Fabrication Techniques for Manufacturing Flexible Coils on Textiles for Inductive Power Transfer

Nowadays, near-field wireless power transfer is realized by inductive or capacitive coupling. Power transmission is respectively accomplished by a time-varying magnetic or electric field as medium. Recently, mixed or hybrid near-field wireless power transfer is being developed as a possible mean to increase the power density of the system by utilizing both the magnetic and the electric near-field. The fundamental basics of mixed coupling are well understood. However, the implications of the mixed coupling theory on wireless power transfer applications is not rigorously described. Moreover, no general description is available that allows for a detailed comparison between current hybrid systems, especially for a series topology of inductive and capacitive coupling. In this work, we analytically solve a general mixed wireless power transfer configuration with series topology. We determine the optimal load to maximize the amount of power transfer and calculate the maximum achievable output power. The analytical derivation is validated by numerical simulation in SPICE. Our solution provides insight in the mixed wireless link and can serve as a reference point to evaluate the performance of mixed systems with regard to power transfer.

ABSTRACTFlux pipe couplers are compact coils used in wireless power transfer (WPT) applications. The first part of this paper investigates the effect number of sub-coils on the magnetic characteristics. Flux pipe couplers with more than two sub-coils exhibit higher coupling coefficient as compared to traditional flux pipe couplers with two sub-coils. Furthermore, multi sub-coil flux pipe couplers better distribute the magnetic flux inside the core, making them attractive in high power applications. The second part presents an experimental WPT system employing multi sub-coil flux pipe couplers with three sub-coils. More than 82% power transfer efficiency is observed when couplers are separated with 100 mm vertical gap. Lateral misalignments up to 200 mm are then applied, and meantime, the separation between sub-coils is varied for achieving maximum efficiency. A near-constant efficiency is obtained up to 150 mm misalignment. Therefore, this paper announces another potential use of flux pipe couplers realizing an adaptive WPT system.

Recent research in wireless power transfer (WPT) using resonant inductive coupling has demonstrated very high efficiencies at large distances compared to the transmitting element dimensions, thereby increasing the number of potential applications of WPT. Since resonant inductive coupling is a very multidisciplinary field of research, different approaches have been proposed to predict the behaviour of these systems from the physical theory of resonators (coupled-mode theory) and circuit theory. Although the equivalence of these models for a point-to-point link has already been studied together with the performance metrics Power Transferred to the Load (PTL) and Power Transfer Efficiency (PTE), the new challenges and applications of this technology emphasize the necessity of analytical models to predict and assess the behavior of Multiple Input - Multiple Output (MIMO) links. In this article we revisit the current analytical models from the MIMO perspective, derive the analytical equations for the equivalent performance metrics PTE and PTL and demonstrate how to maximize them in a non-radiative resonant wireless power transfer link from a circuit-centric point of view, providing design guidelines in terms of optimal source and load impedances. This work concludes with a prospective discussion on open challenges of WPT. © 2014 IEEE.

This book is the first systematic exposition on the emerging domain of wireless power transfer in ad hoc communication networks. It selectively spans a coherent, large spectrum of fundamental aspects of wireless power transfer, such as mobility management in the network, combined wireless power and information transfer, energy flow among network devices, joint activities with wireless power transfer (routing, data gathering and solar energy harvesting), and safety provisioning through electromagnetic radiation control, as well as fundamental and novel circuits and technologies enabling the wide application of wireless powering. Comprising a total of 27 chapters, contributed by leading experts, the content is organized into six thematic sections: technologies, communication, mobility, energy flow, joint operations, and electromagnetic radiation awareness. It will be valuable for researchers, engineers, educators, and students, and it may also be used as a supplement to academic courses on algorithmic applications, wireless protocols, distributed computing, and networking.

Maximum power transfer and maximum efficiency are two important design constraints in wireless power transfer applications. Several works have investigated the proper load and impedance match conditions to optimize either efficiency or power transfer. In this paper we show that the optimal load for maximum power transfer and maximum efficiency is the same (a conjugate matched load) when the source resistance is zero. This is important, as many WPT systems have a relatively low, unknown source impedance. Since the optimal load for both efficiency and power is the same as the source impedance approaches zero, the designer can use a bi-conjugate load for a near optimal design for both maximum power and efficiency. As the source impedance becomes significant, the bi-conjugate matched system provides higher power, but at the expense of lower efficiency. Maximum efficiency is achieved with a non-bi-conjugate load, when the source impedance is non-negligible.

The power transfer efficiency of magnetic-resonance coupled wireless power transfer (WPT) systems is sensitive to the alignment of coils. In this paper, a novel multi-coil WPT system is proposed to enhance power transfer efficiency. It can overcome the misalignment problem and maintain high power transfer efficiency. The proposed coil loop structure can provide a strong magnetic resonance coupling between the Tx and Rx coils. There are four induvial resonators applied in the system and it demonstrates that at least a pair of coupled resonators in several misaligned conditions could realize high power transfer efficiency over a misaligned distance. The experimental results show that the proposed multi-loop WPT system can achieve 90.2% peak efficiency when the coils are well aligned. Mean-while, this WPT system maintains over 70% efficiency over a misalignment distance from 0 to 55 mm, which is about 66% of the length of the Rx board. The proposed WPT system could be used either in implant devices for biomedical healthcare and treatment or for electric vehicles charging systems.

The use of resonant magneto-inductive links is an efficient technique to transfer power over midranges in the field of wireless power transfer (WPT). Power transfer efficiency (PTE) and power delivered to the load (PDL) are two important indicators of power transmission for a WPT system. A predetermined amount of PDL need be generated at maximum PTE for practical application in a WPT system; thus, the authors focus on maximising PTE and a predetermined amount of PDL for transfer in this study. First, load-matching conditions are presented for maximum PTE transfer though circuit theory-based analyses. Then, a new tuning method is proposed to transfer a predetermined amount of PDL which can be controlled by source-matching distance at maximum PTE. The relations between the loss of a load-matching resonator and the PTE (or PDL) of a correspondingly unmatched system are derived though analyses as well. Finally, the calculated results of the design examples are verified through electromagnetic simulations and experimental measurements.

The electromagnetic Halbach array (EHA) for wireless power transfer (WPT), designed to improve the transferred power and power transfer distance, has been proven to be effective and can be applied in various consumer applications. This paper presents a hybrid form of the EHA, aimed at improving the quality of power generated and transmitted. The expression for the determination of the magnetic field of a variable pitch flat coil for wireless power transfer and other uses has been derived. The average magnetic field, magnetic flux, and power transfer efficiency are investigated. The power transfer efficiency and the average magnetic field generated by four different design considerations were compared. The hybrid electromagnetic Halbach array wireless power transfer system (HEHA‐WPTS) has also been studied and results are compared with the conventional arrangements. Simulations and experiments were carried out to verify the analytical results obtained. According to the results obtained, the HEHA‐WPTS, with a base coil with variable pitches and uniform side coils, produces a more uniform average magnetic field and a better average power transfer efficiency over a longer power transfer distance.

Since the concept of wireless power transfer has been proposed and implemented by Tesla over a hundred years ago, it has obtained lots of breakthroughs and applied in many potential fields especially in implantable biomedical devices [1–2]. The implantable biomedical devices are surgically introduces into the human body to rebuild body function, achieve a better quality of life, and expand longevity. With the development of microelectronics, biotechnology, and materials, the industry of implantable biomedical devices grows up quickly. The researches show that in America 8% to 10% of the people have experienced an implantable medical device, while in industrialized countries 5% to 6% of population have consumption demand in implantable medical devices. How to provide a constant power supply, for implantable medical devices, becomes a restricted problem. In order to guarantee the implanted medical devices to work normally, the energy storage or harvesting components should be included in these devices. In the traditional implantable medical devices, there are two ways to provide power for the devices. The common method is the implantable batteries are used to be as a power supply, and the other method is to transfer the power in vitro to the devices with the lead wires through the skin. For implantable batteries, their lifetime, size and toxic composition will lead to potential hazard to the patients. The transcutaneous wires, as well, will bring infection and reliability problems. In order to address above problems, the technology of wireless power transfer is used in the biomedical devices. The system has two parts in which one part including power supply and the transmitter coil is placed outside the patients’ body, and the other part including the receiver coil is placed in the patients’ body. For this system, the receiver coil should be limited as small as possible and the power transfer efficiency should be as high as possible. Different from the traditional two-coil wireless power transfer system, a novel three-coil system is proposed in this paper. In the novel system, there are two rectangular transmitter coils and one circular receiver coil. To obtain the maximum power transfer efficiency, the system is optimal designed according to the following step as shown in Fig. 1. Firstly, the size and the geometry of the receiver coil are determined. A circular coil with a radius of 10mm is chosen as the receiver coil. Secondly, the distribution of the magnetic field generated by the rectangular coil is analyzed based on the Biot-Savart’s law. Then the relationship between the distance and the magnetic field intensity will be obtained and expressed as a formula according to the analysis result. Finally, the above formula is chosen as the optimization constrains and the power transfer efficiency is chosen as the optimization objective function. After the optimal designing, the optimal parameters of the transmitter coils are obtained and verified through the experimental system as shown in Fig. 2. The power transfer distance is about 30cm, and the power received by the receiver coil can achieve about 5W. The detailed results will be given in the full paper.

This article presents a simultaneous wireless power and data transfer (SWPDT) system based on double-sided inductor-capacitor-capacitor compensation topology and frequency-shift keying. A simplified method to analyze the power transfer, data transfer, and interference between them is proposed. To obtain higher data transfer gain and lower bit error rate, the data injection and extraction transformers are optimized. A laboratory prototype was built to verify the correctness of the analysis and the methodology. The proposed SWPDT system is less susceptible to interference between the power and data transfer. This is experimentally proven by high signal-to-noise ratio of 47 dB in the worst case. The power transfer efficiency is 90.5% under nominal conditions, and the data rate is 150 kb/s. The proposed system is robust against coupling variations, with effective data transfer even though the coupling coefficient is decreased by 95.3%.

This paper introduces a single-phase bidirectional AC-AC Matrix type converter for wireless power transfer (WPT) applications. The proposed converter converts mains 50 Hz alternating current (AC) directly to high frequency 85 kHz AC without an intermediate direct current (DC) conversion stage. A minimum cost realization of only two bidirectional AC switches comprised each of two semiconductor device and one gate drive signal is employed. The converter operation modes are quantum energy injection and circulating self-oscillation. Elimination of the DC link introduces a sag in the power transfer during the zero crossing of input AC mains, which is well documented in literature. A novel H-bridge buffer structure is introduced which eliminates the power sag by storing energy during mains peak and delivering energy during the zero-crossing period. The converter operates with inherent zero current switching, thus achieving a low switching loss and electro-magnetic interference. The control feature ensures that the converter can be used for both static and dynamic wireless charging applications. The bidirectional power transfer capability ensures that the system can operate in both grid to vehicle (G2V) and vehicle to grid (V2G) power transfer modes. The proposed converter design is analyzed analytically and verified through thorough simulation study.

Wireless power transfer (WPT) systems can potentially provide simultaneous power and data transfer for Internet-of-Things devices, such as smart speakers, glasses, and watches. However, due to the high quality factor of coils, the intrinsically narrow WPT channel bandwidth severely limits the data transmission capability of the system, especially for data downloading links requiring higher data rates. In addition, the channel bandwidth varies with power transfer distances, which is also undesirable for wireless communication. In this study, the channel features of a two-coil series-series matching magnetic resonance wireless power and data transfer (MWPDT) system, including the bandwidth and the roll-off slope are characterized analytically. Based on the characterization results, a receiver front-end circuit with a three-stage cascaded equalizer (EQ) is proposed and implemented to extend the bandwidth of a MWPDT system at different distances. The proposed EQ can provide a frequency response with a variable roll-up slope from 10 to 45 dB/dec to compensate for the distance-dependent channel response of an MWPDT system. A complete MWPDT system is built and tested to verify the performance of the proposed method. Experimental results demonstrate that the data rates can be extended from 650, 500, and 350 kbps to 850, 700, and 650 kbps at 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6-m distances, respectively. The highest data rate extension ratio is 85% at a transmission distance of 0.6 m, which is 2.4 times the radii of the coil employed in the system.

The power transfer and efficiency in Wireless power transfer (WPT) system depends on coupling coefficient between coupled coils. Coil structure plays an important role in transferring power through magnetic coupling. This paper proposed a new coil structure for WPT systems. The 3D model of proposed coil structure has been developed in Ansys Maxwell and its performance in terms of coupling coefficient(k), Mutual inductance(M) and misalignment tolerance has been compared to existing coil structures (circular, square, double DD). The coupling coefficient and misalignment tolerance of proposed coil structure has been found to be higher than others with same size and same number of turns. Output power transfer and efficiency hasalso been plotted for different coil separation in PSIM simulations.

A technique for wireless power transfer (WPT) efficiency improvement by a proper design of the excitation waveform is presented. This improvement is obtained on the one hand by a combined‐harmonics excitation, and on the other hand by exploiting multiple‐resonance coupled resonators. In contrast to wireless communications, there is no constraint on the linearity of the transmitter and receiver in a WPT system. Therefore, the impact of the excitation waveform on the power transfer efficiency with the help of an analytical model is investigated. An optimum excitation waveform is determined to maximise the power transfer efficiency. Thereafter, the authors concentrate on designing a multiple‐resonance coupled resonator system that is consistent with the determined excitation waveform. This work introduces a non‐uniform spiral resonator for controlling the self‐resonant frequencies, which is consistent with the required excitation waveform. The performance of the designed coupled resonators is then evaluated using a 3D finite‐element method and experiments. The numerical simulation and experimental results are in good agreement, verifying the validity of our design.

In this article, we propose a new antenna geometry for near-field magnetoelectric wireless power transfer (ME-WPT) application, where the antenna geometry is found to be resilient to misalignment between the receiving and the transmitting antennas. The proposed geometry is simple to fabricate and is planar, and therefore it can be easily integrated with various platforms suitable for wearable applications. The proposed structure is demonstrated to show improved WPT efficiency under different forms of misalignment between the transmitting and receiving antennas by the virtue of miniaturization and the fringing fields. Specifically, a central bar structure is added in the traditional loop antenna to provide dipole-like and miniaturized performance. Concurrently, a discontinuity in the loop is introduced to enable fringing fields beyond the aperture of the antenna. Investigations are conducted to conclude that a superiority in the performance is associated with these fringing fields. Design-optimization, simulation, and measurement investigations are conducted to estimate the WPT performance under various forms of misalignment. Notably, the proposed structure shows an increase as high as 65% in power transfer efficiency within the range of misalignment considered in this work.