A New Decoupling Technique for Multiple Transmitters and Multiple Receivers to Improve Power Transfer and Misalignment Tolerance in WPT Systems

Abstract

Multiple transmitters and multiple receivers (MTMRs) are commonly utilized in inductive wireless power transfer (WPT) systems to enhance power transfer capacity. The same-side mutual inductance is an issue that degrades the system performance. This article proposed a new decoupling solution that not only mitigates the same-side mutual inductance but also enhances the mutual inductance between the transmitter (Tx) and the receiver (Rx). It also presents the optimal design for the decoupling coil integrated into the main coils of each side to reduce the variation in the mutual inductance with misalignment, which eventually increases the misalignment tolerance and minimizes the output power pulsation. The proposed method is first investigated by the finite element analysis (FEA) tool and later verified by experimental prototyping and testing. It demonstrates superior performance in comparison with prior solutions regarding high conversion efficiency and low power fluctuation. The experimental results show that the system achieves an efficiency of 93.03% while delivering 1.64-kW power to the load at a 120-mm air gap, which is higher than the conventional solution. The effectiveness of misalignment tolerance is also demonstrated by the experimental test.