Secure wireless energy transfer for vehicle applications

A power source for wirelessly providing power to a wireless receiver of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle, the power source comprising:

• a power supply, the power supply configured to supply power at a rate sufficient to charge the battery of a vehicle that is driven at least in part by electrical power;
• a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to the power supply and having a mode with a resonant frequency ω1, an intrinsic loss rate Γ1, and a first Q-factor Q1=ω1/2Γ1, the first electromagnetic resonator housed in a housing configured to be disposed in proximity to the vehicle;
• wherein the first electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to a second electromagnetic resonator located on the vehicle and coupled to a load associated with the drive system of the vehicle to provide non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator, the second electromagnetic resonator having a mode with a resonant frequency ω2, an intrinsic loss rate Γ2, and a second Q-factor Q2=ω2/2Γ2;
• and
• an authorization facility to confirm compatibility of the resonators and provide authorization for initiation of transfer of power.

A vehicle wireless power system, comprising:

• a power supply, the power supply configured to supply power at a rate sufficient to charge the battery of a vehicle that is driven at least in part by electrical power;
• a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to the power supply and having a mode with a resonant frequency ω1, an intrinsic loss rate Γ1, and a first Q-factor Q1=ω1/2Γ1, the first electromagnetic resonator housed in a housing configured to be disposed in proximity to the vehicle;
• a load configured to power the drive system of the vehicle using electrical power;
• a second electromagnetic resonator adapted to be housed upon the vehicle and configured to be coupled to the load, the second electromagnetic resonator having a mode with a resonant frequency ω2, an intrinsic loss rate Γ2, and a second Q-factor Q2=ω2/2Γ2,
• wherein the second electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the first electromagnetic resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator from the first electromagnetic resonator;
• and
• an authorization facility to confirm compatibility of the resonators and provide authorization for initiation of transfer of power.