Explanation please -- public bus induction power -- into basic physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the induction charging system for public transport buses, focusing on the physics behind its design, particularly concerning the air gap and its implications for efficiency and safety. Participants seek to break down the technology into basic physics concepts and formulas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests a breakdown of the induction charger using basic high school physics formulas, expressing concern about the large air gap and its impact on coil size and current.
  • Another participant questions the existence of an air gap during charging, suggesting that the claimed efficiency may not align with such a design.
  • A participant cites a national radio interview with the project leader as a source of information regarding the air gap, although this is met with skepticism regarding its reliability.
  • Concerns are raised about the safety of high energy transfer through a wide air gap, particularly in relation to individuals with cardiac pacemakers.
  • Participants express frustration over the lack of available design specifications and consider reaching out to the manufacturer for more information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the existence or implications of the air gap during charging, and participants express differing views on the reliability of sources and safety concerns related to the technology.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in available information, including missing design specifications and the need for reliable sources to verify claims about efficiency and safety.

houlahound
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Sorry for the title, and sorry if there is already a thread on it.

This induction charger for a public transport bus. Can anyone break it down into basic formulas of high school physics. The air gap is frikkin huge. Earlier prototypes apparently had a secondary coil on the bus that was lowered but the bus drivers refused to be bothered to lower it according to internet myth.

This model I think has a fixed 10inch air gap.

That must be a huge coil/s and currents if a simple transformer equation is used.

Appreciate some detail of this design, what currents, coils, number of windings, losses etc in basic equations.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.wired.com/2012/12/induction-charging-bus/
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Where did you see that there is an air gap while charging at the bus stops. The claimed efficiency doesn't seem to match up with that number...
 
The project leader said it in a national radio interview last night.
 
houlahound said:
The project leader said it in a national radio interview last night.
Well, that's not a very reliable source, IMO. Can you find a better source?

I would not want one of the cardiac pacemaker patients that I sometimes help walking onto a bus that had kilowatts of energy transfer going on through such a wide air gap. That's a very dangerous setup, IMO...
 
Precisely why I am posting, will try find a better link.
 
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From same company, solar roads. Will make a new thread.

http://www.fastcoexist.com/1681562/solar-roads-charging-roads-and-the-future-of-transportation
 
K, given up on finding design specs. Thinking of emailing the manufacturer. Can some random guy off the internet do that?

Hi I'm a closet physics nerd off the internet, can you please send me the circuit diagrams of yr coils in those bus thingy's.

Would that even work?
 

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