Electronic – ny difference between “induction” and “resonant” wireless energy transfer

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This article compares two systems for wireless energy transfer – one is by WiTricity and another is Bombardier PRIMOVE. I've read their descriptions thoroughly – to me they both look like resonant inductive coupling systems.

Yet the article says that WiTricity system uses resonance rather than electromagnetic induction and is more efficient because of that.

Is such comparison valid? Are there indeed "induction" and "resonance" wireless transfer systems or is it just the same thing being marketed differently?

Best Answer

In my opinion, for the last thirty years, nearly all magnetic induction energy transfer systems place a capacitor to put the secondary coil in resonance. This achieves better power transfer efficiency and everybody knows this. We have been doing this in the medical device industry for [at least] the last two decades. This is just obvious.

Witricity and others have invented this term magnetic resonance to make it sound like they are doing something nobody else has. Don't believe them.

You also hear A4WP using this term to differentiate themselves from Qi. The fact is that Qi standard allows the designer to use either resonant circuits or not. So plenty of Qi systems will use what Witricity and others call "magnetic resonance" to provide more efficiency transfer. Some will opt for a cheaper design that gives shorter range.

In conclusion, Witricity didn't invent anything. Using resonant circuits in magnetic induction is well known and is used all the time.