Vehicle-side beacon mode for wireless electric vehicle charging

A method for generating a beacon signal to initiate transmission of power by a wireless power transmitter, the method comprising:

• generating, via beacon circuitry of a wireless power receiver, alternating current by which to provide the beacon signal, the beacon circuitry including a first switch connected between a voltage source and a first terminal of a first inductor of the wireless power receiver and a second switch connected between a potential that is lower than the voltage source and a first terminal of a second inductor of the wireless power receiver;
• applying, through the first inductor and the second inductor of the wireless power receiver, the alternating current to a coil of the wireless power receiver to transmit the beacon signal such that the beacon signal is detectable by the wireless power transmitter, the alternating current applied via a second terminal of the first inductor connected to a first terminal of the coil and via a second terminal of the second inductor connected to a second terminal of the coil;
• monitoring the coil of the wireless power receiver for other alternating current indicating reception of power from the wireless power transmitter;
• initiating, responsive to detecting the other alternating current and via conversion circuitry of the wireless power receiver, conversion of the other alternating current to direct current using at least a portion of the beacon circuitry of the wireless power receiver, the conversion circuitry being operably coupled between an energy storage device and one of the first inductor or the second inductor;
• and
• charging, with the direct current, the energy storage device operably coupled with the conversion circuitry of the wireless power receiver.

An apparatus for receiving wirelessly transmitted power, the apparatus comprising:

• a coil configured to receive wirelessly transmitted power;
• a first portion of boost circuitry comprising a first inductor having a first terminal connected to a first terminal of the coil and a second terminal connected to an energy storage device, and a first switch connected between the second terminal of the first inductor and a lower potential;
• a second portion of boost circuitry comprising a second inductor having a first terminal connected to a second terminal of the coil and a second terminal connected to the energy storage device, and a second switch connected between the second terminal of the second inductor and the lower potential;
• and
• beacon circuitry comprising a third switch connected between a voltage source and one of the respective second terminals of the first inductor or the second inductor.

A wireless power receiver comprising:

• means for generating alternating current by which to provide a beacon signal, the means for generating including a first switch connected between a voltage source and a first terminal of a first inductor of the wireless power receiver and a second switch connected between a potential that is lower than the voltage source and a first terminal of a second inductor of the wireless power receiver;
• means for applying, through the first inductor and the second inductor, the alternating current to terminals of a coil of the wireless power receiver to transmit the beacon signal such that the beacon signal is detectable by a wireless power transmitter, the means for applying including a second terminal of the first inductor that is connected to a first terminal of the coil and a second terminal of the second inductor that is connected to a second terminal of the coil;
• means for monitoring the coil of the wireless power receiver for other alternating current indicating reception of the power from the wireless power transmitter;
• means for converting, in response to detecting the other alternating current, the other alternating current of the received power to direct current, the means for converting coupled between an energy storage device and one of the first inductor or the second inductor;
• and
• means for charging, with the direct current, the energy storage device operably coupled with the means for converting of the wireless power receiver.