With everyone using an increasing number of electronic devices, each with their own power needs, the demand for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) is growing. WPT makes charging devices ranging from cell-phones, computers, electric vehicles, and biomedical implants much more convenient. In wet environments, WPT is significantly safer than conventional wire based power transfer. Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) is the most popular of the current WPT technologies, due to its high efficiency and power density, and relatively simple implementation; having been used since the invention of the transformer in 1836. However, it has several inherent disadvantages, including but not limited to: high eddy-current loss, weight, and cost; low transmission through metallic objects and misalignment performance. This leads us to explore its alternative, Capacitive Power Transfer (CPT). Current research is proving promising, however, there are a number of technical challenges still to overcome. This project aims to develop a Multiple Transmitters to Single Receiver (MISO) CPT. With multiple transmitters, each one can be smaller, operating at lower voltages and power, making MISO safer than other Single Transmitter to Single Receiver (SISO) CPT designs. Furthermore, this system has many industry applications and would allow multiple power supplies, such as solar panels, to be connect in parallel: reducing transmission losses.
Undergraduate
Research Components
· A literature review of current CPT technologies and research.
· An investigation into the limitations and possible solutions to MISO CPT
· Development of a MISO CPT design
none
Lab allocations have not been finalised