Robot power source charging station
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for recharging a mobile robot as a power source. In one embodiment the system comprises a power transmission link having a first end positioned at a selectively located charging station and a second end connected to the battery carried by the robot, the transmission link being configured to transmit power from its first end to its second end to charge the battery. The system further comprises a first wireless power transmitter coupled to receive power from a specified power source, and a first wireless power receiver, connected to the first end of the transmission link and located at a prespecified distance from the first wireless power transmitter. The first wireless power receiver is configured to receive power transmitted across the prespecified distance from the first wireless power transmitter, and to provide power to the first end of the transmission link, for transmission to charge the battery.
1. An electrical power transfer station, comprising:
a power receiver wirelessly connectable to a power grid for receiving power;
a structure having a housing, connectable to a base plate, having a power transmitter, wirelessly connectable to a device containing a battery, for transmitting the received power to the device for charging the battery;
the base plate having a fixing means to a stationary support, wherein the base plate is placed at a specified ground location wherein the ground is the stationary support, and the fixing means are removable anchor means provided to selectively retain the base plate at the ground location; and
locking means to secure the fixing means to be tamper resistant, wherein:
the base plate is provided with a detector that is operable to detect efforts to remove the anchor means from the ground location.
2. The power transfer station of claim 1 , wherein:
the base plate is further provided with an alarm that is responsive to operation of the detector.
3. A method for setting up an electrical power transfer station, comprising the steps of:
wirelessly connecting a power receiver to a power grid for receiving power;
connecting a structure to a base plate, the structure having a housing and a power transmitter, wirelessly connectable to a device containing a battery, for transmitting the received power to the device for charging the battery;
furnishing fixing means to the base plate, for fixing the base plate to a stationary support, wherein the base plate is placed at a specified ground location wherein the ground is the stationary support, and the fixing means are removable anchor means provided to selectively retain the base plate at the ground location; and
using locking means to secure the fixing means to be tamper resistant, wherein:
the base plate is provided with a detector that is operable to detect efforts to remove the anchor means from the ground location.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:
the base plate is further provided with an alarm that is responsive to operation of the detector.