The embodiments relate to a directional coupler including, in each case, one connection for a first, a second, a third, and a fourth port. The coupler includes a first coupling network for providing the connection for the first port and a second coupling network for providing the connection for the second port. The first and second coupling networks are both connected to the connections for the third and fourth ports, wherein the second coupling network has a first inductance connected between the third port and an electrical reference potential, a first capacitance connected between the fourth port and the electrical reference potential, a second capacitance connected between the third port and the second port, and a second inductance connected between the fourth port and the second port.

A circuit for transferring wireless electrical energy through a lossy material is described. The circuit comprises a first inductive winding portion connected electrically in series to a second inductive winding portion and at least one capacitor. Interaction of the first or second inductive winding portions with an electromagnetic field emanating from an electrical power source causes electrical energy to be induced within the circuit. The first inductive winding portion is preferably positionable adjacent a first sidewall of a lossy material and the second inductive winding portion is preferably positionable adjacent the second and opposite sidewall of the lossy material. At least one intermediate substrate composed of a ferrite material is preferably positioned between the first and second inductive winding portions as a shield that minimizes electromagnetic field interference.

The disclosure features resonators to wirelessly transfer energy to a wireless power device including a device resonator coil having a dimension D. The resonator can include a first plurality of conductor windings wound approximately in a first plane and having first and second conductor leads, and a second plurality of conductor windings wound in a second plane and having third and fourth conductor leads. The first and third conductor leads can be coupled to each other and the second and the fourth conductor leads can be coupled to at least one capacitor. The first plane and second plane can be spaced apart by separation S and substantially parallel. The separation S between the first plane and second plane can be approximately equal to or greater than the dimension D of the device resonator coil.

An electrical connector system for communication or power transfer between a two connectors in which the first of the two connectors may be inserted into a receptacle of a second connector in order to align a coil within the first connector with a coil within the second connector to promote inductive communication between the first and second connector. In many embodiments, at least one of the two coils may also be used as a spring, providing a mechanical force. The mechanical force may assist in joining or separating the connectors. For example, the spring coil may be used in conjunction with a push-push mechanism to retain the first connector within the second connector and to eject the first connector when the connectors should be separated.

A device for the inductive positioning comprises a signal generator, a coil connected with the signal generator, an element for influencing the inductance of the coil depending on its distance to the coil and an evaluator to determine the position of the element with regard to the coil on the basis of a voltage on the coil. The signal generator thereby provides a square wave signal.

This disclosure relates generally to directional couplers. In one embodiment, a directional coupler includes a first port, a second port, a third port, a first inductive element, a second inductive element, a first switchable path, and a second switchable path. The first inductive element is coupled between the first port and the second port, while the second inductive element is mutually coupled to the first inductive element. The first switchable path is configured to be opened and closed, wherein the first switchable path is coupled between a first location of the second inductive element and the third port. The second switchable path is configured to be opened and closed, wherein the second switchable path is coupled between a second location of the second inductive element and the third port. In this manner, a directivity of the directional coupler can be switched between a forward direction and a reverse direction.

A wireless power transmission system that transmits alternating-current power includes a power-transmitting device including first and second electrodes spaced apart and having a total width of λ/2π or less, i.e., a near field range, and a first inductor between the first and second electrodes and a AC power-generating section, and a power-receiving device including third and fourth electrodes spaced apart and having a total width of λ/2π or less, and a second inductor between the third and fourth electrodes and a load. A coupler including the first and second electrodes and the first inductor forms one resonant circuit and a coupler including the third and fourth electrodes and the second inductor forms another resonant circuit. Resonance frequencies of the couplers are substantially equal. The first and second electrodes and the third and fourth electrodes are spaced apart by λ/2π or less.

A near-field plate is a non-periodically patterned surface that can overcome the diffraction limit and confine electromagnetic fields to subwavelength dimensions. By controlling the interference of the electromagnetic fields radiated by the near-field plate with that of a source, the near-field plate can form a subwavelength near-field pattern in a forward direction, while suppressing fields in other directions, such as those reflected. The resulting unidirectional near-field plate may find utility in many applications such as high resolution imaging and probing, high density data storage, biomedical targeting devices, and wireless power transfer.

Embodiments discussed herein refer to electric vehicle charging ports having integrated contactless communication units (CCUs). The electric vehicle charging ports include male and female connector assemblies that can be coupled together in a manner that enables consistent and reliable operation of contactless communications and power transfer. The connector integrates power and alignment such that when two connector assemblies are coupled together, power connections are made in combination with establishing contactless communications links between counterpart CCUs in both connector assemblies. The fixed alignment of the connector assemblies ensures that contactless communication channels, spanning between the connector assemblies, are aligned to enable consistent and reliable operation of contactless communications. The CCUs, which conduct contactless communications, may be integrated in the connector assemblies at fixed positions that enable CCUs of one connector assembly to be aligned with CCUs of another connector assembly when they are coupled together.

Inter-substrate coupling and alignment using liquid droplets can include electrical and plasmon modalities. For example, a set of droplets can be placed on a bottom substrate. A top substrate can be placed upon the droplets, which uses the droplets to align the substrates. Using the droplets in a capacitive or plasmon coupling modality, information or power can be transferred between the substrates using the droplets.