Inductive Power Transfer Compensation for Resonance Shift Losses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contactless energy transmission systems, particularly inductive systems for transport systems like linear motors, face challenges in achieving efficient and low-loss energy transfer due to relative movements between primary and secondary parts, which can shift resonance frequencies and increase blind power, leading to reduced transferable activity.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a secondary compensation current to the reception coil on the secondary part creates a second magnetic field that induces a compensation voltage in the transmission coil on the primary part, modifying the phase shift between the voltage and current, thereby increasing the transferred activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If resonant coupling is used to increase magnetic coupling between transmitting and receiving coils, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the system becomes sensitive to resonance frequency shifts caused by relative movements between primary and secondary parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidrobustness to frequency shifts
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the excitation frequency to track the resonant frequency of the coupled system. The control unit continuously monitors the impedance of the transmitting coil and adjusts the excitation frequency accordingly to maintain resonance conditions despite relative movements between primary and secondary parts, thereby maintaining high energy transfer efficiency while adapting to changing system conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the supply voltage is limited by physical limitations of power electronic devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the available electrical power for energy transmission is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply voltage levelVSAvoidavailable electrical power
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action by using high-frequency alternating current to generate time-varying magnetic fields for inductive energy transmission. The periodic switching of power electronic devices at high frequencies enables effective energy transfer while operating within voltage limitations, as the rapid oscillations create sufficient magnetic coupling without requiring continuously high voltage levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by operating power electronic devices at high switching frequencies rather than relying on high voltage levels. This parameter change allows the system to transmit adequate power through increased frequency of operation, compensating for the limited voltage capability of the power electronic devices while maintaining manageable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If relative movements occur between primary and secondary parts during operation, then transport system functionality is enabled, but resonance frequencies shift and negatively impact energy transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidenergy transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the impedance characteristics of the transmitting coil and using this information to adjust the excitation frequency. The control unit processes impedance measurements in real-time and modifies the operating frequency to maintain resonance conditions despite changes in coupling caused by relative movements, thereby preventing energy transfer degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by making the excitation frequency adjustable and adaptable rather than fixed. The frequency of the excitation signal is dynamically modified in response to changing coupling conditions caused by relative movements, allowing the system to maintain optimal resonance conditions throughout the range of motion between primary and secondary parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the transferred activity by up to several thousand percent compared to uncompensated systems, while also reducing blind power and improving the robustness of energy transmission, especially in systems with limited supply voltage and large scatter inductivity.

Implementation Method 1

an electrical primary current is introduced from a supply unit into a transmitting coil arranged on the primary part to build up a first alternating magnetic field for energy transmission, whereby an electrical alternating voltage is induced in a receiving coil arranged on the secondary part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The introduction of a secondary compensation current to the reception coil on the secondary part creates a second magnetic field that induces a compensation voltage in the transmission coil on the primary part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the usual goal of resonant coupling at this point is to select the frequency of the supply voltage applied to the transmitting coil, often referred to as the excitation frequency, as close as possible to a resonant frequency of the resonant electrical circuit. This primarily increases the magnetic coupling between the transmitting and receiving coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4352854B1Method for inductive energy transmission
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4352854B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4352854B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4352854B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an improved method for inductive energy transmission between a primary part (I) and a secondary part (II), wherein a primary current (i s ) is introduced into a transmitting coil (L 1 ) arranged on the primary part (I) in order to create a first magnetic field which induces an electrical AC voltage (u i ) in a receiving coil (L 2 ) arranged on the secondary part (II), which electrical AC voltage causes an electrical secondary current (i v ) at the secondary part (II) and thus a power flow to at least one load (V) connected to the receiving coil (L 2 ), which power flow comprises an uncompensated active power (P N ). According to the invention, a compensation unit (K) introduces a compensation current (i K ) into a secondary-side coil (L K ), which compensation current generates a second magnetic field which is superimposed on the first magnetic field and induces a compensation voltage (u K ) in the transmitting coil (L 1 ). The compensation voltage (u K ) changes the phase shift between the primary voltage (u L1 ) that drops across the transmitting coil (L 1 ) and the primary current (i s ) that flows through the transmitting coil (L 1 ) in such a way that the transmitted active power (P R ) increases.