Inductive charging of electrical vehicles – technology transfer

Background

A prerequisite of a fast increasing market of electrical vehicles is the access to charging and reliability/accessibility of the charging systems. Inductive charging i.e. charging without a cord, is an interesting alternative that has been put forward during recent years.
Several actors also begin to market inductive chargers. Compared to conductive charging, i.e. with cord, inductive charging would offer additional values as:

• no handling of cords
• less hazard of vandalizing
• no need for charge posts in public space
• options to charge wherever the vehicle is in stand still position (red light, in queues etc)

2009 a pre-study was done at KTH. That study was performed as a Maters Thesis work and gave good insight into the theory behind inductive and resonant transfer of electric energy and how to design an inductive charging system.

The inductive charging of electrical vehicles Master Thesis projects will be monitored by a reference group with members from the industry and Elforsk.

The task

In this Master Thesis work focus will be held on the adaptation and integration of the magnetic and power electronic systems in the ground and in the vehicle. On basis of a suggested design of a 3 kW demonstrator the task is to embody it physically in collaboration with vehicle engineers and material experts in fibre enforced high performance concrete.

The proposed Master Thesis project comprises:

• Collection of information and studies regarding feasible materials and processes for integration of the parts of the system in the vehicle and located in the ground.
• Collaboration with material experts
• Collaboration with vehicle experts
• Manufacturing, evaluation and documentation of a 3 kW demonstrator of inductive charging.