An Inductive Power Transfer System pickup provides a controlled AC power supply by controlled variation of the phase angle between the pickup coil induced voltage (jwMI) and the tuning capacitor C voltage. The phase angle can be varied by maintaining the tuning capacitor C voltage substantially constant for a selected time period. Switches S1 and S2 may be used to clamp the tuning capacitor C voltage at substantially zero volts during the selected time period. Switch S1 can be operated to prevent a rise in positive voltage across the tuning capacitor, and switch S2 can be used to prevent the voltage across the tuning capacitor from going negative.