Abstract: Embodiments include devices and methods for maintaining control of a robotic vehicle when control signals from a main controller are lost. A detector circuit may monitor signals from the main controller to an electronic speed controller (ESC) to detect a loss of valid control signals. The detector circuit may cause an auxiliary controller to begin issuing motor control signals to the ESC in response to detecting a loss of valid control signals. The auxiliary controller may be configured to issue motor control signals to the ESC according to a pre-loaded set of motor control instructions. The pre-loaded set of motor control instructions may be received from the main controller and/or may be configured to cause the auxiliary controller to issue motor control signals to the ESC that control motors in a manner that causes the robotic vehicle to enter a safe mode of operation or execute a particular maneuver.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a passive flux bridge for charging electric vehicles. These systems and methods include a mobile apparatus including mobility components and a material with high magnetic permeability and electrical resistivity. In aspects, the mobility components, e.g., wheels or continuous track, are configured to enable movement of the apparatus and positioning of the apparatus proximate to a vehicle power-transfer apparatus of an electric vehicle. The magnetically permeable and electrically resistive material, e.g., ferrite, is configured to passively channel magnetic flux between a base power-transfer system and the vehicle power-transfer system to wirelessly charge a battery of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a passive flux bridge for charging electric vehicles. These systems and methods include a mobile apparatus including mobility components and a material with high magnetic permeability and electrical resistivity. In aspects, the mobility components, e.g., wheels or continuous track, are configured to enable movement of the apparatus and positioning of the apparatus proximate to a vehicle power-transfer apparatus of an electric vehicle. The magnetically permeable and electrically resistive material, e.g., ferrite, is configured to passively channel magnetic flux between a base power-transfer system and the vehicle power-transfer system to wirelessly charge a battery of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that implements ultrasonic power transmission with impedance detection. In an example aspect, the apparatus includes an array of ultrasonic transducers and an acoustic-impedance detection system. The acoustic-impedance detection system is configured to transmit an ultrasonic detection pulse from an ultrasonic transducer of the array. Based on the ultrasonic detection pulse, the acoustic-impedance detection system can determine an acoustic impedance at the ultrasonic transducer. Based on the acoustic impedance, the acoustic-impedance detection system can transmit an ultrasonic charging signal.

Abstract: Embodiments include devices and methods for maintaining control of a robotic vehicle when control signals from a main controller are lost. A detector circuit may monitor signals from the main controller to an electronic speed controller (ESC) to detect a loss of valid control signals. The detector circuit may cause an auxiliary controller to begin issuing motor control signals to the ESC in response to detecting a loss of valid control signals. The auxiliary controller may be configured to issue motor control signals to the ESC according to a pre-loaded set of motor control instructions. The pre-loaded set of motor control instructions may be received from the main controller and/or may be configured to cause the auxiliary controller to issue motor control signals to the ESC that control motors in a manner that causes the robotic vehicle to enter a safe mode of operation or execute a particular maneuver.

Abstract: Charging a medical implant is performed through the use of an external thermionic implant charging unit placed on the skin of the patient, proximate to the location where a subcutaneous thermionic implant is located. A voltage input can cause the thermionic implant charging unit to enter a warming or cooling phase in which the voltage creates a temperature gradient across a thermoelectric heat pump of the charging unit, causing the charging unit to respectively warm or cool the patient's skin. The thermionic implant can similarly have a thermoelectric heat pump, and the warming or cooling of the skin caused by the charging unit can create a temperature gradient across the thermoelectric heat pump of the thermionic implant, causing its thermoelectric heat pump to create a voltage. This voltage can be used to charge a battery of (and/or directly power) the thermionic implant.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein relate to an embedded measurement (EM) system arranged on a robotic vehicle. The EM system includes a processor and at least one sensor operatively coupled to the processor. Each of the at least one sensor is embedded in a respective subsystem of the robotic vehicle to measure telemetry data thereof while the robotic vehicle is in transit.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, systems, apparatus, media, and other implementations, including a method for wireless power transfer that includes operating a wireless power receiver in a default protection state in which charging or powering of a load coupled to the wireless power receiver is inhibited except upon detection of one or more safety charging conditions for safely charging the wireless power receiver, determining that a safety charging condition, of the one or more safety charging conditions, is met, and operating the wireless power receiver in a charging state at least in part in response to determining that the safety charging condition, of the one or more safety conditions, is met, with the wireless power receiver powering or charging the load while in the charging state and receiving power.

Abstract: An aspect of this disclosure is an apparatus for transmitting power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a detection circuit and a processor. The apparatus also includes a power amplifier driving an antenna circuit of flexible antenna(s) configured for wireless power transfer. The processor determines that at least one measured variable of the power amplifier falls outside of a corresponding threshold range, indicative of a deformation of a physical shape of one of the flexible antennas or indicative of misalignment of the flexible antennas from a power receiver. The processor further commands the power amplifier to transition to a first power mode from a second power mode based on the determination that at least one of the measured variables falls outside of the corresponding threshold range. The antenna circuit in the first power mode transmits power at a power level less than the power level in the second power mode.

Abstract: A wireless charging device includes: a base configured to be worn by a user; and a coil attached to the base and comprising an electrically conductive material shaped to produce a magnetic field to convey power wirelessly to a receiver in response to receiving power, the coil including multiple turns each having a turn length with at least one of the multiple turns having an adjustable turn length, the multiple turns being disposed along a common axis such that each of the multiple turns is disposed around the axis for the respective turn length of the turn.

Abstract: Techniques for acoustic power coupling for mobile audio devices are described. In one or more implementations, a mobile audio device includes a device speaker with a membrane that produces audio output for the mobile audio device, an amplification circuit electrically connected to the device speaker, and a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the amplification circuit. In response to a deformation of the membrane by a force supplied by a force generator, an alternating (AC) voltage is produced on the amplification circuit. The amplification circuit optionally amplifies the AC voltage and converts the AC voltage to a direct (DC) voltage. The amplification circuit applies the DC voltage to the rechargeable battery to recharge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a current sensor that senses current flow in a conductor by coupling a first magnetic field generated by the conductor to a sense element. The current sensor includes a shield including a first material that sandwiches the sense element to define a stack and a second material that sandwiches the stack. The shield is configured to generate a second magnetic field, responsive to a third magnetic field external to the current sensor that opposes the third magnetic field. The shield is further configured to prevent production of a magnetic field that opposes the first magnetic field generated by the flow of current in the conductor.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter that provides wireless power via a magnetic field includes electrical connections for a driving signal and a plurality of coupler loops that divide the current generated by the driving signal. The transmitter can be tuned to provide a distributed magnetic field that is more evenly distributed over the transmitter pad. The currents through different coupler loops can be controlled by the relative impedances of the coupler loops. The coupler loops can take on various shapes, such as substantially concentric circular paths and they may overlap. Impedances can be designed using one or more capacitances. Capacitance between coupler loops can be provided. Feed capacitors might be provided at the electrical connections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a current sensor that senses current flow in a conductor by coupling a first magnetic field generated by the conductor to a sense element. The current sensor includes a shield including a first material that sandwiches the sense element to define a stack and a second material that sandwiches the stack. The shield is configured to generate a second magnetic field, responsive to a third magnetic field external to the current sensor that opposes the third magnetic field. The shield is further configured to prevent production of a magnetic field that opposes the first magnetic field generated by the flow of current in the conductor.