Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.

Utah State University

Michael Masquelier

Hunter H Wu

Ryan Calder

Patrice R Lethellier

Marcellus Harper

Hadi Malek

Steven Ball

Steve Ball

Arash Rasteh

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for analyzing a wireless power transfer system are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of receiving data related to the energy usage of an electric vehicle. The actions further include, based on the data related to the energy usage of the electric vehicle, determining that a problem exists with the electric vehicle. The actions further include, in response to determining that that the problem exists with the electric vehicle, accessing diagnostic data of the electric vehicle. The actions further include, based on the diagnostic data of the electric vehicle and the data related to the energy usage of the electric vehicle, determining a cause of the problem with the electric vehicle. The actions further include providing, for output, data indicating the cause of the problem with the electric vehicle.

Wireless power transfer system analyzer

An apparatus for multi-pad wireless charging is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of primary pad apparatuses. Each primary pad apparatus is positioned to transmit power to a secondary pad apparatus of a vehicle. The primary transmitter pad apparatuses are spaced apart sufficient for each of a plurality of vehicles to be positioned over one primary pad apparatus of the plurality of primary pad apparatuses. The apparatus includes a power converter apparatus connected to each of the plurality of primary pad apparatuses, a power feed that provides power to the power converter apparatus and a sharing controller that selectively controls which of the plurality of primary pad apparatuses transmits power to a secondary pad apparatus and/or controls power sharing between the primary pad apparatuses.

Single feed multi-pad wireless charging

An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (WPT) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the WPT primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the WPT primary pad or WPT secondary pad in response to determining that the WPT secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the WPT primary pad and the WPT secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the WPT primary pad.

Checking alignment of inductive charge pads in motion

An apparatus includes an energy input module that applies an amount of energy to a primary converter of a wireless power transfer ('WPT') system. The WPT system includes secondary converter with a secondary receiver pad. The WPT system transfers energy from a primary transmitter pad to the secondary receiver pad and the secondary converter provides power to a load. The apparatus includes a coupling measurement module that measures a coupling coefficient between the primary transmitter pad and the secondary receiver pad when the primary transmitter pad and the secondary receiver pad are separated by a vertical distance and horizontally aligned at a horizontal position. The apparatus includes a coupling threshold module that determines if the coupling coefficient is above a coupling threshold, and an alignment alert module that sends an alignment alert in response to the coupling coefficient being above the coupling threshold.

Determining physical alignment between magnetic couplers for wireless power transfer

An apparatus for charge management for an electric vehicle is disclosed. A system and method also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a battery status module that displays a battery charge status indicator on an electronic display of an electric device. The battery charge status indicator is for a battery providing power to the electric device. The apparatus includes a charging target module that displays a charging target on the electronic display. The charging target is related to the battery charge status indicator and indicates a desired charge level for the battery. The apparatus includes a target adjustment module that adjusts the charging target based on a predicted next battery charging and battery usage, wherein the battery charging and usage are based on a schedule and/or a planned route.

Growing community of inventors

Park City, UT, United States of America

Michael Masquelier