Electromagnetic Model-Based Foreign Object Detection for Wireless Power Transfer

Sung Yul Chu, Xin Zan, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz
2021 IEEE transactions on power electronics  
Foreign objects near wireless power transfer (WPT) systems are fire hazards that must be detected. In this paper, a new accurate method is presented for foreign object detection based on an electromagnetic model for WPT. Foreign objects are detected by quantifying the deviation from a normal model. This deviation is caused by the foreign object's additional electromagnetic coupling. Advantages of this new method include invariance to receiver coil misalignment, and power level, allowing
more » ... r detection prior to startup. Electromagnetic modelbased foreign object detection (EM-FOD) was demonstrated in hardware to detect a 2 cm diameter U.S. nickel coin, a small disposable lighter, and a saline proxy for a living animal in a kilowatt-level wireless power transfer system, using a pre-startup power of only 7 W. Furthermore, foreign objects can be detected regardless of an Rx coil misalignment of up to 10 cm. This paper is accompanied by an instructional video. over a decade of industry and entrepreneurial experience, and holds 10 issued U.S. patents.
doi:10.1109/tpel.2021.3100420 fatcat:uwkov4binvcxrpaka2ffpfc2si