2020 journal article
A Coupling-Insensitive X-Type IPT System for High Position Tolerance
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS, 68(8), 6917–6926.
The output characteristic of an inductive power transfer (IPT) system is highly susceptible to variations in magnetic coupling. In this article, a primary-side X-type compensation topology is proposed to acquire stable output characteristics against a wide range of magnetic coupling without resorting to tight control and coil design. By introducing the concept and derivation principle for the coupling-insensitive compensation topologies, the X-type network is presented to provide self-regulation ability for primary coil current against variable coupling, thereby enabling steady power transfer in a highly dynamic environment. The design considerations for the passive parameters are elaborated, followed by the comparison with regular compensation methods. Owing to its unique structure and design flexibility, the X-type compensation exhibits a stable output characteristic that is beneficial in enhancing the tolerance to position shifts. Moreover, it also features a wide soft-switching range and more flexible design for the output level range than previous topologies. Experimental results show stable power transfer over a coupling factor of 0.14–0.28, where the power fluctuation is less than 20%. The presented method is seen as a potential solution for low power IPT systems, where high mobility is demanded.