inductive coupling of each of the three different appliances;

Figure 10 shows a schematic view of six of the electrical appliances, an electrical cable strung from the power supply to the six appliances, where the appliances comprise an inductive coupling closed around the electrical cable to provide electrical power from the cable to the appliances;

Figure 11 shows a schematic view of an electric appliance comprising a first coupler of an inductive coupling to provide electricity to a load through a rectifier having output terminals connected in parallel to a capacitor and a constant current buck inverter;

Figure 12 shows a schematic view of an electric appliance comprising a first coupler of an inductive coupling to provide electricity directly to a load;

Figure 13 shows a schematic view of an electric appliance comprising a first coupler of an inductive coupling connected to a rectifier to provide DC current to a load;

Figure 14 shows a schematic view of an electric appliance comprising a first coupler of an inductive coupling connected to a rectifier having output terminals connected to capacitor and load arranged in parallel to provide DC current to a load;

Figure 15 shows a schematic view of an electric appliance comprising a first coupler of an inductive coupling to provide electricity to a load through a rectifier having output terminals connected in parallel to a capacitor and a step down/up buck inverter;

Figure 16 shows a schematic view an example of electric appliances comprising a first coupler of an inductive coupling connected load drive circuits operable by wireless control;

Figure 17 shows a schematic view an example of electric appliances comprising a first coupler of an inductive coupling connected load drive circuits comprising a buck voltage or current inverter in communication with a wireless controller;

Figure 18 shows a plan view of a second coupler of an inductive coupling wherein the second coupler comprises a plastic rotatable collar around a ferrite pole of the coupler;

Figure 19 shows a sectional view of the second coupler of an inductive coupling in shown in Figure 18, wherein the second coupler comprises a plastic rotatable collar around a ferrite pole of the coupler;

Figure 20 shows an example of a ferrous object comprising a cylindrical central pole separated by a circular groove from poles on the flanks of the unit;

Figure 21 shows an example of a ferrite object comprising a rectangular central pole separated by a groove from poles on the flanks of the unit;

Figure 22 shows a schematic view of an electric appliance comprising an inductive coupling and electric converter comprising a bridge rectifier;

Figure 23 shows a schematic view of an electric appliance comprising an inductive coupling with a heat sink; and

Figure 24 shows a schematic view of a rail system for positioning appliances comprising inductive couplings.

Detailed description:

An electrical appliance 1000 is shown in Figure 1. The appliance 1000 comprises an electrical illumination device 100, an electric converter which is contained in a housing 200, and an inductive coupling 300.

The electrical illumination device comprises a window lens, reflector, and light bulb. The bulb is held in position by a socket so that light from the bulb is reflected though the lens to provide useful illumination.

The socket comprises electrical contacts for the bulb. The contacts are electrically connected to the electrical converter.

The electrical converter provides electricity at a suitable voltage and current level for the bulb. The converter also provides the electricity as either direct or alternating current as suitable for the bulb. The converter is arranged to provide alternating current of a preselected waveform and frequency to operate the bulb efficiently.

The electrical converter is electrically connected to the inductive coupling 300. Figure 2 shows the inductive coupling 300 attached to the converter housing 200.

Figure 2 shows a rear view of the electrical appliance 1000. The inductive coupling 300 is located on the rear side of the electrical appliance 1000. The electrical illumination device is located at the front of the electrical appliance.

In use the rear side of the electrical appliance 1000 is fitted on a bracket for attachment to a wall or ceiling or to set in a recess in a wall or ceiling. When the appliance is set in the recess, the front of the appliance is visible. The rear side of the appliance which is set in the recess is not visible. The inductive coupling is obscured behind the electrical converter housing 200, so that to a user of the appliance the inductive coupling is not visible.

Another rear view of the appliance 1000 is shown in Figure 3. The inductive coupling 300 is shown uncoupled in Figure 3. The inductive coupling 300 is divided into a first coupler 310 and a second coupler 320.

The first coupler 310 is partly contained in the converter housing 200. The second coupler 320 is connected by a chain 400 to the first coupler 310. The length of the chain is about the same length as the first and second coupler. Thus when the first and second couplers are divided it is possible to connect an electrical cable 3001 to the second coupler while the couplers are connected by the chain. The electrical cable 3001 is shown in Figure 4.

In Figure 2 the inductive coupling 300 is shown with the first coupler 310 connected to the second coupler 320. However, the first coupler 320 is not visible in Figure 2 because the second coupler covers the first coupler 310.

There is a first stud 312 in the first coupler 310 which has an exposed surface that is exposed when the first coupler 310 and the second coupler 320 are separated.

There is also a second stud 313 in the first coupler 310 which has an exposed surface that is exposed when the first coupler 310 and the second coupler 320 are separated.

The studs 312 and 313 are set in the first coupler 310 such that the exposed surface of the stud is in contact with matching studs 322 and 323 in the second coupler 320. The matching studs 322 and 323 also have an exposed surface. The exposed surfaces of the studs 312 and 313 and the matching studs 322 and 323 are positioned to be in contact when the first coupler 310 is connected to the second coupler 320.

At least one of the studs 312, 313, 322, 323 comprises a permanent magnet. The other studs comprise permanent magnets or ferrous metal. The first and second couplers 310, 320 are held together when connected by the permanent magnet(s). Couplers in other embodiments may be bolted or screwed together.

The first coupler 310 comprises ferrite poles 315, 316, 318. The ferrite poles comprise a portion of a magnetic loop provided by connecting the first coupler 310 to the second coupler 320.

The ferrite poles 315, 316, 318 each have an exposed surface which is exposed when the first coupler is disconnected from the second coupler. The exposed surfaces are interface surfaces between the first coupler 310 and the second coupler 320 when the couplers are connected.

There is a channel 319 intermediate the central poles 318. The channel separates the pole 318 which is centrally located intermediate flanking poles 315, 316. The channel is a groove between the flanking poles 325, 326 on either side of central pole. The channel 319 is arranged to receive the electrical cable 3001 wrapped around the central pole 318.

The second coupler 320 also comprises ferrite poles 325, 326, 328. The ferrite poles comprise a portion of the same magnetic loop which comprises the ferrite poles 315, 316, and 318 in the first coupler when the first and second couplers 310, 320 are connected.

The ferrite poles 315, 316, 318, 325, 326, 328 have exposed surfaces. The exposed surfaces of the ferrite poles 315, 316, 318 in the first coupler are arranged to meet face to face with the exposed surfaces of the ferrite poles 325, 326, 328 in the second coupler 320 when the couplers are connected. A channel 329 in the second coupler 320 surrounds one of the ferrite poles 328 in the second coupler. The channel is a groove between the flanking poles 325, 326 on either side of central pole. The channel 329 is arranged to accept the cable 3001 wrapped around the pole 328. The cable 3001 is shown in Figure 4 wrapped around the cable. The cable can also be seen in the channel in Figure 18 and Figure 19.

Figure 4 shows two of the electrical appliances 1000, 1001 side by side. Electrical cables 3001, 3002 extend from a power supply 2000. The power supply is arranged to provide an alternating electrical current with constant current amplitude through the cables 3001, 3002. The cables 3001, 3002 are arranged to be disconnect-able from the power supply.

There is a convenient method to connect the cable 3001 to the electrical appliances 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1004. The first and second coupler 310, 320 are disconnected to wrap the cable around the pole 328. The cable is placed through the entranceway slots 324, 327. The first and second couplers 310, 320 are connected by the studs 312, 313, 322, 323. The connected first and second couplers 310, 320 clamp the cable between them. The cable is wrapped around the pole 328 and then when the couplers 310 and 320 are connected, the cable is held is position wrapped around the pole 328. Figure 5 shows three of the electrical appliances with the couplers of inductive couplings 300, 301, and 302 connected together.

When the first coupler 310 comes together with the second coupler 320, the face of the central pole of the first coupler 318 is put in register with the face of the central pole 328 of the second coupler to hold the cable 3001 wrapped around the poles.

The second coupler comprises a first wall though which the entranceway slots 324, 327 are passages into channel 329, and a second wall on the opposite side of central pole 328 through which entranceway slots 334, 336 are passages into the channel. When the couplers are connected together the entranceway provide passage for the cable into the channel 329.

The cable 3001 is placed through entranceway 324 or 327 and can exit through entranceway 336 or 336, or vice versa.

Slot 334 and slot 336 pass through the same side of the non-conductive casing to provide for secured side-by-side passage of two ends of the electrical cable upon connection of the couplers. The slots are open ended with the open end exposed in the same direction as the expose surface of the pole to allow the cable 3001 to be easily attached and also detached by simply pulling the cable 3001 away from pole 328.

In some embodiments the second coupler comprises a non-conductive casing partially encasing the ferrite from which the poles are formed. The casing forms the wall or a portion of the wall though which the entranceway slots 324, 327, 334, 336 are passages into channel 329.

The channel 329 is formed in the second coupler 320 of out of an object of ferrous material 321 in which are formed the poles 325, 326, 328.

The position of each stud 312, 313, 322, 323 is located to orientate the first and second couplers so that the exposed surfaces of the ferrite poles are in matching positions to complete the magnetic loop when the first coupler 310 is connected to the second coupler.

When the first and second couplers are connected, the exposed faces of the poles 318, 328 which are surrounded by channels are placed in a matching position so as to form the magnetic loop.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5 only as single cable 3001 is held to the inductive coupling. Electrical power it transferred inductively from the cable and into magnetic loop by the cable 3001 being wrapped around the pole 328 to provide power to the appliances 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1004. Alternatively power is transferred by both cable 3001 and cable 3002.

Referring again to Figure 3, an alternative is to place cable 3001 through slots 324 and 334 and cable 3002 though entranceway slots 336 and 327 to effectively provide a turn around pole 328. So effectively a turn is provided around the magnetic loop by the two cables 3001 and 3002. Thereby power is inductively transferred to the appliance from both cables through the inductive coupling 300.

The cable 3001 is easily coupled and decoupled from the appliances 1001, 1002, and 1003. To couple the cable 3001 to the appliance, the cable is simply connecting wrapped a turn around the pole 329 of the second coupler 320 and then the two couplers 310, 320 are connected magnetically by the studs 312, 313, 322, 323. To decouple and release the cable from the appliance, the couplers 310, 320 are simply pulled apart and the cable 3001 removed from the pole.

In one embodiment the studs 312, 313, 322, 323 are arranged to hold the couplers 310, 320 together with no gap between the exposed surfaces of the poles 315, 316, 318 on the first coupler 310 and the poles 325, 326, 328 on the second coupler. In another embodiment the exposed surfaces are held apart by the studs so that there is a preselected gap between the exposed surfaces. The preselected gap is such that the amount of power transferable from the cable to the appliance is preselected in accordance with the amount of power required to operate the appliance; the power transferred being reduced by 1/d2, where d is the gap. A front view of five appliances 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004 coupled to the single cable 3001 is shown in Figure 4. Power from the power supply 2000 is thereby transferable to the appliance. The front of each appliance is arranged to shine light through each lens.

The other cable 3002 extending from the power supply is available to provide power to other appliances since only the single cable 3001 is required to operate the appliances 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1004. Both cables 3001 and 3002 can however be used together.

Five appliances 4000, 4001, 4002, 4003, and 4004 are shown coupled to a single cable 3001 in Figure 7. Figure 7 shows the appliances from a rear view. The appliances 4000, 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004 comprise inductive coupling 301, electric converter, and load device.

The inductive coupling 301 for appliance 4000 is the same as the inductive coupling 300 previously described except the magnetic loop is sized to transfer the desired amount of power from the cable 3001 to the load device required to operate the load device. In one embodiment the load device is a lighting device, in another embodiment the load device is a smoke detector.

In one embodiment, the magnetic loop is properly sized so that the inductive coupling transfers the proper amount of power from the electric cable by preselecting the material of the poles, the gap between the exposed surfaces, and the cross sectional areas of the poles in accordance with the alternating current with constant current amplitude supplied through the cable 3001.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment of four other appliances 5000, 5001, 5002, 5003 coupled to the single electric cable 3001. Each of the other appliances comprises an inductive coupling 302, electric converter, and load device.

In one embodiment of the four other appliances 5000, 5001, 5002, 5003 the load device is a lighting device, another embodiment the load device is siren, in another embodiment the load device is wireless router. The inductive coupling 302 is arranged to provide the proper amount of power for the load device.

Figure 9 shows an electrical system comprising a power supply 2000 for supplying the alternating current through an electric cable 3001 connected to the power supply.

The power supply provides a time average constant current provided as alternating current.

The electrical system allows different types of electrical appliances to be coupled to the cable in series. An electrical appliance 1000 of a first type is connected to the cable 3001. A first electrical appliance 4001 of a second type is coupled to the cable. A second electrical appliance 4001 of the second type is coupled to the cable. A first electrical appliance 5001 of a third type 5001 and a second electrical appliance 5002 of the third type are also coupled to the cable.

Each type of electrical appliance requires a power in the form of electrical current having a voltage and current level suitable for that type of device. So that the electric cable 3001 is coupled to an inductive coupling 300 of the third type which provides a third preselected voltage and current level to circuitry in appliance 1000 is coupled to an inductive coupling 301 of the second type which provides a second preselected voltage and a current level to circuitry in appliances 4000 4001. When connected to an inductive coupling 300 of a first type a third preselected voltage and current level is provided to circuitry of appliance 5001 and of appliance 5002.

The electric cable is coupled to the inductive couplings by a turn around the pole 328 of the second coupler 320 as described for the previous embodiments. Since each inductive coupling 300, 301, and 302 is arranged to transfer the proper amount of power from the electric cable 3001 to the electrical appliance to which is it fixed. Thus several different appliances are easily provided with the proper amount of power by simply coupling them to single electric cable.

The cost of the electric converter is minimised because the inductive coupling is arranged to transfer a desired amount of power required by the load device to the electric converter. No individual power supply is required for each appliance. There is no need to overdesign the electric converter to take in the full amount of power which the cable can provide for the power supply.

The power supply provided by the power supply will not exceed the amount required to operate the appliances because the amount of power transferable from the cable through the inductive couplings into the couplings is preselected by the couplings.

The first coupler 310 is fixed to the electric converter housing 200. The electric converter housing 200 is fixed to the light is fixed to the lighting element 100 or other load device. The permanent magnet of the stud is sized with sufficient magnet strength to support the combined weight of the first coupler, electric housing, and lighting element 100 or other load device. In order to put the appliance into use a user wraps the cable 3001 around the pole 329 of the second coupler 320 and magnetically attaches the two couplers together. The second coupler is attached to a wall or ceiling.

The first coupler is fixed to a unit 1101, 4101, 5101, 6101 comprising a load device such a light, heater, speaker, router or other load device. The unit is shown in Figures 10 to 15. The unit is housed by housing 200. It is supported by the magnetic connection to the second coupler 320. The unit is thereby suspended from a wall or ceiling or panel to which second coupler 320 is attached. The strength of the magnetic connection between the first and second couplers is sufficient to suspend the weight of the unit.

Figure 10 shows six electrical appliances 1000, 4001, 4002, 5000, 5002, 5003 coupled by inductive couplings to an electrical cable 3001 connected to a high frequency power supply 2000. The appliances, inductive couplings, and electrical cable operate together in an electrical system.

In some embodiments the electrical cable 3001 is strung inside a building. The cable is placed above a ceiling panel or behind a wall panel in a room. The electrical appliances are fixed to the panel so that the inductive coupling is behind the panel and a light, heater, router, or other useful load projects from the front of the panel.

The power supply comprises two terminals to receive AC electricity. The power supply is arranged to receive AC electricity from an AC mains connection. The power supply is also arranged to receive AC electricity from a DC to AC inverter 2033 which is shown in Figure 10 connected to the two terminals.

The DC to AC inverter 2033 is connected to a photovoltaic panel 2034 which provides DC current to the inverter. In some embodiments, the photovoltaic panel is fixed to the exterior of a building and converts sunlight to electricity.

The electricity which the power supply 2000 provides to the cable 3001 is alternating. The voltage is time varying and alternates. The current is constant amplitude. The voltage alternates in a frequency range of 1KHz to 1 MHz. The typical optimum frequency for transferring power efficiently through the inductive coupling is 50 KHz.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10 the unit comprises a housing 200. Figure 10 shows that the housing 200 encloses the first coupler 310, a transmitter- receiver 540, and a load device 100. Figure 10 also shows that the first coupler 310 is inductively coupled to the second coupler 320. A secondary coil is formed by a turn of the electrical cable 3001 wrapped around a pole in the secondary coupler. 310.

The transmitter-receiver 540 is in an electrical circuit provides current form the first coupler 310 to the load 100. The transmitter-receiver is arranged to receive a wireless signal from a hand held controller 783 or a mobile device such as a mobile telephone 784 or a computer controller 785 such a tablet or laptop. In some embodiments the transmitter-receiver 540 comprises an internet router configurable with an IP address and access password.

Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 show various arrangements of unit a comprising power transmission circuitry housed inside the housing 200.

Each of the electrical appliances comprises two parts which are separable from each other. One of the parts is the second coupler 320. The other of the two parts is a unit 4101, 4103, 5101, 6101 within the housing 200.

Shown in Figure 11 shows circuitry comprising a first coupler 310 comprising a coil. The coil is arranged to inductively couple with a coil in the second coupler 320. The coil in the first coupler 310 is electrically connected at two terminals to an AC to DC rectifier 530. The rectifier receives alternating current from the coil which is alternating at the same frequency as the current in the electrical cable 3001. The rectifier is connected in parallel with a capacitor 520. The rectifier and capacitor together provide DC current at two put terminals to a buck inverter 510. The buck inverter is arranged to provide current of a constant value to a load 100. The load 100 is of a type which operates on DC current. The load may be for example a lamp comprising LED lights.

Shown in Figure 12 is circuitry including a first coupler 310 comprising a coil connected by two terminals to a load 100. The load is a type operable on high frequency AC current as the current supplied to the load has the same frequency as current in the electrical cable 3001. Examples of such loads are heating elements and incandescent lamps.

Shown in Figure 13 is a first coupler 310 comprising a coil connected at two terminals to an AC to DC rectifier 530. The rectifier is connected by two other terminals to a load 100 so as to provide rectified current to the load. The load is operable with rectified current with rectified current with a high level of ripple.

Shown in Figure 14 is a first coupler comprising a coil connected to two terminals to an AC to DC rectifier 530. The rectifier 530 comprises to other terminal connected to a capacitor 520. The capacitor is connected in parallel with a load 100. The load 100 is a type operable by DC current. The arrangement of the first coupler is preselected so that the level of DC current provided is suitable for the load. The arrangement is provided by a preselected number of turns in the first coupler and/or the area an interface between the first and second couplers, the cross sectional area in the first coupler of a portion of a magnetic loop formed by connecting the first and second couplers, and/or an interfacial distance between the first and second couplers. The level of current and/or DC voltage is also variable putting a number of turns of the electrical cable on the second coupler 320.

Shown in Figure 15 is circuitry comprising a first coupler 310 comprising a coil. The coil is arranged to inductively couple with a coil in the second coupler 320. The coil in the first coupler 310 is electrically connected at two terminals to an AC to DC rectifier 530. The rectifier receives alternating current from the coil which is alternating at the same frequency as the current in the electrical cable 3001. The rectifier is connected in parallel with a capacitor 520. The rectifier and capacitor together provide DC current at two put terminals to a Buck inverter 511 arranged to step up or step down the level of voltage of DC current provided to load 100. The load 100 is of a type which operates on DC current.

Figure 16 shows a unit 1101 which in some embodiments is housed in a housing 200. The unit 1101 comprises a first coupler 310. The unit 1101 is connectable and separable from the second coupler 320. The unit 1101 is a separate part from the second coupler 320.

The unit 1101 comprises a first coupler 310 in communication with a transmitter-receiver 540. The first coupler comprises a coil that is electrically connected a two terminals to a rectifier 530. The rectifier is connected by two other terminals to a load 100. A transmitter-receiver 530 is connected the rectifier by the same two terminals by which the load is connected to the rectifier. The transmitter-receiver is connected by two other terminals the load. The transmitter-receiver 540 is arranged to receive wireless signals. The transmitter-receiver is arranged to control the load based on a signal received. The transmitter-receiver is also arranged to transmit signals on the status of the load and/or power provided by the coil to the load.

Figure 17 shows a unit 1102 which in some embodiments is housed in a housing 200. The unit comprises a first coupler 310 connected by two terminals to a rectifier 530. The rectifier is connected by two other terminals to a transmitter-receiver so as to provide rectified current to the transmitter-receiver. The transmitter-receiver is connected by third pair of terminals to a buck voltage or current converter which is in turn connected to the load.

The load comprises a light 101, or a CO2 detector 105, methane gas detector 106, temperature sensor 102, passive IR sensor 103, or microwave detector and/or transmitter 104.

The second coupler 320 comprises a block 321. Figure 18 shows the block. The block comprises ferrous material, examples are ferrite, iron, steel, or hiperco50. In Figure 18 the block is shown as rectangular, however in other embodiments the block has other shapes such as cylindrical. Figure 19 shows a cross section through the block.

The first coupler connects to the second coupler forming a magnetic loop through the couplers. The block 321 of ferrous material forms a portion of the magnetic loop. The block comprises the central pole 328 and flanking poles 325, 326 and are in the magnetic loop.

Figure 18 shows a collar 377 is fitted around the central pole 328 of the second coupler 320. The collar 377 length extends from the floor of the channel 318 along the length of the pole 328. The pole is cylindrical. The collar is a cylindrical hoop and fits loosely over the pole. The collar is rotatable around the central pole.

As Figures 18 and 19 show, in use, a turn of the electrical cable 3001 is wrapped around the collar 377. The turn of the cable 3001 is thereby wrapped around the central pole 328 on the second coupler 320. The turn of the cable 3001 fits in a channel 329.

Figure 19 shows a sectional view of second coupler 320. The collar 377 is fitted around the central pole 328.

The turn of the cable 3001 inductively couples the cable to the ferrous block 321 and thereby to the magnetic loop.

The collar rotates easily around the pole. The collar allows the second coupler to easily slide along the cable when a turn of the cable is wrapped around the central pole. There is no need to separate the first and second couplers to move the appliance along the cable 3001.

In use the first coupler 310 is connected to the second coupler 320 which physically and inductively connects the unit 1101, 1102 comprising the first coupler and load device the electrical cable. The rotatable collar 372 allows the whole unit to slide along the electric cable to which it is coupled. The appliance comprises first coupler 310, the second coupler 320, the load device 100, and circuity for operation of the appliance. The rotatable collar 372 allows the whole appliance to slide along the cable to a new location with ease while remaining physically and inductively coupled to the cable.

The first coupler 310 also comprises a block of ferrous material. Connecting the first coupler to the second coupler brings the blocks in the first coupler and the second coupler together. The two blocks provide a ferrous pathway for the magnetic loop which inductively transfers power from the electric cable 3001.

Figure 20 shows a second coupler 320 comprising a block of ferrous material with a cylindrical central pole 328 and a circular channel 329. Figure 20 shows two embodiments wherein the second coupler is connected to the first coupler. In one of the embodiments, the first coupler 310 comprises ferrous block having a central pole intermediate a pair a flanking poles. Connecting the couplers brings an exposed surface the flanking poles of the first coupler into register with an exposed surface of the flanking poles of the second coupler. Connecting the couplers also brings an exposed surface of the central pole in the first coupler into register with an exposed surface of the central pole in the second coupler. The connected couplers form the complete magnetic loop through the couplers for inductively coupling power from the electric cable.

In the other embodiment of connected couplers shown in Figure 20, the first coupler 310 comprises a ferrous block in the form of a rectangular block. The first coupler connects to the second coupler so that the expose surfaces of the flanking poles and central poles on the second coupler are in register with a surface of the rectangular block. The connected couplers form the complete magnetic loop through the couplers for inductively coupling power from the electric cable.

Figure 21 shows two similar embodiments of connected couplers as shown in Figure 20. In the embodiments shown in Figure 21, the central pole has a square cross-section.

Figure 22 shows an appliance physically and inductively coupled to an electrical cable 3001. The appliance a comprises two separable parts which in Figure 22 are shown connected.

One of the separable parts is a second coupler 320. The other of the separable parts is a unit 1103 comprising a first coupler 310, rectifier, and load. In some embodiments such as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, a housing 200 houses the first coupler, rectifier 530, and load device 100.

The first coupler 310 comprises studs and/or magnets 312, 313. The second coupler also comprises studs and/or magnets 322, 323. The magnets and/or studs are attached to the couplers by fasteners 347.

The studs/magnets in the first coupler pull into register the studs/magnets in the second coupler to hold the first and second coupler together. The magnetic strength of attraction of the magnets to the studs is sufficient to hold the weight of the unit 1103.

The first coupler comprises a ferrous block 311 within a casing. The ferrous block comprises the central pole 318 and flanking poles 316, 318 described for Figures 18, 19, 20, and 21. The first coupler is connected to the housing 200. In some embodiments the casing of the first couple is an integral part of the housing.

The central pole 318 of the second coupler is aligned with the central pole of the first coupler, and the exposed faces of the couplers are register. The two central poles comprise a portion of the magnetic loop formed by connecting the couplers. A turn 3021 of the cable is wrapped around the central pole 328 of second coupler. The electrical cable 3001 is prevented from coming free of the connected couplers by the aligned poles.

There is a wire with windings 532 around the central pole 318 of the first coupler, so the windings of the wire turn around the magnetic loop so that power is transferred by induction from the electrical cable 3001 to wire. The wire has end which are connected to terminals of a circuit providing power the load device 100. In the embodiment shown in Figure 13 and in Figure 22 the circuit comprises a rectifier 530 and opposite ends of the wire are connected to the rectifier. The rectifier is connected by wires 533 and 534 to the load device 100.

In Figure 22 a flexible fastener comprising a chain 400 is connected to the first coupler and the second coupler. In other embodiments the chain is connected to the housing 200 and the second coupler. The chain holds the second coupler 320 proximate the first coupler when the couplers are separated.

An appliance is shown in Figure 23 which comprises a heatsink 110 for a load device 100 which operates at high temperature such a halogen lamp or a high wattage LED. The first coupler 310 comprises an insulator which separates the ferrous block 321 from the heat sink. The ferrous block 321 is thereby prevented from being raised to the correct temperature so that the magnetic loop continues to operate efficiently. The first coupler is attached to a surface of the heat sink and the load is attached to a distal surface of the heat sink. The heat sink maintains the temperature of the first coupler below a preselected temperature. The ferrous block operates efficiently as a portion of the magnetic loop below the preselected temperature.

The appliance shown in Figure 23 has an exterior shape which is elongate. To install the appliance, the narrow dimension of the elongate shape is inserted through an aperture in a panel in a ceiling.

The load device has a flange around its circumference. The flange is supported by a bezel 107 connected to the panel. The appliance is thereby supported by bezel. A spring lever 109 is attached to a hinge which connects the bezel to the panel. The spring lever assists rotating the bezel away from the flange so that the appliance device is easily installed in or removed from the aperture in the panel.

The inductive coupling describe herein operates under water whether fresh water or salt water. The electric cable 3001 is sheathed and so prevented from exposure to the water. Power is inductively drawn from the cable into the coupling so current is not shorted from the cable or the coupling to the water.

In some embodiments, the second coupler 320 comprises glands for the entranceways 327 and 334. The cable 3001 is protected in protective sheath and which goes through the gland to prevent spark or arcing in a hazardous environment.

Figure 24 shows schematic of rail 9050 supporting the second coupler 320. The electric cable 3001 is arranged along the rail.

The second coupler is arranged to slide along the rail. In an embodiment, the collar 377 shown in Figure 18 and 19 is arranged to roll along the rail.

The rail allows the appliance to be easily moved to various locations by sliding along rail. The second coupling comprises a lock screw for fixing the coupling to a position along the rail.

List of Features Annotated in Figures 100 load, illumination device 101 load-light 102 load - temperature sensor 103 load - passive IR sensor 104 load - microwave transmitter/receiver 105 load - CO2 sensor 106 load - methane gas sensor 108 load - halogen lamp 110 load - heat sink 117 bezel 119 spring lever for rotating bezel 200 housing 300 inductive coupling 301 inductive coupling for appliance of the second type 302 inductive coupling for appliance of the third type 310 first coupler 311 ferrous block of first coupler 312 stud in first coupler 313 second stud in first coupler 315 ferrite pole flanking central pole in first coupler 316 ferrite pole flanking central pole in first coupler 318 ferrite pole, central pole intermediate flanking poles in first coupler 319 channel around central pole in first coupler 320 second coupler 321 ferrous block of second coupler 322 matching stud in second coupler to match stud 312 in first coupler 323 matching stud in second coupler to match second stud 313 in first coupler 324 slot through first wall of second coupler to channel 325 ferrite pole flanking central pole in second coupler 326 ferrite pole flanking central pole in second coupler 327 slot through first wall of second coupler to channel of second coupler 328 ferrite pole, central pole intermediate flanking poles in second coupler 329 channel around central pole in second coupler 334 slot through second wall of second coupler to channel 336 slot through second wall of second coupler to channel 347 fastener attaching magnet and/or stud to coupler 377 collar fitted around central pole 400 chain 510 buck inverter constant current 511 buck inverter step up I step down voltage 530 rectifier 532 turns of wire around the central pole of the first coupler 533 first wire connecting rectifier to load device 534 second wire connecting rectifier to load device 540 transmitter- receiver 783 hand held controller 784 mobile phone 1000 electrical appliance of a first type comprising an inductive coupling 1001 second electrical appliance of the first type 1002 third electrical appliance of the first type 1003 fourth electrical appliance of the first type 1004 fifth electrical appliance of the first type 1101 unit comprising first coupler and load 1102 unit comprising first coupler, converter, and load 1103 unit comprising first coupler, rectifier, and load 1104 unit comprising first coupler, rectifier, transmitter-receiver, and load 1105 unit comprising first coupler, rectifier, transmitter-receiver, inverter, and load 2000 power supply 2033 DC to AC inverter to intermediate DC power source and AC power supply 2034 photovoltaic panel for power supply 3001 electrical cable connected to power supply 3002 second electrical cable connected to power supply 3021 turn of electric cable around central pole 4000 electrical appliance of a second type comprising an inductive coupling 4001 second electrical appliance of the second type 4002 third electrical appliance of the second type 4003 fourth electrical appliance of the second type 4004 fourth electrical appliance of the second type 4101 unit comprising first coupler and load for appliance 5000 electrical appliance of a third type comprising an inductive coupling 5001 second electrical appliance of the third type 5002 third electrical appliance of the third type 5003 fourth electrical appliance of the third type 5101 unit comprising first coupler and load for appliance 9050 rail

Claims

Claims:

1. An inductive coupling device for transferring to an electrical apparatus comprising a first coupler a user selected amount of induced current from an electrical cable which is coupled to the device, comprising: the first coupler; a connecting means for connecting the first coupler with a second coupler; and the second coupler comprising a collar rotatable around a central pole, wherein the first and second couplers are arranged to physically and inductively connect the apparatus to the cable wrapped around the collar in a channel around a magnetic loop comprising a ferrous core including the central pole for the second coupler, the collar allowing the second coupler to slide along the cable in the channel; and a conductive loop wound around the ferrous core in the first coupler to carry current transferred by induction from the cable to the apparatus.

2. An inductive coupling device according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means includes a permanent magnet to connect the first and second couplers.

3. An inductive coupling device according to claim 2 wherein a ferrous stud is provided on one of the couplers for connecting to the permanent magnet on the other coupler.

4. An inductive coupling device according to claim 3 wherein the stud is supported on a branch off the magnetic loop provided on either the first or second coupler.

5. An inductive coupling device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein a portion of the magnetic loop transfers in use a combined flux from the permanent magnet and flux induced in the magnetic loop by current in the cable.

6. An inductive coupling device according to any preceding claim wherein the connection means is arranged to connect the couplers so as to leave a gap between them to control power transfer.

7. An inductive coupling device according to any preceding claim wherein the core comprises an interface surface at a junction in the magnetic loop between the couplers, such that the interface surface forms a portion of the surface of the coupler.

8. An inductive coupling device according to claim 7 wherein the interface surface has a preselected area to restrict flux through the loop.

9. An inductive coupling device according to any preceding claim comprising the apparatus.

10. An inductive coupling device according to any preceding claim comprising an electric converter to receive the current supplied by the conductive loop and transform it into a voltage and current matched to an electrical requirement of the apparatus.

11. An inductive coupling device according to claim 10 comprising a converter housing attached to the apparatus, wherein the housing contains the electrical converter.

12 An inductive coupling device according to claim 11 wherein the first coupler is held within the housing.

13. An inductive coupling device according to any preceding claim wherein the second coupler comprises a non-conductive casing.

14. An inductive coupling device according to any preceding claim wherein the channel is formed in the non-conductive casing of the second coupler.

15. An inductive coupling device according to claim 14, when dependent upon claim 13, wherein the non-conductive casing comprises a slot for the cable as a passage through the non-conductive casing to the channel.

16. An inductive coupling device according to claim 15 wherein the slot provides for secured side-by-side passage of two ends of the electrical cable upon connection of the couplers.

17. An electrical system comprising: an electrical appliance having an inductive coupling device according to any preceding claim, a cable, a power supply to provide a constant current amplitude alternating electrical current to the cable coupled by a turn around the magnetic loop of the coupling device.

18. An electrical system according to claim 17 comprising a plurality of the electrical appliances, wherein each of the appliances is coupled to the cable by at least one turn around the magnetic loop.

19. An electrical system according to claim 18 wherein the inductive coupling device of each appliance is arranged inductively to transfer from the cable carrying the current up to an amount of power required for normal operation of the appliance.

20. An electrical system according to claim 17, 18, or 19 comprising a rail along which the collar is arranged to roll.