Foreign object detection system and method suitable for source resonator of wireless energy transfer system
First Claim
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 toreceive 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; and
control an electric current provided to the source resonator when the foreign object is detected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A system to detect a foreign object proximate to a source resonator, said system comprising:
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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; and control an electric current provided to the source resonator when the foreign object is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A controller for a system configured to detect that a foreign object is 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, and 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, said controller configured to receive visible light image data from the camera;
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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; and control an electric current provided to the source resonator when the foreign object is detected.
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Specification