A Three-Phase Inductively Coupled Power Transfer System

This paper discusses the development of a new three phase bipolar inductively coupled power transfer (ICPT) system for improving the power profile across the width of a roadway surface for automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) and people mover systems. A prototype system was constructed that supplies 40 Amperes per phase into a thirteen meter long track to supply power to a number of moving vehicles (toy cars). Flat pick-ups are used on the underside of the vehicle and FEM software was successfully used to determine a suitable geometrical position for the cables in the track resulting in a considerably wider power delivery zone than possible using a single-phase track layout. Mutual coupling effects between the various track phases, requires additional compensation to be added to ensure balanced three-phase currents. Experimental tests verified simulation results with a high degree of accuracy