Misalignment tolerant model and force calculation in a resonator array for inductive power transfer

In this work, an inductive power transfer (IPT) system composed of an array of multiple magnetically coupled resonant inductors (cells) has been considered, allowing the transmission distance to be increased or the misalignment between the emitter and receiver coils to be considered. The analysis of the arrays can be carried out with the theory of magnetoinductive waves (MIW) or with circuit theory; the latter approach has been followed. The impedance matrix of the resonator array has been modelled for different receiver shapes and dimensions. Moreover, it has been expressed as a function of the space improving the accuracy of the model. The model has been exploited to calculate all the currents and voltages of the system. In first approximation, only the displacement in the MIW propagation direction has been considered, whereas the contribution of the receiver is expressed as a defect and becomes a function of the space as the mutual inductances between the circuits vary according to the receiver position. The self- and mutual inductance coefficients have been evaluated for each circuit of the system by applying the partial inductance method, whose formulas have been implemented in Matlab environment. These results have been validated by means of magnetostatic FEM analysis of the system using a commercial software. Experimental measurements on a prototype of a 1-D resonator array have been performed, confirming the calculated values of the currents and as a consequence, of the mutual inductances. The last part of the thesis is devoted to the calculation of the mechanical forces of electromagnetic origin experienced by the receiver over the array, as a result of the interaction between the whole magnetic field - generated by all the array cells - and the current circulating in the receiver. These forces have been theoretically discussed first, with a subsequent implementation of the calculation in Matlab environment and analysis of the obtained results.