Method of operating an inductive power transfer system and an inductive power transfer system

An inductive power transfer system for transferring energy to a vehicle, wherein the inductive power transfer system comprises a primary winding structure for generating an alternating electromagnetic field and a secondary winding structure for receiving the alternating electromagnetic field and generating an alternating current output voltage, wherein the alternating current output voltage is rectifiable and supplyable to at least one energy storage element, wherein the inductive power transfer system comprises at least one means for adjusting a gap size of a gap between the primary winding structure and the secondary winding structure, wherein the rectified output voltage is adjustable by varying the gap size, wherein the gap size is adjustable to prepare or to initiate or to control an energy transfer process depending on charging characteristics of the at least one energy storage element,

• wherein the gap size is adjustable such that a first rectified output voltage is provided, wherein the gap size is held constant as long as the first rectified output voltage is providable by adjusting an input voltage of a wayside power converter, wherein the input voltage of the wayside power converter is adjustable between given voltage limits.