Inductively powered mobile sensor system

摘要

The present invention provides an inductively powered sensor system having a primary conductive path capable of being energized to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space. An inductive power pick-up is associated with a sensor and is capable of receiving power from the field to supply the sensor. The system includes a first sensing unit to sense the power available to the pick-up and a control unit to increase or decrease the power available to the sensor dependant on the sensed power available. A method of inductively powering a sensor, an inductively powered sensor and an animal enclosure including one or more primary conductive path of an inductive power supply are also disclosed.

主权项

1. An inductive power transfer system, the system comprising:
a plurality of primary conductive paths operable to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space; an inductive power pick-up associated with a sensor, the pick-up having a pick-up resonant circuit, and being moveable in relation to the primary conductive paths and being capable of receiving power from the field to supply the pick-up irrespective of a location and/or orientation of the pick-up within the defined space; a first sensing unit operable to sense a power available to the pick-up; a second sensing unit operable to sense an immediate power requirement of the pick-up; and a control unit operable to control a frequency of oscillation of the electromagnetic field relative to a resonant frequency of the pick-up resonant circuit, and control a relative energization of the plurality of primary conductive paths to vary a vector orientation of the electromagnetic field at or adjacent the inductive power pick-up to match the power available with the immediate power requirement.