Yang Chen

Bio: Yang Chen is an academic researcher from Southwest Jiaotong University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Constant current & Maximum power transfer theorem. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 42 publications receiving 411 citations.

Inductive Power Transfer for Massive Electric Bicycles Charging Based on Hybrid Topology Switching With a Single Inverter

Abstract: It is more convenient and safer to employ inductive power transfer (IPT) systems to charge the battery pack of electric bicycles (EBs) than conventional plug-in systems. An IPT charging method suitable for charging massive EBs is proposed to achieve constant current (CC) and constant voltage (CV) output without feedback control strategies or communication link between transmitter side and receiver side. Two ac switches (ACSs) and an auxiliary capacitor utilized at receiver side are employed to be operated once to change the charging modes from CC mode to CV mode. The characteristics of the load-independent current output in the CC mode and load-independent voltage output in the CV mode are achieved by properly selecting the passive parameters of inductances and capacitors, so that no sophisticated control strategies are required to regulate the output as per the charging profile. The feasibility of proposed method has been verified with an experimental prototype in form of efficiency, stability of output current and voltage in CC/CV mode. The simple and economical approach is suitable for the massive EBs charging system with only one inverter, especially in China.

Hybrid and Reconfigurable IPT Systems With High-Misalignment Tolerance for Constant-Current and Constant-Voltage Battery Charging

Abstract: Inductive power transfer (IPT) for battery charging applications has significant advantages over the traditional plug-in system. Since misalignment between the primary and secondary windings is inevitable, it is of significance to improve the misalignment tolerance of IPT systems with constant-current (CC) and constant-voltage (CV) outputs for battery charging. In this paper, the load-independent output characteristic of the hybrid topology and the function switching between CC and CV of the reconfigurable topology are analyzed. Besides, a hybrid and reconfigurable IPT system with 3-D misalignment tolerance for CC and CV outputs is proposed, simplifying or even canceling control schemes. Moreover, a novel parametric design method is given for the IPT system, which can suppress the fluctuation of the output voltage/current within a certain range of misalignment. In order to validate the performance of the proposed topology, a 1-kW prototype is built, and the corresponding experiments are carried out. In the CC/CV mode, the system can operate with the longitudinal misalignment to 50% when the load varies from 36 to 480 Ω, and the fluctuation of the output current/voltage is within 5%. Similarly, the misalignment in Y - and Z -axis is 12.5% and 33.3%, respectively.

Improving Misalignment Tolerance for IPT System Using a Third-Coil

Abstract: To improve misalignment tolerance for an inductive power transfer (IPT) system, a third-coil is employed to reversely connect with the primary coil of the loosely coupled transformer (LCT) in series The LCT with a third-coil (LCT-TC) not only can improve the misalignment performance in x - and y -directions, but also does not affect the inherent output characteristics (such as constant current or voltage output) of original compensation topologies In addition, the proposed approach can keep the IPT system operating with relatively high efficiency against misalignment Then, a detailed design method of LCT-TC is presented Finally, a double-side LCC-compensated IPT system is chosen as an example to verify the feasibility of proposed LCT-TC A 34-kW prototype is constructed, and experimental results show that the proposed method has a good misalignment performance The LCC-LCC IPT system with LCT-TC can retain 96% of the well-aligned power at 40% misalignment, and the end-to-end (dc–dc) overall system efficiency is at least 92% Besides, the fluctuation of the output current is [–2%, 5%] while the load varies from 15 to 34 Ω within 40% misalignment

Hybrid Topology With Configurable Charge Current and Charge Voltage Output-Based WPT Charger for Massive Electric Bicycles

Abstract: Wireless power transfer chargers for electric bicycles (EBs) have many advantages over transitional plug-in systems. However, to meet the charge requirements, the traditional charger needs a dedicated inverter to achieve constant current (CC) output or constant voltage (CV) output. A hybrid topology-based EB charging strategy is proposed using a single high-frequency inverter (HFI) to charge massive EBs, and one charging stand can be shared to charge EBs with various specifications of batteries. Configurable CC and CV outputs can be realized by turning on/off two ac switches without adopting sophisticated control schemes or wireless communication links. Besides, zero phase angle switching of HFI can be realized, and then the system efficiency is increased. Finally, the proposed method is verified by experiments with various charging conditions. The results show that the fluctuation margins of charging currents and charging voltages in the whole charging process are both less than 2.5% and the maximum efficiency reaches 91.90%. With the merit of the proposed approach, the reduction of construction cost and the control complexity is achieved. Thus, it might be one of the most promising solutions for charging massive EBs in some regions like China.

Reconfigurable Intermediate Resonant Circuit Based WPT System With Load-Independent Constant Output Current and Voltage for Charging Battery

Abstract: In this letter, a compact battery charger based on wireless power transfer (WPT) technology without any communication requirement is proposed. Here, a new intermediate coil is developed to achieve load-independent constant current (CC) and constant voltage (CV) outputs. The intermediate coil is split into two coils and is overlapped with the receiver coil to form a compact structure. Two switches on the receiver side are used to reconfigure the intermediate resonant circuit in order to select different charging modes, i.e., CC mode or CV mode. The communication between the transmitter side and the receiver side as well as complex control strategies is not needed in the proposed structure. Besides, the proposed system can achieve zero phase angle operation, fixed operating frequency, and zero-voltage switching, which not only can lower the power rating of power devices but also improve the efficiency. A laboratory prototype with a 3.6 A charging current and a 48 V charging voltage is built to verify the feasibility of the proposed method.

Constant Current/Voltage Charging Operation for Series–Series and Series–Parallel Compensated Wireless Power Transfer Systems Employing Primary-Side Controller

Abstract: This paper proposes a new control technique, which only employs the primary-side controller and load identification approach to adjust charging voltage/current for series–series (SS) and series–parallel (SP) compensated wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. The advantages are that dual-side wireless communication for real-time charging current/voltage adjustment is avoided as well as it is suitable for different charging modes, e.g., constant voltage (CV) and constant current (CC) charging defined by the battery charging profile. The load identification approach, which utilizes reflected impedance theory and quadrature transformation algorithm for calculating the active power, is proposed to estimate the equivalent load resistance of battery. Then, the CV/CC charging for both SS and SP compensation are achieved by the PI-controlled phase-shift H-bridge inverter. The simulation and experimental results validate the feasibility of proposed control method. During the CC charging, 3.01 and 3.03 A for SS and SP compensation with the error of 1.2% and 1.4% are achieved. During the CV charging, 25.8 and 25.7 V for SS and SP compensation with the error of 1.1% and 1.3% are realized. The proposed method improves the performance of both SS- and SP-compensated WPT systems to be more suitable for the applications that require compact and lightweight receiver.

Advances in High-Power Wireless Charging Systems: Overview and Design Considerations

Abstract: Wireless charging systems are foreseen as an effective solution to improve the convenience and safety of conventional conductive chargers. As this technology has matured, recent broad applications of wireless chargers to electrified transportation have indicated a trend toward higher power, power density, modularity, and scalability of designs. In this article, commercial systems and laboratory prototypes are reviewed, focusing mostly on the advances in high-power wireless charging systems. The recent endeavors in magnetic pad designs, compensation networks, power electronics converters, control strategies, and communication protocols are illustrated. Both stationary and dynamic (in-motion) wireless charging systems are discussed, and critical differences in their designs and applications are emphasized. On that basis, the comparisons among different solutions and design considerations are summarized to present the essential elements and technology roadmap that will be necessary to support large-scale deployment of high-power wireless charging systems. The review is concluded with the discussion of several fundamental challenges and prospects of high-power wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. Foreseen challenges include utilization of advanced materials, electric and electromagnetic field measurement and mitigation, customization, communications, power metering, and cybersecurity.

Hybrid and Reconfigurable IPT Systems With High-Misalignment Tolerance for Constant-Current and Constant-Voltage Battery Charging

Abstract: Inductive power transfer (IPT) for battery charging applications has significant advantages over the traditional plug-in system. Since misalignment between the primary and secondary windings is inevitable, it is of significance to improve the misalignment tolerance of IPT systems with constant-current (CC) and constant-voltage (CV) outputs for battery charging. In this paper, the load-independent output characteristic of the hybrid topology and the function switching between CC and CV of the reconfigurable topology are analyzed. Besides, a hybrid and reconfigurable IPT system with 3-D misalignment tolerance for CC and CV outputs is proposed, simplifying or even canceling control schemes. Moreover, a novel parametric design method is given for the IPT system, which can suppress the fluctuation of the output voltage/current within a certain range of misalignment. In order to validate the performance of the proposed topology, a 1-kW prototype is built, and the corresponding experiments are carried out. In the CC/CV mode, the system can operate with the longitudinal misalignment to 50% when the load varies from 36 to 480 Ω, and the fluctuation of the output current/voltage is within 5%. Similarly, the misalignment in Y - and Z -axis is 12.5% and 33.3%, respectively.

Inductive Wireless Power Transfer Charging for Electric Vehicles–A Review

Abstract: Considering a future scenario in which a driverless Electric Vehicle (EV) needs an automatic charging system without human intervention. In this regard, there is a requirement for a fully automatable, fast, safe, cost-effective, and reliable charging infrastructure that provides a profitable business model and fast adoption in the electrified transportation systems. These qualities can be comprehended through wireless charging systems. Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) is a futuristic technology with the advantage of flexibility, convenience, safety, and the capability of becoming fully automated. In WPT methods resonant inductive wireless charging has to gain more attention compared to other wireless power transfer methods due to high efficiency and easy maintenance. This literature presents a review of the status of Resonant Inductive Wireless Power Transfer Charging technology also highlighting the present status and its future of the wireless EV market. First, the paper delivers a brief history throw lights on wireless charging methods, highlighting the pros and cons. Then, the paper aids a comparative review of different type’s inductive pads, rails, and compensations technologies done so far. The static and dynamic charging techniques and their characteristics are also illustrated. The role and importance of power electronics and converter types used in various applications are discussed. The batteries and their management systems as well as various problems involved in WPT are also addressed. Different trades like cyber security economic effects, health and safety, foreign object detection, and the effect and impact on the distribution grid are explored. Prospects and challenges involved in wireless charging systems are also highlighting in this work. We believe that this work could help further the research and development of WPT systems.

Compensation Topologies in IPT Systems: Standards, Requirements, Classification, Analysis, Comparison and Application

Abstract: Wireless power transfer devices are becoming more relevant and widespread. Therefore, an article is devoted to a review, analysis and comparison of compensation topologies for an inductive power transfer. A new classification of topologies is developed. A lot of attention is paid to the problems of the physical fundamentals of compensation work, standards, safety, and five main topology requirements. It is determined, that topologies with the series primary compensating are the most effective in the IPT for charging devices among the four classical schemes. The series-parallel solution is recommended in case of the low output voltage, minimum size of a secondary side coil is achievable. The series-series solution does not depend on the magnetic coupling coefficient and the load on the resonance frequency. For the convenience of displaying and understanding the information, the comparison results are listed in the tables, graphs and dependencies. The main suitable topologies for a certain application are defined. The given conclusions provide a “one-stop” information source and a selection guide on the application of compensation topologies both in terms of devices and in terms of power level that is the main value of this paper. During literature analysis and recent trends in the market for wireless power transmission devices, the main possible further ways of developing topologies are underlined. First of all, it concerns increasing the frequency of resonance of compensation topologies, the use of multilevel / multi-pulse / multicoils structures, the study of existing high-frequency semiconductors and the development of the semiconductor and magnetic materials.