US 11,955,820 B2
Power capability detection in precision power level control systems for wireless power transmission
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 Dec. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/085,323.
Application 18/085,323 is a continuation of application No. 17/245,949, filed on Apr. 30, 2021, granted, now 11,539,247.
Prior Publication US 2023/0231422 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H02J 50/80 (2016.01); H02J 50/12 (2016.01); H02J 50/70 (2016.01)
CPC H02J 50/80 (2016.02) [H02J 50/12 (2016.02); H02J 50/70 (2016.02)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power transmitter for wireless power transfer, the power transmitter comprising:
a control and communications unit configured to:
provide power control signals to control a power level of a power signal configured for transmission to a power receiver,
provide a power request to an external power supply,
determine if the power signal at a coil is compliant with the power request,
if the power signal at the coil is compliant with the power request, continue to operate for wireless power transmission,
if the control and communications unit determines that the power signal is non-compliant with the power request, store a flag of non-compliance for the external power supply,
determine if the flag of non-compliance was caused by a shutdown of the power transmitter or a brownout of the power transmitter,
provide a reduced power request to the external power supply, if the flag of non-compliance was caused by a brownout of the power transmitter,
determine if a reduced power signal at the coil is compliant with the reduced power request, and
continue to operate for wireless power transmission at a reduced power level, if the reduced power signal is compliant with the reduced power request;
an inverter circuit configured to receive a direct current (DC) power from the external power supply and convert the DC power to the power signal; and
the coil configured to transmit the power signal to the power receiver.