Delphi Go Wireless EV charger in full regalia at SAE World Congress

Last week’s SAE World Congress 2012 brought us a good surprise: the Go Wireless charging system by Delphi.

No need for Delphi fans to wait for EVS26, the Electric vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles that starts on May 6 and runs trough the 9th. Delphi has already shown its wares at the SAE World Congress 2012 in Detroit,

Delphi has developed a Wireless Charging System that will automatically transfer power to a vehicle providing a convenient, wireless energy transfer system. According to the website, the system was developed in cooperation with WiTricity Corp., a wireless energy transfer technology provider. It will enable an electric vehicle's battery to be recharged without the hassle of cords or connections.

This is hands-free charging technology, folks. It is based on highly resonant magnetic coupling which transfers electric power over short distances without physical contact, allowing for safer and more convenient charging options for consumer and commercial electric vehicles.

Also according to the company website, the wireless technology is described as a product differentiator for advanced technology vehicles. The high efficiency wireless energy transfer technology will require no plugs or charging cords. Instead, a magnetic field from a source resonator on the ground is aligned with a capture resonator mounted underneath a vehicle. While some systems require a close proximity, the Delphi system allows for a maximum distance of 30 centimeters, as per my discussion with Delphi personnel at SAE.

Delphi is not the originator of the technology, but is smart enough to recognize the value. So, it has rights under a patented MIT-developed wireless energy transfer technology based on the following principle: Two properly designed devices with closely matched resonant frequencies can strongly couple into a single continuous magnetic field.

The wireless charging system is comprised of the following:

- Vehicle mounted capture resonator and interface electronics — fitted to the bottom of the vehicle
- Vehicle power and signal distribution systems
- Stationary source resonator pad — mounted on the ground
- Stationary charging controller

If you recall, the original GM EV1 was based on inductance. Compared to inductive systems, though, this highly resonant magnetic coupling technology will efficiently transfer power over significantly larger distances and will allow more parking-related vehicle misalignment. The system can fully charge an electric vehicle at a rate comparable to most residential plug-in chargers, which can be as fast as four hours.

Aside from hands-free, convenience and simplicity is what the system brings for electric vehicle owners. It enables easy, automatic charging by simply parking a vehicle in a garage or parking spot. The system activates the moment a vehicle is aligned with the charging pad.

Delphi says wireless charging technology will need to co-exist with plug-in charging solutions, so that electric vehicle drivers have the ability to charge their vehicle when they are away from a wireless charging source. That is why Delphi makes a Portable Electric Vehicle Charger as well that fits conveniently in the trunk of an electric vehicle, in addition to other technologies for the hybrid and electric vehicle market.