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Method and apparatus for controlling stray electromagnetic fields and providing operator feedback when aligning a vehicle with an inductive charging system

  • US 9,739,641 B2
  • Filed: 04/06/2016
  • Issued: 08/22/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling stray electromagnetic fields for a vehicle with an inductive charging system including a stationary primary coil, a secondary coil mounted to the vehicle, and at least one alignment coil assembly including at least three assembly coils, each assembly coil having a longitudinal axis and oriented orthogonally to a plane defined by the longitudinal axes of two other assembly coils, said alignment coil assembly being arranged in the vicinity of said secondary coil, comprising the steps of:

  • (a) providing sensors for detecting the voltage induced in each assembly coil by a magnetic field generated by the primary coil to determine the position of the primary coil relative to the position of the secondary coil;

    (b) providing feedback to the vehicle operator to guide the alignment of the secondary coil relative to the primary coil;

    (c) biasing the feedback so as to modify a shape and size of an alignment zone; and

    (d) directing the vehicle operator to position the secondary coil within the modified alignment zone so as to control the stray electromagnetic fields.

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