A method, apparatus, and system are provided which enables the control of contactless power transfer in an inductive power transfer system using a phase control technique. The method comprises adjusting the phase of a secondary-side converter output voltage with respect to that of a primary-side converter. The magnitude of power transfer is determined by the relative phase angle, and the direction of power transfer is determined by whether the secondary converter output voltage leads or lags the input converter voltage, thereby enabling bi-directional power transfer between the primary and secondary sides of the system. According to alternative embodiments, the method may also be used for uni-directional power transfer only, and/or the secondary converter may be operated to maintain a constant relative phase angle.
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