Patent ID: 11904712
Assignee: INDUCTEV, INC.
Field: Computer technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  G  H  Y | IPC B  G  H

Claim 27:
28. A system for detecting foreign objects impinging on a ground transceiver assembly (GTA) of a wireless power transfer (WPT) station, comprising:
at least one camera positioned to observe an area surrounding a charging position of the GTA;
an impedance measurement circuit that measures an impedance of a wireless power transfer coil of the GTA;
an imaging processor that analyzes images from the at least one camera to identify changes or features indicative of introduction of a foreign object onto an exposed surface of the GTA or in the area surrounding the GTA; and
a foreign object detection (FOD) controller that triggers an impedance inspection of the GTA by the impedance measurement circuit in response to determining the images are indicative of presence of the foreign object on the exposed surface of the GTA or in the area surrounding the GTA, wherein the impedance inspection of the GTA comprises sending a test alternating current to the wireless power transfer coil of the GTA and measuring the impedance of the wireless power transfer coil, and that initiates a failsafe operation when presence of the foreign object on the surface of the GTA is confirmed by the impedance inspection.