A Modular Inductive Wireless Charging Solution for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2021

Authors

Agostinho, LR (Author) Other; Ricardo, NC (Author) Other; Silva, RJ (Author) Other; Pinto, AM (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: 2021 IEEE International Conference on Autonomous Robot Systems and Competitions (ICARSC)

Pages: 68-73

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-1WH

DOI: 10.1109/icarsc52212.2021.9429785

Abstract (EN): In recent years, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have gained prominence in the most varied fields of application of underwater missions. The most common solution for recharging their batteries still implies removing them from the water, which is exceptionally costly. The use of Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) technologies allows to mitigate the associated costs and to extend the vehicles' operation time. In consequence, a prototype has been developed, whose objective is to integrate commercially available IPT technologies, while allowing the employment by most of the AUVs. The prototype is a funnel structure and its counterpart aimed to be fixed to a docking station and the AUV respectively. When coupled, it enables the batteries to recharge by electromagnetic induction. Energy transmission has been tested, resulting in encouraging results. This particular solution achieved over 90% efficiency during underwater experiments. The next objective will be to develop a commercial version of the prototype, that allows a direct, practical and effective use of wireless charging technologies within this particular scenario.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6