FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD SUITABLE FOR SOURCE RESONATOR OF WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER SYSTEM

摘要

A system and method to detect a foreign object proximate to a source resonator that is part of a wireless energy transfer system. The wireless energy transfer system may be one used to wirelessly charge the batteries of an electric vehicle. Data from a visible light camera and a multiple zone temperature sensor are combined or fused to determine whether a foreign object, such a metallic object or an animal, is in the vicinity of, or in close proximity to, a source resonator. The system controls an electric current provided to the source resonator based on whether a foreign object is detected to reduce or inhibit energy emitted by the source resonator. The visible light camera may be a monochrome or color camera and the temperature sensor may be an infrared camera or a thermopile array.

主权项

1. A system to detect a foreign object proximate to a source resonator, said system comprising:
a visible light camera mounted so as to have a camera field of view that includes the source resonator, and configured to output image data indicative of visible light intensity detected by pixels in the camera; a multiple zone temperature sensor mounted so as to have a sensor field of view that includes the source resonator and is similar to the camera field of view, and configured to output thermal data indicative of a zone temperature for each of the multiple zones; and a controller in communication with the visible light camera and the multiple zone temperature sensor and configured to
receive visible light image data from the camera;determine an intensity map characterized as an array of intensity data cells;designate an intensity object on an area of the intensity map;receive the thermal data from the multiple zone temperature sensor;determine a thermal map characterized as an array of thermal data cells;designate a thermal object on an area of the thermal map;detect the foreign object when the intensity object and the thermal object intersect; andcontrol an electric current provided to the source resonator when the foreign object is detected.