INDUCTIVE CHARGING TECHNOLOGY
A transformer can be used to induce a current from one circuit to another nearby circuit, due to the mutual inductance of the two circuits. The coil carrying the power is called the primary, and the other coil is the secondary. Current flows through the primary inductive coil and the resulting magnetic flux induces an alternating current through the magnetic field and across the secondary coil, completing the circuit. When applied to a transformer the primary and secondary coils are fixed in relation to one another. Using these electromagnetic properties, and patents leased by Dr. John Boys of the University of Auckland, Wampfler® has developed an inductive charging system that can be used to charge a range of different devices. Some of the current applications of this system include the powering of a floor conveying system at both an Audi and a BMW engine assembly line, three sorting system distribution centers located in Europe, and an outdoor elevator in Germany.
Electric vehicles have a well-documented track record of environmental superiority over vehicles with internal combustion engines. Battery-electric mass transit systems are desirable in urban, campus and medical center applications because of their quiet operation, zero tail-pipe emissions and widespread pedestrian appeal. Electricity is the only known energy used for propulsion that can be produced by environmentally benign sources.
Clearly, conventional methods must be adapted to overcome the many shortcomings that battery-electric vehicle transportation imposes. One such alternative to modern battery-electric strategies is the use of inductive power transfer. Inductive power transfer reduces the need for close proximity service facilities by providing opportunity charging through wireless energy transfer stations imbedded within the bus route itself.
