Underwater Power Supply System Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater moving bodies, such as vehicles and robots, face frequent battery depletion due to small rechargeable batteries, necessitating frequent recharging and limiting their operational time, especially in deep water environments where surfacing for recharging is impractical.
Innovation Solution
An underwater power supply system comprising an ascending/descending station that moves between the water depth of operation and the surface, wirelessly charging an underwater moving body using a charging station at the surface, allowing continuous operation and recharging without surfacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If small rechargeable batteries are used in underwater moving bodies, then the device size is reduced, but the usable time becomes short requiring frequent recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator system consisting of a charging station on the seabed and an ascending/descending station that acts as an intermediary between the surface charging source and the underwater moving body. This mediator enables power transfer without requiring the moving body to surface or use large onboard batteries, thus maintaining small device size while extending usable time through continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically bringing large batteries or surface charging equipment to the underwater moving body with a wireless electromagnetic induction-based charging system. The ascending/descending station moves vertically to establish wireless power transfer with the moving body, substituting mechanical connection with field-based energy transfer.
2Use of energy by moving object
If underwater moving bodies surface for recharging, then power can be replenished, but operational efficiency is reduced due to interruption of missions
Solution Approach 1:
The underwater moving body can autonomously approach the ascending/descending station for wireless charging without requiring surfacing or external intervention. The system enables self-service recharging at the operational depth, allowing the moving body to quickly replenish power and return to mission without breaking operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ascending/descending station operates periodically, ascending to receive wireless power from the surface charging station and then descending to charge multiple underwater moving bodies in sequence. This periodic operation pattern allows continuous power supply to moving bodies while maintaining high operational efficiency.
3Duration of action of moving object
If large capacity batteries are installed to extend usable time, then operational duration increases, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station is pre-installed on the seabed at the operational location, and the ascending/descending station is prepared in advance to provide power. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for underwater moving bodies to carry large batteries, as power is available on-demand at the operational site, thus maintaining compact device size while extending operational duration.
4Ease of operation
If wireless power supply is implemented at operational depth, then recharging can occur without surfacing, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into three independent modules: a surface charging station, an ascending/descending station, and onboard charging equipment in the moving body. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture, making the complex wireless power transfer system more manageable and maintainable.
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
Enhances the operational efficiency of underwater moving bodies by enabling them to perform missions and recharge without surfacing, extending their usable time and reducing the need for frequent recharging.
Implementation Method 1
a charging station that supplies electrical power wirelessly to the ascending/descending station in the vicinity of the water surface
Implementation Method 2
electrical power is supplied wirelessly from the ascending/descending station to the underwater moving body
Data Source
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AI summary
An underwater power supply system is provided with an ascending/descending station (20) that ascends and descends underwater between the water depth at which an underwater moving body (10) works and the vicinity of the water surface (2), and a charging station (30) that supplies electrical power wirelessly to the ascending/descending station (20) in the vicinity of the water surface (2). At the aforementioned water depth, the underwater moving body (10) moves adjacent to the ascending/descending station (20), and electrical power is supplied wirelessly from the ascending/descending station (20) to the underwater moving body (10).