Invention Reference Number
High-power wireless charging systems often experience significant efficiency losses due to electrical behavior within conductive windings at elevated operating frequencies. This technology addresses those losses through an optimized Litz wire and winding design approach that improves power transfer efficiency without increasing system size or complexity. By balancing electrical performance characteristics at the system level, the approach reduces resistive losses while maintaining strong magnetic coupling between charging components. The result is improved overall system performance for demanding wireless power applications where efficiency, material usage, and thermal performance are critical.
Description
In high-power wireless charging systems, conductive losses within transmitter and receiver coils represent a dominant source of inefficiency, particularly under high-frequency operation. These losses arise from non-uniform current distribution and magnetic field interactions that are not adequately addressed by conventional wire and winding selection methods.
This technology introduces a system-level design methodology that optimizes Litz wire construction and coil winding characteristics simultaneously rather than treating them as independent components. The approach accounts for interactions between electrical resistance, magnetic coupling, and geometric constraints to identify wire and winding configurations that improve coil-to-coil power transfer efficiency. Computational modeling and experimental validation demonstrate that carefully tailored conductor architectures can significantly reduce losses while also lowering material usage for equivalent performance. The design framework is adaptable to high-power wireless charging platforms and enables improved efficiency without reliance on additional active components or changes to system topology.
Benefits
- Reduces conductive losses in high-frequency wireless charging coils
- Improves overall system efficiency through system-level optimization
- Decreases conductor material usage for comparable performance
- Enhances thermal and electrical performance without added complexity
Applications and Industries
- High-power wireless charging systems
- Transportation electrification and infrastructure
- Industrial power transfer equipment
- Advanced power electronics and charging platforms
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
