High-Misalignment-Tolerant SL-LCC Wireless Power Transfer System for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

Abstract

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have become instrumental in contemporary ocean exploration endeavors. Nevertheless, during wireless power transfer in underwater environments, particularly in oceanic environments, the dynamic nature of ocean currents induces fluctuations in the coupling coefficient between coils, leading to instability in the system's output and efficiency. To enhance the robustness of underwater wireless power transfer systems, this paper proposes a wireless power transfer system based on the SL-LCC topology. Within the strong coupling region, the system's output voltage and efficiency remain unaffected by variations in the coupling coefficient. Moreover, receiving side current data can be monitored by merely measuring the transmitting side current, obviating the necessity for wireless communication. Employing circuit theory, a mathematical model for the system has been formulated, and its output characteristics have been scrutinized. The research indicates that the system's output voltage remains stable at approximately 43 V within the specified misalignment range, and the proposed system demonstrates strong misalignment tolerance.