Method of multi-coil operation and optimization

• US 9,142,990 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2013
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Keeling, Nicholas A., Beaver, Jonathan, Huang, Chang-Yu
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/745,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20140203769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 320107-109, 320127-139, 320/141
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/122 Circuits or methods for driving the primary coil, e.g. supplying electric power to the coil
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/126 Methods for pairing a vehicle and a charging station, e.g. establishing a one-to-one relation between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/36 by positioning the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/38 specially adapted for charging by inductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/39 with position-responsive activation of primary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/12 Remote or cooperative charging

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer and particularly wireless power transfer to remote systems such as electric vehicles. In one aspect, a system comprises substantially co-planar first and second receiver coils. The system further comprises a third receiver coil. The system further comprises a controller configured to determine a current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, a current of the third receiver coil, and a duty cycle of the wireless power transfer receiver device. The controller is configured to enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils, the third receiver coil, or the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil based on a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, the current of the third receiver coil, and the duty cycle.

Claims

1. A wireless power transfer receiver device for controlling a current supplied to a battery, comprising:

a first receiver coil;

a second receiver coil, the first and second receiver coils substantially co-planar;

a third receiver coil, the co-planar first and second receiver coils collectively positioned substantially central to the third receiver coil, the first, second, and third receiver coils configured to electrically connect to a load; and

a controller comprising a sensor, the controller configured to determine a current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, a current of the third receiver coil, and a duty cycle of a power signal received by the wireless power transfer receiver device using the sensor, the controller further configured to enable;

the co-planar first and second receiver coils to supply first current to the load,

the third receiver coil to supply second current to the load, or

the co-planar first and second receiver coils to supply the first current to the load and the third receiver coil to supply the second current to the load based on at least one of a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils with the current of the third receiver coil or a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils with the duty cycle,

wherein the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil, and the third receiver coil are implemented in the wireless power transfer receiver for wireless power transfer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is greater than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to enable the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is greater than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to enable the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value, if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, and if a ratio of the current of the third receiver coil over the duty cycle is greater than the first threshold value.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value, if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, and if a ratio of the current of the third receiver coil over the duty cycle is less than the first threshold value.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein a wireless power transfer transmitter configured to transmit power wirelessly to the wireless power transfer receiver device comprises a transmitter coil arranged in a rectangular base configuration, and wherein the transmitter coil is aligned with the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil within an operational band.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to enable one of the co-planar first and second receiver coils or the third receiver coil.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein a wireless power transfer transmitter configured to transmit power wirelessly to the wireless power transfer receiver device comprises first and second transmitter coils arranged in a double base configuration, and wherein the first and second transmitter coils are aligned with the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil within an operational band.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to enable the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the wireless power transfer transmitter is further configured to determine the duty cycle and transmit the duty cycle to the wireless power transfer receiver device.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second controller configured to limit an amount of current generated by at least one of the co-planar first and second receiver coils or the third receiver coil.

14. A method for controlling a current supplied to a battery, the method comprising:

determining a current of co-planar first and second receiver coils, a current of a third receiver coil, and a duty cycle of a power signal received by a wireless power transfer receiver device using a sensor, the co-planar first and second receiver coils collectively positioned substantially central to the third receiver coil; and

enabling the co-planar first and second receiver coils to supply first current to a load, the third receiver coil to supply second current to the load, or the co-planar first and second receiver coils to supply the first current to the load and the third receiver coil to supply the second current to the load based on at least one of a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils with the current of the third receiver coil or a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils with the duty cycle,

wherein the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil, and the third receiver coil are implemented in a device that is used for wireless power transfer.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising enabling the co-planar first and second receiver coils if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is greater than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising enabling the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is greater than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising enabling the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value, if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, and if a ratio of the current of the third receiver coil over the duty cycle is greater than the first threshold value.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising enabling the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising enabling the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value, if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, and if a ratio of the current of the third receiver coil over the duty cycle is less than the first threshold value.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving power wirelessly transmitted by a wireless power transfer transmitter, the wireless power transfer transmitter comprising a transmitter coil arranged in a rectangular base configuration, wherein the transmitter coil is aligned with the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil within an operational band.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising enabling one of the co-planar first and second receiver coils or the third receiver coil.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving power wirelessly transmitted by a wireless power transfer transmitter, the wireless power transfer transmitter comprising first and second transmitter coils arranged in a double base configuration, and wherein the first and second transmitter coils are aligned with the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil within an operational band.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising enabling the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising enabling the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving the duty cycle from the wireless power transfer transmitter, wherein the wireless power transfer transmitter is configured to determine the duty cycle.

26. The method of claim 14, further comprising limiting an amount of current generated by at least one of the co-planar first and second receiver coils or the third receiver coil.

27. An apparatus for controlling a current supplied to a battery, the apparatus comprising:

means for determining a current of co-planar first and second receiver coils, a current of a third receiver coil, and a duty cycle of a power signal received by a wireless power transfer receiver device, the co-planar first and second receiver coils collectively positioned substantially central to the third receiver coil; and

means for enabling the co-planar first and second receiver coils to supply first current to a load, the third receiver coil to supply second current to the load, or the co-planar first and second receiver coils to supply the first current to the load and the third receiver coil to supply the second current to the load based on at least one of a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils with the current of the third receiver coil or a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils with the duty cycle,

wherein the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil, and the third receiver coil are implemented in the apparatus for wireless power transfer.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for enabling the co-planar first and second receiver coils if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is greater than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for enabling the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is greater than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for enabling the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value, if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, and if a ratio of the current of the third receiver coil over the duty cycle is greater than the first threshold value.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for enabling the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for enabling the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value, if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, and if a ratio of the current of the third receiver coil over the duty cycle is less than the first threshold value.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising means for limiting an amount of current generated by at least one of the co-planar first and second receiver coils or the third receiver coil.

34. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the means for determining comprises a current sensor, and wherein the means for enabling comprises an electric vehicle controller.

35. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to:

determine a current of co-planar first and second receiver coils, a current of a third receiver coil, and a duty cycle of a power signal received by a wireless power transfer receiver device using a sensor, the co-planar first and second receiver coils collectively positioned substantially central to the third receiver coil; and

enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils to supply first current to a load, the third receiver coil to supply second current to the load, or the co-planar first and second receiver coils to supply the first current to the load and the third receiver coil to supply the second current to the load based on at least one of a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils with the current of the third receiver coil or a comparison of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils with the duty cycle,

wherein the first receiver coil, the second receiver coil, and the third receiver coil are implemented in the apparatus for wireless power transfer.

36. The medium of claim 35, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is greater than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

37. The medium of claim 35, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to enable the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is greater than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

38. The medium of claim 35, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to enable the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value, if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, and if a ratio of the current of the third receiver coil over the duty cycle is greater than the first threshold value.

39. The medium of claim 35, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value and if the current of the third receiver coil is less than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils.

40. The medium of claim 35, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to enable the co-planar first and second receiver coils and the third receiver coil if a ratio of the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils over the duty cycle is less than a first threshold value, if the current of the third receiver coil is greater than the current of the co-planar first and second receiver coils, and if a ratio of the current of the third receiver coil over the duty cycle is less than the first threshold value.

41. The medium of claim 35, further comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to limit an amount of current generated by at least one of the co-planar first and second receiver coils or the third receiver coil.