Abstract: Systems and methods are described for thermal feedback for power transfer optimization. Aspects include a wireless power-transfer system including a base power-transfer apparatus, a power supply unit, at least one temperature sensor, and a system controller. The base power-transfer apparatus includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic field based on an electric current. The power supply unit includes switching and power electronics configured to drive the electric current in the coil. The temperature sensor(s) are configured to measure a temperature of the base power-transfer apparatus or the power supply unit. The system controller is coupled to the base power-transfer apparatus, the power supply unit, and the temperature sensor(s) and is configured to control operation of at least one of the base power-transfer apparatus or the power supply unit based on the measured temperature to shift losses and dissipate heat in the base power-transfer apparatus or the power supply unit.

Abstract: A magnetic coil suitable for wireless power transfer comprises a layer of magnetically-permeable material and plural conductors that follow respective convoluted paths relative to the layer of magnetically-permeable material to form respective inductors. In use, the conductors have substantially equalized inductances based on the convoluted paths and interaction with the magnetically-permeable material. One way of achieving this is to place the conductors such that the overall proximity of the conductors to the layer of magnetically-permeable material along their respective lengths is substantially equal. In this way, the conductors are positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to the layer of magnetically-permeable material, such that an average distance of each individual section of the conductors proximate to the permeable layer is equal.

Abstract: In certain aspects, methods and systems for moving a magnetic field hot spot of a wireless power transfer device are disclosed. An example power transfer device generally includes at least one coil configured to generate a charging field, and a controller configured to vary, over time, a current applied to the at least one coil such that magnetic field values of the charging field at a plurality of different positions relative to the at least one coil are configured to change with time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for thermal feedback for power transfer optimization. Aspects include a wireless power-transfer system including a base power-transfer apparatus, a power supply unit, at least one temperature sensor, and a system controller. The base power-transfer apparatus includes a coil configured to generate a magnetic field based on an electric current. The power supply unit includes switching and power electronics configured to drive the electric current in the coil. The temperature sensor(s) are configured to measure a temperature of the base power-transfer apparatus or the power supply unit. The system controller is coupled to the base power-transfer apparatus, the power supply unit, and the temperature sensor(s) and is configured to control operation of at least one of the base power-transfer apparatus or the power supply unit based on the measured temperature to shift losses and dissipate heat in the base power-transfer apparatus or the power supply unit.

Abstract: A magnetic coil suitable for wireless power transfer comprises a layer of magnetically-permeable material and plural conductors that follow respective convoluted paths relative to the layer of magnetically-permeable material to form respective inductors. In use, the conductors have substantially equalized inductances based on the convoluted paths and interaction with the magnetically-permeable material. One way of achieving this is to place the conductors such that the overall proximity of the conductors to the layer of magnetically-permeable material along their respective lengths is substantially equal. In this way, the conductors are positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to the layer of magnetically-permeable material, such that an average distance of each individual section of the conductors proximate to the permeable layer is equal.

Abstract: Techniques for providing radio-frequency signals to a region of interest for a living-objection protection (LOP) system are provided. An example base wireless power transfer system includes a power-coupling element and a power transfer circuitry configured to provide energy to the power-coupling element to produce a magnetic field, and a living-object protection subsystem including an antenna configured to transmit a first radio-frequency (RF) signal with a main beam directed away from the power transfer circuitry and to receive a second RF signal, the antenna including a radiating element and a reflector with the reflector being disposed between the radiating element and the power transfer circuitry and comprising a metal sheet disposed over an area, the metal sheet defining at least one opening within the area and between the radiating element and the power transfer circuitry.

Abstract: Techniques for providing radio-frequency signals to a region of interest for a living-objection protection (LOP) system are provided. An example base wireless power transfer system includes a power-coupling element and a power transfer circuitry configured to provide energy to the power-coupling element to produce a magnetic field, and a living-object protection subsystem including an antenna configured to transmit a first radio-frequency (RF) signal with a main beam directed away from the power transfer circuitry and to receive a second RF signal, the antenna including a radiating element and a reflector with the reflector being disposed between the radiating element and the power transfer circuitry and comprising a metal sheet disposed over an area, the metal sheet defining at least one opening within the area and between the radiating element and the power transfer circuitry.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure include an apparatus configured to and methods for the transfer of wireless power. The apparatus comprises a first coil configured to generate a magnetic field over a charging area, the first coil forming a coil area. The apparatus further comprise a ferrite material positioned in contact with or next to the first coil. The ferrite material has a ferrite footprint forming a two-dimensional area, the two-dimensional area at least partially overlapping the coil area. The apparatus further comprise a metallic plate positioned in contact or next to the ferrite material. The metallic plate has a plate footprint forming an area that is substantially equal to the two-dimensional area of the ferrite footprint.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for detecting a presence of an object. In one aspect an apparatus for detecting a presence of an object is provided. The apparatus includes a sense coil formed from a conductor having a predetermined shape configured to attenuate currents induced in the conductor by an external time-varying magnetic field. The sense coil has an electrical characteristic that varies as a function of the presence of the object. The apparatus comprises a detection circuit coupled to the sense coil and configured to detect the presence of the object in response to detecting a difference between a measured value of the electrical characteristic and a reference value for the electrical characteristic. The reference value for the electrical characteristic is substantially the same as the measured value of the electrical characteristic in the absence of the object over at least a portion of the sense coil.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for adaptive charging compliance control are disclosed. A charging station wirelessly charges a vehicle in compliance with emissions regulations. A controller in the charging station obtains information regarding the characteristics of an incoming vehicle and accesses a maximum regulation-compliant power level database based on the vehicle information obtained and determines conditions of the vehicle parked at the charging station. The controller determines and delivers the maximum power level to wirelessly charge the vehicle while maintaining the level of field emissions no greater than the regulatory limit.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for detecting a presence of an object. In one aspect an apparatus for detecting a presence of an object is provided. The apparatus includes a sense coil formed from a conductor having a predetermined shape configured to attenuate currents induced in the conductor by an external time-varying magnetic field. The sense coil has an electrical characteristic that varies as a function of the presence of the object. The apparatus comprises a detection circuit coupled to the sense coil and configured to detect the presence of the object in response to detecting a difference between a measured value of the electrical characteristic and a reference value for the electrical characteristic. The reference value for the electrical characteristic is substantially the same as the measured value of the electrical characteristic in the absence of the object over at least a portion of the sense coil.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for wirelessly transferring charging power is provided. The apparatus comprises a coil comprising a conductor defining a plurality of sides of the coil. For each of the plurality of sides of the coil, the conductor bows toward a center of the coil as the conductor extends from an outer portion of the respective side of the coil toward a middle portion of the respective side of the coil. A magnetic coupling factor between the coil and a receive coil is within a predetermined percentage of a maximum or minimum magnetic coupling factor between the coil and the receive coil for all offsets of a center of the receive coil, with respect to the center of the coil, that are within a perimeter defined by the conductor of the coil.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for adaptive charging compliance control are disclosed. A charging station wirelessly charges a vehicle in compliance with emissions regulations. A controller in the charging station obtains information regarding the characteristics of an incoming vehicle and accesses a maximum regulation-compliant power level database based on the vehicle information obtained and determines conditions of the vehicle parked at the charging station. The controller determines and delivers the maximum power level to wirelessly charge the vehicle while maintaining the level of field emissions no greater than the regulatory limit.