Abstract: A transmitter for transferring power to a receiver of a wireless power transfer system is provided. The transmitter comprises a transmitter element and an inverter comprising a switched mode zero-voltage switching (ZVS) amplifier. The amplifier comprises a pair of circuits. The circuits comprise at least a transistor and at least a capacitor arranged in parallel. The circuits further comprise at least an inductor arranged in series with the transistor and capacitor. The amplifier further comprises a ZVS inductor electrically connected to the pair of circuits. The ZVS inductor operates as the transmitter element of the transmitter to transfer power to a receiver of a wireless power transfer system via magnetic field coupling. The transmitter may alternatively comprise a transmitter element, and an combined direct current/direct current (DC/DC) converter and inverter. The combined DC/DC converter and inverter comprises an amplifier comprising: a pair of circuits.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system is provided. The wireless power transfer system comprises a resonator comprising a capacitor. The capacitor comprises at least two active electrodes; and a passive electrode adjacent the active electrodes and configured to encompass the active electrodes to at least partially eliminate environmental influences affecting the active electrodes and to increase the overall capacitance of the system. The resonator further comprises at least one inductive coil electrically connected to the active electrodes, wherein the resonator is configured to extract power from a generated electric field via resonant electric field coupling.

Abstract: An overcurrent detection circuit for use in a transmitter of a wireless power transfer system is provided. The transmitter comprises a transmitter element for generating a field to transfer power to a receiver of a wireless power transfer system. The circuit is adapted to shut down a transmitter of a wireless power transfer system in response to a detected short circuit event. An overvoltage protection circuit for use in a receiver of a wireless power transfer system is also provided. The receiver comprises a receiver element for extracting power from a field generated by a transmitter of a wireless power transfer system, and a switching element electrically connected to the receiver element. The overvoltage protection circuit is adapted to electrically ground the switching element based on an overvoltage event.

Abstract: A rectifier for use in a receiver of a wireless power transfer system for receiving wireless power transferred for a transmitter of the wireless power transfer system. The rectifier comprises a field effect transistor (FET) comprising: a source terminal electrically connected to ground; a drain terminal electrically connected to a receive element of the receiver. The receive element is for extracting power from the transmitter of the wireless power transfer system. The FET further comprises a gate terminal electrically connected to the receive element. The gate terminal is driven by a gate signal in phase with an input signal received at the receive element.

Abstract: An auxiliary inverter for use with a main inverter of a transmitter of a wireless power transfer system comprises: a coupling element; an output network electrically connected to the coupling element; and an adjustable power source electrically connected to the coupling element via the output network, an input voltage to the coupling element based on a detected signal. The coupling element is configured to induce a voltage in the main inverter of the transmitter of the wireless power transfer system to manage reflected impedance at the main inverter. The induced voltage is based on the input voltage to the coupling element.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating at least one transmitter module of a wireless power transfer system. Each transmitter module comprises a plurality of transmitter elements arranged in a plurality of offset layers with one transmitter element per layer. The method comprises detecting a receiver at at least one transmitter element of the transmitter module. The method further comprises, in response to the detecting, generating a power signal to transfer power from a first transmitter element of the transmitter module to the detected receiver. The method further comprises causing a second transmitter element of the transmitter module to remain inactive during the transferring. Controller and further methods are also provided.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system is provided. The system comprises a transmitter comprising a transmitter resonator comprising a plurality of one-dimensional transmitter electrodes, and an inverter. The system further comprises a receiver comprising a receiver resonator comprising a plurality of one-dimensional receiver electrodes, and a rectifier. The inverter is electrically connected to each of the transmitter electrodes. The inverter is electrically connected at offset points on the transmitter electrodes. The rectifier is electrically connected to each of the receiver electrodes. The rectifier is electrically connected at offset points on the receiver electrodes.

Abstract: The system includes a power stage for inverting an inputted power signal and for rectifying a received power signal. The system includes a trigger circuit for synchronizing wireless power transfer; a clock generator for generating a clock signal; a switching element electrically connected to the power stage, and selectively electrically connected to the trigger circuit and the clock generator, such that when the switching element electrically connects the clock generator to the power stage, a transceiver element is configured to transfer power by generating an electric field and/or a magnetic field, and when the switching element electrically connects the trigger circuit to the power stage, the transceiver element is configured to extract power from a generated electric field and/or a generated magnetic field.

Abstract: A transmit resonator is provided. The transmit resonator comprises: two inductors; a switching network electrically connected to the inductors; a plurality of capacitive electrodes electrically connected to the switching network; a detector communicatively connected to the capacitive electrodes; and a controller communicatively connected to the switching network and the detector. The detector is configured to detect impedance. The controller is configured to control the switching network to control which electrodes are connected to the inductors based on the detected impedance. The inductors and electrodes are configured to resonate to generate an electric field.

Abstract: There is provided a method of wireless power transfer through a medium. The method comprises controlling an input voltage of an inverter of a transmitter of a wireless power transfer system based on a detected parameter. The method further comprises generating, via the transmitter, a field for transferring power wirelessly through a medium to a receiver of the wireless power transfer system based on the input voltage. Other methods are also provided. There is also provided a controller, system, and transmitter for wirelessly transferring power through a medium.

Abstract: There is provided a method of communicating between a receiver of a wireless power transfer system and a transmitter of the wireless power transfer system. The receiver comprises a synchronous rectifier. The method comprises modifying operation of a synchronous rectifier of a receiver of a wireless power transfer system. The method further comprises detecting a parameter change at a transmitter of the wireless power transfer system based on a modification of the operation of the synchronous rectifier. The method further comprises determining data communicated from the receiver to the transmitter based on the parameter change.

Abstract: A bidirectional wireless power transfer system for transferring power comprises a power stage electrically connected to a transceiver element for an electric field and/or a magnetic field, and for extracting power from a generated electric field and/or a generated magnetic field. The power stage is for inverting an inputted power signal and for rectifying a received power signal. The system further comprises a trigger circuit for synchronizing wireless power transfer; and a clock generator for generating a clock signal.

Abstract: Method and circuitry for controlling a transmitter and a receiver of a wireless power transfer system. There is provided transmitter control circuitry for controlling a duty cycle of an inverter of a transmitter of a wireless power transfer system based on detection of a load signal at the transmitter. There is further provided receiver control circuitry for controlling operation of a receiver of a wireless power transfer system, the circuitry modifying of the load at the input or output of a rectifier of a receiver of a wireless power transfer system to vary a load signal at the receiver. The transmitter control circuitry may control the duty cycle of the inverter based on detection of the load signal from the receiver.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement for a wireless power transfer system comprising a transmitter and a receiver for receiving electrical power from a transmitter is provided. The cooling arrangement comprises a housing arrangement for enclosing a receiver of a wireless power transfer system. The housing arrangement is adapted to provide a flow path between a cooling element powered by a transmitter of a wireless power transfer system or a power source for powering the transmitter, and the receiver.

Abstract: A load independent inverter comprises a switched mode zero-voltage switching (ZVS) amplifier. The switched mode ZVS amplifier comprising: a pair of circuits comprises: at least a transistor and at least a capacitor arranged in parallel; and at least an inductor arranged in series with the transistor and capacitor. The amplifier further comprises only one ZVS inductor connected to the pair of circuits; and at least a pair of capacitors connected to the ZVS inductor and arranged in series with at least an inductor and at least a resistor.

Abstract: A load independent inverter comprises a switched mode zero-voltage switching (ZVS) amplifier. The switched mode ZVS amplifier comprising: a pair of circuits comprises: at least a transistor and at least a capacitor arranged in parallel; and at least an inductor arranged in series with the transistor and capacitor. The amplifier further comprises only one ZVS inductor connected to the pair of circuits; and at least a pair of capacitors connected to the ZVS inductor and arranged in series with at least an inductor and at least a resistor.

Abstract: An alignment device comprises a coil configured to generate an induced voltage from a magnetic field, or an electrode configured to generate an induced voltage from an electric field. The alignment device further comprises a comparator configured to compare the induced voltage to a threshold voltage and activate an indicator based on the comparison.

Abstract: A transmit resonator is provided. The transmit resonator comprises: two inductors; a switching network electrically connected to the inductors; a plurality of capacitive electrodes electrically connected to the switching network; a detector communicatively connected to the capacitive electrodes; and a controller communicatively connected to the switching network and the detector. The detector is configured to detect impedance. The controller is configured to control the switching network to control which electrodes are connected to the inductors based on the detected impedance. The inductors and electrodes are configured to resonate to generate an electric field.

Abstract: An alignment device comprises a coil configured to generate an induced voltage from a magnetic field, or an electrode configured to generate an induced voltage from an electric field. The alignment device further comprises a comparator configured to compare the induced voltage to a threshold voltage and activate an indicator based on the comparison.

Abstract: A transmit resonator is provided. The transmit resonator comprises: two inductors; a switching network electrically connected to the inductors; a plurality of capacitive electrodes electrically connected to the switching network; a detector communicatively connected to the capacitive electrodes; and a controller communicatively connected to the switching network and the detector. The detector is configured to detect impedance. The controller is configured to control the switching network to control which electrodes are connected to the inductors based on the detected impedance. The inductors and electrodes are configured to resonate to generate an electric field.