Foreign object detection in wireless energy transfer systems

摘要

The disclosure features apparatus, methods, and systems for wireless power transfer that include a power source featuring at least one resonator, a power receiver featuring at least one resonator, a first detector featuring one or more loops of conductive material and configured to generate an electrical signal based on a magnetic field between the power source and the power receiver, a second detector featuring conductive material, and control electronics coupled to the first and second detectors, where during operation, the control electronics are configured to measure the electrical signal of the first detector and compare the measured electrical signal of the first detector to baseline electrical information for the first detector to determine information about whether debris is positioned between the power source and the power receiver.

主权项

1. A wireless power transfer system, comprising:
a power source comprising at least one resonator; a power receiver comprising at least one resonator, wherein the power receiver is configured to receive electrical power transmitted wirelessly by the power source; a detector positioned between the power source and the power receiver, wherein the detector is configured to generate an electrical signal based on a magnetic field between the power source and the power receiver; and control electronics coupled to the power source and detector, wherein the control electronics are configured to:
activate the power source to generate a magnetic field between the power source and the power receiver;measure the electrical signal of the detector; anddetermine whether debris is positioned between the power source and the power receiver by comparing baseline information to the measured electrical signal,wherein the baseline information comprises information about an electrical signal generated by the detector when no debris is positioned between the power source and the power receiver; andwherein the control electronics are configured to compare the baseline information to the measured signal by determining mean and covariance matrices for the baseline information and determining whether debris is positioned between the power source and the power receiver based on the mean and covariance matrices.