Abstract: Induction cooktops and operational methods are provided herein. A method of determining presence of compatible cookware on an induction cooktop can include receiving a request to heat the induction cooktop, controlling at least one switching device to induce a current within an assumed piece of cookware with an induction coil of the induction cooktop, sensing a voltage associated with the at least one switching device, the voltage being proportional to current flowing in the induction coil, determining that the sensed voltage includes one or more voltage spikes above a first threshold, and determining that the assumed piece of cookware is absent when the sensed voltage includes the one or more voltage spikes.

Abstract: An induction cooking appliance is provided herein. The induction cooking appliance may include an upper cooking surface, a power source, and a heating assembly in electrical communication with the power source. The power source may be configured to supply a power signal during heating operations. The heating assembly may include a first induction heating coil and a second induction heating coil. The first induction heating coil may be positioned below the upper cooking surface in electrical communication with the power source. The second induction heating coil may be positioned coaxial with the first induction heating coil below the upper cooking surface. The second induction heating coil may be disposed in electrical communication with the power source in non-series communication with the first induction heating coil.

Abstract: Systems and methods of quasi-resonant induction heating are provided. In particular, a method for evaluating the resonant frequency of a quasi-resonant induction cooking device can be provided. The method can include generating a startup pulse, receiving multiple feedback pulses from a resonant frequency feedback circuit, measuring a pulse width of each of the feedback pulses, calculating an average pulse width based upon the feedback pulses and determining the resonant frequency based at least in part on the average pulse width and a transfer function.

Abstract: Induction cooktops and operational methods are provided herein. A method of determining presence of compatible cookware on an induction cooktop can include receiving a request to heat the induction cooktop, controlling at least one switching device to induce a current within an assumed piece of cookware with an induction coil of the induction cooktop, sensing a voltage associated with the at least one switching device, the voltage being proportional to current flowing in the induction coil, determining that the sensed voltage includes one or more voltage spikes above a first threshold, and determining that the assumed piece of cookware is absent when the sensed voltage includes the one or more voltage spikes.

Abstract: An induction heating system with a plurality of resonant inverter tanks can be provided. The induction heating system can include a power source configured to supply power to the heating system and a plurality of parallel resonant inverter tanks in electrical connection with the power source. Each of the parallel resonant inverter tanks can include one or more parallel resonant capacitors, one or more parallel induction coils and one or more switches configured to disconnect each of the parallel resonant inverter tanks from the power source. The induction heating system can include a controller configured to perform operations, wherein the operations include determining when a cooking vessel is present at each induction coil and in response to determining that a cooking vessel is not present at a resonant inverter tank, operating the one or more switches such that the parallel resonant inverter tank is disconnected from the power source.

Abstract: Induction heating systems operational methods are provided herein. An induction heating system can include an induction heating coil operable to inductively heat a load with a magnetic field, a variable frequency inverter module supplying an alternating current to the induction heating coil, a current sensor for detecting a current through the induction heating coil and providing a current signal representative of said current, and a controller for controlling the frequency of the current to the induction heating coil and to condition the current signal to create a conditioned current signal. The controller is configured to determine a presence of a load on the induction heating coil and control a frequency of the current to the induction heating coil based on a comparison of the conditioned current signal to a pulse-width modulated waveform.

Abstract: An induction cooking appliance is provided herein. The induction cooking appliance may include an upper cooking surface, a power source, and a heating assembly in electrical communication with the power source. The power source may be configured to supply a power signal during heating operations. The heating assembly may include a first induction heating coil and a second induction heating coil. The first induction heating coil may be positioned below the upper cooking surface in electrical communication with the power source. The second induction heating coil may be positioned coaxial with the first induction heating coil below the upper cooking surface. The second induction heating coil may be disposed in electrical communication with the power source in non-series communication with the first induction heating coil.

Abstract: A method of operating an induction cooktop appliance includes supplying a power signal to an induction heating element of the induction cooktop appliance in response to a request received via a user input of the cooktop appliance. The method also includes detecting a current of the power signal supplied to the induction heating element and detecting a phase angle of the power signal supplied to the induction heating element. The method may further include determining a maximum current based on the detected phase angle, comparing the detected current to the determined maximum current, and modifying an operating parameter of the induction cooktop appliance when the detected current is greater than the determined maximum current.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing self-driven active AC rectification are provided. In particular, a power conversion system for providing self-driven active AC rectification can be provided. The system can include an input for receiving AC power, a first capacitor and a second capacitor electrically connected in series. The first and second capacitors can also be electrically connected in parallel with a rectifier's load. The system can include a low-side switching element and a shunt resistor electrically connected between the rectifier's load and a system ground. The power conversion system can also include a low-side feedback control loop configured to obtain a low-side feedback signal based on a voltage across the shunt resistor and the low-side feedback control loop can be further configured to control the low-side switching element based, at least in part, on the low-side feedback signal.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter includes a case including a base plate and a structure disposed on the base plate; and a transmitting coil having a three-dimensional spiral shape disposed on a side surface of the structure and configured to generate a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the structure.

Abstract: A coil structure may include a first coil wound on one plane, at least one second coil wound around the first coil, and at least one third coil wound around the first coil in a direction which is perpendicular to a winding direction of the at least one second coil.

Abstract: Systems and methods of quasi-resonant induction heating are provided. In particular, a method for evaluating the resonant frequency of a quasi-resonant induction cooking device can be provided. The method can include generating a startup pulse, receiving multiple feedback pulses from a resonant frequency feedback circuit, measuring a pulse width of each of the feedback pulses, calculating an average pulse width based upon the feedback pulses and determining the resonant frequency based at least in part on the average pulse width and a transfer function.

Abstract: An induction heating system with a plurality of resonant inverter tanks can be provided. The induction heating system can include a power source configured to supply power to the heating system and a plurality of parallel resonant inverter tanks in electrical connection with the power source. Each of the parallel resonant inverter tanks can include one or more parallel resonant capacitors, one or more parallel induction coils and one or more switches configured to disconnect each of the parallel resonant inverter tanks from the power source. The induction heating system can include a controller configured to perform operations, wherein the operations include determining when a cooking vessel is present at each induction coil and in response to determining that a cooking vessel is not present at a resonant inverter tank, operating the one or more switches such that the parallel resonant inverter tank is disconnected from the power source.

Abstract: A wireless power receiver includes a resonance circuit, a power receiver, and a data transmitter. The power receiver is configured to control the resonance circuit to receive wireless power. The data transmitter is configured to control the resonance circuit to transmit data.

Abstract: Systems and methods of quasi-resonant induction heating are provided. In particular, an induction heating system having quasi-resonant inverters in an induction cooktop for improved controllability of multi-channel quasi-resonant inverters. The inverter can include an induction heating coil configured to inductively heat a load with a magnetic field, and a power supply circuit configured to supply a power signal to the induction heating coil. The inverter can further include one or more switching elements. The inverter can further include a resonant capacitor coupled in parallel with the induction heating coil. The inverter can further include having separate rectifiers in each channel to improve controllability.

Abstract: Systems and methods of quasi-resonant induction heating are provided. In particular, a method for evaluating a switching duration for zero-voltage switching of a quasi-resonant inverter in an induction cooktop can be provided. The quasi-resonant inverter can include a power supply circuit configured to supply a power signal to the induction heating coil. The quasi-resonant inverter can further include an induction heating coil configured to inductively heat a load with a magnetic field, a resonant capacitor connected to the induction heating coil and one or more switching elements.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include a transmitting core; a transmitting coil provided on the transmitting core and transmitting power wirelessly; and a magnetic body provided on the transmitting core and allowing a virtual line which is normal to a surface of the magnetic body to form an acute angle with the transmitting core.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter is electromagnetically coupleable to a receiving coil of a wireless power receiver to provide power wirelessly and includes a substantially planar transmitting core. A transmitting coil has a plurality of windings and is disposed on a surface of the transmitting core. The transmitting core may extend beyond the transmitting coil in a planar direction.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter includes a controller configured to output a control signal in response to detected light, and a power transmitting circuit which is configured to wirelessly radiate power in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A power transmitting coil structure and a wireless power transmitting apparatus including the same are provided. The power transmitting coil includes a first coil which is wound to have a circular or polygonal shape and at least one sub coil positioned within the first coil. A magnetic field region formed by the first coil is different from a magnetic field region formed by the at least one sub coil.