Wireless power converter utilized as a capacitive power transfer system

Abstract

A direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) wireless converter apparatus ( 200 ) for supplying power to a load connected in a capacitive power transfer system. The apparatus comprises at least two connectors ( 201, 202 ) enabling a galvanic contact to at least two supply lines ( 211, 212 ) of a DC grid; a driver ( 203 ) coupled to the connectors ( 201, 202 ) and configured to generate an AC power signal from an input DC signal fed by the at least two connectors, wherein a frequency of the AC power signal substantially matches a series-resonance frequency of the capacitive power transfer system; and at least a pair of transmitter electrodes ( 204, 205 ) connected to an output of the driver.

1 - 15 . (canceled). 
     
     
         16 . An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) wireless converter apparatus for locally supplying DC signals to a non-powered DC grid connected to a capacitive power transfer system, comprising:
 at least a pair of electrodes being capacitive coupled to at least two electrodes of an AC power grid, such that an AC power signal is wirelessly transferred from an AC power grid to the at least pair of electrodes;   an AC-to-DC converter connected to the at least a pair of electrodes and configured to generate a DC signal from the AC power signal; and   at least two connectors enabling a galvanic contact to at least two supply lines of the non-powered DC grid;   wherein the apparatus is mounted on an infrastructure of the AC power grid to locally power the DC grid; and   wherein the infrastructure is a surface comprising receiver electrodes and DC grid supply lines.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising an inductor connected in series between the converter and one of the at least a pair of electrodes. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein an insulating layer is located between the at least a pair of electrodes and the at least two electrodes of the AC power grid, and wherein the insulating layer is made of a non-conductive material. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein a frequency of the AC power signal substantially matches a series-resonance frequency of the inductor and the capacitive impedance formed between the at a least pair of electrodes and the at least two electrodes of the AC power grid.