US 12,272,969 B2
False notification suppression in wireless power transfer system
Andrew Kovacs, Lafayette, IN (US); and Jason Green, Evanston, IL (US)
Assigned to NuCurrent, Inc., Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by NuCurrent, Inc., Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 25, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/615,221.
Application 18/615,221 is a continuation of application No. 17/245,956, filed on Apr. 30, 2021, granted, now 11,942,799.
Prior Publication US 2024/0413669 A1, Dec. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. H02J 50/10 (2016.01); H01F 27/28 (2006.01); H01F 27/36 (2006.01); H01F 38/14 (2006.01); H02J 50/12 (2016.01); H02J 50/60 (2016.01); H02J 50/70 (2016.01); H02J 50/80 (2016.01); H02J 50/90 (2016.01); H01F 27/24 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 50/80 (2016.02) [H01F 27/28 (2013.01); H01F 27/36 (2013.01); H01F 38/14 (2013.01); H02J 50/12 (2016.02); H02J 50/60 (2016.02); H02J 50/70 (2016.02); H02J 50/90 (2016.02); H01F 27/24 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power transmitter for wireless power transfer at an operating frequency, the power transmitter comprising:
a sensing system;
a feedback mechanism;
an inverter circuit configured to receive a direct current (DC) power and convert the DC power to a power signal;
a coil configured to transmit the power signal to a power receiver, the coil formed of wound Litz wire and including at least one layer, the coil defining, at least, a top face; and
a controller comprising:
at least one processor;
at least one machine-readable medium; and
program instructions stored on the at least one machine-readable medium which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the controller to:
provide power control signals to control a power level of the power signal configured for transmission to the power receiver;
monitor the sensing system for object detection data indicative of near field magnetic coupling (NFMC) connectivity with the power receiver;
determine, based on the NFMC connectivity, that the power receiver is detected;
based on determining the power receiver is detected, reset an alert timer;
based on determining the power receiver is detected, instruct the inverter circuit to provide the power signal to the coil;
determine, based on the NFMC connectivity, that an NFMC disconnect is detected after the power receiver is detected;
based on determining the NFMC disconnect is detected, determine an alert timer value for the alert timer;
determine the alert timer value is greater than or less than an alert threshold for the alert timer;
based on determining the NFMC disconnect is detected and the alert timer value is greater than the alert threshold, instruct the feedback mechanism to output an alert indicative of the NFMC disconnect;
based on determining the NFMC disconnect is detected and the alert timer value is greater than the alert threshold, instruct the inverter circuit to cease providing the power signal to the coil; and
based on determining the NFMC disconnect is detected and the alert timer value is less than the alert threshold, continue to instruct the inverter circuit to provide the power signal to the coil.