Inductively coupled power transfer(ICPT)is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction and is currently adopted using the theory of the circuit model. Because of the defect that this method is unable to help understand the energy transfer process of ICPT system

an energy modeling method of ICPT system is proposed. The energy models of four kinds of ICPT systems are created

including series-series

series-parallel

parallel-series and parallel-parallel topologies. The relationship between energy model and coupling mode is discussed

their equivalence and equivalent conditions of mathematical meaning are studied

and simulation results by MATLAB have verified the theoretical implications. Furthermore

in view of the phenomenon

the principle of ICPT and that of magnetic coupling resonant wireless power transfer(MCRWPT)are confusing

the difference in the principle of ICPT and MCRWPT are enunciated

which is based on the energy mode. It is concluded that ICPT system is equivalent to MCRWPT system of SS topology only when it meets the resonant condition

weak coupling and the coils with high quality factor

thus clarifying the differences in the principle of ICPT system and MCRWPT system

which can provide references for further design and optimization of ICPT system and MCRWPT system. This work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 51437005).