Distributed variable impedance balancer control

Abstract

A power transfer system comprising: (a) a power source, (b) one or more loads, (c) a capacitive transmission line having (i) a first conductor connected to the power source but not to the one or more loads, (ii) a second conductor connected to the one or more loads but not to the power source, and (iii) a dielectric material between the first conductor and the second conductor, and (d) an impedance management system for modifying an impedance of the capacitive transmission line between at least a first impedance and a second impedance different from the first impedance without switching the capacitive transmission line between a capacitive mode and a legacy mode. In a preferred embodiment, the capacitive transmission line is a capacitive cable. A capacitive transmission line and an impedance management system for such a power transmission system are provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to power transmission systems including capacitive transmission lines (such as capacitive power transmission cables, hereinafter referred to as "capacitive cables"), to capacitive transmission lines and impedance management systems used in such power transmission systems, to the use of such capacitive transmission lines and impedance management systems in such power transmission systems, and to methods for controlling such systems. Specifically, this invention relates to power transmission systems capable of handling varying loads, to capacitive transmission lines and impedance management systems used in such power transmission systems, to the use of such capacitive transmission lines and impedance management systems in such power transmission systems, and to methods for controlling the impedance of capacitive transmission lines in power transmission systems. Background Technology

[0002] US 4,204,129, according to its abstract, describes "the transmission of electricity and specifically... an electricity transmission system that has reduced vector regulation, voltage drop and power loss by utilizing an electrical conductor (i.e., a connecting link) that contains a capacitor in series between the generator and the load in a cable, the conductor having capacitance distributed along the length of the cable."

[0003] Capacitive transmission lines in the form of capacitive cables for transmitting power between a power source and a load are known in the art and described, for example, in WO 2010 / 026380, WO 2019 / 234449, WO 2021 / 094783, WO 2021 / 094782, WO 2020 / 120932, EP 23175297.3 and WO 2024 / 110610.

[0004] Capacitive transmission lines (such as capacitive cables) are known to be advantageous in some situations because they exhibit lower voltage loss than conventional power transmission lines when transmitting power along their length. This means that capacitive transmission lines can be used to increase the efficiency of power transmission systems. This advantage is possible because capacitive transmission lines exhibit much lower reactance than conventional transmission lines.

[0005] WO 2022 / 074260 describes a protection and control device for a power transmission cable in the form of a capacitive transmission line, related connection and protection equipment, and a power supply network comprising two or more conductors capable of transmitting power between a first node and a second node in either a first mode (i.e., as a conventional cable, connected by current) or a second mode (as a capacitive cable). The power supply network includes a control system capable of switching the two or more conductors between the first and second modes. Therefore, WO 2022 / 074260 describes a capacitive cable that can switch from acting as a capacitive cable to acting as a conventional cable to protect cable components from excessive voltage, for example, when the cable is in use (transmitting power).

[0006] While the protection device disclosed in WO 2022 / 074260 successfully prevents damage to cable / transmission line components when excessive voltage occurs, the inventors have discovered a problem with this device: the switch is binary and operates between capacitive and conventional modes. In this context, "capacitive mode" refers to the operating mode in which the cable transmits power as a capacitive cable, while "conventional mode" refers to the operating mode in which the cable transmits power as a conventional cable. When the excessive voltage is very high, switching from capacitive mode to conventional mode may be necessary to protect the cable components, but this would result in losing the benefits of using the cable as a capacitive cable instead of a conventional cable. Therefore, the inventors have discovered that in the case of only slightly excessive voltage, it is desirable to protect the cable components without switching from operation as a capacitive cable to operation as a conventional cable, thus maintaining the advantages of using a capacitive cable (i.e., using the cable in capacitive mode) while protecting the cable components from excessive voltage.

[0007] Power transmission systems conventionally use traditional transmission lines (such as traditional cables) to transfer power between a power source and a load. It is well known that in such systems, impedance arises along the length of the transmission line when it is in use (transmitting power). This impedance affects the efficiency of power transmission along the length of the transmission line. It will be understood that the impedance required for optimal power transmission may differ for different loads (loads that draw different amounts of power from the power source). Traditionally, the load to which the transmission line supplies power remains unchanged, and therefore the transmission line can be constructed with optimal impedance for that load, and there is no need to monitor or adjust the impedance thereafter. However, in some existing technology systems, it is possible to change the load. For example, a conventional wireless electric vehicle charging system includes a power source connected to a converter that converts an AC input of approximately 50 Hz or 60 Hz from the power source into an output of approximately 70-95 kHz, which is then connected to a grounding pad. In this system, the converter supplies a high-frequency (e.g., approximately 85 kHz) AC current to the grounding pad, which then wirelessly transmits power to an onboard pad in the electric vehicle parked at or near the grounding pad. It will be understood that, in this system, electric vehicles parked on or near the grounding mat can be changed.

[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to provide alternative and preferably improved circuitry for power transmission systems, wherein power sources are connected to one or more loads via transmission lines (such as cables).

[0009] The problem with existing capacitive transmission lines (such as capacitive cables) is that, when the transmission line is in use (transmitting electricity), the current is typically unevenly distributed between the conductor connected to the power source and the conductor connected to the load. Specifically, at the end of the transmission line where the conductor is connected to the power source, the conductor connected to the power source typically carries a much larger proportion of the current than the conductor connected to the load. Conversely, at the end of the transmission line where the conductor is connected to the load, the conductor connected to the load typically carries a much larger proportion of the current than the conductor connected to the power source. A more uniform current distribution is typically present between the conductors in the middle section of the capacitive transmission line. Therefore, in existing capacitive transmission lines, the conductor connected to the power source typically becomes very hot at the end of the transmission line where the conductor is connected to the power source, and the conductor connected to the load typically becomes very hot at the end of the transmission line where the conductor is connected to the load; this heating is typically caused by the relatively large amount of current flowing in these sections of the conductor and can potentially make the ends of the transmission line hazardous to people and / or animals in the vicinity. This heating can also damage one or more components of the transmission line, such as by causing the dielectric material to melt. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a capacitive transmission line that can operate as a capacitive transmission line when it is in use (transmitting power) and whose ends do not become overheated (i.e., excessively hot).

[0010] Overall, there is also a desire to provide alternative and preferably improved power transmission systems, as well as capacitive transmission lines and other components. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This invention provides a power transmission system having an impedance management system for modifying the impedance of its capacitive transmission lines. The invention also provides a capacitive transmission line and an impedance management system for such a power transmission system, the use of the capacitive transmission line and the impedance management system in such a power transmission system, and a method for controlling the impedance of the capacitive transmission line in such a power transmission system.

[0012] The advantage of the power transmission system of the present invention is that it can monitor the impedance of the load connected to the capacitive transmission line and modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line according to the load. This ensures that the impedance can be optimized for a specific load, such as by maximizing the efficiency of power transmission using the system.

[0013] A second advantage of the power transmission system of the present invention is that variations in the load connected to the capacitive transmission line can be anticipated, and the impedance of the capacitive transmission line can be modified according to the anticipated load variations. This ensures that the impedance can be optimized for a specific load, and the time it takes for the load to draw power from the system at a suboptimal impedance can be minimized, which can, for example, maximize the efficiency of power transmission using the system.

[0014] A third advantage of the power transmission system of the present invention is that it allows for the simultaneous monitoring of multiple loads and the continuous or regular modification of the impedance of the capacitive transmission line in response to changes in the loads and / or anticipated changes in those loads. Furthermore, the impedance at each load can be modified independently of the impedances at other loads. The ability to monitor the loads simultaneously and continuously or regularly in this manner is advantageous because it ensures that the impedance remains at or near its optimal value, which can, for example, maximize the efficiency of the system.

[0015] The power transmission system of the present invention can be particularly advantageous in embodiments where the power transmission system is a wireless electric vehicle charging system. This is because monitoring each load allows the operator of the wireless electric vehicle charging system to guide the electric vehicle to a grounding pad, where the impedance has been modified according to the optimal impedance required by the electric vehicle, which can, for example, maximize the efficiency of the system.

[0016] The power transmission system of the present invention may also be advantageous because, with each change in load (and therefore the optimal impedance), the capacitive transmission lines may not need to be modified for different capacitive transmission lines with different impedances.

[0017] Another advantage of the power transmission system of the present invention is that when a slightly excessive voltage occurs, the impedance management system can modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to protect its components from the effects of the excessive voltage, while avoiding the need to switch the transmission line to operate as a conventional transmission line and thus maintaining the advantage of using capacitive transmission lines instead of conventional transmission lines in the power transmission system.

[0018] Another advantage of the power transmission system of the present invention is that the impedance management system can be used to filter out one or more harmonic frequencies of a specific order to reduce erroneous harmonics.

[0019] Another advantage of the power transmission system of the present invention is that the impedance management system can be used to prevent overheating of the capacitive transmission line during use (power transmission).

[0020] The advantage of the capacitive transmission line of the present invention is that the capacitive transmission line can be equipped with one or more electrical connections, which allow the impedance to be modified along its length and to be modified differently at different points along the transmission line.

[0021] The advantage of the impedance management system of the present invention is that it can be applied to control / modify the impedance of capacitive transmission lines in power transmission systems, thereby helping to achieve the above-mentioned advantages of the power transmission system of the present invention.

[0022] The advantage of using the capacitive transmission line of the present invention in a power transmission system is that the capacitive transmission line can be equipped with one or more electrical connections, which allow the impedance to be modified along its length during use, and allow the impedance to be modified differently at different points along the transmission line during use.

[0023] The advantage of using the impedance management system of the present invention in a power transmission system is that the impedance management system can be used to control / modify the impedance of capacitive transmission lines in the power transmission system, thereby helping to achieve the above-mentioned advantages of the power transmission system of the present invention.

[0024] The advantage of the method of the present invention is that the impedance of the capacitive transmission line in the power transmission system can be controlled, which can, for example, maximize the efficiency of the system.

[0025] Detailed description of the invention

[0026] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a power transmission system is provided, comprising: (a) Power supply, (b) One or more loads, and (c) A capacitive transmission line, which has: (i) A first conductor, which is connected to a power source but not to one or more loads. (ii) a second conductor, which is connected to one or more loads but not to a power source, and (iii) Dielectric material between the first conductor and the second conductor.

[0027] As used herein, the term "power source" is intended to refer to an electrical component capable of supplying electrical power. A power source does not need to be active; that is, simply supplying electrical power is sufficient to be considered a "power source".

[0028] As used herein, the term "load" is intended to refer to an electrical component that can draw power from a power source. A load need not be active, i.e., drawing power, to be considered a "load". An example of a load is the grounding mat of a wireless electric vehicle charging system, which can be active, i.e., drawing power from a power source when an electric vehicle is parked on the grounding mat, but can also be inactive, i.e., not drawing power from a power source when no electric vehicle is parked on the grounding mat.

[0029] As used herein, the term "transmission line" is intended to refer to an electrical component used to transfer electrical power from a first node (such as a power source) in a circuit to a second node (such as a load) in the circuit. As used herein, the term "capacitive transmission line" is intended to refer to a transmission line used to transfer electrical power via capacitive coupling (i.e., via a dielectric material between two different conductors). Examples of capacitive transmission lines include capacitive cables, capacitive conductors, capacitive windings, and capacitive traces on printed circuit boards. In this invention, preferably, the capacitive transmission line is a capacitive cable.

[0030] It will be understood that a power transmission system with a load (like all circuits with a load) must include a signal line and a return line. The signal line is adapted / configured to transmit power from the power source or for transmitting to the load, and the return line is adapted / configured to transmit / return power from the load or for transmitting / returning to the power source to complete the circuit. Therefore, in the power transmission system of the present invention, a capacitive transmission line can be used as a signal line or a return line. Another line (i.e., the signal or loop) can similarly include a capacitive transmission line, but may alternatively include a conventional transmission line. Preferably, the transmission line is used as a signal line.

[0031] Power transmission systems may include an impedance management system adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of capacitive transmission lines. In this context, modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line refers to changing the impedance while maintaining the transmission line in capacitive mode, i.e., without switching the transmission line from capacitive mode to conventional mode and vice versa.

[0032] As described in the specific examples below, the impedance management system can be appropriately adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line between at least a first impedance and a second impedance different from the first impedance, without switching the capacitive transmission line between capacitive mode and conventional mode.

[0033] This impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line, such that the impedance of the capacitive transmission line changes from a first impedance to a second impedance without switching the capacitive transmission line between capacitive mode and conventional mode. In this embodiment, the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0034] This impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line, causing the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to change from a first impedance to a second impedance, while maintaining / keeping the capacitive transmission line in capacitive mode. In this embodiment, the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0035] The impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least two states, wherein in a first state the capacitive transmission line has a first impedance and acts as a capacitive transmission line, and wherein in a second state the capacitive transmission line has a second impedance and acts as a capacitive transmission line. In this embodiment, the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0036] Therefore, unlike the protection devices disclosed in WO 2022 / 074260, including an impedance management system may be advantageous because it facilitates the modification of the impedance of the capacitive transmission line without switching it to function as a conventional transmission line. This means that the advantages of using capacitive transmission lines in power transmission systems are maintained, while protecting the transmission line from damage in situations such as excessive voltage.

[0037] An impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least three states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each state in the other two states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. Preferably, the impedance management system is adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least five states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each state in the other four states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. More preferably, the impedance management system is adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least ten states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each state in the other nine states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. Even more preferably, the impedance management system is adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least twenty states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each state in the other nineteen states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. This impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify, or be used to modify, the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between an unlimited number of states between maximum and minimum impedance. In each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that in each of the other states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. Modifying impedance by switching impedance between a larger number of states may be advantageous because it facilitates finer impedance adjustment and thus increases the likelihood that the impedance will approach or reach the optimal / target impedance.

[0038] The impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line within an impedance / impedance scale range. The impedance management system may not act as a binary switch to switch the transmission line between capacitive and conventional modes. Alternatively, for example, the impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance to one of at least two possible impedances, while maintaining / keeping the capacitive transmission line as a capacitive transmission line. It will be understood that these two impedances are different from each other, i.e., not identical. There can be at least two possible impedances. Preferably, there are at least three possible impedances. More preferably, there are at least five possible impedances. Even more preferably, there are at least ten possible impedances. Even more preferably, there are at least twenty possible impedances. There may be an infinite number of impedances between the maximum and minimum impedances. Using a larger number of impedances may be advantageous because it facilitates finer impedance adjustment and thus increases the likelihood that the impedance approaches or reaches the optimal / target impedance.

[0039] Modifying impedance by operating within the impedance / impedance scale range and / or by switching impedance between multiple states, including an impedance management system, can be advantageous because it facilitates the protection of transmission line components when subjected to slightly excessive voltages, allowing the transmission line to operate as a capacitive transmission line instead of switching it to conventional operation. This means that the advantages of operating as a capacitive transmission line can be achieved while successfully protecting transmission line components from excessive voltages.

[0040] Because an impedance management system can manage / modify impedance within an impedance range and / or manage / modify impedance by switching impedance between multiple states, an impedance management system can be described as an "impedance regulation system".

[0041] It will be understood that, as described above, managing / modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line not only modifies the impedance of the capacitive transmission line itself, but also modifies the impedance of a portion of the circuit formed by the capacitive transmission line. Therefore, this impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the overall impedance of a power transmission system.

[0042] The power transmission system can be adapted / configured to transmit or be used for power transmission in single-phase, three-phase, six-phase, or nine-phase mode. Alternatively, more than nine phases can be used. Preferably, the power transmission system is adapted / configured to transmit or be used for power transmission in single-phase or three-phase mode.

[0043] One or more loads can be multiple loads. There can be at least two loads, at least three loads, at least five loads, at least ten loads, at least twenty loads, at least thirty loads, or at least fifty loads. In the example described in more detail below, there are ten loads or potential loads in the form of ten wireless charging locations for electric vehicles. This invention allows the charging system to be modified according to the loads that change due to variations in the occupancy and use of these locations.

[0044] The impedance management system may include (i) a receiver adapted / configured to receive or be used to receive data relating to one or more loads, one or more loads present at one or more loads, and / or the power transmission system / circuit; (ii) a processor adapted / configured to determine or be used to determine a target impedance for the capacitive transmission line based on the data; and (iii) a controller adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line according to the target impedance. The receiver may receive data wirelessly or via wired communication. Including a receiver may be advantageous because it allows the impedance management system to continuously or periodically update the state relating to one or more loads, one or more loads present at one or more loads, and / or the power transmission system / circuit, and thus update actual or anticipated changes therein. Including a processor may be advantageous because it allows the impedance management system to integrate the data received by the receiver, thereby enabling the impedance management system to determine how the impedance needs to be modified (if necessary) optimally. Including a controller may be advantageous because it allows the impedance to be modified as needed to approach or reach the target impedance.

[0045] The target impedance can be the impedance required to optimize the system. For example, the target impedance can be the impedance required to maximize the efficiency of the system (e.g., to maximize the efficiency of power transmission using the system), the impedance required to minimize the risk associated with faults in the system, the impedance required to filter out / substantially eliminate harmonic frequencies of a specific order, and / or the impedance required to maintain the amount of current / power delivered / transmitted to a specific load at a specific value.

[0046] Preferably, the controller is adapted / configured to modify or modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to reduce the difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance. More preferably, the controller is adapted / configured to modify or modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to substantially eliminate the difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance, i.e., to set the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to be at least substantially equal to or exactly equal to the target impedance.

[0047] Data relating to one or more loads, or to one or more loads present at one or more loads, may be data regarding the impedance state of each load. Alternatively or additionally, data relating to one or more loads, or to one or more loads present at one or more loads, may be data regarding the current and / or voltage at each load. This can be advantageous because providing the impedance management system with data regarding the impedance state of each load and / or the current and / or voltage at each load allows the processor to determine the impedance variations that may be necessary to achieve the target impedance.

[0048] Data about a power transmission system / circuit can be data about the overall impedance of the power transmission system / circuit or data about the impedance of a specific component of the power transmission system / circuit. This can be advantageous because providing such impedance data to the impedance management system allows the processor to determine the impedance variations that may be needed to achieve the target impedance.

[0049] The impedance management system can modify, or can be adapted / configured to modify, or can be used to modify the total impedance of a capacitive transmission line or one or more local impedances at one or more points along the capacitive transmission line. Modifying the total impedance of the capacitive transmission line can be advantageous because it allows for large-scale impedance variations across the entire system, which can be achieved faster than modifying the impedance at many individual points along the length of the transmission line. Modifying one or more local impedances at one or more points along the capacitive transmission line can be advantageous because it allows for fine-tuning of the impedance at specific points, as well as achieving different impedances at different points along the length of the transmission line, which can be advantageous if there are different loads connected to the transmission line and therefore different impedances are required; such differentiation is not possible by modifying the total impedance alone. Therefore, preferably, the impedance management system can modify, or can be adapted / configured to modify, or can be used to modify both the total impedance of the capacitive transmission line and one or more local impedances at one or more points along the capacitive transmission line. This embodiment can be advantageous because it allows for large-scale, rapid impedance variations, as well as fine-tuning of the impedance at specific points when needed.

[0050] One or more points along a capacitive transmission line can be associated with one or more loads. For example, one or more points along a capacitive transmission line can be one or more points where a load is connected to a second conductor of the capacitive transmission line. This embodiment can be advantageous because it allows for easy modification of the impedance at each load.

[0051] An impedance management system can be adapted / configured or used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line in response to changes in one or more variables. Examples of such variables include the frequency of the AC power supplied by the power source, the number and rated power of each load connected to the second conductor, the length of the capacitive transmission line, the number of turns in the capacitive transmission line, the difference between the impedance of the signal line to current and the impedance of the return line to current, the location of each load connected to the second conductor along the second conductor, the presence of conductive / reactive elements near the capacitive transmission line that affect its passive (i.e., resistive and / or inductive) electromagnetic characteristics, the location of the power source relative to one or more load locations, and the amount of power required by each load. Essentially, an impedance management system can be adapted / configured or used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line in response to any change in any variable, provided that the change in that variable causes a change in the reactance and / or resistance of the capacitive transmission line and / or a portion of the power transmission system / circuit formed by the capacitive transmission line, thereby causing a change in impedance.

[0052] Impedance management systems can, or can be adapted / configured, to modify the impedance of capacitive transmission lines in response to changes in one or more loads. This can be advantageous because it allows the impedance to be modified to optimize power delivery to the load, such as by maximizing the efficiency of power delivery to the load. It can also be advantageous because modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line / power delivery system in response to changes in one or more loads may mean that whenever the load changes, the capacitive transmission line does not need to be replaced with a different capacitive transmission line with a different impedance; instead, the same capacitive transmission line with different impedances can be used, which is easier and less costly to manage.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, an impedance management system can or may be adapted / configured to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line in anticipation of changes in one or more loads. In this context, the “anticipation” of changes in one or more loads can result from, for example, the following: planned changes in one or more loads reported to the controller, analysis of the state of each load, and thus determination of how the state can change over time. This implementation can be advantageous because it allows the impedance at each load to be modified before the load change. This means that once the change has occurred, the impedance can be immediately at or near optimal, rather than taking time to reach optimality. This can be advantageous because it reduces the amount of time the power transmission system operates suboptimally, which can, for example, increase the overall efficiency of the power transmission system.

[0054] An impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by modifying one or more of the following: the capacitive reactance, the inductive reactance, the resistance, and the frequency of the AC power supplied by the power source. This can be advantageous because it allows the operator of the power transmission system to select which electrical parameter is easiest to modify and thus modify that parameter accordingly, based on the specific application used for the power transmission system. An impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by modifying the capacitive reactance, the inductive reactance, or both. An impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by modifying the capacitive reactance, the inductive reactance, and / or the resistance. This embodiment can be advantageous because capacitive reactance, inductive reactance, and resistance are generally easier for the operator of the power transmission system to modify than the frequency of the AC power supplied by the power source.

[0055] A capacitive transmission line may include one or more electrical connections, each connected in series between or with a first conductor and a second conductor, and each connection may be individually controlled. This individual control can be advantageous because it allows for fine-tuning of the impedance at specific points along the length of the capacitive transmission line. Having multiple such electrical connections may also be advantageous because it provides more than one way to modify the impedance, which can be useful when modifying one of the other connections is impractical or undesirable.

[0056] One or more electrical connections can be multiple electrical connections. There can be at least two electrical connections, at least three electrical connections, at least five electrical connections, at least ten electrical connections, at least twenty electrical connections, at least thirty electrical connections, or at least fifty electrical connections. This invention allows modification of electrical connections according to varying loads.

[0057] One or more electrical connections may each have a variable capacitance, a variable inductance, and / or a variable resistance. This can be advantageous because it allows the operator of the power transmission system to select which electrical parameter is easiest to modify and thus modify that parameter accordingly, based on the specific application used for the power transmission system. One or more electrical connections may each have a variable capacitance, a variable inductance, or both.

[0058] One or more electrical connections may be selected from: one or more capacitors, one or more inductors, one or more resistors, and combinations thereof. Using such components can be advantageous because capacitors allow for easy modification of capacitive reactance, inductors allow for easy modification of inductive reactance, and resistors allow for easy modification of resistance. These components are also relatively simple, and therefore, the availability and use of electrical components at low cost can be advantageous. Including resistors instead of just capacitors and / or inductors can be advantageous because resistors allow for modification of resistance in addition to or in place of reactance, providing the system operator with greater control and therefore more options for modifying impedance.

[0059] One or more electrical connections can be individually controlled / can be individually controlled via switches. This can be advantageous because switches are easy to control and easy to repair in case of damage.

[0060] Each of one or more electrical connections may include a capacitor, an inductor, or a resistor that is individually controlled / controllable via a switch. Such individual control may be advantageous because having an electrical component controlled by a single switch allows for fine-tuning of impedance at specific points along the length of the transmission line. Each of one or more electrical connections may include multiple capacitors, multiple inductors, multiple resistors, or multiple electrical components that are collectively controlled / controllable via a switch, each of which is a capacitor, inductor, or resistor. Such collective control may be advantageous because having more than one electrical component controlled by a single switch allows for relatively quick and easy large-scale modification of impedance at specific points along the length of the transmission line. One or more electrical connections may include combinations of individually controlled / controllable components and collectively controlled / controllable components, which can allow the advantages of both types of connections to be realized within the same power transmission system.

[0061] Preferably, each of the one or more electrical connections between the first conductor and the second conductor has a variable capacitance, i.e., no variable inductance and / or variable resistance. This can be advantageous because it can prevent a short circuit from forming between the first and second conductors when the electrical connection is activated. However, each of the one or more electrical connections connected in series with the first or second conductor may have variable capacitance, variable inductance, and / or variable resistance.

[0062] A capacitive transmission line may include / have multiple first conductors connected to a power source but not connected to one or more loads and / or multiple second conductors connected to one or more loads but not connected to a power source. In this embodiment, one or more electrical connections may be between one or more of the first conductors and one or more of the second conductors. For example, one or more electrical connections may be between some first conductors and some second conductors, between some first conductors and all second conductors, between all first conductors and some second conductors, or between all first conductors and all second conductors. This can be advantageous because it facilitates modification of the impedance of one of the first conductors or second conductors to a greater extent than the impedance of the other.

[0063] Power transmission systems may include detectors adapted / configured to detect or be used to detect faults in capacitive transmission lines or other components of the power transmission system. The detectors may be adapted / configured to instruct / indicate, or be used to instruct / indicate, an impedance management system to modify (e.g., increase) the impedance of the capacitive transmission line in response to a detected fault. This can be advantageous because it prevents damage to the transmission line in the event of a fault. An example of such a fault in a capacitive transmission line could be a rupture in the outer sheath of the capacitive cable, causing the first and / or second conductors to be positioned in direct electrical contact with an external object not part of the power transmission system.

[0064] An impedance management system can be adapted / configured to control / modify, or be used to control / modify, the amount of current supplied to each load. Therefore, an impedance management system can be adapted / configured to control / modify, or be used to control / modify, the amount of power supplied to each load. This can be advantageous because it allows different amounts of current / power to be supplied to different loads with different current / power requirements as needed.

[0065] An impedance management system can be adapted / configured to control / modify or be used to control / modify the voltage between a first conductor and a second conductor. For example, an impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the capacitance between a first conductor and a second conductor; it will be understood that increasing the capacitance between the first and second conductors reduces the voltage between them. Reducing the voltage in this way can be advantageous because it reduces the risk of damage to the dielectric material.

[0066] An impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the amount of current flowing in each of the first and second conductors at any given time. Therefore, an impedance management system can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the relative amount of current in each of the first and second conductors at any given time. For example, an impedance management system can be adapted / configured to maintain or be used to maintain: (i) at the end of the transmission line where the first conductor is connected to the power source, the impedance of the first conductor is higher than the impedance of the second conductor, and / or (ii) at the end of the transmission line where the second conductor is connected to the power source, the impedance of the first conductor is lower than the impedance of the second conductor. This can be advantageous because it ensures that the current is distributed at least substantially equally between the first and second conductors along the length of the transmission line, thereby preventing overheating at the ends of the transmission line and thus reducing hazards and the likelihood of damage to components of the transmission line when it is in use (transmitting power).

[0067] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a capacitive transmission line for use in a power transmission system according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided, comprising: (a) The first conductor used for connecting to the power source, (b) A second conductor for connecting to the load, (c) The dielectric material between the first conductor and the second conductor, and (d) One or more electrical connections, each electrical connection being connected in series between or with the first conductor and the second conductor, and each electrical connection being individually controllable.

[0068] Capacitive transmission lines can be used to transmit power in single-phase, three-phase, six-phase, or nine-phase configurations. Alternatively, more than nine phases can be used. Preferably, capacitive transmission lines are used to transmit power in single-phase or three-phase configurations.

[0069] One or more electrical connections can be multiple electrical connections. There can be at least two electrical connections, at least three electrical connections, at least five electrical connections, at least ten electrical connections, at least twenty electrical connections, at least thirty electrical connections, or at least fifty electrical connections. In the example described in more detail below, three electrical connections are present. This invention allows modification of electrical connections according to varying loads.

[0070] One or more electrical connections may each have a variable capacitance, a variable inductance, and / or a variable resistance. This can be advantageous because it allows the operator of the power transmission system to select which electrical parameter is easiest to modify and thus modify that parameter accordingly, based on the specific application used for the power transmission system. One or more electrical connections may each have a variable capacitance, a variable inductance, or both.

[0071] One or more electrical connections may be selected from: one or more capacitors, one or more inductors, one or more resistors, and combinations thereof. Using such components can be advantageous because capacitors allow for easy modification of capacitive reactance, inductors allow for easy modification of inductive reactance, and resistors allow for easy modification of resistance. These components are also relatively simple, and therefore, the availability and use of electrical components at low cost can be advantageous. Including resistors instead of just capacitors and / or inductors can be advantageous because resistors allow for modification of resistance in addition to or in place of reactance, providing the system operator with greater control and therefore more options for modifying impedance.

[0072] One or more electrical connections can be individually controlled / can be individually controlled via switches. This can be advantageous because switches are easy to control and easy to repair in case of damage.

[0073] Each of one or more electrical connections may include a capacitor, an inductor, or a resistor that is individually controlled / controllable via a switch. Such individual control can be advantageous because having an electrical component controlled by a single switch allows for fine-tuning of impedance at specific points along the length of the transmission line. Each of one or more electrical connections may also include multiple capacitors, multiple inductors, multiple resistors, or multiple electrical components that are collectively controlled / controllable via a switch, each of which is a capacitor, inductor, or resistor. Such collective control can be advantageous because having more than one electrical component controlled by a single switch allows for relatively quick and easy large-scale modification of impedance at specific points along the length of the transmission line. One or more electrical connections may include combinations of individually controlled / controllable components and collectively controlled / controllable components, which can allow the advantages of both types of connections to be realized within the same power transmission system.

[0074] Preferably, each of the one or more electrical connections between the first conductor and the second conductor has a variable capacitance, i.e., no variable inductance and / or variable resistance. This can be advantageous because it can prevent a short circuit from forming between the first and second conductors when the electrical connection is activated. However, each of the one or more electrical connections connected in series with the first or second conductor may have variable capacitance, variable inductance, and / or variable resistance.

[0075] Preferably, capacitive transmission lines are used as the backbone of power transmission systems, such as wireless electric vehicle charging systems.

[0076] A capacitive transmission line can be a capacitive cable, a capacitive conductor, a capacitive winding, or a capacitive trace on a printed circuit board. Preferably, the capacitive transmission line is a capacitive cable.

[0077] It will be understood that capacitive transmission lines may be advantageous because they are suitable for use in power transmission systems according to the first aspect of the invention, and therefore can be used to achieve the advantages of the systems detailed above.

[0078] According to a third aspect of the present invention, an impedance management system for a power transmission system according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided, comprising: (a) A receiver adapted / configured to receive or be used to receive data relating to one or more loads, to one or more loads present at one or more loads, and / or about the power transmission system. (b) A processor adapted / configured to determine, or to be used to determine, the target impedance of a capacitive transmission line based on the data, and (c) A controller adapted / configured to modify or modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line based on a target impedance.

[0079] The controller can be adapted / configured to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line between at least a first impedance and a second impedance different from the first impedance, or to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line without switching the capacitive transmission line between capacitive mode and conventional mode.

[0080] The controller can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line, such that the impedance of the capacitive transmission line changes from a first impedance to a second impedance without switching the capacitive transmission line between capacitive mode and conventional mode. In this embodiment, the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0081] The controller can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line, such that the impedance of the capacitive transmission line changes from a first impedance to a second impedance, while maintaining / keeping the capacitive transmission line in capacitive mode. In this embodiment, the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0082] The controller can be adapted / configured to modify, or be used to modify, the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least two states, wherein, in a first state, the capacitive transmission line has a first impedance and acts as a capacitive transmission line, and wherein, in a second state, the capacitive transmission line has a second impedance and acts as a capacitive transmission line. In this embodiment, the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0083] Therefore, unlike the protection devices disclosed in WO 2022 / 074260, an impedance management system may be advantageous because it facilitates the modification of the impedance of the capacitive transmission line without switching it to function as a conventional transmission line. This means that the advantages of using capacitive transmission lines in power transmission systems can be maintained while protecting the transmission line from damage in situations such as excessive voltage.

[0084] The controller can be adapted / configured to modify or modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least three states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each state in the other two states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. Preferably, the controller is adapted / configured to modify or modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least five states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each state in the other four states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. More preferably, the controller is adapted / configured to modify or modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least ten states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each state in the other nine states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. Even more preferably, the controller is adapted / configured to modify or modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between at least twenty states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each state in the other nineteen states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. The controller can be adapted / configured to modify, or be used to modify, the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching impedance between an infinite number of states between maximum and minimum impedance, wherein, in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that in each of the other states and acts as a capacitive transmission line. Modifying impedance by switching impedance between a larger number of states may be advantageous because it facilitates finer impedance tuning and thus increases the likelihood that the impedance will approach or reach the optimal / target impedance.

[0085] The controller can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line within a range of impedance / impedance scales. The controller may not act as a binary switch to switch the transmission line between capacitive and conventional modes. Alternatively, for example, the controller can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance to one of at least two possible impedances while maintaining / keeping the capacitive transmission line as a capacitive transmission line. It will be understood that these two impedances are different from each other, i.e., not identical. There can be at least two possible impedances. Preferably, there are at least three possible impedances. More preferably, there are at least five possible impedances. Even more preferably, there are at least ten possible impedances. Still more preferably, there are at least twenty possible impedances. There may be an infinite number of impedances between the maximum and minimum impedances. Using a larger number of impedances may be advantageous because it facilitates finer impedance adjustment and thus increases the likelihood that the impedance approaches or reaches the optimal / target impedance.

[0086] Impedance management systems can be advantageous by modifying impedance within the impedance / impedance scale range and / or by switching impedance between multiple states, as this facilitates the protection of transmission line components when subjected to slightly excessive voltages, without switching the transmission line to operate as a capacitive transmission line, rather than as a conventional transmission line. This means that the advantages of operating as a capacitive transmission line are not lost while successfully protecting transmission line components from excessive voltages.

[0087] Because an impedance management system can manage / modify impedance within an impedance range and / or manage / modify impedance by switching impedance between multiple states, an impedance management system can be described as an "impedance regulation system".

[0088] It will be understood that, as described above, managing / modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line not only modifies the impedance of the capacitive transmission line itself, but also modifies the impedance of a portion of the circuit formed by the capacitive transmission line. Therefore, the controller can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the overall impedance of the power transmission system.

[0089] The target impedance can be the impedance required to optimize the system. For example, the target impedance can be the impedance required to maximize the efficiency of the system (e.g., to maximize the efficiency of power transmission using the system), the impedance required to minimize the risk associated with faults in the system, the impedance required to filter out / substantially eliminate harmonic frequencies of a specific order, and / or the impedance required to maintain the amount of current / power delivered / transmitted to a specific load at a specific value.

[0090] Preferably, the controller is adapted / configured to modify or modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to reduce the difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance. More preferably, the controller is adapted / configured to modify or modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to substantially eliminate the difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance, i.e., to set the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to be at least substantially equal to or exactly equal to the target impedance.

[0091] One or more loads can be multiple loads. There can be at least two loads, at least three loads, at least five loads, at least ten loads, at least twenty loads, at least thirty loads, or at least fifty loads.

[0092] Data relating to one or more loads, or to one or more loads present at one or more loads, may be data regarding the impedance state of each load. Alternatively or additionally, data relating to one or more loads, or to one or more loads present at one or more loads, may be data regarding the current and / or voltage at each load. This can be advantageous because providing the impedance management system with data regarding the impedance state of each load and / or the current and / or voltage at each load allows the processor to determine the impedance variations that may be necessary to achieve the target impedance.

[0093] Data about a power transmission system can be data about the overall impedance of the power transmission system or data about the impedance of a specific component of the power transmission system. This can be advantageous because providing such impedance data to the impedance management system allows the processor to determine the impedance variations that may be needed to achieve the target impedance.

[0094] The controller can be adapted / configured to modify, or can be used to modify, the total impedance of a capacitive transmission line or one or more local impedances at one or more points along the capacitive transmission line. Modifying the total impedance of the capacitive transmission line can be advantageous because it allows for large-scale impedance variations across the entire system, which can be achieved faster than modifying the impedance at many individual points along the length of the transmission line. Modifying one or more local impedances at one or more points along the capacitive transmission line can be advantageous because it allows for fine-tuning of the impedance at specific points, as well as achieving different impedances at different points along the length of the transmission line, which can be advantageous if there are different loads connected to the transmission line and therefore different impedances are required; such differentiation is not possible by modifying the total impedance alone. Therefore, preferably, the controller can be adapted / configured to modify, or can be used to modify, both the total impedance of the capacitive transmission line and one or more local impedances at one or more points along the capacitive transmission line. This embodiment can be advantageous because it allows for large-scale, rapid impedance variations, as well as fine-tuning of the impedance at specific points when needed.

[0095] One or more points along a capacitive transmission line can be associated with one or more loads. For example, one or more points along a capacitive transmission line can be one or more points where a load is connected to a second conductor of the capacitive transmission line. This embodiment can be advantageous because it allows for easy modification of the impedance at each load.

[0096] The controller can be adapted / configured or used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line in response to changes in one or more variables. Examples of such variables include the frequency of the AC power supplied by the power source, the number and rated power of each load connected to the second conductor, the length of the capacitive transmission line, the number of turns in the capacitive transmission line, the difference between the impedance of the signal line to current and the impedance of the return line to current, the location of each load connected to the second conductor along the second conductor, the presence of conductive / reactive elements near the capacitive transmission line that affect its passive (i.e., resistive and / or inductive) electromagnetic characteristics, the location of the power source relative to one or more load locations, and the amount of power required by each load. Essentially, the controller can be adapted / configured or used to modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line in response to any change in any variable, provided that the change in that variable causes a change in the reactance and / or resistance of the capacitive transmission line and / or a portion of the power transmission system / circuit formed by the capacitive transmission line, thereby causing a change in impedance.

[0097] The controller can be adapted / configured, or can be used, to modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line in response to changes in one or more loads. This can be advantageous because it allows the impedance to be modified to optimize power delivery to the load, such as by maximizing the efficiency of power delivery to the load. It can also be advantageous because modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line / power delivery system in response to changes in one or more loads may mean that whenever the load changes, the capacitive transmission line does not need to be replaced with a different capacitive transmission line with a different impedance; instead, the same capacitive transmission line with different impedances can be used, which is easier and less costly to manage.

[0098] Alternatively or additionally, the controller may be adapted / configured to modify the impedance of the capacitive transmission line in anticipation of changes in one or more loads. In this context, the “anticipation” of changes in one or more loads can result from, for example, the following: planned changes in one or more loads reported to the controller, analysis of the state of each load, and thus a determination of how the state can be expected to change over time. This embodiment can be advantageous because it allows the impedance at each load to be modified before the load change. This means that once the change has occurred, the impedance can be immediately at or near optimal, rather than taking time to reach optimality. This can be advantageous because it reduces the amount of time the power transmission system operates suboptimally, which can, for example, increase the overall efficiency of the power transmission system.

[0099] The controller can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by modifying one or more of the following: the capacitive reactance, the inductive reactance, the resistance, and the frequency of the AC power supplied by the power source. This can be advantageous because it allows the operator of the power transmission system to select which electrical parameter is easiest to modify and thus modify that parameter accordingly, based on the specific application used for the power transmission system. The controller can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by modifying the capacitive reactance, the inductive reactance, or both. The controller can be adapted / configured to modify or be used to modify the impedance of a capacitive transmission line by modifying the capacitive reactance, the inductive reactance, and / or the resistance. This embodiment can be advantageous because capacitive reactance, inductive reactance, and resistance are generally easier for the operator of the power transmission system to modify than the frequency of the AC power supplied by the power source.

[0100] The controller can be adapted / configured to control / modify, or to control / modify, the amount of current to be supplied to each load. Therefore, the controller can be adapted / configured to control / modify, or to control / modify, the amount of power to be supplied to each load. This can be advantageous because it allows different amounts of current / power to be supplied to different loads with different current / power requirements as needed.

[0101] The controller can be adapted / configured to control / modify, or to control / modify, the voltage between the first conductor and the second conductor of a capacitive transmission line. For example, the controller can be adapted / configured to modify, or to modify, the capacitance between the first and second conductors; it will be understood that increasing the capacitance between the first and second conductors reduces the voltage between them. Reducing the voltage in this way can be advantageous because it reduces the risk of damage to the dielectric material of the capacitive transmission line.

[0102] The controller can be adapted / configured to modify or modify the amount of current flowing in each of the first and second conductors of the capacitive transmission line at any given time. Therefore, the controller can be adapted / configured to modify or modify the relative amount of current in each of the first and second conductors at any given time. For example, the controller can be adapted / configured to maintain or maintain: (i) at the end of the transmission line where the first conductor is connected to the power source, the impedance of the first conductor is higher than the impedance of the second conductor, and / or (ii) at the end of the transmission line where the second conductor is connected to the power source, the impedance of the first conductor is lower than the impedance of the second conductor. This can be advantageous because it ensures that the current is distributed at least substantially equally between the first and second conductors along the length of the transmission line, thereby preventing overheating at the ends of the transmission line and thus reducing hazards and the likelihood of damage to components of the transmission line when it is in use (transmitting power).

[0103] A capacitive transmission line can be a capacitive cable, a capacitive conductor, a capacitive winding, or a capacitive trace on a printed circuit board. Preferably, the capacitive transmission line is a capacitive cable. The capacitive transmission line can be a capacitive transmission line according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0104] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a capacitive transmission line according to a second aspect of the invention is provided for use in a power transmission system according to a first aspect of the invention, or as a capacitive transmission line in such a power transmission system. This may be advantageous because the capacitive transmission line may include several key components, such as one or more electrical connections, each electrical connection being between or in series with a first conductor and a second conductor, and each electrical connection can be individually controlled, thereby allowing the capacitive transmission line to be readily used in a power transmission system in which the impedance can be modified. Therefore, using the capacitive transmission line in this manner helps to achieve the aforementioned advantages of the power transmission system of the invention.

[0105] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, an impedance management system according to a third aspect of the invention is provided for use in a power transmission system according to a first aspect of the invention, or as an impedance management system for such a power transmission system. This may be advantageous because the impedance management system may include several key components, such as a receiver, a processor, and a controller, thereby allowing the impedance management system to be readily used in power transmission systems where the impedance can be modified. Therefore, using the impedance management system in this manner helps to achieve the aforementioned advantages of the power transmission system of the invention.

[0106] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling / modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line having impedance is provided, comprising: (a) Receive data relating to one or more loads connected to a capacitive transmission line, to one or more loads present at one or more loads, and / or to a portion of a power transmission system formed by a capacitive transmission line. (b) Determine the target impedance of the capacitive transmission line based on the data. (c) Compare the impedance to the target impedance, and (d) Modify the impedance to reduce the difference between the impedance and the target impedance.

[0107] The impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified between at least a first impedance and a second impedance different from the first impedance without switching the capacitive transmission line between capacitive mode and conventional mode.

[0108] The impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified to change from a first impedance to a second impedance without switching the capacitive transmission line between capacitive mode and conventional mode. In this embodiment, the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0109] The impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified to change from a first impedance to a second impedance while maintaining / keeping the capacitive transmission line in capacitive mode. In this embodiment, the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0110] The impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified by switching the impedance between at least two states, wherein in a first state the capacitive transmission line has a first impedance and functions as a capacitive transmission line, and wherein in a second state the capacitive transmission line has a second impedance and functions as a capacitive transmission line. In this embodiment, the second impedance is different from the first impedance.

[0111] Therefore, unlike the protection device disclosed in WO 2022 / 074260, the method of the present invention may be advantageous because it facilitates the modification of the impedance of the capacitive transmission line without switching the capacitive transmission line to act as a conventional transmission line. This means that the advantages of using capacitive transmission lines in power transmission systems are maintained, while protecting the transmission line from damage in situations such as excessively high voltage.

[0112] The impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified by switching impedance between at least three states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each of the other two states and functions as a capacitive transmission line. Preferably, the impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified by switching impedance between at least five states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each of the other four states and functions as a capacitive transmission line. More preferably, the impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified by switching impedance between at least ten states, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each of the other nine states and functions as a capacitive transmission line. Even more preferably, the impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified by switching impedance between an infinite number of states between maximum and minimum impedance, wherein in each state, the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from that of each of the other states and functions as a capacitive transmission line. Modifying impedance by switching between a greater number of states can be advantageous, as this facilitates finer impedance tuning and thus increases the likelihood that the impedance will approach or reach the optimal / target impedance.

[0113] The impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified within the impedance / impedance scale. The impedance can be non-binarily switched, meaning the transmission line does not switch between capacitive and conventional modes. Instead, for example, the impedance of a capacitive transmission line can be modified by switching the impedance to one of at least two possible impedances while maintaining / keeping the capacitive transmission line functioning as a capacitive transmission line. It will be understood that these two impedances are different from each other, i.e., not identical. At least two possible impedances can exist. Preferably, at least three possible impedances exist. More preferably, at least five possible impedances exist. Even more preferably, at least ten possible impedances exist. Even more preferably, at least twenty possible impedances exist. An infinite number of impedances may exist between the maximum and minimum impedances. Using a larger number of impedances may be advantageous because it facilitates finer impedance adjustment and thus increases the likelihood that the impedance approaches or reaches the optimal / target impedance.

[0114] The method of the present invention may be advantageous because it modifies the impedance by operating within the impedance / impedance scale range and / or by switching the impedance between multiple states, as this facilitates the protection of transmission line components when subjected to slightly excessive voltages without requiring the transmission line to operate as a conventional transmission line, but rather as a capacitive transmission line. This means that the advantages of operating as a capacitive transmission line are not lost while successfully protecting the transmission line components from excessive voltages.

[0115] It will be understood that managing / modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line, as described above, not only modifies the impedance of the capacitive transmission line itself, but also modifies the impedance of a portion of the circuit formed by the capacitive transmission line. Therefore, the method could include modifying the overall impedance of the power transmission system.

[0116] The target impedance can be the impedance required to optimize the system. For example, the target impedance can be the impedance required to maximize the efficiency of the system (e.g., to maximize the efficiency of power transmission using the system), the impedance required to minimize the risk associated with faults in the system, the impedance required to filter out / substantially eliminate harmonic frequencies of a specific order, and / or the impedance required to maintain the amount of current / power delivered / transmitted to a specific load at a specific value.

[0117] Preferably, the impedance of the capacitive transmission line is modified to substantially eliminate the difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance, that is, the impedance of the capacitive transmission line is set to be at least substantially equal to or precisely equal to the target impedance.

[0118] One or more loads can be multiple loads. There can be at least two loads, at least three loads, at least five loads, at least ten loads, at least twenty loads, at least thirty loads, or at least fifty loads.

[0119] Data relating to one or more loads, or to one or more loads present at one or more loads, may be data concerning the impedance state of each load. Alternatively or additionally, data relating to one or more loads, or to one or more loads present at one or more loads, may be data concerning the current and / or voltage at each load. This may be advantageous because providing data concerning the impedance state of each load and / or the current and / or voltage at each load makes it possible to determine the impedance variations that may be required to achieve the target impedance.

[0120] Data about a power transmission system can be data on the overall impedance of the power transmission system or data on the impedance of a specific component of the power transmission system. This can be advantageous because providing such impedance data makes it possible to determine the impedance variations that may be needed to achieve the target impedance.

[0121] The capacitive transmission line can be a capacitive transmission line according to the second aspect of the present invention. Preferably, the capacitive transmission line is a capacitive cable. The method may include using an impedance management system to modify the impedance, and the impedance management system may be an impedance management system according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0122] In the example, the capacitive transmission line may have an initial impedance, the receiver may receive data about one or more loads connected to the capacitive transmission line, the processor may then determine a target impedance of the capacitive transmission line based on the data, and the initial impedance may then be compared with the target impedance. The controller may then modify the impedance to reduce the difference between the initial impedance and the target impedance. The receiver, processor, and / or controller may be a receiver, processor, and / or controller of an impedance management system according to a third aspect of the present invention.

[0123] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, a wireless charging station for electric vehicles is provided, the wireless charging station including a power transmission system according to a first aspect of the invention. In a particular embodiment, a vehicle parking area, particularly a parking lot, including a wireless charging station is provided. Attached Figure Description

[0124] The invention will now be illustrated by the following examples with reference to the accompanying drawings and tables, in which:

[0125] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram is shown of a capacitive cable connected to a power source and a load.

[0126] Figure 2 A schematic block diagram is shown showing a capacitive cable connected to a power source and five loads;

[0127] Figure 3A schematic block diagram of a capacitive cable with a device for modifying the impedance of a capacitive cable connected to a power source and five loads is shown.

[0128] Figure 4 A schematic block diagram of a wireless electric vehicle charging system is shown.

[0129] Figure 5 A schematic block diagram of the central component for a wireless electric vehicle charging system connected to a power source is shown.

[0130] Figure 6 It shows including Figure 5 A schematic block diagram of a wireless electric vehicle charging system with a central component, the wireless electric vehicle charging system having ten electric vehicles parked at ten grounding pads respectively.

[0131] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 A schematic block diagram of a wireless electric vehicle charging system, which has four electric vehicles parked at four grounding pads respectively, and therefore has six unused grounding pads.

[0132] Figure 8 It shows Figure 6 and Figure 7 A schematic block diagram of a wireless electric vehicle charging system, which has an electric vehicle parked on a grounding mat and therefore has nine unused grounding mats.

[0133] Figure 9 A schematic block diagram of a power transmission system including capacitive cables as signal lines and capacitive cables as return lines, and including four loads, is shown.

[0134] Figure 10 It shows Figure 9 A schematic block diagram of the impedance group of a power transmission system;

[0135] Figure 11 A schematic block diagram of a node is shown, where the load is connected to the second conductor of the transmission line.

[0136] Figure 12 A schematic block diagram of the transmitter circuit of a wireless charging system is shown.

[0137] Figure 13 A schematic block diagram of the receiver circuit of a wireless charging system is shown.

[0138] Figure 14 A schematic block diagram of a transformer is shown;

[0139] Figure 15A schematic block diagram of a capacitive cable with a device for modifying the impedance of a capacitive cable connected to a power source and five loads is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0140] Table 1 shows the results for the test. Figure 9 The experiment used current data to study the impact of impedance management systems on power transmission systems.

[0141] Table 2 shows the results for the test. Figure 9 Voltage data from experiments conducted to study the impact of impedance management systems on power transmission systems;

[0142] Table 3 shows the results for the test. Figure 9 The power data from experiments conducted to study the impact of impedance management systems on power transmission systems;

[0143] Table 4 shows the percentage increase in power achieved using the impedance management system and is based on the data shown in Table 3; and

[0144] Table 5 shows which electrical connections were activated / deactivated by the impedance management system during the experiments used to obtain the data shown in Tables 1 through 4.

[0145] Example 1 - Capacitive cable connected to a load

[0146] See Figure 1 The capacitive cable 1 comprises a dielectric material (in) Figure 1 (Not shown) Separate first conductor 2 and second conductor 3. The first conductor is connected to the power source 4, while the second conductor is connected to the load 5. The first conductor is not connected to the load, and the second conductor is not connected to the power source. It will be understood that connecting the conductors in this way ensures that the cable is used as a capacitive cable rather than a conventional cable to transmit power. Capacitive cables are used as signal lines. Return line ( Figure 1 (Not shown) is used to return power from the load to the power source to complete the circuit.

[0147] Example 2 - Capacitive cable connected to five loads

[0148] See Figure 2 The capacitive cable 1 includes a dielectric material ( Figure 2 (Not shown) Separate first conductor 2 and second conductor 3. The first conductor is connected to the power source 4, while the second conductor is connected to five separate loads 5. The first conductor is not connected to any load, and the second conductor is not connected to the power source. It will be understood that connecting the conductors in this way ensures that the cable is used as a capacitive cable rather than a conventional cable to transmit power. The capacitive cable is used as a signal line. Return line ( Figure 2 (Not shown) is used to return power from the load to the power source to complete the circuit.

[0149] Example 3 - Capacitive cable including a device for modifying the impedance of a capacitive cable

[0150] See Figure 3 The capacitive cable 1 includes a dielectric material ( Figure 3 (Not shown) Separate first conductor 2 and second conductor 3. The first conductor is connected to the power source 4, while the second conductor is connected to five separate loads 5. The first conductor is not connected to any load, and the second conductor is not connected to the power source. It will be understood that connecting the conductors in this way ensures that the cable is used as a capacitive cable rather than a conventional cable to transmit power. The capacitive cable is used as a signal line. Return line ( Figure 3 (Not shown) is used to return power from the load to the power source to complete the circuit.

[0151] The capacitive cable includes two capacitors 6 connected between a first conductor and a second conductor. Each of the two capacitors can be individually switched between an active and inactive state using a switch 7. It will be understood that, in Figure 3 In the diagram, one capacitor is shown as active because its switch is closed, while another capacitor is shown as inactive because its switch is open.

[0152] Example 4 - Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging System

[0153] See Figure 4 The wireless electric vehicle charging system 8 includes a power supply 4 connected to a central component 9. The central component includes a converter ( Figure 4 (Not shown in the diagram), the converter is used to convert the 50 Hz or 60 Hz AC power supplied to it into 85 kHz AC power for output from the central component.

[0154] The central component is connected to the first conductor 2 of the capacitive cable 1 and thus supplies alternating current at a frequency of 85 kHz to the first conductor. The capacitive cable also includes a dielectric material between the first conductor and the second conductor 3 of the capacitive cable. Figure 4 (Not shown in the diagram). Unlike the first conductor, the second conductor is not connected to the central assembly. Therefore, the dielectric material guides the capacitive relationship between the first and second conductors during use, thereby ensuring that the cable transmits power as a capacitive cable rather than a conventional cable.

[0155] The second conductor of the capacitive cable is connected to ten grounding pads 10, which act as a load 5 and when the electric vehicle ( Figure 4When parked on the grounding mat (not shown), the electric vehicle draws power from the wireless electric vehicle charging system. When power is supplied to the grounding mat via a second conductor in the form of alternating current at a frequency of 85 kHz, each grounding mat transmits this power to the corresponding vehicle-mounted mat 11 of the electric vehicle parked on or near the grounding mat. It will be understood that this transmission is achieved via wireless power transmission 12 and the vehicle-mounted mat is a load present at the grounding mat. Therefore, both the grounding mat 10 and the vehicle-mounted mat 11 are loads 5.

[0156] Capacitive cables are used as signal lines. Return line ( Figure 4 (Not shown) is used to return power from the grounding pad to the power source to complete the circuit.

[0157] Example 5 - Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging System

[0158] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 The wireless electric vehicle charging system 8 includes a power supply 4 connected to a central assembly 9, which is in the form of a cabinet. The power supply provides electricity in the form of 50 Hz or 60 Hz alternating current to a converter 13 located within the central assembly. The converter includes four power amplifier modules 14, which can function as four independent modules, i.e., different 10kW converters, or in parallel as a single 40kW converter. Whether these power amplifier modules operate independently or in parallel is controlled by a converter controller 15, which is also located within the central assembly and can communicate with and thus control the converters. Figure 5 and Figure 6 (The dashed line in the middle indicates communication).

[0159] The converter converts a 50 Hz or 60 Hz AC input into an 85 kHz AC output and supplies the output current to the first conductor 2 of the capacitive cable 1.

[0160] The central assembly also includes multiple capacitors 6 and multiple inductors 16 located within the central assembly, each inductor and capacitor being individually switchable between an active and inactive state using a switch 7. It will be understood that, in Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the diagram, one capacitor is shown as active because its switch is closed, while another capacitor and inductor are shown as inactive because their respective switches are open. It will also be understood that, although in Figure 5 and Figure 6 The diagram shows only two capacitors and two inductors, but in practice, more capacitors and more inductors can be used. The capacitors and inductors located within the central assembly are used to modify the overall impedance of the capacitive cable.

[0161] To use the aforementioned device to modify the impedance of the capacitive cable, the central component further includes a distributed variable impedance balancer control module 17, which acts as a controller for controlling the device used to change the impedance of the capacitive cable. The controller can communicate with the switches and is therefore used to modify which switches are open and which are closed at any given time.

[0162] The distributed variable impedance balancer control module can also communicate with the converter controller to control the frequency of the AC output from the converter. Although this output will typically be 85 kHz, the distributed variable impedance balancer control module and the converter controller can control the converter to output AC in the range of 70-95 kHz, preferably in the range of 79-90 kHz.

[0163] In addition to the first conductor, the capacitive cable includes a second conductor 3 and multiple capacitors 6 connected between the first and second conductors. Each capacitor can be individually switched between an active and inactive state using a switch 7. These capacitors differ from those located within the central assembly and are used to modify multiple local impedances at multiple points along the capacitive cable. A distributed variable impedance balancer control module 17 within the central assembly 9 controls which switches are open and which are closed at any given time.

[0164] Capacitive cables also include a dielectric material between the first conductor and the second conductor. Figure 6 (Not shown in the image).

[0165] The second conductor of the capacitive cable is connected to ten separate grounding pads 10, when the electric vehicle ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 When a vehicle (not shown) is parked on a grounding mat, the grounding mat acts as a load 5 and draws power from the power source. When power is supplied to the grounding mats via a second conductor in the form of alternating current at a frequency of 85 kHz, each grounding mat transmits this power to the corresponding vehicle mat 11 of an electric vehicle parked on or near the grounding mat. It will be understood that this transmission is achieved via wireless power transmission 12 and the vehicle mat is a load present at the grounding mat. Therefore, both grounding mat 10 and vehicle mat 11 are loads 5.

[0166] When the wireless electric vehicle charging system is in use, different types of electric vehicles can be parked at each grounding pad. Alternatively or additionally, electric vehicles requiring different amounts of power can be parked at each grounding pad, and / or the power required by each electric vehicle can vary over time. Alternatively or additionally, electric vehicles can be parked at some grounding pads without parking at others. Alternatively or additionally, an electric vehicle can be parked at one grounding pad with good alignment between its onboard pad and the grounding pad, while another electric vehicle can be parked at another grounding pad with poor alignment between its onboard pad and the grounding pad. In any case, it will be understood that the power supplied to the electric vehicle by each grounding pad may be different and may vary over time, and therefore the load 5 may differ from each other and vary over time.

[0167] Therefore, each vehicle-mounted mat is connected to the adjustment control and communication unit ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 (Not shown in the image), the regulation control and communication unit continuously monitors the power demand of its electric vehicle. This information is then wirelessly transmitted to the regulation control and communication unit (not shown in the image) connected to the grounding mat of the parked electric vehicle. Figure 5 and Figure 6 (Not shown in the image). Then, for example using wireless communication, the information is communicated to a communication controller 18 located within the central component 9. The communication controller then uses this information to determine the impedance state of the relevant grounding pad and integrates the information received from each of the ten grounding pads to determine the target impedance of the capacitive cable for each grounding pad.

[0168] The communication controller and the distributed variable impedance balancer control module communicate with each other to determine whether the actual impedance of the capacitive cable is different, i.e., has deviated from the target impedance. If the actual impedance matches the target impedance, no change is made. However, if the actual impedance is different (i.e., has deviated) from the target impedance, the distributed variable impedance balancer control module changes the impedance of the capacitive cable by changing which capacitors 6 and / or inductors 16 are active and / or inactive using switch 7. Alternatively or additionally, the distributed variable impedance balancer control module may communicate with the converter controller to adjust whether the power amplifier modules operate independently or in parallel with each other, and / or adjust the frequency of the AC power output from the converter. The result is that the impedance is modified to match the target impedance, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system.

[0169] Importantly, the aforementioned monitoring and adjustment of the impedance of the capacitive cable occurs continuously, and therefore the distributed variable impedance balancer control module responds to the change in the impedance state of each load whenever these occur.

[0170] It will be understood that, although the above has described how the distributed variable impedance balancer control module detects the deviation between the impedance of the capacitive cable and the target impedance and modifies the impedance accordingly, it is alternatively possible for the communication controller to inform the distributed variable impedance balancer control module of the expected change in the impedance of each load, and thus the impedance of the capacitive cable can be adjusted based on the expected change rather than in response to a change that has already occurred.

[0171] Capacitive cables are used as signal lines. Return line ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 (Not shown) is used to return power from the grounding pad to the power source to complete the circuit.

[0172] Example 6 - Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging System

[0173] See Figure 7 Example 5's wireless electric vehicle charging system has four electric vehicles parked at four of the ten grounding pads 10. Figure 7 (Not shown in the diagram), these four electric vehicles act as loads 5 and draw power from the power source when the electric vehicles are parked on these ground mats. Specifically, the vehicle-mounted mats 11 of the electric vehicles draw power from these ground mats via wireless power transmission 12. No electric vehicles are parked on the remaining six ground mats 19, but these can be considered "loads" in the context of this invention.

[0174] Similar to Example 5 above, the communication controller and the distributed variable impedance balancer control module work together to control the impedance of the capacitive cable, thereby achieving the target impedance at each grounding pad and maximizing the efficiency of the system.

[0175] See Figure 8 , showing Figure 7 The wireless electric vehicle charging system has been implemented, and three of the electric vehicles have completed charging and left. (As in...) Figure 8 As can be seen, in response to the departure of the three electric vehicles, one of these switches has changed from the closed position to the open position to modify the impedance.

[0176] Example 7 - Power Transmission System

[0177] See Figure 9 and Figure 10A power transmission system 20 was constructed. In the power transmission system, a power source 4 supplies three-phase AC power at a frequency of 50 Hz to a converter 13, which then converts the 50 Hz AC input into an 85.221 kHz AC output and supplies it to a rotary transformer 21. The rotary transformer then supplies this 85.221 kHz AC power to a 1:2 step-up transformer 22. The current from the step-up transformer is supplied to the first conductor 2 of a capacitive cable 1. The capacitive cable includes a dielectric material (in...) between the first conductor and the second conductor 3 of the capacitive cable. Figure 9 and Figure 10 (not shown in the diagram), and thus power is transferred from the first conductor to the second conductor via capacitive coupling. Four separate loads 5 are connected to the second conductor. Therefore, the capacitive cable is used as a transmission line for the signal line 23 to supply power from the power source to the loads.

[0178] exist Figure 9 and Figure 10 Details of these loads are not shown. However, each load includes a 2:1 step-down transformer connected to a second conductor of a capacitive cable. Current from the step-down transformer is then supplied to a compensation circuit before reaching a first 11 kW rated wireless power transmission coil (“transmitting coil”), which is configured to wirelessly transmit power to a second 11 kW rated wireless power transmission coil (“receiving coil”). Current from the receiving coil is supplied to a second compensation circuit and subsequently to a rectifier that rectifies the AC input to DC (“DC”) and supplies it to the DC load. The DC load uses some of the power, and the remaining power is then returned to the step-down transformer via a return line, through the rectifier (which is bidirectional and therefore capable of acting as an inverter to invert the DC input to AC), the compensation circuit connected to the receiving coil, the receiving coil, the wireless power transmission to the transmitting coil, and the compensation circuit connected to the transmitting coil.

[0179] In this return path, the step-down transformer described above then acts as a 1:2 step-up transformer and supplies power to the second conductor 3 of the second capacitive cable 1. The capacitive cable includes a dielectric material (in...) between the second conductor and the first conductor 2. Figure 9 and Figure 10 (Not shown in the diagram), and thus power is transmitted from the second conductor to the first conductor via capacitive coupling. The capacitive cable is the transmission line used as return line 24 in this power transmission system. Power is returned from the first conductor to the power source via step-up transformer 22, which acts as a 2:1 step-down transformer in the return line to complete the circuit.

[0180] Each capacitive cable in this power transmission system is 108 m long. Four loads are connected at 27-meter intervals, with the first load connected 27 m from the end of the signal cable connected to the power source, the second load 54 m from that end, the third load 81 m from that end, and the fourth load 108 m from that end. Conductors for returning power from the loads to the return cable are connected at the corresponding locations on the cable.

[0181] At each end of one of the two capacitive cables, the first conductor is electrically connected to the power source, and impedance group 25 is connected between the first and second conductors. The impedance group is managed by an impedance management system (…). Figure 9 and Figure 10 (Not shown in the image) Control.

[0182] Each impedance group includes four electrical connections between the first and second conductors, and each electrical connection includes multiple capacitors 6 that are jointly controlled / can be jointly controlled via switch 7. The four electrical connections are connected in parallel between the first and second conductors.

[0183] The first electrical connection 26a includes four sets of four capacitors connected in series with each other, each set connected in parallel with three other sets. Each capacitor in the first electrical connection is a 68 nF capacitor, and therefore the net capacitance added to the system by activating this electrical connection is 68 nF.

[0184] The second electrical connection 26b includes three sets of four capacitors connected in series with each other, each set connected in parallel with two other sets. Each capacitor in the second electrical connection is a 68 nF capacitor, and therefore the net capacitance added to the system by activating this electrical connection is 51 nF.

[0185] The third electrical connection 26c includes three sets of four capacitors connected in series with each other, each set connected in parallel with two other sets. Each capacitor in the third electrical connection is a 68 nF capacitor, and therefore the net capacitance added to the system by activating this electrical connection is 51 nF.

[0186] The fourth electrical connection 26d comprises two sets of five capacitors connected in series with each other, each set connected in parallel with the other set. Each capacitor in the fourth electrical connection is a 180 nF capacitor, and therefore the net capacitance added to the system by activating this electrical connection is 72 nF.

[0187] What will be understood is that, Figure 10In the diagram, the second electrical connection 26b is shown as active because its switch is closed, while the first electrical connection 26a, the third electrical connection 26c, and the fourth electrical connection 26d are each shown as inactive because their respective switches are open. It will also be understood that simultaneously activating more than one of these electrical connections has a cumulative effect, such that activating the first electrical connection 26a and the second electrical connection 26b, for example, adds a capacitance of 119 nF to the capacitive cable, and thus to the power transmission system.

[0188] The aforementioned power transmission system was then tested to compare whether the system performed better when the impedance management system (“IMS”) was active (i.e., used to modify the impedance of the two capacitive cables / to control which electrical connections in each impedance group were active at any given time) compared to when the impedance management system was inactive (i.e., when all switches in both impedance groups remained open). The experimental results are shown in Tables 1 through 5. In each of these tables, reference to “Load 1” indicates a load connected 27 m from the end of the signal cable connected to the power source, reference to “Load 2” indicates a load connected 54 m from it, reference to “Load 3” indicates a load connected 81 m from it, and reference to “Load 4” indicates a load connected 108 m from it.

[0189] During the experiment, different combinations of four loads were activated, and the input current from the converter and the output current at each load were measured. These data are shown in Table 1. Voltage (Table 2) and power (Table 3) were also measured accordingly.

[0190] As can be seen from Tables 1 and 2, when the current remains essentially the same, the voltage between the first and second conductors decreases when the impedance management system is activated, compared to deactivating it. This means that for a given current, reducing the voltage stress on the dielectric material by using the impedance management system lowers the risk of damage to the dielectric material during use. It also means that for a given voltage, a larger current can be delivered to each load.

[0191] Table 4 is based on the data shown in Table 3 and illustrates the percentage increase in power achieved by activating the impedance management system. Therefore, as can be seen from Tables 3 and 4, activating the impedance management system results in higher input power and higher output power compared to deactivating it.

[0192] Table 5 shows which electrical connections the impedance management system activated when it was activated for each of the different load combinations, and the total capacitance added to each of the signal and return lines in each case. It will be understood that in this experiment, the impedance management system controlled the switches in both impedance groups in the same way; that is, throughout the experiment, the switch combinations that were disconnected in one impedance group were the same as those that were disconnected in the other impedance group.

[0193] Example 8 - Connection Point

[0194] See Figure 11 The transmission line includes a first conductor 2 and a second conductor 3, with a dielectric material between the first conductor and the second conductor. Figure 11 (Not shown in the diagram). The first and second conductors each enter the junction box 27 through their respective inlet ports 28. Inside the junction box, each of the first and second conductors has a copper busbar 29 connecting its two parts. On the other side of the junction box, the first and second conductors exit the junction box through the outlet port 30. The transmission line serves as a signal line 23.

[0195] The second transmission line is connected in a similar manner to the transmission line described above, but is used as a return line 24 instead of a signal line. Therefore, the second transmission line includes a first conductor 2 and a second conductor 3, with a dielectric material between the first and second conductors. Figure 11 (Not shown in the diagram). The first and second conductors each enter the junction box through their respective inlet ports 28. Inside the junction box, each of the first and second conductors has a copper busbar connecting its two parts. On the other side of the junction box, the first and second conductors exit the junction box through the outlet port 30.

[0196] On the side of the junction box where the signal conductor leaves the junction box and the return conductor enters, the second conductor of each transmission line is connected to the load 5. A busbar connecting the two sections of the second conductor of the signal line is connected to the second load 5 via a wire that exits the junction box through a lead-out port 30. Similarly, the second load 5 is connected via a wire to the busbar connecting the two sections of the second conductor of the return line, which enters the junction box through a lead-in port 28.

[0197] Therefore, the junction box facilitates connecting the second conductor of each of the signal lines and return lines to two loads.

[0198] Inside the junction box, there are fourteen impedance groups 25. Each of these impedance groups may have a similar configuration to the impedance group in Example 7 above, but may alternatively have a different configuration. Therefore, each impedance group may include one or more electrical connections, which may include one or more capacitors, inductors, and / or resistors that can be controlled individually or collectively. Each impedance group is individually controlled via switch 7, the position of which determines whether the impedance group is active or inactive at any given time. Some impedance groups are connected between the first conductor of the signal line and the first conductor of the return line, while other impedance groups are connected between the second conductor of the signal line and the second conductor of the return line. Other impedance groups are connected in series with one of the conductors.

[0199] All these conductors are controlled by the distributed variable impedance balancer module of the power transmission system. Figure 11 (Not shown in the image) Control, all these electrical components form part of the power transmission system.

[0200] Example 9 - Wireless Power Transmission

[0201] See Figure 12 The power transmission system includes a power source 4, which is configured to output power to a first conductor 2 of a transmission line. The transmission line includes a second conductor 3 and a dielectric material between the first and second conductors. Figure 12 (Not shown in the image). The second conductor is used to return power to the power source.

[0202] The transmission line is not connected to a load. Instead, a portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor are wound together into a coil. Nevertheless, it will be understood that one or more loads can be connected to the second conductor of the transmission line, and therefore the second conductor is suitable for connection to one or more loads.

[0203] When the power source is active (power is supplied), a magnetic field is generated around the coil. Thus, the coil can be used as a transmitting coil in wireless charging systems (such as the grounding pad in wireless electric vehicle charging systems).

[0204] See Figure 13 A power transmission system similar to the one described above includes a transmission line having a first conductor 2 and a second conductor 3, with a dielectric material between the first conductor and the second conductor. Figure 13 (Not shown in the image). A portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor are wound together to form a coil. When the coil is placed in a magnetic field, a current is induced therein, and thus the coil is configured to wirelessly receive power. Therefore, the coil can be used as a receiving coil in wireless charging systems, such as in-vehicle mats for electric vehicles.

[0205] When a current is induced in the coil, the power is transferred to the load 5 via the first conductor. The second conductor is then used to return the power to the first conductor via a dielectric material to complete the circuit.

[0206] The first conductor is not connected to the power source, but it will be understood that the power source can be connected to the first conductor of the transmission line, and therefore the first conductor is suitable for connection to the power source.

[0207] The three impedance groups 25 are connected as Figure 12 and Figure 13 This is a portion of each power transmission system shown. Each impedance group includes multiple electrical connections between the first and second conductors. Figure 12 and Figure 13 (Not shown in the image). Similar to Example 8 above, each impedance group can have multiple settings, with the example being a setting similar to the impedance group in Example 7 above.

[0208] Importantly, each of these power transmission systems further includes four electrical connections, each connected in series with the second conductor, and each of these connections can be individually controlled by switch 7. At any given time, only one of these four switches will be active, i.e., closed. All four switches are controlled by the distributed variable impedance balancer control module of the power transmission system (…). Figure 12 and 13 (Not shown in the diagram) Control. By controlling which of these four switches is active at any given time, this control module can modify the impedance of the transmission line by changing the number of turns in the coil. The control module can also control the switching of impedance groups, which also facilitates the modification of the transmission line impedance.

[0209] Figure 12 and Figure 13 The power transmission system can be used in wireless electric vehicle charging systems, in which Figure 12 The coil is used as the transmitting coil in the grounding pad of the wireless electric vehicle charging system, and Figure 13 The coil is used as a receiving coil in the on-board pad of an electric vehicle charged using a wireless electric vehicle charging system. In the example, load 5 can be the battery of the electric vehicle. Therefore, power can be supplied from power source 4 to load 5 via wireless power transfer from the transmitting coil to the receiving coil.

[0210] Example 10 - Transformer

[0211] See Figure 14 The power transmission system includes a power source 4, which is configured to output power to a first conductor 2 of a transmission line. The transmission line includes a second conductor 3 and a dielectric material between the first and second conductors (in... Figure 14(Not shown in the image). The second conductor is used to return power to the power source.

[0212] A portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor are wound together into a coil, which is used as the primary coil of transformer 22.

[0213] The transmission line is not connected to a load, but it will be understood that one or more loads can be connected to the second conductor of the transmission line, and therefore the second conductor is suitable for connection to one or more loads.

[0214] A power transmission system similar to the one described above includes a transmission line having a first conductor 2 and a second conductor 3, with a dielectric material (in) between the first conductor and the second conductor. Figure 14 (Not shown in the diagram). A portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor are wound together to form a coil, which is used as the secondary coil of a transformer. When the secondary coil is in a magnetic field, a current is induced therein, and thus the secondary coil is configured to receive power from the primary coil.

[0215] When a current is induced in the secondary coil, the power is transferred to the load 5 via the first conductor. The second conductor is then used to return the power to the first conductor via a dielectric material.

[0216] The first conductor is not connected to the power source, but it will be understood that the power source can be connected to the first conductor of the transmission line, and therefore the first conductor is suitable for connection to the power source.

[0217] Therefore, power can be supplied from the power source to the first conductor of the transmission line on the primary side of the transformer, and then via the dielectric material to the second conductor of the transmission line. Power can then be supplied across the transformer to the first conductor of the transmission line on the secondary side of the transformer, and then to the load. In this way, power is supplied from the power source to the load via signal line 23. The load then uses some power, and the remaining power is subsequently returned to the secondary coil via the second conductor of the transmission line on the secondary side of the transformer. Power can then be returned across the transformer to the second conductor of the transmission line on the primary side of the transformer, and the second conductor then returns power to the power source. In this way, power returns from the load to the power source via return line 24.

[0218] Three impedance groups 25 are connected to each side of the transformer. Each impedance group includes multiple electrical connections between the first conductor and the second conductor. Figure 14 (Not shown in the image). As with Examples 8 and 9 above, each impedance group can have multiple settings, with the example being a setting similar to the impedance group in Example 7 above.

[0219] Importantly, each of these power transmission systems further includes four electrical connections, each connected in series with the second conductor, and each of these connections can be individually controlled by switch 7. At any given time, only one of these four switches will be active, i.e., closed. All four switches are controlled by the distributed variable impedance balancer control module of the power transmission system (…). Figure 14 (Not shown in the diagram) Control. By controlling which of these four switches is active at any given time, this control module can modify the impedance of the transmission line by changing the number of turns in the coil. The control module can also control the switching of impedance groups, which also facilitates the modification of the transmission line impedance.

[0220] Example 11 - A capacitive cable, comprising means for modifying the impedance of the capacitive cable.

[0221] See Figure 15 The capacitive cable 1 comprises a dielectric material (in) Figure 15 (Not shown) Separate first conductor 2 and second conductor 3. The first conductor is connected to the power source 4, while the second conductor is connected to five separate loads 5. The first conductor is not connected to any load, and the second conductor is not connected to the power source. It will be understood that connecting the conductors in this way ensures that the cable is used as a capacitive cable rather than a conventional cable to transmit power. The capacitive cable is used as a signal line. Return line ( Figure 15 (Not shown) is used to return power from the load to the power source to complete the circuit.

[0222] The capacitive cable includes two capacitors 6 connected between a first conductor and a second conductor. The capacitive cable also includes a resistor 31 connected in series with the first conductor. Each of the two capacitors and the resistor can be individually switched between an active and inactive state using a switch 7. It will be understood that... Figure 15 In the diagram, a capacitor is shown as active because its switch is closed, while other capacitors and resistors are shown as inactive because their respective switches are open.

[0223] Figure Labels 1. Capacitor cable 2 First conductor 3 Second conductor 4 Power Supply 5. Load 6. Capacitors 7 Switches 8. Wireless electric vehicle charging system 9 Central Components 10 Grounding mat 11 Car Mat 12 Wireless power transmission 13 Converters 14 Power Amplifier Module 15 Converter Controller 16 Inductors 17 Distributed Variable Impedance Balancer Control Module 18 Communication Controller 19 Ground mats where electric vehicles are not parked 20 Power Transmission System 21 Rotary 22 Transformers 23 signal lines 24-way route 25 Impedance Groups 26 Electrical Connections 27 Junction Box 28. Entering Port 29 busbars 30 Export Ports 31 Resistor

[0224]

[0225]

[0226]

[0227]

Claims

1. A power transmission system, comprising: (a) a power source, (b) one or more loads, (c) a capacitive transmission line, the capacitive transmission line having: (i) a first conductor connected to the power source but not to the one or more loads, (ii) a second conductor connected to the one or more loads but not to the power source, and (iii) a dielectric material between the first conductor and the second conductor, and (d) an impedance management system for modifying an impedance of the capacitive transmission line between at least a first impedance and a second impedance different from the first impedance without switching the capacitive transmission line between a capacitive mode and a traditional mode.

2. The power transfer system of claim 1, wherein, the impedance management system is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between at least three states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other two states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

3. The power transfer system of claim 2, wherein, the impedance management system is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between at least five states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other four states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

4. The power transfer system of claim 3, wherein, the impedance management system is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between at least ten states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other nine states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

5. The power transfer system of claim 4, wherein, the impedance management system is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between at least twenty states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other nineteen states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

6. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, the impedance management system is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between an infinite number of states between a maximum impedance and a minimum impedance, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

7. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, the one or more loads are a plurality of loads.

8. The power transfer system of claim 7, wherein, there are at least five loads.

9. The power transfer system of claim 8, wherein, there are at least ten loads.

10. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, the impedance management system comprises: (a) a receiver for receiving data related to one or more loads, related to one or more loads present at the one or more loads, and / or related to the power transmission system, (b) a processor for determining a target impedance of the capacitive transmission line based on the data, and (c) a controller for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line according to the target impedance.

11. The power transfer system of claim 10, wherein, the controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to reduce a difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance.

12. The power transfer system of claim 11, wherein, the controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to substantially eliminate a difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance.

13. The power transfer system of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The data related to or about one or more of the loads is data about an impedance state of each load.

14. The power transfer system of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The data about the power transmission system is data about an overall impedance of the power transmission system or data about an impedance of a particular component of the power transmission system.

15. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The impedance management system is to modify an overall impedance of the capacitive transmission line or one or more local impedances at one or more points along the capacitive transmission line.

16. The power transfer system of claim 15, wherein, The one or more points along the capacitive transmission line are associated with the one or more loads.

17. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The impedance management system is to modify an impedance of the capacitive transmission line in response to a change in the one or more loads.

18. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein, The impedance management system is to modify an impedance of the capacitive transmission line in anticipation of a change in the one or more loads.

19. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein, The impedance management system is to modify an impedance of the capacitive transmission line by modifying one or more of a capacitive reactance of the capacitive transmission line, an inductive reactance of the capacitive transmission line, a resistance of the capacitive transmission line, and a frequency of an alternating current supplied by the power source.

20. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The capacitive transmission line includes one or more electrical connections, each of the one or more electrical connections being between the first conductor and the second conductor or in series with the first conductor or the second conductor, and each of the one or more electrical connections being individually controllable.

21. The power transfer system of claim 20, wherein, Each of the one or more electrical connections has a variable capacitance, a variable inductance, and / or a variable resistance.

22. The power transfer system of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein, The one or more electrical connections are selected from one or more capacitors, one or more inductors, one or more resistors, and combinations thereof.

23. The power transfer system of any one of claims 20-22, wherein, Each of the one or more electrical connections is individually controllable via a switch.

24. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein, The power transmission system includes a detector to detect a fault of the capacitive transmission line and to instruct the impedance management system to increase an impedance of the capacitive transmission line in response to detection of the fault.

25. The power transfer system of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein, The capacitive transmission line is a capacitive cable.

26. A capacitive transmission line for use in a power transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 25, comprising: (a) a first conductor for connection to a power source, (b) a second conductor for connection to a load, (c) a dielectric material between the first conductor and the second conductor, and (d) one or more electrical connections, each of the one or more electrical connections being between the first conductor and the second conductor or in series with the first conductor or the second conductor, and each of the one or more electrical connections being individually controllable.

27. The capacitive transmission line of claim 26, wherein, The one or more electrical connections are a plurality of electrical connections.

28. The capacitive transmission line of claim 27, wherein, There are at least three electrical connections.

29. The capacitive transmission line of claim 28, wherein, There are at least five electrical connections.

30. The capacitive transmission line of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein, Each of the one or more electrical connections includes a capacitor, an inductor, or a resistor that is individually controllable via a switch.

31. The capacitive transmission line of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein, Each of the one or more electrical connections includes a plurality of capacitors, a plurality of inductors, a plurality of resistors, or a plurality of electrical components that are each a capacitor, an inductor, or a resistor, collectively controllable via a switch.

32. The capacitive transmission line according to any one of claims 26 to 31, wherein, The capacitive transmission line is a capacitive cable.

33. An impedance management system for a power transmission system according to any of claims 1 to 25, comprising: (a) a receiver for receiving data related to one or more loads, related to one or more loads present at one or more loads, and / or related to the power transmission system, (b) a processor for determining a target impedance of the capacitive transmission line based on the data, and (c) a controller for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line according to the target impedance, wherein the controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line between at least a first impedance and a second impedance different from the first impedance without switching the capacitive transmission line between a capacitive mode and a conventional mode.

34. The impedance management system of claim 33, wherein, The controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between at least three states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other two states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

35. The impedance management system of claim 34, wherein, The controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between at least five states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other four states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

36. The impedance management system of claim 35, wherein, The controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between at least ten states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other nine states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

37. The impedance management system of claim 36, wherein, The controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between at least twenty states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other nineteen states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

38. The impedance management system of any of claims 33-37, wherein, The controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line by switching the impedance between an infinite number of states between a maximum impedance and a minimum impedance, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

39. The impedance management system of any of claims 33-38, wherein, The controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to reduce a difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance.

40. The impedance management system of claim 41, wherein, The controller is for modifying the impedance of the capacitive transmission line to substantially eliminate a difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance.

41. The impedance management system of any of claims 33-40, wherein, The one or more loads are a plurality of loads.

42. The impedance management system of any of claims 33-41, wherein, The data related to the one or more loads or to one or more loads present at the one or more loads is data regarding an impedance state of each load. The one or more loads are a plurality of loads. The data related to the one or more loads or to one or more loads present at the one or more loads is data regarding an impedance state of each load.

43. The impedance management system of any of claims 33 to 42, wherein, The data about the power transmission system is data about an overall impedance of the power transmission system or data about an impedance of a particular component of the power transmission system.

44. The impedance management system of any of claims 33-43, wherein, The capacitive transmission line is a capacitive cable.

45. Use of a capacitive transmission line according to any one of claims 26 to 32 as a capacitive transmission line of a power transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

46. Use of an impedance management system according to any one of claims 33 to 44 as an impedance management system of a power transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

47. A method of modifying an impedance of a capacitive transmission line having an impedance, comprising: (a) receiving data related to one or more loads connected to the capacitive transmission line, related to one or more loads present at the one or more loads, and / or related to a portion of a power transmission system formed by the capacitive transmission line, (b) determining a target impedance of the capacitive transmission line based on the data, (c) comparing the impedance to the target impedance, and (d) modifying the impedance to reduce a difference between the impedance and the target impedance, wherein the impedance of the capacitive transmission line is modified between at least a first impedance and a second impedance different from the first impedance without switching the capacitive transmission line between a capacitive mode and a conventional mode.

48. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of claim 47, wherein, The impedance of the capacitive transmission line is modified by switching the impedance between at least three states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other two states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

49. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of claim 48, wherein, The impedance of the capacitive transmission line is modified by switching the impedance between at least five states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other four states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

50. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of claim 49, wherein, The impedance of the capacitive transmission line is modified by switching the impedance between at least ten states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other nine states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

51. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of claim 50, wherein, The impedance of the capacitive transmission line is modified by switching the impedance between at least twenty states, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other nineteen states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

52. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of any one of claims 47 to 51, wherein, The impedance of the capacitive transmission line is modified by switching the impedance between an infinite number of states between a maximum impedance and a minimum impedance, wherein in each state the capacitive transmission line has an impedance different from the impedance of each of the other states and functions as a capacitive transmission line.

53. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of any one of claims 47 to 52, wherein, The impedance of the capacitive transmission line is modified to substantially eliminate a difference between the impedance of the capacitive transmission line and the target impedance.

54. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of any one of claims 47 to 53, wherein, The one or more loads are a plurality of loads.

55. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of any one of claims 47 to 54, wherein, The data relating to the one or more loads or relating to one or more loads present at the one or more loads is data about the impedance state of each load.

56. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of any one of claims 47 to 55, wherein, The data about the power transmission system is data about the overall impedance of the power transmission system or data about the impedance of a particular component of the power transmission system.

57. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of any one of claims 47 to 56, wherein, The capacitive transmission line is a capacitive transmission line according to any of claims 26 to 32.

58. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of any one of claims 47 to 57, wherein, The capacitive transmission line is a capacitive cable.

59. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of any of claims 47-58, wherein, The method comprises modifying the impedance using an impedance management system.

60. The method of modifying the impedance of a capacitive transmission line of claim 59, wherein, The impedance management system is an impedance management system according to any of claims 33 to 44.

61. A wireless charging station for an electric vehicle comprising a power transmission system according to any of claims 1 to 25.

62. A vehicle parking area comprising a wireless charging station according to claim 61.

63. The vehicle parking area of claim 62, wherein, The vehicle parking area is a car park.

Images