A new circuit topology using Z-source resonant inverter for high power contactless power transfer applications

In this study, a new circuit topology using a Z-source resonant inverter (ZSRI) for high power applications in large-air-gap contactless power transfer (CPT) systems, has been investigated. The main shortcoming of a large-air-gap CPT system is the poor power transfer efficiency due to low magnetic coupling. In order to minimize this shortcoming and to improve the overall performance of the system by boosting the power transfer capability, in this paper a CPT system with the newly developed circuit topology using high frequency Z-source resonant inverter has been proposed. Using the newly developed circuit topology for the CPT system, it has been observed that the overall performance of the system has been improved to a reasonable level with a purely sinusoidal resonant current flowing through the primary side. Therefore, no harmonics will be injected into the source. The proposed CPT system with an air gap of 16 cm and a misalignment of 3 cm has been simulated using the Maxwell finite element tool and Simplorer circuit simulation software for an output power of 2 kW.