Wireless electric power transfer based on Acoustic Energy through conductive media

This paper presents the development of a new wireless electric power transfer technique named Acoustic Energy Transfer (AET). Sound waves are utilized to transfer energy through metal barriers without direct-wired connections. Factors influencing the performance of AET are investigated, and a prototype AET system is developed. The prototype demonstrated that 62W of power can be transferred across a 70mm thick aluminum block at an efficiency of 74% when the system operates at the resonant frequency of the transducer (28kHz). These experimental results are very promising for practical applications where power transfer is needed across metal barriers. Suggestions for further development on AET systems are also presented.