Wireless power transmitter module and controller
There is provided a method of operating at least one transmitter module of a wireless power transfer system. Each transmitter module comprises a plurality of transmitter elements arranged in a plurality of offset layers with one transmitter element per layer. The method comprises detecting a receiver at at least one transmitter element of the transmitter module. The method further comprises, in response to the detecting, generating a power signal to transfer power from a first transmitter element of the transmitter module to the detected receiver. The method further comprises causing a second transmitter element of the transmitter module to remain inactive during the transferring. Controller and further methods are also provided.
1 . A method of operating at least one transmitter module of a wireless power transfer system, each transmitter module comprising a plurality of transmitter elements arranged in a plurality of offset layers with one transmitter element per layer, the method comprising:
detecting a receiver at at least one transmitter element of the transmitter module, wherein the detecting comprises detecting the receiver based on a response signal from the receiver;
in response to the detecting, generating a power signal to transfer power from a first transmitter element of the transmitter module to the detected receiver;
causing a second transmitter element of the transmitter module to remain inactive during the transferring;
detecting a response signal at each transmitter element of the transmitter module;
comparing the detected response signals; and
selecting the first transmitter element based on the comparing.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the response signal comprises a parameter of the receiver.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
communicating the response signal to a second transmitter module.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
tuning the first transmitter element, wherein tuning comprises setting an impedance of the first transmitter element.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein a value of the impedance comprises an average of a value of the impedance when the receiver is aligned with the first transmitter element and a value of the impedance when the receiver is misaligned with the first transmitter element.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting a search signal from at least one transmitter element of the transmitter module; and
alternatingly transmitting the search signal from the plurality of transmitter elements of the transmitter module.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
detecting the receiver based on the transmitted search signal.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a completion signal from a receiver; and
modifying the power signal based on the completion signal.
9 . A transmitter module of a wireless power transfer system, the transmitter module comprising a plurality of transmitter elements arranged in a plurality of offset layers with one transmitter element per layer, each transmitter element adapted to generate a field for transferring power to a receiver, the transmitter module further comprising a controller adapted to perform the method of claim 1 .
10 . A wireless power transfer system comprising:
a transmitter module comprising a plurality of transmitter elements arranged in a plurality of offset layers with one transmitter element per layer, each transmitter element adapted to generate a field for transferring power to a receiver, the transmitter module further comprising a transmitter controller; and
a receiver configured to receive power from a transmitter element of the transmitter module, the receiver comprising a receiver element for extracting power from a field generated by a transmitter element and a transmitter controller,
the transmitter controller adapted to perform the method of claim 1 .
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the receiver comprises a receiver controller, and wherein the receiver controller is adapted to:
send a signal to at least one transmitter element of the plurality of transmitter elements of the transmitter module; and
control the receiver element to extract power from a field generated by a transmitter element of the plurality of transmitter elements, the transmitter element selected based on the signal.
12 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer program code stored thereon, the computer program code, when executed by a processor, configured to perform the method of claim 1 .