Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for multi-phase coil control in power transfer systems. One example power transfer device generally includes a plurality of coils configured to generate at least one charging field, the plurality of coils comprising a first coil and a second coil, and a controller configured to identify that a coupling factor between the first coil and a third coil, which is external to the power transfer device, is at or below a threshold, and to adjust, based on the identification, one or more parameters associated with a current applied to the first coil to transfer power from the first coil to the second coil.

Abstract: In certain aspects, methods and systems for controlling power transfer at a wireless power receiver are disclosed. In certain aspects, a method includes determining a duty cycle of a DC-DC converter of the wireless power receiver. The method further includes determining a duty cycle limit for an AC switching controller based on the determined duty cycle. The method further includes determining an operational duty cycle for the AC switching controller. The method further includes comparing the operational duty cycle to the duty cycle limit. The method further includes adjusting at least one of a desired voltage and current input to the DC-DC converter when the operational duty cycle is greater than the duty cycle limit.

Abstract: In certain aspects, methods and systems for converting DC power to AC power by a wireless power receiver are disclosed. Certain aspects provide a wireless power receiver including a resonant circuit. The wireless power receiver includes a first switching circuit coupled to the resonant circuit, the first switching circuit configured to act as an inverter and generate a first signal, based on an output from a battery, at a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit, the first signal having an envelope at a first frequency. The wireless power receiver includes a second switching circuit coupled to the resonant circuit that is configured to bias the second switching circuit at the resonant frequency in response to the first signal, wherein the second switching circuit is configured to act as a rectifier and is configured to extract the envelope to generate a second signal at half of the first frequency.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for multi-phase coil control in power transfer systems. One example power transfer device generally includes a plurality of coils configured to generate at least one charging field, the plurality of coils comprising a first coil and a second coil, and a controller configured to identify that a coupling factor between the first coil and a third coil, which is external to the power transfer device, is at or below a threshold, and to adjust, based on the identification, one or more parameters associated with a current applied to the first coil to transfer power from the first coil to the second coil.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a ferrite arrangement that mitigates dimensional-tolerance effects on performance of a wireless charging pad, such as a WEVC pad. These systems and methods include a power-transfer structure having ferrite bars arranged to form ferrite strips in a staggered pattern to provide a path for magnetic flux induced by a magnetic field. The staggered pattern includes a series of ferrite strips that alternate defined starting-point locations at opposing sides of the power-transfer structure. Ending-point locations of the ferrite strips are not defined, but are based on an accumulation of lengthwise dimensional tolerances of the ferrite bars used to form the ferrite strips. Using the staggered pattern in a base power-transfer structure defines a coupling range for coupling with a vehicle power-transfer structure and a range limit for associated magnetic field emissions by the base power-transfer structure.

Abstract: A magnetic flux pad (BPP) is provided for generating or receiving magnetic flux. The pad may be used with an inductive power transfer system, and comprises a magnetically permeable core (4) and two substantially flat overlapping coils (2, 3) magnetically associated with the core (4). The coils (2, 3) are arranged so that there is essentially no mutual coupling between them.

Abstract: In certain aspects, methods and systems for controlling power transfer at a wireless power receiver are disclosed. In certain aspects, a method includes determining a duty cycle of a DC-DC converter of the wireless power receiver. The method further includes determining a duty cycle limit for an AC switching controller based on the determined duty cycle. The method further includes determining an operational duty cycle for the AC switching controller. The method further includes comparing the operational duty cycle to the duty cycle limit. The method further includes adjusting at least one of a desired voltage and current input to the DC-DC converter when the operational duty cycle is greater than the duty cycle limit.

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: In certain aspects, methods and systems for controlling power transfer at a wireless power receiver are disclosed. In certain aspects, a method includes determining a duty cycle of a DC-DC converter of the wireless power receiver. The method further includes determining a duty cycle limit for an AC switching controller based on the determined duty cycle. The method further includes determining an operational duty cycle for the AC switching controller. The method further includes comparing the operational duty cycle to the duty cycle limit. The method further includes adjusting at least one of a desired voltage and current input to the DC-DC converter when the operational duty cycle is greater than the duty cycle limit.

Abstract: In certain aspects, methods and systems for converting DC power to AC power by a wireless power receiver are disclosed. Certain aspects provide a wireless power receiver including a resonant circuit. The wireless power receiver includes a first switching circuit coupled to the resonant circuit, the first switching circuit configured to act as an inverter and generate a first signal, based on an output from a battery, at a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit, the first signal having an envelope at a first frequency. The wireless power receiver includes a second switching circuit coupled to the resonant circuit that is configured to bias the second switching circuit at the resonant frequency in response to the first signal, wherein the second switching circuit is configured to act as a rectifier and is configured to extract the envelope to generate a second signal at half of the first frequency.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed to apparatus and techniques for apparatus for wireless charging. The apparatus generally includes a first wireless charging element, and transmit circuitry coupled to the first wireless charging element and configured to supply power to the first wireless charging element to transmit a wireless charging field to a vehicle. In certain aspects, the apparatus also includes a controller coupled to the transmit circuitry and configured to determine a charging condition indicative of a speed of the vehicle, and adjust the power supplied to the first wireless charging element via the transmit circuitry based on the determination.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless-power receiver comprises: determining a first resonant frequency of a resonant circuit, of the wireless-power receiver, corresponding to a first time at which the wireless-power receiver is disposed at a first longitudinal offset from a power transmitter, the first longitudinal offset being relative to a length of a device containing the wireless-power receiver; determining a second resonant frequency of the resonant circuit, corresponding to a second time at which the wireless-power receiver is disposed at a second longitudinal offset from the power transmitter, the second longitudinal offset being relative to the length of the device containing the wireless-power receiver, and the first longitudinal offset being different from the second longitudinal offset; and determining a lateral misalignment of the wireless-power receiver relative to a wireless-power transmitter based on the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency.

Abstract: According to some implementations, an apparatus for transmitting charging power wirelessly to a load is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one ferrite structure comprising a first ferrite portion, a second ferrite portion comprising at least a first ferrite leg, a second ferrite leg, and a third ferrite leg, each physically separated from the first ferrite portion by a first distance, and a third ferrite portion positioned between the second ferrite leg and the first ferrite portion and physically contacting the second ferrite leg. The at least one ferrite structure further comprises a coil wound around the second ferrite leg and configured to generate an alternating current under influence of an alternating magnetic field.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure include an apparatus configured to and methods for the transfer of wireless power. The apparatus comprises a first coil enclosing a first area. The apparatus also comprises a second coil enclosing a second area different than the first area, the second coil positioned to be at least partially coplanar with the first coil. The apparatus further comprises a ferrite material and a third coil and a fourth coil each wound about the ferrite material, the third coil at least partially enclosed by the first coil and the fourth coil at least partially enclosed by the second coil.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed to apparatus and techniques for wirelessly charging a device. An exemplary method generally includes receiving, at a first wireless power transfer device, a synchronization signal indicative of a phase for generating a wireless charging field, determining an adjusted phase for generating the wireless charging field based, at least in part, on the received synchronization signal and one or more measurements taken at least one of the first wireless power transfer device or a second wireless power transfer device, wherein the one or more measurements are indicative of a phase difference between the first wireless power transfer device and the second wireless power transfer device, and generating, at the first wireless power transfer device, the wireless charging field with the adjusted phase.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that increase pad efficiency and robustness. These systems and methods balance magnetic flux density in ferrite strips in a WEVC pad to reduce heat produced in high-flux areas of the ferrite strips. Aspects include controlled spacing between ferrite strips of a WEVC pad and intentional gaps located within high-flux areas in the strips. The sizes of the intentional gaps are determined in relation to the size of the spacing between the strips. In addition, ribs are disposed between the strips and connected to a backplate to provide structural rigidity and robustness to the pad.

Abstract: A method of determining a value of a magnetic characteristic of a wireless-power receiver system includes: obtaining a first frequency indication of a first resonant frequency of a power reception circuit of the wireless-power receiver system corresponding to a power transmit circuit and the power reception circuit being in a first state having a first combined circuit configuration; obtaining a second frequency indication of a second resonant frequency of the power reception circuit corresponding to the combination of the power transmit circuit and the power reception circuit being in a second state having a second combined circuit configuration, the first combined circuit configuration differing from the second combined circuit configuration by at least one of component content or a value of at least one component; and using the first frequency indication and the second frequency indication to determine the value of the magnetic characteristic of the wireless-power receiver system.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes aspects of a vehicle-based beacon mode for wireless electric vehicle charging. In some aspects, a circuit for receiving wirelessly transferred power includes a coil connected to boost circuitry configured to convert received power to a form suitable for storage. The circuit also includes beacon circuitry connected to a voltage source that, in combination with portions of the boost circuitry, enables current to be driven into the coil to generate a beacon signal. Based on this beacon signal, a base charging unit can detect the presence of the circuit and initiate the wireless transmission of power to the circuit without additional out-of-band communication. Further, the beacon circuitry may be compatible with, or protected from, current of the received power such that the circuit can seamlessly transition from generating the beacon signal to converting the received power without active reconfiguration, synchronization, or state control.

Abstract: Techniques for wirelessly transferring energy to a vehicle are disclosed. An example method for wirelessly transferring energy to a vehicle according to the disclosure includes detecting a ripple frequency on a transmitter coil circuit, such that the ripple frequency is associated with a vehicle switch mode controller frequency of a switch mode controller in the vehicle, and providing an electrical current to a coil in the transmitter coil circuit based at least in part on the ripple frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a ferrite arrangement that mitigates dimensional-tolerance effects on performance of a wireless charging pad, such as a WEVC pad. These systems and methods include a power-transfer structure having ferrite bars arranged to form ferrite strips in a staggered pattern to provide a path for magnetic flux induced by a magnetic field. The staggered pattern includes a series of ferrite strips that alternate defined starting-point locations at opposing sides of the power-transfer structure. Ending-point locations of the ferrite strips are not defined, but are based on an accumulation of lengthwise dimensional tolerances of the ferrite bars used to form the ferrite strips. Using the staggered pattern in a base power-transfer structure defines a coupling range for coupling with a vehicle power-transfer structure and a range limit for associated magnetic field emissions by the base power-transfer structure.