Wireless Power Transfer Coils for Underwater Unmanned Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient method for wireless energy and data transfer between unmanned vehicles, sensor units, and refueling units, particularly in underwater environments, where traditional wired connections are impractical and pose operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing towed, tethered, or mechanically linked off-body coil devices that can passively or autonomously position proximate to or onto a mating coil device for wireless power and data transfer, employing coils embedded in mats or integrated into vehicles, with positioning facilitated by mechanical or cable linkage, homing devices, and autonomous navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used for energy and data transfer, then reliability of connection is improved, but operational flexibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to physical contact requirements and cable management complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wired connections with wireless electromagnetic field-based energy and data transfer systems. The transmitting coil generates electromagnetic fields that couple with receiving coils on unmanned vehicles, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining reliable energy and data transfer across the air-water interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium for energy and data transfer between the power source and unmanned vehicles. The electromagnetic field acts as a mediator that can transmit energy and information through the air-water interface without requiring direct physical contact, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If wireless power transfer is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but positioning precision and manufacturing precision deteriorate due to alignment requirements between transmitting and receiving coils
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic positioning systems with homing devices that actively adjust and maintain optimal alignment between transmitting and receiving coils during operation. The system dynamically compensates for positioning variations through feedback control, allowing operational flexibility without sacrificing transfer efficiency due to misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through homing devices and control systems that monitor the alignment and coupling between coils. The system uses this feedback information to adjust coil positions or orientations in real-time, ensuring optimal energy transfer efficiency while maintaining the ease of wireless operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If autonomous positioning systems are added to achieve precise coil alignment, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional homing and navigation components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into unified systems: the homing devices serve both as navigation aids for positioning and as communication channels for data transfer. The electromagnetic field system simultaneously enables energy transfer, data communication, and positioning guidance, reducing overall system complexity while achieving precise coil alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines energy transfer, data communication, and positioning functions into a single integrated electromagnetic field-based system. By merging these functions that share common hardware components (coils, controllers), the patent achieves precise positioning without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Productivity
If extended operational range is achieved through wireless transfer, then productivity is improved, but energy loss increases due to transmission distance and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed electromagnetic transmission rather than continuous transmission. By transmitting energy in optimized pulses only when needed and when coupling conditions are favorable, the system extends operational range while minimizing energy loss during transmission through the air-water interface and across varying distances.
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
Enables reliable and efficient wireless power and data transfer in various environments, including underwater, allowing unmanned vehicles to operate autonomously with extended range and reduced operational complexity by maintaining energy and data connectivity without physical contact.
Implementation Method 1
wireless power and/or data transfer in air or other fluid mediums by way of a towed, tethered, or mechanically linked off-body coil device
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method provide for wireless power and/or data transfer between devices, such as coils. A first device, operatively connected to an energy source, is positioned within a wireless transmission range of a second device, which may be operatively coupled to an unmanned vehicle. Power and/or data is wirelessly transferred to/from the energy source from/to the unmanned vehicle via the first device and the second device.