A device for inductive energy transfer between a stationary three-phase primary system and a mobile three-phase secondary system shows a stationary iron core part and two mobile iron core parts (3, 5) which are connected electrically in series are each designed as an equilateral triangle or as a star which spans an equilateral triangle and has limbs (3a, 3b, 3c; 5a, 5b, 5c) of equal length which run at the same angle in relation to one another, and supporting posts (3a, 3b, 3c; 5a, 5b, 5c) which start from the ends of said limbs, and also primary and secondary windings (4, 6) which are arranged at the same distance from one another. The device of simple design has a high degree of efficiency in respect of energy transfer. In the case of energy transfer only in the inoperative state, a stationary iron core part and a mobile iron core part can also be positioned directly one on the other without magnetic rails.

A representative phase-shift based method for using a transformer system to detect movement of an object, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative transformer system detects movement of an object and includes an excitation coil configured to receive an excitation coil input signal that results from an input sinusoidal signal. The transformer further includes first and second sensing coils, and a core configured to be operatively coupled to the object. The core moves relative to the first and second sensing coils when the object moves. First and second impedance loads are connected to the first and second sensing coils, respectively. The two impedance loads have different phase-shifting characteristics. A phase-shift sensing circuit determines a phase-shift between the excitation coil input signal and the input sinusoidal signal that is correlated with a position of the core relative to the first and second sensing coils.

A variable inductor of which variable inductance characteristics can be adjusted is provided. The inductor includes: a magnetic core having a preset shape; and a coil part surrounding a portion of the magnetic core and generating a magnetic flux depending on a current flow, wherein the magnetic core includes a first magnetic region formed of a first magnetic material and a second magnetic region formed of a second magnetic material different from the first magnetic material.

A three-phase transformer including a primary portion and a secondary portion, the primary portion including a first body made of ferromagnetic material and primary coils, the secondary portion including a second body made of ferromagnetic material and secondary coils, the first body defining a first annular slot of axis A and a second annular slot of axis A. The primary coils include a first toroidal coil of axis A in the first slot, a second toroidal coil of axis A in the first slot, a third toroidal coil of axis A in the second slot, and a fourth toroidal coil of axis A in the second slot, the second coil and the third coil being connected in series.

An assembly for varying inductance, the assembly comprising a stator configured to produce at least one pair of magnetically opposed poles, a line extending from one pole of the at least one pair of magnetic poles to a remaining pole of the at least one pair of poles defining a first direction, and a rotor adjacent to the stator. The rotor includes a rotor body formed from a first material having a first effective magnetic permeability, the rotor body defining a plurality of recesses extending parallel to a rotation axis of the rotor, the rotation axis extending along the first direction, and a plurality of bars formed from a second material and disposed within the plurality of recesses, the second material having a second effective magnetic permeability, a rotation of the rotor about the rotation axis causes a periodical alternation of inductance of the assembly.

An assembly for varying inductance, the assembly comprising a stator configured to produce at least one pair of magnetically opposed poles, a line extending from one pole of the at least one pair of magnetic poles to a remaining pole of the at least one pair of poles defining a first direction, and a rotor adjacent to the stator. The rotor includes a rotor body formed from a first material having a first effective magnetic permeability, the rotor body defining a plurality of recesses extending parallel to a rotation axis of the rotor, the rotation axis extending along the first direction, and a plurality of bars formed from a second material and disposed within the plurality of recesses, the second material having a second effective magnetic permeability, a rotation of the rotor about the rotation axis causes a periodical alternation of inductance of the assembly.

In some example embodiments, there may be provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a chamber including a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein the chamber further includes a first fluid suspended in a second fluid; a first electrode adjacent to the first cavity; a second electrode adjacent to the second cavity; a third electrode configured to provide a common electrode to the first electrode and the second electrode; and at least one coil adjacent to at least one of the first cavity or the second cavity, wherein an inductance value of the coil is varied by at least applying a driving signal between the common electrode and the first electrode and/or the second electrode. Related methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

In some example embodiments, there may be provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a chamber including a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein the chamber further includes a first fluid suspended in a second fluid; a first electrode adjacent to the first cavity; a second electrode adjacent to the second cavity; a third electrode configured to provide a common electrode to the first electrode and the second electrode; and at least one coil adjacent to at least one of the first cavity or the second cavity, wherein an inductance value of the coil is varied by at least applying a driving signal between the common electrode and the first electrode and/or the second electrode. Related methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a tunable inductor having a magnetic core which has an air gap. In order to vary the inductance of the inductor, the inductor includes a tuner that is moveable relative to the magnetic core in the vicinity of the air gap. An actuator is attached to the tuner which, upon actuation, moves the tuner relative to the magnetic core to thereby vary the spacing between the tuner and the core in the vicinity of the air gap. The variation of the spacing between the tuner and the magnetic core varies the effective air gap of the overall inductor in the desired fashion.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a tunable inductor having a magnetic core which has an air gap. In order to vary the inductance of the inductor, the inductor includes a tuner that is moveable relative to the magnetic core in the vicinity of the air gap. An actuator is attached to the tuner which, upon actuation, moves the tuner relative to the magnetic core to thereby vary the spacing between the tuner and the core in the vicinity of the air gap. The variation of the spacing between the tuner and the magnetic core varies the effective air gap of the overall inductor in the desired fashion.