Electrically Tunable Inductor for Wireless Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetically coupled wireless power transfer systems face challenges in achieving high-resolution tuning and wide tuning range without mechanical movement, as component tolerances and limited discrete tuning components hinder precise frequency matching, and saturated cores are lossy and do not provide high-Q power transfer.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrically tunable inductor with a main winding and a tuning winding, where the current through the tuning winding is controlled to adjust the flux through the main winding, allowing for fine-tuning of resonant frequency without mechanical adjustment, using a tuning controller to manage the current for peak, direction, frequency, duty cycle, or phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If resonant circuit components are switched on or off to adjust resonant frequency, then frequency tuning is achieved, but high-resolution tuning and wide tuning range are difficult to achieve due to component tolerances and limited discrete tuning components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switching of discrete components with an electrical control mechanism. A control signal adjusts the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit by electrically modulating the circuit parameters, eliminating the need for mechanical switching of multiple discrete tuning components and achieving high-resolution continuous frequency tuning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the resonant circuit electronically. By applying a control signal that modifies the circuit's resonant frequency parameter, the system achieves continuous and high-resolution frequency tuning without relying on discrete component switching, thereby improving both tuning resolution and expanding the tuning range.
2Measurement precision
If a saturated core is used for high resolution tuning, then tuning precision is improved, but power transfer quality deteriorates due to losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the saturated core magnetic tuning mechanism with an electrical control system. Instead of using magnetic saturation effects that cause energy losses, the system uses an electronic control signal to adjust the resonant frequency, achieving high-resolution tuning without the energy losses associated with saturated cores and maintaining high power transfer quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the tuning mechanism from magnetic parameter adjustment (saturated core) to electrical parameter modulation. The control signal electrically adjusts the resonant frequency parameter, achieving precise tuning while avoiding the energy losses inherent in saturated core operations, thus maintaining high-Q power transfer.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical adjustment is used to tune components, then frequency matching is achieved, but system reliability and space requirements deteriorate due to mechanical movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electrical control system. A control signal electronically adjusts the resonant frequency to achieve precise frequency matching between transmitter and receiver, eliminating mechanical moving parts and thereby improving system reliability while reducing space requirements for mechanical adjustment components.
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 enables high-resolution tuning and a wide tuning range in wireless power transfer systems, enhancing power transfer efficiency by allowing precise matching of resonant frequencies between transmitter and receiver coils, while minimizing losses and avoiding mechanical complexities.
Implementation Method 1
A variable current passed through the tuning winding influences the flux through the main winding. As the current through the tuning winding is varied and the flux through the main winding correspondingly changes, power transfer is affected.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically tunable inductor with an equivalent inductance includes a main winding and a tuning winding magnetically coupled to the main winding. The current through the tuning winding is controlled to adjust the equivalent inductance of the electrically tunable inductor. A device may include an electrically tunable inductor. A system may include multiple devices, one or more of the devices including an electrically tunable inductor. A tuning controller within the system may control the current in tuning windings of one or more of the multiple devices in the system. When an electrically tunable inductor is part of a resonant circuit, the resonant frequency may be controlled by adjusting the equivalent inductance of the electrically tunable inductor through controlling the current in the tuning winding. Controlling the current in the tuning winding includes one or more of controlling the peak, direction, frequency, duty cycle, or phase of the current.