Use of genetic algorithms to design and optimize a high-efficiency LCIPT system

This article deals with the design of loosely coupled inductive power transfer (LCIPT) systems applied to electric vehicle charging, and will focus on the optimization of a high-efficiency large air-gap transformer with the help of Genetic Algorithms (GA), and the choice of the most appropriate resonant converter topology. In this paper, a model at first harmonic of a series-series resonant converter (SSRC) and one of a series-parallel resonant converter (SPRC) are developed. It is shown that the choice of the resonant converter has a major influence on the transformer design. An optimization of an 18cm air-gap I-shaped transformer is performed in order to minimize its overall volume with efficiency greater than 98%.