Cincinnati, OH, USA and Auckland, New Zealand – Monday 23 May – PowerbyProxi, the global leader in high-efficiency industrial wireless power solutions, today announced the successful trial of the Proxi-Ring™ 480, a contactless slip ring that provides wireless power and data to pitch control systems that drive blades in wind turbines. The Proxi-Ring 480™ makes wind energy generation more cost-effective by increasing uptime and reliability and eliminating costs of maintaining and replacing mechanical slip rings. Details of the trial were announced at WINDPOWER 2011 Conference & Exhibition in Anaheim, California.

Fady Mishriki, VP of PowerbyProxi, says, “Our contactless slip ring has been working flawlessly ever since installation in a hydraulic wind turbine in Spain eight months ago. It replaced a mechanical slip ring which was causing problems several times a week and this frequency was increasing as the turbine aged. These faults are very hard to diagnose due to their intermittent nature and as turbines are stationary when tested. We set out to prove our wireless technology delivers significant benefits over mechanical slip ring technology and we’ve done that.”

Jose Rodriguez, Managing Director, IM FutuRe, a specialist company in the maintenance, operation and management of facilities in electric energy production from renewable sources says, “We were keen to work with PowerbyProxi to develop a Proxi-Ring for the wind industry as we see mechanical slip ring problems all the time. The plug and play Proxi-Ring 480™ was a breeze for our technicians to get working in the 1.3MW turbine and it has performed perfectly. We’re so impressed with the Proxi-Ring technology we’ll be rolling it out across all the farms we manage over the next three years to help operators decrease costs and reduce loss of earnings.”

The Proxi-Ring 480™ passes the required level of power and communication signals wirelessly and without friction. Proxi-Rings allow 360⁰ continuous rotation and are corrosion-resistant and waterproof. Unlike mechanical slip rings they do not require cleaning or maintenance as contaminants like oil or brake dust do not affect operation. PowerbyProxi has spent 18 months developing its world leading wireless power solutions featuring Proxi-Wave and Dynamic Harmonization Control technology for the wind industry. The technology is currently in use or trial with a number of FORTUNE 100 companies.

PowerbyProxi have achieved similar success using other wireless power solution platforms in a wide range of industrial applications including aerospace, off-road vehicles, security systems, battery recharging, sensor networks, hydraulic actuation, hydraulic control and slip ring replacement.

Fady Mishriki says, “By unplugging the power cable we provide customers with solutions that solve continuity of delivery and maintenance pain points and simplify the implementation or installation process. Our solutions also create unique competitive advantages in the design, operation, and convenience of products which deliver significant cost savings in installation and ongoing maintenance over the lifetime of the product.”

PowerbyProxi is exhibiting at WINDPOWER 2011 Conference & Exhibition, booth number 4551.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Fady Mishriki
VP
PowerbyProxi
Phone: (877) 793 0323
Email: fady.mishriki@powerbyproxi.com

Sandra Lukey
Shine Group (PR for PowerbyProxi)
Phone: +64 021 2262 858
Email: sandra@shinegroup.co.nz

About PowerbyProxi

PowerbyProxi is the global leader in high-efficiency, industrial wireless power solutions for wet, dirty and moving applications. PowerbyProxi have a world leading team of wireless experts focused on delivering value creating solutions to challenging power problems using their industry leading Proxi-Wave™ wireless platforms. PowerbyProxi technology overcomes the constraints of power cables and mechanical components, which can stifle design innovation and increase maintenance costs. The company has locations in Cincinnati, Tokyo, and Auckland. For more information please see http://www.powerbyproxi.com.

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Alternative & Renewable Energy Open

April 27th 3:30 – 4:30 pm EDT

FREE Online Event Sponsored by GlobalSpec

April 27, 2011 – Power-by-Proxi invites you to attend a free online seminar, featuring Fady Mishriki, CEO/Business Development & Co-founder who will present “Powering Sensors in Hostile Environments”.

In this presentation, attendees will learn of a contactless slip ring that provides wireless power and data to pitch control systems in wind turbines. This improves wind turbine efficiency by reducing the cost of maintaining and replacing existing mechanical slip rings and their carbon brushes, especially in wet, dirty environments, where rotational movement is involved, and power cables and physical connectors are problematic, expensive, and unreliable. Power transfer without wires or frictional contact ensures sensor operation in hard-to-reach locations. Replacing traditional wiring harnesses with wireless power transmitters and receivers ensures reliable sensor operation in hostile environments, in applications involving rotational movement, and in hard-to-reach locations.

You will:

• Learn how to power sensors across pivoting and rotating joints
• Understand how wireless power overcomes the constraints of hard-wired or battery-based applications
• Discover a contactless slip ring for delivering power and data to wind turbines

To register, please visit: http://www.globalspec.com/events/eventdetails?eventId=105

Fady Mishriki, Vice President of Applications for PowerbyProxi says “The conventional approach of using a mechanical slip ring  to transfer power and data can be problematic, expensive and unreliable. By eliminating friction-based connection failures, wireless power transfer can reduce operation and maintenance costs, preserve data continuity, and free designers to create innovative solutions.”

For example, Proxi-Ring, our contactless slip ring solution, offers these capabilities:

1.    Provides cost-effective, maintenance-free alternative to mechanical slip ring devices

2.    Eliminates friction or heating between rotating and stationary components

3.    Provides highly efficient transfer of power and data across short distances through inductive power transfer.

4.    Enables complete freedom of movement (360° continuous rotation) across rotary joints, unlimited RPM and no need for lubrication and cooling.

5.    Replaces through-hole slip rings and other wired electrical connectors. Proxi-Ring components can be manufactured for easy  “plug and play” replacement of existing mechanical slip ring components.

3 applications where contactless slip rings provide substantial benefits:

Wind turbines.

Traditionally, DC servo motors have been used for wind turbine pitch control actuation. However, the trend toward larger turbines, increasingly isolated installations, and continued use of operate until failure maintenance practices drives down reliability and increases the total cost of energy (COE) of wind power operations. Also, slip ring devices fail frequently and require regular maintenance, cleaning and brush replacement, which results in expensive downtime.

Adding brushless PowerbyProxi slip rings and dynamic harmonization control technologies to wind turbine pitch control systems during the design and operations-maintenance phases of the turbine lifecycle can improve performance and reduce operations and maintenance costs. Proxi-Ring technology includes no moving parts, which can fail or cause false restarts. Wireless power solutions can reduce wiring failures. And, PowerbyProxi technology provides unlimited and continuous rotation speeds, which enable wind turbine designs to operate in variable load operating environments.

Radar operations.

Like wind turbine applications, PowerbyProxi radar solutions provide 360° continuous rotation across rotary joints. However, these solutions also require continuous data transmission to enable safety and technical analysis.  PowerbyProxi solutions are designed to operate in a wide variety of communications systems. Fully integrated wireless data supports most industrial protocols, including  CAN-Bus (J1939), RS 485, RS 422, Ethernet, and PLC (4-20mA).

Heavy machinery in extreme environments.

PowerbyProxi solutions are also designed to operate in heavy machinery that operates in wet, dirty, or other hostile environments. The company’s first Proxi-Ring system was a forestry solution. It had to be highly corrosion resistant, able to withstand extreme heat, cold and humidity, and survive shocks of up to 50 Gs. These capabilities, high power transmission reliability, and plug-and-play installation reduced the cost of replacing hard-cabled power alternatives.

Test how wireless power can improve designs in your company today with evaluation kits

CINCINNATI  – November 18, 2010 – Industrial designers, engineers and manufacturers in industries that employ machinery with rotating parts such as wind turbines, radar and heavy machinery now have a new way to avoid critical downtime that occurs from failed electrical and mechanical connectors. Mechanical slip rings, through-hole slip rings and high-current slip rings often limit designers’ and manufacturers’ ability to power systems in wet, dirty or hostile conditions which involve vibration and 360 degree movement. PowerbyProxi, a provider of high-efficiency, industrial wireless power solutions, today announces the availability of evaluation kits to measure the benefits of replacing traditional electrical components and electrical connectors in difficult to access or challenging operational environments with wireless slip rings and connectors.

Fady Mishriki, Vice President of Applications for PowerbyProxi says “The conventional approach of using a mechanical slip ring to transfer power and data can be problematic, expensive and unreliable. By eliminating friction-based connection failures, wireless power transfer can reduce operation and maintenance costs, preserve data continuity, and free designers to create innovative solutions.”

PowerbyProxi’s industrial wireless power solutions provide highly efficient transfer of power and data across short distances through inductive power transfer. Proxi-Ring is a frictionless, contactless slip ring, which supplies wireless power to rotating, highly mobile industrial equipment. This solution is an electrical device with no moving parts or friction-based components. Proxi-Ring enables complete freedom of movement (360° continuous rotation) across rotary joints, unlimited RPM and no need for lubrication and cooling. Proxi-Ring solutions include replacements for through-hole slip rings, and other wired electrical connectors. The components can be manufactured for easy “plug and play” replacement of existing mechanical slip ring components.

PowerbyProxi’s Proxi-Wave technology is unique in its ability to cater for the demands of variable load operating environments and overcomes the limitations of earlier generations of Inductive Power solutions that suffered from excessive heat generation.

For more information on Proxi-Ring evaluation kits to replace wired electrical connections, slip rings and through-hole slip rings, see www.powerbyproxi.com/kits

About PowerbyProxi

PowerbyProxi is the global leader in high-efficiency, industrial wireless power solutions for wet, dirty and moving applications. PowerbyProxi’s technology overcomes the constraints of power cables and mechanical components, which can stifle design innovation and increase maintenance costs in wet, dirty environments and in moving applications with moving parts.  For more information please see http://www.powerbyproxi.com

When devices are used in an environment unfriendly to electrical applications or a hard-to-reach location, even the most innovative technologies lose their relevance if they don’t have the appropriate amount of power.  In some environments, getting a charge to a battery or charging many batteries at once can be a challenge

That’s why PowerbyProxi is investing in the development of a new generation of high-efficiency industrial wireless power technology, which will make more devices more useful in more locations. To provide maximum configuration and customization capabilities, we’re developing technology solutions that breathe new power – literally – into the process of charging batteries.

We believe the range of scenarios in which this technology will prove beneficial is nearly endless and that industrial designers and industrial engineers will have new freedom to develop innovative power systems to charge products that help users do their jobs easier and provide competitive advantage for businesses.

Wireless Battery Charging Power Systems

Recharging large volumes of batteries quickly and efficiency without the hassle of plugging in each electrical connection point is a challenge for mobile teams or field service organizations. Imagine the time, money and lives that could be saved if military, search and rescue, maintenance, or safety responders weren’t limited by traditional sources of power for the batteries that operate devices critical to the mission. By harnessing the power of wireless technology, we believe that mass battery recharging and battery replacement will make location-based static recharge requirements become obsolete.

Battery Replacement

Wireless charging or battery replacement is also relevant to less mobile situations that provide industrial strength value. Placing power charging capabilities in proximity to where a medical device, industrial equipment or heavy machinery is at rest can eliminate the need for batteries and reduce operator error in maintaining charges. This not only benefits the environment by keeping batteries out of landfills but can reduce maintenance costs associated with the purchase and replacement of batteries.

Regardless of the industry or specific scenario, at PowerbyProxi we are engaged in exploring how to eliminate the design constraints that have traditionally limited the effectiveness of applications dependent on battery power.

As a result, wind turbine OEMs continue to search for innovative wind turbine designs with improved performance and lower COE. And, wind turbine project operators are interested in more cost-effective alternatives to aging turbines that are increasingly expensive to maintain.

We met with North American Clean Energy magazine at the Dallas WindPower 2010 show in May who published this brief on our Proxi-Ring solution.

At the show we talked with wind turbine manufacturers and operators about the role of pitch control in operational efficiencies.  Modern wind turbines adjust rotor blade pitch angle for safety and control.Pitch control optimizes blade performance and therefore, overall turbine performance. However, to be cost-effective, pitch control systems require high levels of uptime.

Correcting pitch control system failures or false resets require substantial maintenance costs. And, optimal turbine performance can be limited by factors such as turbine design, turbine location and the need of high levels of data and power availability.

Contactless slip rings are an innovative method for transmitting power or data between stationary and rotating frames without the use of conventional slip rings or brushes. In these solutions, there is no physical contact between the rotating and fixed parts of the apparatus. Inductive components are used to provide a reliable and efficient transfer of electrical power across the rotational boundary, reducing maintenance costs and improving overall uptime for the operator.

The first wireless power solution for wind turbines was unveiled today at the WindPower 2010 conference and exhibition in Dallas, Texas.  PowerbyProxi Proxi-Ring contactless slip ring provides wireless power and data to pitch control systems in wind turbines. Proxi-Ring solutions make wind turbines more cost-effective by reducing the cost of maintaining and replacing existing mechanical slip rings and their carbon brushes. PowerbyProxi wireless power solutions also deliver 90-percent efficiency, which is on par with most hard-wired power transfer solutions.

Fady Mishriki, vice president of applications for PowerbyProxi, says, “Operation and maintenance costs are a sizable portion of annual wind turbine expenditures. By replacing traditional slip rings with the Proxi-Ring, PowerbyProxi solutions help to eliminate a major source of turbine downtime due to mechanical slip ring failure.”

Proxi-Ring wireless power solutions eliminate friction or heating between rotating and stationary circuit contacts that can occur with traditional slip rings. Unlike conventional slip-ring applications, typical contaminants such as oil or brake dust do not affect Proxi-Ring operation.  The wireless power solutions are highly corrosion-resistant, waterproof and compatible with existing power supplies and common communication protocols.

Two solutions exist to provide wireless electricity to wind turbines across rotary joints. The Proxi-Ring 240 and 750 products are completely wireless alternatives to mechanical slip rings for hydraulically controlled systems. Both of these solutions have been designed to make it easy for wind turbine vendors to incorporate in new turbines or for wind farm operators and maintenance service providers to retrofit to existing wind turbines.

The Proxi-Ring 750 is also available as a hybrid solution developed with UEA Incorporated to deliver a new high-performance solution for electric pitch control systems. In this solution, the Proxi-Ring provides wireless electricity to critical low-power and data channels.

Proxi-Ring is a frictionless, contactless slip ring, which supplies wireless power to rotating, highly mobile industrial equipment. This solution is a totally electrical device with no moving parts or friction-based components. Proxi-Ring enables complete freedom of movement (360° continuous rotation) across rotary joints, unlimited rotation speeds and no need for lubrication or cooling.  Other typical applications of Proxi-Ring solutions include replacements for through-hole slip rings, hydraulic control valves and actuators, heavy machinery, process automation equipment and robotics.

PowerbyProxi’s Proxi-Wave technology is unique in its ability to cater for the demands of variable load operating environments and overcomes the limitations of earlier generations of inductive power solutions that suffered from excessive heat generation.

PowerbyProxi is exhibiting at WindPower2010, booth number 11650.

About PowerbyProxi

PowerbyProxi is the global leader in high-efficiency, industrial wireless power solutions for wet, dirty and moving applications. PowerbyProxi technology overcomes the constraints of power cables and mechanical components, which can stifle design innovation and increase maintenance costs. For more information please see http://www.powerbyproxi.com.

By taking advantage of PowerbyProxi’s range of configurations, designers can leverage the benefits of wireless power in their products and equipment. This will enable them to lower costs, simplify deployment, and reduce ongoing maintenance and operations overhead. Ultimately, it will speed time to market while resulting in better products.

Read the full article on the Sensors website.

PowerbyProxi delivers ‘unplugged power’ – eliminating the need for a physical power cable. The technology was developed to change the way electricity is delivered in hostile industrial environments where traditional power cables and physical connectors are problematic due to moving parts and/or wet and dirty environments. The technology can also be used for consumer device applications where convenience or design demands a wireless power solution.

PowerbyProxi Executive Chairman Greg Cross says, “PowerbyProxi are pioneers in the design and development of turnkey wireless power solutions. We’re delighted to have the backing of Movac and Evander Management as we go to market. Their investment and expertise will be used to accelerate technology development, grow the team and build on the 2008 launch of our first commercial products in the US.”

The current cap round as well as the follow-on round were fully taken up by angel investor Movac with a track record of early stage investment success including TradeMe, and Evander Management Limited a private investment company.

David Beard a partner at Movac said, “With all of our investments we look for high growth potential, and the PowerbyProxi technology, team and global potential impressed. We’re funding a company that has a fantastic market opportunity and a really compelling sales proposition. Movac is committed to investing in early stage companies. This investment shows that businesses can still get money in tough times if they are focused on meeting unmet needs.”

PowerbyProxi, based at the ICEHOUSE business growth centre, is founded based on leading edge research from the University of Auckland in 2007. The company has already come to the attention of industry due to a 12 month development effort with John Deere.

PowerbyProxi recently completed the commercial launch of the Proxi-RingTM, a completely contactless slip ring which is used to transfer power across 360 degree rotating joints. The new technology replaces mechanical slip rings which have a reputation for failure and high associated maintenance costs.

Greg Cross says, “Securing investment has allowed us to accelerate our plans for key international markets like the US and Japan. It will also enable us to build out our research and development team who really are doing some ground breaking work in this exciting space.”

The Proxi-Ring™ is a totally electrical device with no moving parts or frictional based components. Power is transferred from a transmitter to a receiver through an air gap allowing total and free rotation. It enables the transfer of power from a stationary device to a rotating device allowing 360 degree continuous motion in wide range of applications like robot arms and swivels where mechanical slip rings are traditionally used.