Analysis of special technical problems of wireless charging at UUV docking stations and a new underwater electromagnetic coupler

Abstract

In order to solve the problem of insufficient range of autonomous underwater vehicles, underwater docking stations deployed on the seabed can wirelessly charge autonomous underwater vehicles through recyclers. Compared with traditional wireless charging of electric vehicles, wireless charging based on underwater docking stations has many special technical problems that need to be further understood and deciphered. This paper introduces the basic functions of the docking system and the docking process, and then focuses on the following three aspects of wireless charging at docking stations: firstly, the design of the coupler to suit the underwater vehicle and the complex marine environment, the coupler mechanism should match the shape and structure of the underwater vehicle, and the coupler should have a high resistance to deflection; secondly, the influence of the seawater medium on the wireless charging system. The impact of seawater medium on the wireless charging system is analysed, and the equivalent circuit model considering seawater eddy currents and the equivalent circuit model considering cross-connecting capacitance effects are established respectively; thirdly, the design of communication-independent wireless charging system. The existing eddy current loss calculation methods are analysed for the key technical problem of eddy current loss in seawater. A new type of electromagnetic coupler is proposed, the structural characteristics of the coupler are introduced and the simulation results show that the new coupler has a strong anti-deflection capability.