Adaptive inductive power supply with communication
An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.
1. A method for controlling operation of an inductive power supply system, comprising the steps of:
establishing an inductive coupling between the inductive power supply and a remote device having a secondary inductor in electrical communication with a load, the inductive power supply having a controller and a tank circuit;
receiving information from the remote device;
adaptively adjusting a variable impedance element of the inductive power supply when the remote device is inductively coupled with the inductive power supply;
adjusting an operating frequency of the inductive power supply, wherein adjusting the operating frequency of the inductive power supply includes adjusting a drive circuit with the controller;
detecting an operating parameter of the tank circuit; and
determining whether an operational parameter of the tank circuit in the inductive power supply is within a nominal range, wherein said adjusting is in response to determining that said operational parameter is not within the nominal range.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adaptively adjusting a variable impedance element includes adjusting a resonant frequency of the tank circuit.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting a variable impedance element includes adjusting with the controller at least one of a variable capacitance or a variable inductance of the tank circuit.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting a power level of the inductive power supply.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing an inductive coupling between the inductive power supply and a plurality of remote devices having a secondary inductor.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting an operating frequency includes adjusting the operating frequency in response to a feedback signal.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said adjusting an operating frequency includes adjusting the operating frequency based on the received information from the remote device.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating said step of actively adjusting at least one of an operating frequency of the inductive power supply.
9. An inductive power supply for supplying power to a remote device, said inductive power supply comprising:
a primary configured to transfer power to said remote device
a receiver for receiving information from said remote device;
a controller in communication with said primary, said controller programmed to:
adaptively adjust a variable impedance element of said inductive power supply when said remote device is inductively coupled with said inductive power supply;
adjust an operating frequency of said inductive power supply;
detect an operating parameter of said primary; and
determine whether an operational parameter of said primary in said inductive power supply is within a nominal range, wherein said operating frequency is adjusted in response to a determination that said operational parameter is not within said nominal range.
10. The inductive power supply of claim 9 wherein a resonant frequency of said tank circuit is changed in response to an adjustment of said variable impedance element.
11. The inductive power supply of claim 9 wherein said controller is programmed to adjust the operating frequency based on the received information from the remote device.
12. The inductive power supply of claim 9 wherein said receiver receives information from said remote device via an inductive coupling between said primary and said remote device.
13. The inductive power supply of claim 9 further including a tank circuit having said primary, and wherein said variable impedance element is at least one of a variable capacitance or a variable inductance of said tank circuit.
14. The inductive power supply of claim 9 wherein said controller is programmed to adjust a power level of said inductive power supply.
15. The inductive power supply of claim 9 wherein said inductive power supply supplies power to a plurality of remote devices.
16. The inductive power supply of claim 9 wherein said controller adjusts said operating frequency in response to a feedback signal.
17. The inductive power supply of claim 9 wherein said controller is programmed to repeatedly adjust said operating frequency of said inductive power supply.