Abstract: An apparatus for inductive power transfer (“IPT”) includes an active bridge section with input terminals that receive power from a constant current source, where the active bridge section operates at a fixed switching frequency, a primary resonant capacitor connected in series with an output terminal of the active bridge section, and a primary IPT coil connected in series with the primary resonant capacitor, where power is transferred wirelessly between the primary IPT coil and a secondary IPT coil, and the secondary IPT coil is connected in series with a secondary resonant capacitor, which is connected in series with an output rectifier section that receives power from the secondary IPT coil and comprising output terminals for connection to a load. The apparatus includes a controller that regulates output voltage to the load, where the controller regulates output voltage to the load by controlling switching of the active bridge section.

Abstract: An apparatus for inductive wireless charging for electric vehicles reinforced with non-conductive elements is disclosed. An apparatus includes a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad that includes at least one coil for wireless power transfer and a ferrite structure. The apparatus includes a solid material that the WPT pad is encased in. The apparatus includes at least one rigid member encased within the solid material. The at least one rigid member is configured to provide structural reinforcement to the solid material and/or WPT pad. The rigid member is non-metallic.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer pad for wireless power transfer with active field cancellation using multiple magnetic flux sinks includes a ferrite structure, a center coil positioned adjacent to the ferrite structure, and a plurality of side coils positioned around a perimeter of the center coil and positioned adjacent to the ferrite structure. A direction of current flow of the center coil is opposite a current flow in each of the plurality of side coils such that current flowing in a portion of the center coil adjacent to a portion of a side coil of the plurality of side coils is in a same direction as current in the portion of the side coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad heat management system includes a ferrite structure positioned adjacent to a coil configured to wirelessly transfer power. The apparatus includes a plurality of heat spreaders positioned along a length of a component of the ferrite structure. Each of the plurality of heat spreaders is non-metallic. The apparatus includes a trough shaped to surround at least a portion of each of the plurality of heat spreaders, wherein the trough is non-metallic. The apparatus includes a phase change material (“PCM”) in the trough where at least a portion of the heat spreaders extend into the PCM. The ferrite structure, coil, plurality of heat spreaders, trough and PCM are encased in a solid material, and each of the plurality of heat spreaders comprises a material that transfers heat from the component of the ferrite structure to the PCM.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an active bridge section with input terminals that receive power from a constant current source where the active bridge section operates at a fixed switching frequency. The apparatus includes a resonant section with a resonant inductor, a transformer and a resonant capacitor. The inductor is connected in series with a primary winding and the capacitor is connected in parallel with a secondary winding of the transformer. The resonant section is connected to an output of the active bridge section. The apparatus includes an output rectifier section that receives power from the resonant section and includes output terminals for connection to a load, and includes a controller that regulates output voltage to the load where the controller regulates output voltage to the load by controlling switching of the active bridge section. The fixed switching frequency of the active bridge section matches a resonant frequency of the resonant section.

Abstract: A power converter includes an unfolder with an input connection with three terminals that connect to a three-phase AC power source and that has an output connection with a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a neutral terminal. The unfolder unfolds the bipolar AC voltages into two unipolar piece-wise sinusoidal DC voltages offset from each other by a half of a period. The power converter includes a three-input converter that produces a DC voltage output across output terminals. The three-input converter includes a positive input connection connected to the positive terminal, a negative input connection connected to the negative terminal and a neutral input connection connected to the neutral terminal. The three-input converter includes switches that selectively connect a voltage to the positive, negative and neutral input connections across a primary transformer winding of a transformer. A secondary transformer winding is connected to the output terminals through a rectification section.

Abstract: An apparatus for inductive power transfer (“IPT”) includes an active bridge section with input terminals that receive power from a constant current source, where the active bridge section operates at a fixed switching frequency, a primary resonant capacitor connected in series with an output terminal of the active bridge section, and a primary IPT coil connected in series with the primary resonant capacitor, where power is transferred wirelessly between the primary IPT coil and a secondary IPT coil, and the secondary IPT coil is connected in series with a secondary resonant capacitor, which is connected in series with an output rectifier section that receives power from the secondary IPT coil and comprising output terminals for connection to a load. The apparatus includes a controller that regulates output voltage to the load, where the controller regulates output voltage to the load by controlling switching of the active bridge section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an active bridge section with input terminals that receive power from a constant current source where the active bridge section operates at a fixed switching frequency. The apparatus includes a resonant section with a resonant inductor, a transformer and a resonant capacitor. The inductor is connected in series with a primary winding and the capacitor is connected in parallel with a secondary winding of the transformer. The resonant section is connected to an output of the active bridge section. The apparatus includes an output rectifier section that receives power from the resonant section and includes output terminals for connection to a load, and includes a controller that regulates output voltage to the load where the controller regulates output voltage to the load by controlling switching of the active bridge section. The fixed switching frequency of the active bridge section matches a resonant frequency of the resonant section.

Abstract: A power converter apparatus includes a plurality of inverters where each inverter receives power from a separate DC voltage source. The apparatus includes a magnetic structure. The magnetic structure includes a primary winding for each inverter, where each primary winding is connected to an output a corresponding inverter and each primary winding is coupled to a magnetic core, and a single secondary winding coupled to one or more magnetic cores to which each primary winding is coupled. The apparatus includes a rectifier that receives an AC waveform from the secondary winding and that rectifies the AC waveform and is connected to a load at output terminals. The secondary winding includes a secondary bus and the one or more magnetic cores of the magnetic structure that are arranged to provide a pathway for the secondary winding that minimizes a length of the secondary winding.

Abstract: An apparatus for zero voltage switching includes a ZVS assist circuit connected between a switching node and a negative connection of a converter. The switching node is located between first and second switches of a switching leg of the converter. The converter is fed by a constant current source and feeds a constant current load. The ZVS assist circuit includes a ZVS inductance, a first ZVS switch that allows current through the ZVS inductance to change a voltage of the switching node to a condition for zero voltage switching of the first switch of the switching leg, and a second ZVS switch that allows current through the ZVS inductance to change the voltage of the switching node to a condition for zero voltage switching of the second switch of the switching leg. Current through the first ZVS switch is opposite current through the second ZVS switch.

Abstract: A power converter includes an unfolder with an input connection with three terminals that connect to a three-phase AC power source and that has an output connection with a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a neutral terminal. The unfolder unfolds the bipolar AC voltages into two unipolar piece-wise sinusoidal DC voltages offset from each other by a half of a period. The power converter includes a three-input converter that produces a DC voltage output across output terminals. The three-input converter includes a positive input connection connected to the positive terminal, a negative input connection connected to the negative terminal and a neutral input connection connected to the neutral terminal. The three-input converter includes switches that selectively connect a voltage to the positive, negative and neutral input connections across a primary transformer winding of a transformer. A secondary transformer winding is connected to the output terminals through a rectification section.

Abstract: An apparatus for zero voltage switching includes a ZVS assist circuit connected between a switching node and a negative connection of a converter. The switching node is located between first and second switches of a switching leg of the converter. The converter is fed by a constant current source and feeds a constant current load. The ZVS assist circuit includes a ZVS inductance, a first ZVS switch that allows current through the ZVS inductance to change a voltage of the switching node to a condition for zero voltage switching of the first switch of the switching leg, and a second ZVS switch that allows current through the ZVS inductance to change the voltage of the switching node to a condition for zero voltage switching of the second switch of the switching leg. Current through the first ZVS switch is opposite current through the second ZVS switch.

Abstract: A power supply includes an active bridge section with input terminals that receive power from a constant current source where the active bridge section operates at a fixed switching frequency. The power supply includes a resonant section with a resonant inductor and a resonant capacitor. The resonant section is connected to an output of the active bridge section. The power supply includes an output rectifier that receives power from the resonant section and includes output terminals for connection to a load and a controller that regulates output current to the load where the controller regulates output current to the load by controlling switching of the active bridge section. The fixed switching frequency of the active bridge section matches a resonant frequency of the resonant section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes power blocks. Each power block includes converter modules. Each converter module includes a positive and a negative bidirectional converter and a battery module. The bidirectional converters are connected to the battery module and outputs are connected in parallel. Paralleled positive bidirectional converters are connected in series between a positive connection and a neutral connection and the paralleled negative bidirectional converters of each power block are connected in series between the neutral connection and a negative connection. A DC-link controller controls a positive output voltage between the positive and neutral connections to follow a positive voltage reference and controls a negative output voltage between the neutral and negative connections to follow a negative voltage reference.

Abstract: A power transmitter module is disclosed. In embodiments, a power transmitter module includes a module LC input filter configured to receive regulated DC current, a module transmitter circuit configured to receive the regulated DC current from the module LC input filter and generate a high-frequency AC current. A power transmitter module further includes a module transmitter coil and compensation circuit comprising a transmitter coil, and a first capacitor in parallel with the transmitter coil. The module transmitter coil and compensation circuit are configured to receive the high-frequency AC current from the module transmitter circuit and generate a time-varying magnetic field emitted from the transmitter coil. Additionally, a power transmitter module further includes a module controller configured to receive a power transmission input signal and further configured to control a state of the module transmitter circuit based on the power transmission input signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure covers apparatuses and associated methods for embedding a wireless power transfer coil in concrete. In embodiments, a wireless power inductor pad embedded in concrete includes a wireless power inductor pad comprising a first and second layer of continuously strung stranded wire, each layer arranged in a circular pattern. The first layer is positioned above the second layer such that the stranded wire of the first layer is offset vertically from the stranded wire of the second layer by a vertical wire-to-wire distance. Additionally, the first layer is offset horizontally from the second layer such that the stranded wire of the first layer is offset horizontally from the stranded wire of the second layer by a horizontal wire-to-wire distance; the horizontal wire-to-wire distance being zero inches. Finally, concrete permeates between the first and second layers and between the stranded wires of each layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes power blocks. Each power block includes converter modules. Each converter module includes a positive and a negative bidirectional converter and a battery module. The bidirectional converters are connected to the battery module and outputs are connected in parallel. Paralleled positive bidirectional converters are connected in series between a positive connection and a neutral connection and the paralleled negative bidirectional converters of each power block are connected in series between the neutral connection and a negative connection. A DC-link controller controls a positive output voltage between the positive and neutral connections to follow a positive voltage reference and controls a negative output voltage between the neutral and negative connections to follow a negative voltage reference.

Abstract: A power supply includes an active bridge section with input terminals that receive power from a constant current source where the active bridge section operates at a fixed switching frequency. The power supply includes a resonant section with a resonant inductor and a resonant capacitor. The resonant section is connected to an output of the active bridge section. The power supply includes an output rectifier that receives power from the resonant section and includes output terminals for connection to a load and a controller that regulates output current to the load where the controller regulates output current to the load by controlling switching of the active bridge section. The fixed switching frequency of the active bridge section matches a resonant frequency of the resonant section.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed towards a solid state pumping system that utilizes an electric field applied across a channel formed within the solid state pump to move electro-rheological (ER) fluid from an inlet fluidly coupled to a first end of the channel to an outlet fluidly coupled to a second end of the channel. The solid state pumping system may include first, second and third plate with the second plate disposed between the first and third plate. The second plate may include a channel having first and second circuits coupled to opposing sides of the channel. In an embodiment, in response to a voltage applied thereto, the first and second circuits can provide an electric field voltage across the channel such that in response to the electric field voltage the ER fluid moves from the first end to the second end of the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for model predictive control (“MPC”) is disclosed. A method and system also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a measurement module that receives battery status information from one or more sensors receiving information from a battery cell, and a Kalman filter module that uses a Kalman filter and the battery status information to provide a state estimate vector. The apparatus includes a battery model module that inputs the state estimate vector and battery status information into a battery model and calculates a battery model output, the battery model representing the battery cell, and an MPC optimization module that inputs one or more battery model outputs and an error signal in a model predictive control algorithm to calculate an optimal response. The optimal response includes a modification of the error signal.