Abstract: An apparatus for charging a battery, the apparatus including a first power transfer coupling arranged to selectively couple to the battery to charge at a high power transfer rate and a second power transfer coupling arranged to selectively couple to the battery to charge at a lower power transfer rate, wherein the second power transfer coupling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery, wherein power is transferred to the pickup pad from a charging pad by inductive power transfer.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer (IPT) pick-up circuit has a full-wave rectifier (D1-D4) coupled to a resonant circuit (L1 C1) and adapted to rectify an AC current received from the resonant circuit. A pair of inductors (L2 L3) are provided, being arranged to couple the rectifier to an output (VLoad) of the pick-up circuit and alternately store and release energy to the output.

Abstract: A power supply system including a distribution transformer connected to a supply grid and supplying a plurality of remote electric loads over a supply network, measuring means for measuring total power transferred between the grid and loads through the transformer, and control signal generation means to signal some of the loads to switch off in response to determining that the measured power transfer exceeds a maximum set point in order to limit the peak power transferred through the transformer.

Abstract: The present application relates to the detection of moving vehicles and other objects, in particular though not exclusively for the application of switching stationary charging pads for moving electric vehicle charging. There is provided an electric vehicle detecting apparatus for switching a charging pad for charging a vehicle transmitting a locating signal, the apparatus comprising two sensors separated in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and a detector arranged to detect the vehicle by comparing the locating signals received by each of the two sensors.

Abstract: A demand side electric power supply management system is disclosed. The system comprises an islanded power system having a point of coupling to a supply grid. The islanded power system supplies a plurality of electric loads, each of which is associated with a load controller to control the maximum power demanded by that load. A measuring means associated with the point of coupling measures the total power transfer between the grid and the islanded system, and a system controller monitors the measured power transfer relative to a set point and provides a control signal to a plurality of load controllers. Each load controller receives substantially the same control signal and determines the maximum power which each load associated with the load controller is allowed to draw from the islanded power system based on information contained in the control signal.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer (IPT) control method is disclosed for controlling the output of an IPT pick-up. The invention involves selectively shunting first and second diodes of a diode bridge to selectively rectify an AC current input for supply to a load, or recirculate the AC current to a resonant circuit coupled to the input of the controller. By controlling the proportion of each positive-negative cycle of the AC input which is rectified/recirculated, the output is regulated. Also disclosed is an IPT controller adapted to perform the method, an IPT pick-up incorporating the IPT controller, and an IPT system incorporating at least one such IPT pick-up.

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: A demand side electric power supply management system is disclosed. The system comprises an islanded power system having a point of coupling to a supply grid. The islanded power system supplies a plurality of electric loads, each of which is associated with a load controller to control the maximum power demanded by that load. A measuring means associated with the point of coupling measures the total power transfer between the grid and the islanded system, and a system controller monitors the measured power transfer relative to a set point and provides a control signal to a plurality of load controllers. Each load controller receives substantially the same control signal and determines the maximum power which the or each load associated with the load controller is allowed to draw from the islanded power system based on information contained in the control signal.

Abstract: A demand side electric power supply management system is disclosed. The system comprises an islanded power system having a point of coupling to a supply grid. The islanded power system supplies a plurality of electric loads, each of which is associated with a load controller to control the maximum power demanded by that load. A measuring means associated with the point of coupling measures the total power transfer between the grid and the islanded system, and a system controller monitors the measured power transfer relative to a set point and provides a control signal to a plurality of load controllers. Each load controller receives substantially the same control signal and determines the maximum power which the or each load associated with the load controller is allowed to draw from the islanded power system based on information contained in the control signal.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer pad for transmitting wireless power to a wireless power receiver separable from the inductive power transfer pad. The inductive power transfer pad includes a coil having at least one turn of a conductor in a first layer and a plurality of ferromagnetic slabs arranged in a second layer substantially parallel to that of the coil, the ferromagnetic slabs being arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another about the coil with their lengths extending across a longitudinal length of the coil.

Abstract: The present application relates to the detection of moving vehicles and other objects, in particular though not exclusively for the application of switching stationary charging pads for moving electric vehicle charging. There is provided an electric vehicle detecting apparatus for switching a charging pad for charging a vehicle transmitting a locating signal, the apparatus comprising two sensors separated in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and a detector arranged to detect the vehicle by comparing the locating signals received by each of the two sensors.

Abstract: Inductive power transfer flux coupling apparatus includes a first coil arranged in a first layer and configured to generate or receive a magnetic coupling flux in a flux coupling region, and a second coil.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer apparatus may be used for producing or receiving a magnetic field for inductive power transfer. The apparatus has a central coil and two end coils, one of the end coils being provided at each end of the central coil. Some turns of each of the end coils are on one side of the central coil and the remaining turns are on the other side. The end coils act to weaken or cancel flux on one side of the central coil and guide magnetic flux through the central coil to provide an arch shaped flux pattern beyond the apparatus on the other side of the central coil.

Abstract: A circuit for energizing a magnetic flux coupling apparatus has a pick-up coil for receiving power inductively, a storage capacitor for storing energy from the received power, and an inverter for supplying electrical energy from the storage capacitor to the magnetic flux coupling apparatus. The circuit allows power transfer to a load to be supplied by the flux coupling apparatus to exceed the power received from the pick-up.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a battery, the apparatus including a first power transfer coupling arranged to selectively couple to the battery to charge at a high power transfer rate and a second power transfer coupling arranged to selectively couple to the battery to charge at a lower power transfer rate, wherein the second power transfer coupling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery, wherein power is transferred to the pickup pad from a charging pad by inductive power transfer.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer (IPT) control method is disclosed for controlling the output of an IPT pick-up. The invention involves selectively shunting first and second diodes of a diode bridge to selectively rectify an AC current input for supply to a load, or recirculate the AC current to a resonant circuit coupled to the input of the controller. By controlling the proportion of each positive-negative cycle of the AC input which is rectified/recirculated, the output is regulated. Also disclosed is an IPT controller adapted to perform the method, an IPT pick-up incorporating the IPT controller, and an IPT system incorporating at least one such IPT pick-up. (FIG.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer (IPT) pick-up circuit has a full-wave rectifier (D1-D4) coupled to a resonant circuit (L1 C1) and adapted to rectify an AC current received from the resonant circuit. A pair of inductors (L2 L3) are provided, being arranged to couple the rectifier to an output (VLoad) of the pick-up circuit and alternately store and release energy to the output.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus includes first means for selectively coupling the battery to a high power electrical supply and second means for selectively coupling the battery to a lower power electrical supply, wherein the second means for coupling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery. Power is transferred to the pickup pad from a charging pad by inductive power transfer.

Abstract: This invention relates to current-fed resonant inverters for electrical power applications to change direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). One application of the invention is to power supplies for inductive power transfer (IPT) systems. There is provided a resonant inverter including an input for supply of current from a DC power source, a resonant circuit including two coupled inductive elements and a tuning capacitance, the inductive elements being arranged to split current from the power source; a first switching means comprising two switching devices operable in substantially opposite phase to alternately switch current from the power source into the inductive elements; and a second switching means to selectively switch one or more control capacitances into or out of the resonant circuit dependent on a power factor of the resonant circuit.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer apparatus suitable for producing a magnetic field for inductive power transfer is disclosed. The apparatus has three or more coils arranged such that when energized with a power source, magnetic fields produced by each coil augment each other on a first surface and substantially weaken each other on a second surface. The first and second surfaces have an obverse relationship to each other. Also disclosed is a roadway inductive power transfer module suitable for producing a magnetic field for inductive power transfer to a vehicle using the roadway, and an Inductive power transfer apparatus suitable for receiving a magnetic field for inductive power transfer.