US 12,230,975 B2
Assembly for contactless transfer of electrical energy to a rotor
Alexander M. Mork, West Fargo, ND (US); and Michael L. Rhodes, Ritchfield, MN (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/805,354.
Prior Publication US 2023/0396099 A1, Dec. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. H02J 50/12 (2016.01); H02J 50/00 (2016.01); H02J 50/40 (2016.01); H02K 11/00 (2016.01)
CPC H02J 50/12 (2016.02) [H02J 50/005 (2020.01); H02K 11/00 (2013.01); H02J 50/402 (2020.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An assembly for transferring electrical energy, the assembly comprising:
a stator;
a rotor separated from the stator for relative rotation with respect to the stator;
an air gap between the rotor and the stator;
a transmitter associated with or on the stator, the transmitter configured to transmit an alternating current wireless signal;
an annular clamp comprising a first semi-elliptical portion and a second semi-elliptical portion that define an opening for receipt of the rotor, the annular clamp having fasteners to secure the first semi-elliptical portion to the second semi-elliptical portion about the rotor;
a receive antenna configured to receive the wireless signal, the receive antenna comprising one or more conductive traces on a flexible dielectric substrate; and
a receiver associated with the annular clamp, the receiver being coupled to the receive antenna and configured to facilitate the uniform transfer of electrical energy via the air gap between the transmitter and the receive antenna over a full angular range of rotation of the rotor;
wherein the receive antenna comprises a first semi-annular antenna portion and a second semi-annular antenna portion embedded in the annular clamp, wherein the first semi-annular antenna portion and the second semi-annular antenna portion are united to form one or more looped conductors of the receive antenna.