Wireless power transfer systems and methods along a pipe using ferrite materials

Abstract

A wireless power transfer system may provide coils that are respectively position on upper and lower ends of a pipe to allow power to be wirelessly transferred. Additionally, the system may also provide a soft ferrite layer placed on the upper and lower pipe sections to enhance the magnetic coupling so that the wireless power transfer efficiency can be maintained at a sufficient level when the coil separation is relatively large. Notably, this ferrite layer may span most or the entirely of the region between the coils to further enhance performance. In some cases, a ferrite core may be position between the coils and the pipe as well. In some cases, the pipe may include a tool section that may be non-conductive or results in a discontinuity in the ferrite layer. However, the setup of the system allows power to be wirelessly transferred despite such discontinuity.