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To enable power wheelchair users with limited mobility to safely and independently charge their wheelchairs. Stakeholders of multiple roles – including potential users, their caregivers, and clinicians with specifically relevant expertise – were engaged in a user-centred design process. Initial informal interviews, focus groups, online surveys, prototype demonstrations, semi-structured interviews, and expert reviews were utilized to guide development and iteratively evaluate prototypes. The resulting wireless charging system enables independent charging while also significantly increasing capacity and charging speed. Autonomous positioning and remote control features further address the particular use cases of the target population, and vital features of existing power wheelchairs are retained according to stakeholder input. Pertinent topics emerging from stakeholder input are discussed. Careful application of user-centred design principles is essential to the successful development of usable assistive technology devices, particularly for target populations with complex disabilities. The diverse perspectives of all relevant stakeholders must be considered and synthesized to produce a practical and usable solution. Battery charge is a constant and critical concern for power wheelchair users. Many power wheelchair users cannot independently use and monitor existing chargers. A wireless wheelchair charging system was developed to alleviate this issue. Sustained user engagement is crucial in the effective development of such assistive technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies magnetic forces between transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) coils in an inductive power transfer (IPT) system aiming to use those forces to align the coils and, consequently, improve power transfer. Due to its popularity, the analysis is conducted on a series–series compensated IPT system with planar spiral coils. The proposed method utilizes the bifurcation operation mode of the system and unloaded resonating receiver to maximize attractive force between magnetic couplers. Three-dimensional finite-element method simulations indicate that high-power IPT systems can develop enough attractive force to align coils even under nominal current. Regardless of the coil shape, e.g., spiral or Double-D (DD), the attractive forces tend to align the coils. Hence, a smart charging station can be devised based on self-aligning capability. Furthermore, this article proposes a mechanical structure to facilitate the attractive lateral force for the alignment of high power applications, i.e., wireless fast-charging stations. The forces are analyzed, modeled, and simulated for a 100-kW IPT system with an operating frequency of 20 kHz, while the self-aligning capability is experimentally verified on a downscale 11-kW prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a broad range of industrial, service, and household electric vehicles, dynamic charging is a viable option for energy replenishing that could reduce the size of the onboard energy storage, remove range limitations, and increase operating time. For these systems, timely detection of an approaching vehicle and the detection of strong coupling conditions between transmitter and receiver coils are of prime interest. A novel method is proposed in this article, which utilizes the existing embedded transmitter coil and power electronics modules to establish a precise detection system based on the power footprint of a traveling receiver. Next, a control algorithm is proposed to control charger activation and deactivation time accurately and deliver the required energy during the maximum coupling of the coils. The proposed sigmoid-curve-based control algorithm achieves a robust, speed-independent, smooth transition between two states while providing fast dynamics for aligned and misaligned conditions. Finally, a novel approach to test high-speed dynamic charging in laboratory conditions based on the receiver emulator is developed and used for experimental validation. The vehicle detection and control techniques have been validated through simulations and experimentally on a speed-controlled dynamic charging test station for a wide speed range. The proposed method does not require any additional hardware, sensing devices, or high-speed communication between the vehicle and the charging infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are increasingly used for undersea exploration. The endurance of AUVs is limited by the onboard energy storage among which the battery systems dominate. Various underwater recharging methods are employed to increase the AUV range and autonomy. Currently, contact-based underwater recharging utilizes the wet-mate connector technology that requires a high-precision AUV docking, and is prone to electrical safety issues. To overcome these limitations, underwater wireless recharging techniques for AUVs have been explored in recent years. Wireless charging offers a safe and reliable method for autonomous power transfer between a charging station and a vehicle. This article reviews the state-of-the-art inductive wireless power transfer (IWPT) solutions for underwater applications and discusses the engineering challenges of the IWPT system design. Underwater environmental factors, such as seawater conductivity, temperature, pressure, water currents, and biofouling phenomenon, impose constraints on IWPT systems. A comprehensive review of AUV energy storage systems, docking methods, IWPT system control methods, and compensation networks is presented in this article. Based on the main operational and constructional principles, the AUV IWPT systems are categorized as loosely coupled transformers and resonant IWPT systems. Each of the categories is illustrated through their main design principles and implementations reported in the literature so far. Technical challenges, such as integration of IWPT system into an AUV hull, interoperability, alignment and retention issues, docking station sinking and stability, the design of pressure-tolerant charging electronics, data transfer, and the battery operation in the underwater environment are discussed in this article too. The article is concluded with the best practice overview of designing an IWPT system for AUVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent expansion of emerging wireless power transfer technology has not been followed by an adequate systematic approach to the magnetic couplers design. The relation between design parameters (mutual inductance, coupling coefficient, leakage field flux density, coil quality factor, and so on) and structural parameters (coils and ferrite shape, size, thickness, and so on) has not been thoroughly explored, and practical designs often depend on trial-and-error methods supported by the finite-element modeling simulation to verify a final design. In order to fill that gap, this paper describes the adoption of multi-objective hybrid particle swarm optimization (MOHPSO) and multi-objective real-numbered particle swarm optimization (MORPSO) algorithms for a circular coupler design to increase performances and automate the design process. Objectives of this paper are threefold: 1) apply MOHPSO and investigate if there are some unconventional structures of circular couplers capable of outperforming traditional designs; 2) identify a minimum set of key optimization parameters for a circular magnetic coupler; and 3) demonstrate the operation of an MORPSO algorithm to optimize a circular magnetic coupler. The Pareto front concept is applied to provide multi-objective optimization. Two different multi-objective function pairs are considered, the first pair being the coil coupling coefficient ( k ) and maximum leakage field magnetic flux density ( B\max ); for the second pair, the product between quality factor ( Q ) and k is combined with ( B\max ). To validate the optimization algorithm effectiveness and accuracy, a selected magnetic coupler is fabricated and tested. Due to superior execution time, and satisfactory optimization capabilities, the MORPSO algorithm is employed to generate a final optimum design. Collected measurements demonstrate a very good agreement between the experimental and simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a generalized analysis of an inductive power transfer system where multiple frequencies are used to transfer power through the magnetic link. Specifically, we consider a system that amplifies both the fundamental and the third harmonic generated by a full-bridge inverter in order to transfer power to a receiver at both frequencies. The system is analyzed in a generalized manner, by looking at the transconductance function at the transmitter and the receiver for each of the harmonics. Using this approach, the emitted field strength, inverter losses, combined transmitter and receiver coil conduction losses, and VA ratings are compared to a reference single-frequency system. The analysis shows that the dual-frequency system can outperform the single-frequency equivalent for all metrics considered; however, in practice, a tradeoff between the performance criteria is necessary, since the optimal operation points for each criterion cannot be attained with a single design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new topology appropriate for “dynamic” wireless charging. Possible applications include charging of electric vehicles or robots moving in a large, predesignated area. We propose a system with a transmitter made from multiple coils commensurable with the moving receiver(s), and powered by a single inverter. The proposed system uses the reactance reflected by the receiver to automatically increase the field strength in coupled portions of the transmitter-receiver system, thus allowing efficient power transfer and adherence to electromagnetic field emission standards without complex shielding circuits, switches, electronics, and communication. The power transfer is at its peak when the transmitting and receiving coils approach their maximum coupling (as defined by the geometrical constraints of the system), resulting in improved system-level efficiency. The presented analysis is supported with simulations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless power transfer (WPT) based on magnetic induction is used in numerous applications where physical contact between the power source and the load is not desired. For efficient power transfer, the resonant coils should have a low equivalent series resistance at the resonant frequency and have a high packing factor while being simple to manufacture. Coils made from hollow copper tubes might be an acceptable alternative to Litz wire designs due to low skin-effect resistance, easy manufacturing, and simplicity in implementing active cooling; however, the lack of an analytical model for complex coil designs poses a difficulty in systematically assessing its benefits and limitations. This paper presents a new method, based on the Fourier series, for evaluating proximity-effect losses in a multi-turn, multi-layer tubular coil. The model evaluates the proximity factor Gp as a function of coil and tube parameters, which can be incorporated into the design and optimization procedures. The derivations are supported by simulations that compare analytic and finite element models (FEM) of current density distribution in the coil. The model is further validated via experimental measurements of the resulting equivalent series resistance for two prototype coils. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Inductive power transfer (IPT) is commonly used to transmit power from an extended loop (track) to a number of galvanically isolated movable pick-ups. To maximize the power transfer and minimize converter requirements, various compensation circuits have been proposed for both the track (primary) and the pick-up (secondary). This paper investigates the suitability of the LCC series–parallel compensation for IPT primary design. A new compensation-circuit design procedure is proposed that considers high-order current harmonics and results in inverter zero-current switching. The proposed compensation is compared with the classical compensation designed for zero phase angle between the inverter voltage and current fundamental components. Expressions for the bifurcation boundary, voltampere rating of reactive-compensation elements, and the current at the moment of switching are derived and analyzed. Analytical results are verified both via PSpice simulations and experimentally using a 1-hp MOSFET-based prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A boost Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuit is connected between the AC grid and converters to meet Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) standards. An EMI filter should be utilized at the input of the PFC to attenuate high-frequency noise injected into the grid. This article discusses the low-conducted EM emission boost PFC with Sliding Frequency Modulation (SFM) proposed by Power Integrations . The proposed boost PFC is compared with a conventional boost PFC operated using Constant Frequency Modulation (CFM) at 120 kHz. Both PFCs are rated for the same nominal power (i.e., 300 W) and output voltage (i.e., 383 V). An analytical loss model is also developed to compare the performance of the SFM and CFM PFCs. The analytical findings are verified by means of simulations and experiments.

A two-stage charger (PFC+LLC) is developed for Power Mobility Device (PMD) charging applications (i.e., power wheelchairs). The LLC topology is selected due to its ability to maintain ZVS operation over a wide range of load variations. This paper discusses the challenges of designing a dual-loop controller for an LLC-based charger with a wide operation region. It proposes modifying the inner current loop to maintain stable operation over a wide input and output range-the proposed internal loop control switches intelligently between two current controllers based on the output voltage level. A 300-W prototype is designed and tested with a resistive load. Moreover, simulation and experimental results are compared to validate the robustness and stability of the proposed controller.