Analyzing the Impacts of High Voltage Insulators on Equivalent Parameters of Wireless Power Transfer: Simulation and Experimental Studies

The impacts of high voltage (HV) insulators on equivalent circuit parameters of wireless power transfer (WPT) system is evaluated and analyzed in this study. Flat spiral coils are inserted under the HV insulators and convey power to charge monitoring devices' battery at the top of the power line towers. All the external metal objects over the magnetic flux path are identified, and their material type, relative permeability, and conductivity are explained. An equivalent circuit for the WPT system is specified, and its parameters are calculated with and without the presence of external metal objects. In this sense, 3-D finite element method (FEM) simulations are conducted in ANSYS Maxwell. The variation of the magnetic flux within the airgaps is displayed, the eddy current induction initiation over the external metal objects is shown, and changes in the equivalent circuit parameters of the WPT system are clearly discussed. The results of the simulation study are then validated through experimental studies by means of fabricated flat spiral coils.