Contactless power transfer to a rotating disk

This paper discusses a power transfer system from the stationary to the rotating part of a device, by means of contactless energy transfer. A rotating transformer is proposed as a replacement for wires and slip rings. A pot core geometry is used for the rotating transformer and two different winding topologies are compared. The transformer is analyzed in the electromagnetic and thermal domain. An analytic model for each domain is derived. The validity of the analytical models is confirmed with both 2D and 3D FEM simulations and measurements. Two prototype rotating transformers are designed for the transfer of 1 kW peak, rotating at 6000 rpm. The prototypes are manufactured using commercially available pot cores and tested in an experimental setup.