Patent ID: 7623002
Filing Date: 2009-11-24
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
1. A method for coupling direct current from a direct current power source across a rotatable boundary, said method comprising the steps of: providing the direct current power source with internal impedance equal to Z providing, in series with the power source, a switching circuit containing a periodically time varying switch that is capable of converting voltage of the power source into a square-wave voltage across a load resistance equal to Z providing, in series with the switching circuit, a first transmission line with characteristic impedance equal to Z providing a first transformer with turns ratio 1:K and with the 1-turns winding electrically connected to the output of the first transmission line; providing a set of capacitive couplings, each of which has at least one stator ring and one rotor ring in relative proximity such that each pair comprising one stator ring and one rotor ring form a coupling capacitor and such that the rotor rings are capable of rotating free while a coupling capacitance remains essentially constant; interposing a dielectric medium between each stator ring and each rotor ring; providing an electrical connection between two terminals of the K-turns winding of the first transformer and the stator rings of the set of coupling capacitors; providing a second transformer with turns ratio K:1; providing an electrical connection between the rotor rings and two terminals of the K-turns winding of the second transformer such that the set of coupling capacitors form a series electrical connection between the K-turns winding of the first transformer and the K-turns winding of the second transformer; providing a second transmission line with characteristic impedance, Z providing a series electrical connection between the 1-turns winding of the second transformer and input terminals of the second transmission line; providing a non-linear circuit containing at least one diode, such non-linear circuit being series connected between output terminals of the second transmission line and the load with impedance Z generating the square-wave of voltage and current by periodic operation of the switch; achieving a steady-state condition of the square-wave within the first transmission line by said generating step; changing the impedance level of a square-wave frequency with the first transformer by a factor to be determined by the coupling capacitance; outputting the square-wave from the first transformer to the set of stator rings; transmitting the square-wave from the set of stator rings through the dielectric medium to the set of rotor rings; transmitting the square-wave from the rotor rings to the second transformer; changing the impedance level of the square-wave with the second transformer; and converting the square-wave into a direct current source such that the direct current is coupled across the rotatable boundary and delivered to the load.