An inductive power transfer system (1) comprises a primary unit (10) operable to generate an electromagnetic field and at least one secondary device (30), separable from the primary unit, and adapted to couple with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit so that power can be received inductively by the secondary device from the primary unit without direct electrical conductive contacts therebetween. The system detects if there is a substantial difference between, on the one hand, a power drawn from the primary unit and, on the other hand, a power required by the secondary device or, if there is more than one secondary device, a combined power required by the secondary devices. Following such detection, the system restricts or stops the inductive power supply from the primary unit. Such a system can detect the presence of unwanted parasitic loads in the vicinity of the primary unit reliably.

Controlling inductive power transfer systems

An interactive system for guiding the use of a surgical tool uses at least one imaging technique, such as CT scanning. A mechanical arm has a fixed base at a first end and a tool holder that holds the surgical tool at a second end. A display displays one or more images from the image space of a patient's anatomy. A computer is coupled to the display and the mechanical arm. The computer tracks the location of the surgical tool through physical space, performs a transforming rotation of the physical space to the image space, and causes the display to display the location of the surgical tool within the image space.

Interactive image-guided surgical system for displaying images corresponding to the placement of a surgical tool or the like

A wireless power infrastructure for delivering wireless power from a wireless network to mobile devices. The infrastructure includes a plurality of power transmission hubs, each hub having: a first capacitor for transmitting a signature frequency for a defined range; and a set of second capacitors, each for transmitting resonant wireless power within the defined range at a selectable frequency. A mobile device for obtaining wireless resonant the plurality of power transmission hubs is also described, and includes: a first variable capacitor for detecting a signature frequency associated with a proximately located power transmission hub; a second variable capacitor for receiving wireless resonant capacitor from the proximately located power transmission hub; and a synchronization system for setting the second variable capacitor to a frequency that is synchronized with a wireless resonant power transmission of the proximately located power transmission hub.

Wireless power infrastructure

The invention provides a power delivery system for a mobile device. The power delivery system includes a contactor device and a plurality of first electrical contacts on the contactor device disposed in an interspersed arrangement wherein first electrical contacts of one polarity are interspersed with first electrical contacts of a second polarity throughout the contactor body.

Alternative wirefree mobile device power supply method and system with free positioning

A non-contact power charging, in which power transmission can be interrupted when foreign materials are deposited on a charge plate of the non-contact power charging system. A charging operation can be continuously maintained at a stable voltage even if a non-contact power receiving apparatus moves by touching or displacement on the charge plate of the non-contact power charging system in the charging operation. Charging efficiency is improved.

Non-contact power charging system and control method thereof

A mobile transport unit for independently operating within an enclosed environment. The transport unit is adapted for carrying a robotic manipulator arm and cargo within the environment, and includes an infrared communications transmitter/receiver for communicating with an extra-vehicular central processing unit. The transport unit includes electric motors for driving and for steering the unit. A laser docking module precisely determines the vehicle's location relative to a fixed point within the environment. Ultrasonic sensors placed about the vehicle can detect objects within a preselected range for collision avoidance and safety purposes. The vehicle is controlled by a central computer which receives inputs from the infrared communications system and from on-board sensors including directional sensors, distance measuring sensors, a gyroscope, the ultrasonic sensors, and the docking module. The on-board computer directs the vehicle and the robotic arm based on information received from these inputs, and allows for the continuous operation of the vehicle without recalibration. Power is supplied to the vehicle by an on-board battery pack, and the vehicle is enclosed by a protective skin for reasons of cleanliness and safety, and to prevent turbulent airflow around the wafer cassettes and the robotic arm.

Self-contained mobile reprogrammable automation device

Apparatus for transferring electrical power between a power supplying apparatus and power consuming apparatus and having a separable high frequency transformer with a primary permanently mounted to the power supply apparatus and a secondary mounted about the power consuming apparatus A charging control circuit mounted on the consuming apparatus, eg a mobile vehicle includes means for detecting current and voltage delivered through the transformer, and also for monitoring storage batteries within the vehicle The power supply apparatus includes a power supply circuit comprising a ferrite core transformer and capacitor forming a parallel resonant circuit The primaries of the transformer are alternately driven by a driver about opposing polarities The drivers are controlled by a voltage-controlled pulse-width modulator which provides a square wave input to the drivers to cause them to alternatively energize the ferrite core transformer Power is transferred across the inductor to the resonant circuit as portions of a sine wave The power supply circuit also includes an internal current sensing circuit to shut current build-up down when current in the resonant circuit becomes too high, and an external control loop which senses power demands of the charging control circuit delivered via an optical communications link within the separable transformer

Power transfer device

An optical positional sensing apparatus for providing precise position and approach angle of a mobile assembly with respect to a fixed assembly. The apparatus includes a light source and optics to produce a rotating horizontal beam. Optics and a transducer are included which can detect the light beam when reflected back on itself. A corner reflector is affixed to a piece of equipment to which the mobile assembly will travel. The beam is rotated by means of a drive motor. Light hitting the corner reflector is reflected directly back under three circumstances, i.e. when the beam strikes either corner or when the beam is perpendicular to the reflector. A rotary encoder is coupled to the drive mechanism and supplies continuous angular positional data to a microprocessor. The transducer is also coupled to the microprocessor which generates data sets of angular location for each transducer signal. Simple trigonometric calculations provide the desired position and approach angle data. An alternative embodiment includes a fixed optical assembly comprising three point light sources to replace the single, mobile-assembly mounted source and fixed reflector.

Michael Krolak

Papers

Self-contained mobile reprogrammable automation device

Power transfer device

Laser positioning system