Abstract: Modular coil assemblies for wireless charging of vehicles have coil geometries and communications designed to limit electromagnetic field (EMF) levels in regions where humans or other living objects may be present. The modular coil assemblies are designed with the ability to shape the magnetic field to be predominately within shielding provided by the auto chassis by, for example, providing side-by-side phase cancellation or diagonal versus front-to-back (for 1×3, 2×3 array configurations) phase cancellation. The power levels and frequency offset pairwise compensation of the respective coils may be controlled to improve cancellation and thus to reduce magnetic field exposure potential. The phase cancellation of the magnetic flux density from respective coil assemblies varies over a range to provide, for example, ˜50% cancellation at 125° offset and up to ˜100% cancellation at 180°.

Abstract: A current sensing method measures a fractional current through a coil having a plurality of coil windings by using a current sensing resistor to measure a current through a subset of the plurality of coil windings and using a voltage sensor to measure a voltage drop across the current sensing resistor. The measured current and voltage values are provided to a processor to determine the fractional current and phase of the coil. For example, the fractional current and phase of the coil may be determined by calculating a total current of the coil as I=n(V/Rx), where n is the number of coil windings of the coil, V is the measured voltage, and Rx is the impedance of the current sensing resistor. The coil may be a secondary winding used in a wireless power transfer system.

Abstract: A charging frequency between a transmitting coil and a receiving coil of a wireless power transfer (WPT) system is found by setting an input voltage to the transmitting coil at a fixed voltage, shunting the receiving coil, determining a first input current frequency range in which a resonant frequency is expected to be found, frequency polling within the first input current frequency range using a set of polling frequencies in the first input current frequency range, and selecting as the charging frequency a polling frequency having a lowest input current. The first input current frequency range may be found by setting the first input current frequency range based on regulation, international electromagnetic frequency allotments, or prior experience with WPT between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil. A frequency range around the input current minima is selected to poll for a charging frequency that approximates the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A thin resonant induction wireless power transmission transfer coil assembly designed for low loss and ease of manufacturing includes one or more printed circuit boards having a first conductor pattern wound in a spiral on a first side and a second conductor pattern wound in a spiral on a second side thereof, where the second conductor pattern is aligned with the first conductor pattern whereby the second conductor pattern reinforces magnetic flux generated by the first conductor pattern. The first and second conductor patterns are placed relative to one another so as to provide flux transmission in a same direction. One or more of such printed circuit boards form a wireless power transmission coil assembly with a conductive winding layer, a ferrite flux diversion layer, conformal spacing layers, an eddy current shield layer and an assembly enclosure.

Abstract: Modular coil assemblies for wireless charging of vehicles have coil geometries and communications designed to limit electromagnetic field (EMF) levels in regions where humans or other living objects may be present. The modular coil assemblies are designed with the ability to shape the magnetic field to be predominately within shielding provided by the auto chassis by, for example, providing side-by-side phase cancellation or diagonal versus front-to-back (for 1×3, 2×3 array configurations) phase cancellation. The power levels and frequency offset pairwise compensation of the respective coils may be controlled to improve cancellation and thus to reduce magnetic field exposure potential. The phase cancellation of the magnetic flux density from respective coil assemblies varies over a range to provide, for example, ?50% cancellation at 125° offset and up to ?100% cancellation at 180°.

Abstract: A system and method for managing temperature internal to a Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) system for electric vehicles is provided. The thermal management system of the WPT system uses one or more of passive, semi-active, and active cooling approaches to manage the internal temperatures of the WPT system during a charging session. Improvements in thermal management allow for longer duration charging sessions and higher power charging sessions without the need to suspend charging for cool-down. Further, several different approaches to disguising and implementing the thermal management system in public spaces is also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage medium for improving the efficiency of charging an electric vehicle (EV) that follows a prescribed route. The efficiency of charging an electric vehicle is improved by receiving telemetry data from the EV, receiving charger data from a plurality of charges along the prescribed route, determining a charging plan for the EV based on a total cost per distance (TCD) of travel over each of the plurality of route segments that comprise the prescribed route and controlling a particular charger along the prescribed route to charge the EV according to the charging plan.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage medium for improving the efficiency of charging an electric vehicle (EV) that follows a prescribed route. The efficiency of charging an electric vehicle is improved by receiving telemetry data from the EV, receiving charger data from a plurality of charges along the prescribed route, determining a charging plan for the EV based on a total cost per distance (TCD) of travel over each of the plurality of route segments that comprise the prescribed route and controlling a particular charger along the prescribed route to charge the EV according to the charging plan.

Abstract: A magnetic inductive resonance charging circuit includes a resonant network having an inductive secondary coil that converts a magnetic field received from an inductive primary coil into an alternating current (AC) signal and a synchronous rectifier that rectifies the AC signal to generate a direct current (DC) signal for application to a load. The synchronous rectifier includes a variety of configurations for shunting the AC waveform of an AC current source in the event of a fault. For example, a rectifier controller may hold a pair of normally open switches of the rectifier off and a pair of normally closed switches of the rectifier on to shunt the AC current source when an over-voltage, over-current fault condition or an over-temperature fault condition is detected. Configurations are provided for grounding the capacitive electromagnetic interference produced in the chassis of an electric vehicle when the resonant network is unbalanced.

Abstract: Foreign objects impinging on a ground transceiver assembly (GTA) of a wireless power transfer (WPT) station are detected using a two-stage foreign object detection system. In a first stage, at least one camera is positioned to observe a charging position of the GTA and an area surrounding the charging position. In a second stage, an impedance measurement circuit measures an impedance of a wireless power transfer coil of the GTA. An imaging processor analyzes images from the at least one camera to identify changes or features indicative of introduction of a foreign object onto an exposed surface of the GTA or in the area surrounding the charging position. A foreign object detection (FOD) controller triggers an impedance inspection of the GTA by the impedance measurement circuit and initiates a failsafe operation when movement of an object crossing into or over the charging position is detected.

Abstract: A contactless battery system includes a sealable case, a battery unit disposed within the sealable case, and at least one wireless power transmission coupler connected to the battery unit and disposed within the sealable case. The battery unit includes an arrangement of serially connected battery cells in a fixed number of banks of battery cells to deliver a set voltage and current. The wireless power transmission coupler is disposed with respect to at least one face of the sealable case to enable magnetic inductive signaling for charging, discharging, and communication with the battery unit. A battery management controller communicates bidirectionally with the contactless battery systems and with electrically powered equipment to control charging. A distribution system manages distribution of the contactless battery systems to a plurality of depots adapted to store, charge, or exchange depleted contactless battery systems under control of at least one management unit.

Abstract: A traffic queue having at least one charging lane including a plurality of ground-side wireless charging assemblies installed in the ground and spaced to permit at least two vehicles to be simultaneously charged by wireless power transfer is used to charge electric vehicles. During charging, the vehicle is aligned with a first ground-side wireless charging assembly in the at least one charging lane and charged using the first ground-side wireless charging assembly in a first charging session. The vehicle is then advanced to a second ground-side wireless charging assembly and aligned with the second ground-side wireless charging assembly and charged using the second ground-side wireless charging assembly in a second charging session. A time-ordered sequence of messaging is provided between the first and second ground-side wireless charging assemblies and a vehicle-side wireless charging assembly to control providing power and billing for the first and second charging sessions.

Abstract: An air-cooled subsurface vault houses a wireless power transfer charger for charging electric vehicles. The vault includes a cavity that receives the wireless power transfer charger and includes an air space around the wireless power transfer charger. At least two grates are positioned on respective sides of the wireless power transfer charger to enable bi-directional air-flow between the surface and the air space around the wireless power transfer charger. A temperature control element is further provided to regulate a temperature within the cavity and the at least two grates. The temperature control element may further include a heat exchanger positioned within the air space of the vault. Each grate is further adapted to act as an inlet or an outlet for the heat exchanger. A controller may be used to control operation of the heat exchanger to control venting duration and a direction of air flow in the cavity.

Abstract: A charging system for charging a battery includes a rectifier that rectifies power received from an AC power source into a DC signal for charging the battery and an arc detection circuit that measures noise added to the DC signal and generates a measured noise signal. A processor analyzes the measured noise signal to detect a series-arc and, when a series-arc is detected, causes a shunt of the AC current of the rectifier for a period of time to reduce a DC output of the rectifier toward zero. A passive arc detection circuit is inserted between the rectifier and the battery and includes a filter capacitor and a sense resistor in parallel with a smoothing capacitor. A voltage across the sense resistor is amplified, digitized, and outputted as the measured noise signal. The DC signal may be scanned to obtain the measured noise signal in different frequency windows.

Abstract: A contactless battery system includes a sealable dustproof and waterproof case that houses a battery unit and at least one wireless power transmission coupler connected to the battery unit. The at least one wireless power transmission coupler is disposed with respect to at least one face of the sealable case to enable magnetic inductive signaling for charging, discharging, and communication with the battery. Without physical contacts, the battery is inherently safe since voltage and current are not available to the touch. The lack of physical contacts also means that contact wear is eliminated and the battery modules have the benefit of inherent galvanic isolation. Since the battery system is sealed, internal intrusion detection systems may be used to detect improper attempts at battery changes or attacks on the electronics containing the usage and charging records in an attempt to increase the battery unit's value on the secondary battery market.

Abstract: A full duplex, low latency, near field data link controls a resonant induction, wireless power transfer system for recharging batteries. In an electric vehicle embodiment, an assembly is aligned with respect to a ground assembly to receive a charging signal. The vehicle assembly includes one or more charging coils and a first full duplex inductively coupled data communication system that communicates with a ground assembly including one or more charging coils and a second full duplex inductively coupled data communications system. The charging coils of the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly are selectively enabled based on geometric positioning of the vehicle assembly relative to the ground assembly for charging. As appropriate, the transmit/receive system of the ground assembly and/or the vehicle assembly are adjusted to be of the same type to enable communication of charging management and control data between the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly during charging.