A team of researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee, USA, achieved a breakthrough in the field of electric mobility.
The scientists succeeded in demonstrating that a lightweight electric passenger vehicle can be charged wirelessly with a power output of 100 kW and an efficiency of 96% using polyphase electromagnetic coupling coils with rotating magnetic fields.
This breakthrough not only stands out for its high charging capacity but also for its efficiency and ease of use.
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High-tech
ORNL‘s patented technology has succeeded in transferring power to a Hyundai Kona EV across a five-inch air gap using electromagnetic fields, a process similar to wireless charging of small consumer devices but on a much larger scale.
The scientists explain that they have achieved the world’s highest power density for a wireless charging system for this class of vehicle.
“Our technology achieves power densities 8-10 times higher than conventional coil technology and can increase the battery state of charge by 50% in less than 20 minutes,” highlight ORNL’s Omer Onar.
This achievement represents a significant advance over previous methods, which had achieved 120 kW charging using conventional coil technology in laboratory tests, marking a milestone in vehicle integration using ORNL’s polyphase coils.
ORNL‘s polyphase electromagnetic coupling coil, with a lightweight and small size design, allows for the highest power density within the smallest possible coils.
The rotating magnetic fields generated by the coil’s phased windings increase power.
This innovative design not only improves charging efficiency but also opens up new possibilities for the integration of wireless charging systems into existing infrastructure, offering a practical and efficient solution for electric vehicle owners.
