Device alignment and identification in inductive power transfer systems
First Claim
1. A wireless power receiver comprising:
- a power receiving circuit configured to receive wireless power from a first electromagnetic field generated by first wireless power transmitter;
a controller configured to detect a presence of the first wireless power transmitter; and
a power supply configured to;
in response to the detected presence of the first wireless power transmitter, generate a second electromagnetic field by the power receiving circuit that induces a current in the first wireless power transmitter or in a second wireless power transmitter, causing the first wireless power transmitter or the second wireless power transmitter to determine a distance between the power receiving circuit and the first wireless power transmitter or the second wireless power transmitter based on a magnitude of the current, andreceive power during wireless power transfer from the first wireless power transmitter via the first electromagnetic field generated by the first wireless power transmitter.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 wireless power receiver includes a first inductive element, a power supply, and a communication receiver. The first inductive element is configured to receive wireless power from a first electromagnetic field generated by a wireless power transmitter including a second inductive element. The power supply is configured to supply a current to the first inductive element to generate a second electromagnetic field and induce a current in the second inductive element. The communication receiver is configured to receive an indication of a distance between the first inductive element and the second inductive element based on the induced current in the second inductive element.
34 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A wireless power receiver comprising:
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a power receiving circuit configured to receive wireless power from a first electromagnetic field generated by first wireless power transmitter; a controller configured to detect a presence of the first wireless power transmitter; and a power supply configured to; in response to the detected presence of the first wireless power transmitter, generate a second electromagnetic field by the power receiving circuit that induces a current in the first wireless power transmitter or in a second wireless power transmitter, causing the first wireless power transmitter or the second wireless power transmitter to determine a distance between the power receiving circuit and the first wireless power transmitter or the second wireless power transmitter based on a magnitude of the current, and receive power during wireless power transfer from the first wireless power transmitter via the first electromagnetic field generated by the first wireless power transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A wireless power transmitter comprising:
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a first inductive coil of a plurality of inductive coils configured to; generate a first electromagnetic field for transferring wireless power to a wireless power receiver, and generate a current in response to exposure to a second electromagnetic field generated by the wireless power receiver; and a processor configured to; detect the current in the first inductive coil induced by the second electromagnetic field generated by the wireless power receiver in response to a detected presence of the first inductive coil by the wireless power receiver, determine a distance between the first inductive coil and the wireless power receiver based on a magnitude of the current induced in the first inductive coil by the second electromagnetic field, determine, based on the determined distance, whether the first inductive coil and the wireless power receiver are aligned, and based on the determination whether the first inductive coil and the wireless power receiver are aligned, generate the first electromagnetic field via the first inductive coil for wireless power transfer to the wireless power receiver. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of operating a wireless power receiver, the method comprising:
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detecting, via a controller, a presence of a first wireless power transmitter configured to generate a first electromagnetic field; in response to the detected presence of the first wireless power transmitter, generating, via a power receiving circuit and a power supply, a second electromagnetic field that induces a current in the first wireless power transmitter or in a second wireless power transmitter, causing the first wireless power transmitter or the second wireless power transmitter to determine a distance between the power receiving circuit and the first wireless power transmitter or the second wireless power transmitter based on a magnitude of the current; and receive power, via the power receiving circuit, during wireless power transfer from the first wireless power transmitter via a second electromagnetic field generated by the first wireless power transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of operating a wireless power transmitter, the method comprising:
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inducing a current in response to exposure to a first electromagnetic field generated by a wireless power receiver; detecting the current in a first inductive coil of a plurality of inductive coils, the current induced by the first electromagnetic field generated by the wireless power receiver in response to a detected presence of the first inductive coil by the wireless power receiver; determining a distance between the first inductive coil and the wireless power receiver based on a magnitude of the current induced in the first inductive coil by the first electromagnetic field, determining, based on the determined distance, whether the first inductive coil and the wireless power transmitter are aligned, and based on the determination whether the first inductive coil and the wireless power receiver are aligned, generating a second electromagnetic field via the first inductive coil for wireless power transfer to the wireless power receiver. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A wireless power receiver comprising:
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means for receiving wireless power from a first electromagnetic field generated by a first wireless power transmitter; means for detecting a presence of the first wireless power transmitter; and means for generating a second electromagnetic field, in response to the detected presence of the first wireless power transmitter, that induces a current in the first wireless power transmitter or in a second wireless power transmitter, causing the first wireless power transmitter or the second wireless power transmitter to determine a distance between the means for generating a second electromagnetic field and the first wireless power transmitter or the second wireless power transmitter based on a magnitude of the current, wherein the means for receiving wireless power receives power during wireless power transfer from the first wireless power transmitter via the first electromagnetic field generated by the first wireless power transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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Specification