A device operative to transfer power and communicate wirelessly includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s). The DSC generates a drive signal based on a reference signal and provides the drive signal to a first coil via a single line and via a resonating capacitor, and simultaneously senses the drive signal via the single line, to facilitate electromagnetic coupling to a second coil to transfer power wirelessly to another device. The DSC also detects electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal including whether a communication signal is transmitted from another device and generates a digital signal representative thereof. The processing module(s) generates the reference signal, processes the digital signal including to determine whether the communication signal is transmitted from the other device to the device and appropriately processes the digital signal to interpret control information of the communication signal to adapt the reference signal.

A device operative to transfer power and communicate wirelessly includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s). The DSC generates a drive signal based on a reference signal and provides the drive signal to a first coil via a single line and via a resonating capacitor, and simultaneously senses the drive signal via the single line, to facilitate electromagnetic coupling to a second coil to transfer power wirelessly to another device. The DSC also detects electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal including whether a communication signal is transmitted from another device and generates a digital signal representative thereof. The processing module(s) generates the reference signal, processes the digital signal including to determine whether the communication signal is transmitted from the other device to the device and appropriately processes the digital signal to interpret control information of the communication signal to adapt the reference signal.

A magnetic alignment system can include a primary annular magnetic alignment component and a secondary annular magnetic alignment component. The primary alignment component can include an inner annular region having a first magnetic orientation, an outer annular region having a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation, and a non-magnetized central annular region disposed between the primary inner annular region and the primary outer annular region. The secondary alignment component can have a magnetic orientation with a radial component.

A magnetic alignment system can include a primary annular magnetic alignment component and a secondary annular magnetic alignment component. The primary alignment component can include an inner annular region having a first magnetic orientation, an outer annular region having a second magnetic orientation opposite to the first magnetic orientation, and a non-magnetized central annular region disposed between the primary inner annular region and the primary outer annular region. The secondary alignment component can have a magnetic orientation with a radial component.

A wireless power transmission method executed by a power transmitter comprising multi-coils, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: detecting a second power receiver while transmitting power to a first power receiver; determining at least one primary coil adequate for power transmission; by using the determined at least one primary coil, determining whether the second power receiver supports a shared mode protocol; and if the second power receiver supports the shared mode protocol, transmitting power to the first and second power receivers according to the shared mode protocol, wherein the shared mode protocol may be a protocol for simultaneously managing information exchanges between the power transmitter and multiple power receivers.

A wireless power transmission method executed by a power transmitter comprising multi-coils, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: detecting a second power receiver while transmitting power to a first power receiver; determining at least one primary coil adequate for power transmission; by using the determined at least one primary coil, determining whether the second power receiver supports a shared mode protocol; and if the second power receiver supports the shared mode protocol, transmitting power to the first and second power receivers according to the shared mode protocol, wherein the shared mode protocol may be a protocol for simultaneously managing information exchanges between the power transmitter and multiple power receivers.

In response to a measured value of temperature of a stator by a thermometer exceeding a first temperature threshold, an overheat signal may be output to a rotor of a rotary connector via a communication device. In response to the measured value of the temperature exceeding a second temperature threshold higher than the first temperature threshold, power supply to a transmission coil that transmits power to a receiving coil of the rotor in a non-contact manner is stopped. In response to the overheat signal being received or a measured value of temperature of the rotor by a thermometer exceeding a third temperature threshold, a limit signal for limiting current flowing through a load circuit is output. In response to the measured value of the temperature by the thermometer exceeding a fourth temperature threshold higher than the third temperature threshold, output of power received from the stator is stopped.

In response to a measured value of temperature of a stator by a thermometer exceeding a first temperature threshold, an overheat signal may be output to a rotor of a rotary connector via a communication device. In response to the measured value of the temperature exceeding a second temperature threshold higher than the first temperature threshold, power supply to a transmission coil that transmits power to a receiving coil of the rotor in a non-contact manner is stopped. In response to the overheat signal being received or a measured value of temperature of the rotor by a thermometer exceeding a third temperature threshold, a limit signal for limiting current flowing through a load circuit is output. In response to the measured value of the temperature by the thermometer exceeding a fourth temperature threshold higher than the third temperature threshold, output of power received from the stator is stopped.

A control system includes a phase shift unit configured to provide a phase difference between a first switching clock signal and a second switching clock signal, a power transmission coil, a switching circuit configured to switch an input voltage based on the first switching clock signal and apply the switched voltage to the power transmission coil, a power reception coil configured to receive electric power output from the power transmission coil by electromagnetic field coupling, a wireless transmission unit configured to wirelessly transmit the second switching clock signal and output a third switching clock signal, and a rectifier circuit configured to rectify a voltage input from the power reception coil by switching the voltage based on the third switching clock signal and apply the rectified voltage to a load. A voltage input from the power reception coil to the rectifier circuit and the third switching clock signal have different phases.

A control system includes a phase shift unit configured to provide a phase difference between a first switching clock signal and a second switching clock signal, a power transmission coil, a switching circuit configured to switch an input voltage based on the first switching clock signal and apply the switched voltage to the power transmission coil, a power reception coil configured to receive electric power output from the power transmission coil by electromagnetic field coupling, a wireless transmission unit configured to wirelessly transmit the second switching clock signal and output a third switching clock signal, and a rectifier circuit configured to rectify a voltage input from the power reception coil by switching the voltage based on the third switching clock signal and apply the rectified voltage to a load. A voltage input from the power reception coil to the rectifier circuit and the third switching clock signal have different phases.