FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTION IN WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER SYSTEMS
First Claim
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 first detector comprising one or more loops of conductive material, wherein the first detector is configured to generate an electrical signal based on a magnetic field between the power source and the power receiver;
a second detector comprising conductive material; and
control electronics coupled to the first and second detectors, wherein during operation of the system, the control electronics are configured to;
measure the electrical signal of the first detector;
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;
measure an electrical signal of the second detector, wherein the electrical signal of the second detector is related to a capacitance of the second detector; and
compare the measured electrical signal of the second detector to baseline electrical information for the second detector to determine information about whether a living object is positioned between the power source and the power receiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
70 Claims
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1. A wireless power transfer system, comprising:
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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 first detector comprising one or more loops of conductive material, wherein the first detector is configured to generate an electrical signal based on a magnetic field between the power source and the power receiver; a second detector comprising conductive material; and control electronics coupled to the first and second detectors, wherein during operation of the system, the control electronics are configured to; measure the electrical signal of the first detector; 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; measure an electrical signal of the second detector, wherein the electrical signal of the second detector is related to a capacitance of the second detector; and compare the measured electrical signal of the second detector to baseline electrical information for the second detector to determine information about whether a living object is positioned between the power source and the power receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method, comprising:
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measuring an electrical signal generated by a first detector comprising one or more loops of conductive material positioned between a power source and a power receiver in a wireless power transfer system; comparing the measured electrical signal generated by 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; measuring an electrical signal generated by a second detector comprising conductive material, wherein the electrical signal of the second detector is related to a capacitance of the second detector; and comparing the measured electrical signal generated by the second detector to baseline electrical information for the second detector to determine information about whether a living object is positioned between the power source and the power receiver. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. An apparatus for detecting debris and living objects, the apparatus comprising:
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a first detector comprising one or more loops of conductive material, wherein the first detector is configured to generate an electrical signal based on a magnetic field between a power source and a power receiver of a wireless power transfer system; a second detector comprising conductive material; and control electronics coupled to the first and second detectors, wherein during operation of the wireless power transfer system, the control electronics are configured to; measure the electrical signal of the first detector; 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 of the wireless power transfer system; measure an electrical signal of the second detector, wherein the electrical signal of the second detector is related to a capacitance of the second detector; and compare the measured electrical signal of the second detector to baseline electrical information for the second detector to determine information about whether a living object is positioned between the power source and the power receiver of the wireless power transfer system.
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Specification