HEVO is participating in a wireless charging technology evaluation program involving Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and BMW, with testing focused on the compatibility of different wireless power-transfer coil architectures.
An ORNL wireless charging system transfers power from a ground-mounted coil to a receiver mounted beneath the electric vehicle, allowing the battery to charge without a physical connection.
HEVO is contributing circular coil topologies and engineering support for BMW bench testing of ORNL’s polyphase coil technology. The work will evaluate how the two approaches interact as researchers explore wireless charging architectures for future electric vehicles (EVs).
Polyphase wireless power transfer is being investigated as a way to increase power density while improving packaging in EV charging systems. HEVO’s contribution adds experience with circular coil designs to the evaluation, allowing the teams to compare the technologies and assess their compatibility.
The testing builds on previous ORNL and BMW work involving polyphase wireless charging. HEVO is an ORNL technology licensee and will provide technical analysis as the evaluation progresses.
Wireless charging could eventually support EV applications where charging is automated or where eliminating a physical connector could simplify vehicle operation. For the current program, however, the focus is on evaluating the underlying coil technologies and wireless power-transfer architecture.
Filed Under: Charging, Technology News, Wireless charging