Analyses of DC Inductance Used in ICPT Power Pick-Ups for Maximum Power Transfer

It is very common in ICPT (inductively coupled power transfer) systems to use a DC inductor in a power pickup to increase output power. This is because the DC inductor helps to maintain a continuous current flow in the pick-up circuit so that power can be continuously delivered from the AC side of a rectifier to the DC side. However, how to determine the inductance of this DC inductor remains an unsolved theoretical problem, so trial and error approach is normally used in practical design. This paper analyzes in detail the effect of the DC inductance on the maximum power capacity of a parallel tuned pick-up, and the maximum possible power that can be transferred. Although it is difficult to determine the accurate maximum power when the equivalent series resistance of the inductor is considered, a suitable inductance is recommended for achieving the practical maximum power. Simulations and experimental results have proved the usability of these analyses results and the recommended inductance