Integrated resonator-shield structures
View Patent ↗Described herein are configurations for an integrated resonator-shield structure for wireless power transfer. In embodiments a conductor shield is used to shield the resonator from perturbing objects. In embodiments the conductor shield is used for a current return path for the conductors of the resonator. The resonator shield can be divided into separate conductor segments to tailor the current distributions in the conductor shield.
1. An integrated magnetic resonator and shield structure comprising:
a sheet of electrical conductor having a first side and a second side,
a block of magnetic material covering an area of the first side of the sheet of conductor; and
a plurality of conductor wire segments, each having a first end and a second end, wherein the ends of wire segments are routed over the block of magnetic material between points on the first side of the sheet of conductor.
2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein each conductor wire segment does not completely wrap around all sides of the block of magnetic material.
3. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the largest dimension of the sheet of conductor is larger than the largest dimension of the block of magnetic material.
4. The structure of claim 3 , wherein the sheet of conductor comprises a plurality of individual isolated conductor segments.
5. The structure of claim 4 , wherein the isolated conductor segments are shaped to electrically connect different said conductor wire segments.
6. The structure of claim 5 , wherein the isolated conductor segments are shaped to connect at least two of the conductor wire segments in series.
7. The structure of claim 5 , wherein the conductor segments are shaped to form paths that surround the block of magnetic material and are substantially confined to the area of the sheet of conductor not overlapped by the block of magnetic material.
8. The structure of claim 5 , wherein the conductor segments are sized, shaped, and interconnected so as to substantially equalize electrical current distribution in all of the conductor segments during the operation of the resonator.
9. The structure of claim 5 , wherein the conductor segments are fabricated on a printed circuit board.
10. The structure of claim 5 , wherein the conductor wire segments comprise Litz wire.
11. The structure of claim 5 , wherein the conductor wire segments are formed on a flexible circuit.
12. The structure of claim 5 , wherein the conductor wire segments and conductor sheet are manufactured from the same material.
13. The structure of claim 12 , wherein the conductor wire segments and the conductor sheet are formed on a flex circuit and shaped to receive a block of magnetic material.
14. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the sheet of conductor comprises a cutout of a substantial part of the area overlapped by the block of magnetic material.
15. The structure of claim 14 , wherein the block of magnetic material is shaped to have a recessed cavity accessible through said cutout in the sheet of conductor.
16. The structure of claim 15 , further comprising power and control circuitry, configured to couple to the said conductor wire segments, wherein the circuitry is positioned at least partially inside the said cavity of the block of magnetic material.
17. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the conductor wire segments are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other.
18. The structure of claim 1 , where some conductor wire segments are arranged to be substantially non-parallel to generate a structure with more than one magnetic dipole moment.
19. The structure of claim 1 , wherein a perturbed quality factor Q of the integrated magnetic resonator and shield structure is >100.
20. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the structure is used in a wireless power transfer system to transfer power via oscillating magnetic fields.
21. An integrated magnetic resonator and shield structure comprising:
a sheet of electrical conductor,
a block of magnetic material positioned on the sheet of the conductor overlapping and covering an area of the sheet of conductor; and
a plurality of conductor wire segments, wherein the ends of said wire segments are coupled at distinct points of the sheet of conductor and the said conductor wire segments are routed over the block of magnetic material and wherein the conductor sheet is used as a current path for the conductor wire segments during operation of said resonator.
22. The structure of claim 21 , wherein each conductor wire segment does not completely wrap around all sides of the block of magnetic material.
23. The structure of claim 22 , wherein the sheet of conductor comprises a plurality of individual isolated conductor segments.
24. The structure of claim 23 , wherein the isolated conductor segments are shaped to electrically connect different said conductor wire segments.
25. The structure of claim 24 , wherein the isolated conductor segments are shaped to connect at least two of the conductor wire segments in series.
26. The structure of claim 24 , wherein the conductor segments are shaped to form paths that surround the block of magnetic material and are substantially confined to the area of the sheet of conductor not covered by the block of magnetic material.
27. The structure of claim 24 , wherein the conductor segments are sizes and shaped to substantially equalize electrical current distribution in the conductor segments during the operation of the resonator.
28. The structure of claim 21 , wherein the sheet of conductor comprises a plurality of electrically insulated layers.
29. The structure of claim 21 , wherein a perturbed quality factor Q of the integrated magnetic resonator and shield structure is >100.
30. The structure of claim 21 , wherein the structure is used in a wireless power transfer system to transfer power via oscillating magnetic fields.