technology q&a
Can't find the answer to your question? Ask our eCoupled™ technology experts.
Is eCoupled technology just a concept?
No. The engineers behind eCoupled have been developing and perfecting the technology for over ten years. eCoupled technology has been in the marketplace for over six years in Alticor's eSpring™ water treatment system with over 1.5 million devices sold to date worldwide.
How much power can eCoupled technology provide?
eCoupled technology can provide a wide range of power from milliwatts to kilowatts.
What effect, if any, will the technology have on the following when charging handheld devices (primarily cell phones and PDAs)?
AM radio - There's a possibility of affecting portions of the AM band. However, with additional filtering, shielding, basic design considerations and positioning, this can certainly be minimized.
FM radio - If the FM radio section has a good IF stage, there shouldn't be any interferences.
Hands-free cell phone operation via Bluetooth - If the Bluetooth radio section has a good IF stage, there shouldn't be any interferences.
Data transfers via 802.11g - If the 802.11 radio section has a good IF stage, there shouldn't be any interferences.
Pace makers - It's believed that eCoupled technology will not interfere with pace makers. However, as with all medical devices, third party validation is required.
Keyless entry systems - Does not impact the designs reviewed to date.
GPS receivers - If the GPS has a good IF stage, there shouldn't be any interferences.
Cards with magnetic strips - A floppy disk has shown no data loss when tested between the primary and receiving coils while transferring 1,000 watts.
Ferrous metals - The engineers behind eCoupled technology have developed multiple solutions and technologies to eliminate the dangers associated with ferrous metals and improve design and manufacturing capabilities.
Once a device is fully charged, will the primary coil stop charging the device?
Yes, the primary power supply responds to the needs of the device, and if a given device doesn't require power, eCoupled technology won't supply it.
What does eCoupled technology mean for consumers?
Consumers who have been irritated by wires, cords and chargers can now look forward to total freedom by charging their devices wirelessly.
In what ways can manufacturers benefit from implementing eCoupled technology?
Manufacturers can benefit from increased product safety & performance, product differentiation, lower production costs and lower warranty costs. Consumer demand for the elimination of power cords and charging problems is immense.
What level of "future proofing" does the design of the primary coil offer; i.e., will an existing primary coil be able to wirelessly charge handheld devices that become available two years from now provided they have a secondary coil?
Designs have been developed to incorporate standards and design flexibility that would allow the design to be very versatile over an extended period of time.
Does the primary coil offer a sleep mode where the unit draws minimal current until it senses a device that can be charged?
Yes. It draws a minimal current while searching for an eCoupled-enabled device. When a device is recognized, it will analyze and power as needed.
What input voltage range (DC) will the primary coil accept?
DC rail voltages have been scaled from 3VDC to 340VDC.
Does Fulton Innovation plan to manufacture eCoupled-enabled devices or the supporting componentry?
Currently, Fulton Innovation is working with a number of manufacturing sources and will provide recommendations to our strategic partners.
How does the adaptive inductive power circuit handle simultaneous charging of multiple handheld devices with different charging requirements?
Fulton Innovation engineers have developed several proprietary solutions for simple to very complex charging challenges.
What is the maximum power that the primary coil can provide?
Presently, the technology is transferring over 1,400 watts at better than 98% efficiency. Further scaling is possible as applications evolve.
How will eCoupled technology affect the pricing of products?
eCoupled technology provides a low cost method to implement wireless power. Ultimate pricing will depend on specific features and benefits and will be determined by the manufacturers who license eCoupled technology.
With whom is Fulton Innovation affiliated?
Fulton Innovation is bringing eCoupled technology to market through partnerships with leading organizations in a wide range of industries. Fulton Innovation and a growing list of industry leaders, including Herman Miller, Motorola and Visteon are working together to commercialize solutions in the portable consumer electronics arena.
What devices and industries can benefit from the technology?
Any product that requires power can utilize eCoupled technology, from common consumer electronics devices such as cellular phones, digital music players and PDAs, to medical devices, power tools, office electronics and kitchen appliances.
Can eCoupled technology transfer data?
Fulton Innovation has integrated low-cost modulation into the circuit enabling the primary and eCoupled-enabled device to wirelessly transfer data at rates of up to 1.1 Mbps.
