A method for determining the relative position of a metal object in relation to a user device and to a transmitter antenna of an inductive charging support when charging the user device. The method includes measuring the quality factor of the transmitter antenna, measuring the quality factor of the receiver antenna, and comparing the measured quality factor of the transmitter antenna with a predetermined quality factor threshold of the transmitter antenna and comparing the measured quality factor of the receiver antenna with a predetermined quality factor threshold of the receiver antenna so as to deduce therefrom the relative position of the metal object in relation to the user device and to the transmitter antenna or the absence of an interfering metal object.

A method for determining the relative position of a metal object in relation to a user device and to a transmitter antenna of an inductive charging support when charging the user device. The method includes measuring the quality factor of the transmitter antenna, measuring the quality factor of the receiver antenna, and comparing the measured quality factor of the transmitter antenna with a predetermined quality factor threshold of the transmitter antenna and comparing the measured quality factor of the receiver antenna with a predetermined quality factor threshold of the receiver antenna so as to deduce therefrom the relative position of the metal object in relation to the user device and to the transmitter antenna or the absence of an interfering metal object.

A wireless power receiver coil is attached to a landing gear of a drone. The wireless power receiver coil is closer to the drone when the landing gear is in a retracted position and farther away from the drone when the landing gear is in an extended position. A length of the wireless power receiver coil may be the same length when the landing gear is in the retracted position and in the extended position. The wireless power receiver coil may be in a first orientation when the landing gear is in the retracted position and the wireless power receiver coil may be in a different orientation when the landing gear is in the extended position. The wireless power receiver coil may have a first shape when the landing gear is in the retracted position and may have a second shape when the landing gear is in the extended position.

A wireless power receiver coil is attached to a landing gear of a drone. The wireless power receiver coil is closer to the drone when the landing gear is in a retracted position and farther away from the drone when the landing gear is in an extended position. A length of the wireless power receiver coil may be the same length when the landing gear is in the retracted position and in the extended position. The wireless power receiver coil may be in a first orientation when the landing gear is in the retracted position and the wireless power receiver coil may be in a different orientation when the landing gear is in the extended position. The wireless power receiver coil may have a first shape when the landing gear is in the retracted position and may have a second shape when the landing gear is in the extended position.

The invention relates to a method for inductive energy transmission from a transmitting coil to a receiving coil spaced apart from the transmitting coil. The receiving coil is arranged in a vehicle which is arranged stationary or is travelling on a supporting surface, wherein the vehicle has at least one sensor. In a first method step (A) a distance between the transmitting coil and/or the supporting surface and the receiving coil is determined, in a second method step (B) a minimum possible air gap between the transmitting coil and/or the supporting surface and the receiving coil is calculated from the distance, and in a third method step (C) the receiving coil is positioned such that the distance corresponds to the minimum possible air gap.

A charging status or a location of a wireless charger is provided. A vehicle may charge at a particular wireless charger based at least in part on the charging status of the wireless charger and/or the location of the wireless charger.

A charging status or a location of a wireless charger is provided. A vehicle may charge at a particular wireless charger based at least in part on the charging status of the wireless charger and/or the location of the wireless charger.

A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.

A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.

A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.