Multi-Frequency Time-Sharing Strategy to Achieve Independent Power Regulation for Multi-Receiver ICPT System

The diverse array of sensors deployed on meteorological observation towers, tasked with the observation of meteorological gradients, requires distinct power supplies and effective power regulation. In this article, a multi-frequency, multi-receiver (MFMR) inductively coupled power transfer (ICPT) system using a time-sharing frequency strategy is proposed, which enables coupled power transfer to multiple nodes through only one cable. The time-sharing frequency control (TSFC) method is introduced to produce time-sharing multi-frequency currents. By incorporating a controllable resonant capacitor array at the transmitter, the system can operate at various resonance frequencies over specific intervals, allowing it to supply power to multiple loads with unique resonance frequencies. First, an in-depth analysis of the power transmission characteristics of MFMR-ICPT systems is conducted, with the three-frequency, three-receiver (TFTR) ICPT system circuit serving as an example. The frequency cross-coupling effects are then analyzed, and the TSFC method is explained. Finally, experiments are conducted on a TFTR-ICPT system. The results demonstrated that independent power regulation of multiple loads could be achieved by adjusting the duty cycle of different frequency input voltages through the time-sharing frequency strategy. The system achieved a total power output of 38.7 W, with an efficiency of 64.8%.