Abstract: A magnetic flux pad for generating or receiving magnetic flux has two pole areas (11, 12), a permeable core (14) and a coil (16) wound about the core. The pad allows useable flux to be generated at a significant height above a surface of the pad.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically tuning reactive power in an inductive power transfer system are disclosed. The system comprises a first plurality of coils operably coupled to a respective ferromagnetic material, configured to receive wireless power via the ferromagnetic material from a power source. The system further comprises a plurality of switches configured to selectively control power received by certain of the first plurality of coils. The system further comprises a second plurality of coils configured to receive current from respective ones of the first plurality of coils and deliver wireless power to a wireless power receiver. The system further comprises at least one control unit configured to selectively activate the switches. The switches may be set to provide power from the power source to a portion of the plurality of the second coils or selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load of the power source.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting charging power wirelessly to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a first coupler having a first reactance at an operating frequency and configured to wirelessly receive power from a power source, the first coupler wound on a ferromagnetic core. The apparatus comprises a first capacitor having a second reactance at the operating frequency and electrically connected in series with the first coupler, the second reactance having a magnitude equal to a magnitude of the first reactance. The apparatus comprises a second capacitor electrically connected in parallel across the first coupler and the first capacitor. The apparatus comprises a first base coupler configured to be electrically connected in parallel across the second capacitor via a first switch. A magnitude of a peak voltage across the second capacitor is proportional to a magnitude of a peak voltage induced in the first coupler at the operating frequency.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for power converters and particularly power converters for wireless power transfer to remote systems such as electric vehicles. In one aspect, the disclosure provides an electronic power supply. The electronic power supply includes at least first and second half-bridge circuitries. The first half-bridge circuitry includes semiconductor material of a first type. The second half-bridge circuitry of the H-bridge includes semiconductor material of a second type. The first semiconductor material type is different from the second semiconductor material type.

Abstract: A magnetic flux pad for receiving or generating magnetic flux. The pad includes two pole areas (11, 12) associated with a magnetically permeable core 14. Coils 17 define the pole areas. The pad allows useable flux to be generated at a significant height above a surface of the pad.

Abstract: Dynamic wireless charging systems may involve coordinating multiple charging base pads to provide coordinated, continuous power transfers to a moving receiver along the distance in which the dynamic wireless charging system is installed. The layout and design of the charging base pads, the current flow through the charging base pads, and the sequencing of charging base pad activation and current flow implemented may dramatically affect the power transfers and practicality of such dynamic systems. The sequencing and control of these coils may need to be capable of managing the individual coils with minimal infrastructure as well as be capable of distributing the required power from the power grid to these pads efficiently and safely, and may comprise charging base pads, controllers to control the power flow to, activation of, and current flow direction within the base pads.

Abstract: Dynamic systems may require a large number of coils (charging pads) which may be installed into the roadway to wirelessly provide power to electric vehicles as they are traveling along the roadway. The current in each of these coils may need to be turned on and off as a vehicle drives over the coils in order to efficiently utilize power and properly convey power to the passing vehicles. The supply network behind these coils may need to be capable of managing the individual coils with minimal infrastructure and cost as well as be capable of distributing the required power from the power grid to these pads efficiently and safely. The supply network may include charging coils, switches, local controllers, and distribution circuitry within a modular element, which may receive power from external sources and may be controlled by a central controller.

Abstract: Dynamic wireless charging systems may involve coordinating multiple charging base pads to provide coordinated, continuous power transfers to a moving receiver along the distance in which the dynamic wireless charging system is installed. These dynamic systems may require a large number of coils (base pads) which may be components in base array networks (BAN modules). The BAN modules may provide for simplified installation and system design wherein the BAN modules may be preassembled and self-contained, drop-in-place units. The layout and design of the BAN modules may be such that they may contain charging base pads, local controllers, distribution circuitry, and switching controls. The sizing of the BAN modules may dramatically affect the usability and practicality of such dynamic systems. The sizing of the BAN modules may be dependent upon the pitch between vehicle pads on electric vehicles and base pad pitch within the BAN modules.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for wirelessly charging an electric vehicle. In one aspect, a method of wirelessly charging an electric vehicle is provided. The method includes, obtaining a request from the electric vehicle for a level of charging power to be delivered from a power transmitter to the electric vehicle via a charging field. The method further includes controlling a current or voltage of the power transmitter based on a power efficiency factor and the requested level of charging power.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer and particularly wireless power transfer to remote systems such as electric vehicles. In one aspect, a system comprises substantially co-planar first and second receiver coils. The system further comprises a third receiver coil. The system further comprises a controller configured to determine a current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, a current of the third receiver coil, and a duty cycle of the wireless power transfer receiver device. The controller is configured to enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils, the third receiver coil, or the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil based on a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, the current of the third receiver coil, and the duty cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with particular embodiments provide for alignment of an electric vehicle induction coil with a base system induction coil through a determination of the phase of a base system induction coil current signal. In certain embodiments, an electric vehicle induction coil that receives a transmission signal can be determined to be in greater alignment with a base system induction coil that transmits the transmission signal as the phases of the current signals at the base system induction coil and the electric vehicle induction coil converge. One embodiment includes a method of receiving wireless power, including detecting a transmission signal in a wireless power transmission, the transmission signal comprising periodic variations between a first frequency and a second frequency. The method further includes determining a phase of a base system induction coil signal based on the detected transmission signal.

Abstract: A primary resonant network for a wireless power transfer has a primary winding capable of being energised to provide a magnetic field, and a reactive component selected to constrain the reactive loading on a power supply which energises the primary resonant network. The reactive component is selected dependent on a given variation in inductance or capacitance of the primary resonant network and a given variation in inductance or capacitance of a secondary resonant network coupled to the primary resonant network.

Abstract: A magnetic flux pad for receiving or generating magnetic flux. The pad includes two pole areas (11, 12) associated with a magnetically permeable core 14. Coils 17 define the pole areas. The pad allows useable flux to be generated at a significant height above a surface of the pad.

Abstract: One aspect provides a wireless power transmitter. The wireless power transmitter includes a transmit antenna configured to generate a field for wireless transmit power in both a first and second configuration. The wireless power transmitter further includes a first capacitor. The wireless power transmitter further includes at least one switch configured to selectively connect the first capacitor in one of the first and second configuration. The first capacitor can be in series with the transmit antenna in the first configuration and in parallel with the transmit antenna in the second configuration.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for receiving charging power wirelessly are described herein. One implementation may include an apparatus for receiving charging power wirelessly from a charging transmitter having a transmit coil. The apparatus comprises a receiver communication circuit, coupled to a receive coil and to a load. The receiver communication circuit is configured to receive information associated with at least one characteristic of the charging transmitter. The apparatus further comprises a sensor circuit configured to measure a value of a short circuit current or an open circuit voltage associated with the receive coil. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to compare the value of the short circuit current or the open circuit voltage to a threshold charging parameter set at a level that provides charging power sufficient to charge the load.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer and particularly wireless power transfer to remote systems such as electric vehicles are disclosed. In one aspect an induction coil is provided comprising a plurality of substantially co-planar coils formed from one or more lengths of conducting material, each length of conducting material being electrically connectable at each end to a power source or battery, and wherein at least one of the lengths of conducting material is continuously wound around two or more of the coils. In another aspect, a method is provided for forming such an induction coil. In yet another aspect, a switching device is operable to alter the configuration of the coils, for example in response to a detected characteristic of another induction coil or device coupled thereto.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for connecting and operating an AC source to a load. In one aspect a power supply topology is provided which may be of particular use in the area of wireless power transfer. The topology allows for a single source to energize one or more conductive structures configured to generate a field, improving power transfer to a power receiver.

Abstract: One aspect provides an apparatus configured to receive wireless charging power and wired charging power. The apparatus includes a first rectifier configured to receive wired charging power and to provide a first rectified output. The apparatus further includes a second rectifier configured to receive wireless charging power and to provide a second rectified output. The apparatus further includes a power-factor correction (PFC) module configured to receive the first and second rectified outputs, and further configured to provide a power-factor corrected output. The apparatus further includes an isolated DC-DC converter configured to receive the power-factor corrected output and to provide an isolated DC output. The apparatus further includes and a battery configured to receive the isolated DC output.

Abstract: A power receiver is configured to supply current to a load and to be wirelessly operatively coupled to a power transmitter and includes a plurality of inductive elements. The power receiver further includes a circuit operatively coupled to the plurality of inductive elements and is configured to be selectively switched among a plurality of coupling states. The circuit is further configured to be selectively switched such that each inductive element has a reactance state of a plurality of reactance states. The power receiver further includes a controller configured to select the coupling state and to select the reactance state of each inductive element based on one or more signals indicative of one or more operating parameters of at least one of the power receiver and the power transmitter.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for power converters and particularly power converters for wireless power transfer to remote systems such as electric vehicles. In one aspect, the disclosure provides an electronic power supply. The electronic power supply includes at least first and second half-bridge circuitries. The first half-bridge circuitry includes semiconductor material of a first type. The second half-bridge circuitry of the H-bridge includes semiconductor material of a second type. The first semiconductor material type is different from the second semiconductor material type.