Subsea Docking Coil Guidance for Precise Inductive Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current submarine docking systems face challenges in achieving precise navigation and alignment for wireless energy transfer due to limitations in inertial navigation accuracy and visibility issues underwater, particularly with subsea drones requiring ±10mm accuracy and protection of inductive coils from hydrostatic pressure.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a magnetic field emitted by a primary coil at the docking port, which is detected by a secondary coil on the submarine vessel to guide precise docking, using dedicated electrical pulses and modulation for identification and navigation, along with metal rings for protection and distortion minimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inertial navigation system and visual navigation system are used for submarine docking, then navigation capability is provided, but positioning accuracy is insufficient (±50cm to ±10mm) due to elapsed time and visibility limitations
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary medium between the docking port and submarine vessel. The primary coil at the docking port generates a magnetic field that serves as a reference signal, enabling the secondary coil on the submarine to accurately determine position and orientation without relying solely on complex navigation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on mechanical inertial navigation and optical visual systems with a magnetic field-based detection system. This substitution eliminates the limitations of time-dependent accuracy degradation and visibility constraints, achieving ±10mm positioning precision through magnetic field strength measurement.
2Reliability
If inductive connector system is used for wireless energy transfer, then energy transfer capability is provided, but coil protection from hydrostatic pressure and impact is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Metal rings are installed around the primary and secondary coils before deployment to provide structural reinforcement. These rings act as protective elements that withstand hydrostatic pressure and impact forces, preventing coil deformation while maintaining the inductive coupling capability for wireless energy transfer.
3Measurement precision
If submarine vessel is guided to maximize magnetic field strength, then docking precision is improved, but docking time increases due to trial and error positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The submarine vessel continuously measures the magnetic field strength through its secondary coil and uses this feedback information to adjust its position. By maximizing the detected magnetic field strength, the system automatically guides the vessel to the optimal docking position, achieving precise alignment while reducing trial-and-error maneuvers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate and reliable docking within ±50cm accuracy, ensuring correct alignment and protection of coils, facilitating efficient wireless energy transfer while withstanding hydrostatic pressure.
Implementation Method 1
The docking port is provided with means for wireless transfer of electrical energy by induction. The docking port is provided with at least one primary coil arranged for emitting a magnetic field, and the submarine vessel is provided with a secondary coil.
Implementation Method 2
An inductive connector system for drone charging consists of a primary side typically placed on the charging station and a secondary receiving part on the drone.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (1) comprising a submarine vessel (2) and a submarine docking port (3) for the submarine vessel (2), where the docking port (3) is arranged for transfer of electrical energy to the submarine vessel (2) when the submarine vessel (2) is docked, and the submarine vessel (2) is provided with a submarine navigation system. The docking port (3) is provided with at least one primary coil (41) arranged for emitting a magnetic field (5), and the submarine vessel (2) is provided with a secondary coil (42), the submarine vessel (2) is provided with means for measuring a strength of the magnetic field (5) received by the secondary coil (42). The submarine vessel (2) is provided with a positioning electronics that guides the submarine vessel (2) in a horizontal plane (X-Y plane) to maximize the measured local magnetic field (5), and the positioning electronics guides the submarine vessel (2) in the vertical direction (Z-direction) when the measured magnetic field (5) is at a local maximum and the magnetic field (5) increases when the submarine vessel (2) descends towards the primary coil (41). A method for docking a submarine vessel (2) on a submarine docking port (3) is described as well.