Described herein are embodiments of a source high-Q resonator, optionally coupled to an energy source, a second high-Q resonator, optionally coupled to an energy drain that may be located a distance from the source resonator. A third high-Q resonator, optionally coupled to an energy drain that may be located a distance from the source resonator. The source resonator and at least one of the second resonator and third resonator may be coupled to transfer electromagnetic energy from said source resonator to said at least one of the second resonator and third resonator.

Disclosed is an apparatus for use in wireless energy transfer, which includes a first resonator structure configured to transfer energy non-radiatively with a second resonator structure over a distance greater than a characteristic size of the second resonator structure. The non-radiative energy transfer is mediated by a coupling of a resonant field evanescent tail of the first resonator structure and a resonant field evanescent tail of the second resonator structure.

Disclosed is an apparatus for use in wireless energy transfer, which includes a first resonator structure configured to transfer energy non-radiatively with a second resonator structure over a distance greater than a characteristic size of the second resonator structure. The non-radiative energy transfer is mediated by a coupling of a resonant field evanescent tail of the first resonator structure and a resonant field evanescent tail of the second resonator structure.

Wirelessly distributed and multi-directional power transfer systems and related methods are described herein. An example system for distributing power across a wireless medium can include a plurality of wireless modular power packs connected across a wireless medium to a wireless power receiver circuit that is connected to a load. Each wireless modular power pack can include a respective wireless power transmission circuit directing a respective wireless power signal to the wireless power receiver circuit. The system can also include a power source positioned within each of the wireless modular power packs. Each power source transmits a respective power signal across an internal power interface to a respective wireless power transmission circuit within a respective wireless modular power pack.

Wirelessly distributed and multi-directional power transfer systems and related methods are described herein. An example system for distributing power across a wireless medium can include a plurality of wireless modular power packs connected across a wireless medium to a wireless power receiver circuit that is connected to a load. Each wireless modular power pack can include a respective wireless power transmission circuit directing a respective wireless power signal to the wireless power receiver circuit. The system can also include a power source positioned within each of the wireless modular power packs. Each power source transmits a respective power signal across an internal power interface to a respective wireless power transmission circuit within a respective wireless modular power pack.

An inductive alignment system is provided. The system includes a power source providing a forcing function and a first inductor in communication with the power source. The first inductor exhibits a first electrical property in response to the forcing function. The system also includes a second inductor in communication with the first inductor. The second inductor exhibits a second electrical property in response to the forcing function. The system includes a comparator that compares the first electrical property with the second electrical property and generates a signal based at least in part on a deviation between the first electrical property and the second electrical property. The deviation is caused at least in part by inductive coupling between a proximate object and at least one of the first inductor and the second inductor. A method of inductive alignment using the above system is also provided.

A vehicle system includes a controller configured to, responsive to an alignment mode, disable a power rectifier configured to transfer charge between a secondary coil and battery, and enable a precision rectifier to output a voltage responsive to current induced in the secondary coil resulting from current through a corresponding primary coil, and responsive to the voltage exceeding a threshold, enable the power rectifier and disable the precision rectifier.

A wireless power supply system includes a power transmission device having a power transmission coil and a power receiving device having a power receiving coil. The power receiving device calculates a first efficiency based on a transmission power command value and the electric power supplied to the battery. The power transmission device calculates a second efficiency based on a phase difference between a voltage and a current supplied to the power transmission coil. The power transmission device controls electric power supplied to the power transmission coil according to the transmission power command value, and regulate the electric power supplied to the power transmission coil when the first efficiency falls to a predetermined first threshold efficiency or less or when the second efficiency falls to a predetermined second threshold efficiency or less.

A device includes a propulsion unit configured to move the device and a steering unit configured to control the direction of the device. The device also includes a power unit configured to provide power to the propulsion unit and a charging unit configured to use an electric field to provide electrical power to the power unit. The device further includes a first magnetic sensor configured to determine a vector of one or more magnetic fields and a processor communicatively coupled to the propulsion unit, the steering unit, the power unit, and the magnetic sensor. The processor is configured to receive, from the magnetic sensor, a time-varying signal indicative of a magnetic field and determine, based on the time-varying signal, that the magnetic field is associated with an electrical power transmission line. The processor is further configured to cause the steering unit to direct the device toward the electrical power transmission line.

An apparatus and method of wirelessly charging a battery are disclosed. The wireless charging system may include a charge receiver, charge transmitter, and an active control sheet. The active control sheet may include a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells may be activated or deactivated according to the location of the charge receiver relative to the charge transmitter. Charging may be initiated, and electrical charge transferred, from the charge transmitter, through the activated cells on the active control sheet, and to the charge receiver.