The objective of the presented work is to take advantage of the precision capabilities of tailor-fiber-placement (TFP) embroidery processes in order to qualify carbon-fiber parts as viable antennas for wireless power transfer applications in multifunctional carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites. The solution comes first from a literature study of electrical, high-frequency, and textile engineering concepts. This review built familiarity with the technological challenges and state-of-the-art of the presented technology. Next step was iterative experimentation of machine capabilities for the production of carbon-fiber antennas. Finally, antenna prototypes were produced and their physical and electrical characteristics were evaluated through several test methods. The results showed that TFP embroidery machines were capable of producing quality, carbon antennas. Induction values of the antennas from 0.5 to 3.5 ‘H were achieved. Signal transfer efficiencies from carbon-antenna transmitters to an aftermarket receiver show promise in commercial application.

This paper is dedicated to the extensive review of state-of-the-art contactless energy transfer (CET) systems that are gaining increasing interest in the automatic machinery industries. We first introduce the circuit equivalent networks considered in the literature, and discuss the main operating principles. Possible circuital resonant solutions are also discussed together with the required compensating networks. Then we focus on the problem of transferring, at the maximum efficiency, high-power levels (of the order of 1 kW or higher), showing that highly coupled inductive links are needed, requiring to refrain from the resonance condition. These systems are usually referred to as CET systems, since the link distances are negligible with respect to the coils dimensions. The operating frequencies are of the order of tens to hundreds of kilohertz. The fundamental figures of merit are analytically defined and used to measure the actual limitations involved in this class of systems, including aspects related to realization feasibility with respect to voltages and currents limitations. Finally, state-of-the-art CET works are surveyed, and realistic applications for different operating frequencies are considered and critically compared.