Method of and apparatus for detecting coil alignment error in wireless inductive power transmission

A method for detecting induction coil alignment error in resonant induction wireless power apparatus includes an eddy current coil array superimposed upon the primary induction coil, a switching device for each eddy current coil, a voltage detector such as a low power rectifier connected to the secondary induction coil, an analog-to-digital converter, primary and secondary side micro-controllers, and, in a vehicle charging embodiment, a vehicle operator interface. During coil alignment, the primary side induction coil operates at low power. Eddy current flows in an eddy current coil only if the associated switching device is switched on.