Automated load tracking and system tuning mechanism for wireless charging
View Patent ↗A system includes at least one active energy transfer coil and a first passive energy transfer coil. The active energy transfer coil is configured to couple with a power supply. The at least one active energy transfer coil has an active coupling range. The first passive energy transfer coil is magnetically coupled to the active energy transfer coil and is located within the active coupling range. The first passive energy transfer coil has a passive coupling range. The first passive energy transfer coil is configured to provide energy to a first device located within the passive coupling range and based on energy received from the at least one active energy transfer coil.
1. A method of supplying power to a plurality of loads comprising:
using a power supply to provide power to an active energy transfer coil where the frequency of the power being supplied to the active energy transfer coil is at an optimal operating frequency of the active energy transfer coil;
using a plurality of passive energy transfer coils that are each magnetically coupled to the active energy transfer coil to provide power to a plurality of loads;
using at least one sensor to monitor the plurality of loads by monitoring received power for each load and maximum allowed charging power for each load; and
using a computer system that includes control electronics to dynamically change the frequency of the power being supplied by the power supply to the active energy transfer coil to match an optimal operating frequency of a system that includes the power supply, the active energy transfer coil, the passive energy transfer coils and the plurality of loads.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein using the control to dynamically change the frequency of the power being supplied to the active energy transfer coil includes using at least one sensor to monitor the plurality of loads to provide data to the control relating to an operating status of the plurality of loads.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein using a control to dynamically change the frequency of the power being supplied to the active energy transfer coil includes compensating for changes in the coupling between the active energy transfer coil and the passive energy transfer coil.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein using the control to dynamically change the frequency of the power being supplied to the active energy transfer coil includes performing hierarchical frequency sweeping to determine the optimal operating frequency of the system.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein performing hierarchical frequency sweeping to determine the optimal operating resonant frequency of a system includes performing hierarchical frequency sweeping at multiple levels of resolution.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein performing hierarchical frequency sweeping at multiple levels of resolution includes changing the optimal operating frequency using phase lock loop fine tuning once the appropriate level of resolution for the operating frequency has been determined using hierarchical frequency sweeping at multiple levels of resolution.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein using the control to dynamically change the frequency of the power being supplied to the active energy transfer coil includes using a tuning logic unit to dynamically change the frequency of the power provided by the power supply.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein using the control to dynamically change the frequency of the power being supplied to the active energy transfer coil includes using a wide spectrum scan triggering mechanism to perform a coarse grain operating frequency sweep over a relatively large frequency range.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein using the control to dynamically change the frequency of the power being supplied to the active energy transfer coil includes using a waveform generation unit to dynamically change a frequency and a duty cycle of a digital control signal that operates the power supply.