Dynamic capabilities of multi-MHz inductive power transfer systems demonstrated with batteryless drones
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper presents the design of a multi-MHz inductive power transfer (IPT) system showcasing lightweight and energy-efficient solutions for non-radiative wireless power transfer. A proof of concept is developed by powering a drone without a battery that can hover freely in proximity to an IPT transmitter. The most challenging aspect, addressed here for the first time, is the complete system level design to provide uninterrupted power-flow efficiently while allowing for variable power demand and highly variable coupling factor. The proposed solution includes the design of lightweight air-core coils that can achieve sufficient coupling without degrading the aerodynamics of the drone, and designing newly-developed resonant power converters at both ends of the system. At the transmittingend, a load-independent Class EF inverter, which can drive a transmitting-coil with constant current amplitude and achieves zero-voltage switching (ZVS) for the entire range of operation, was developed; and at the receiving-end, a hybrid Class E rectifier, which allows tuning for large changes in coupling and power demand, was used. For the demo, the range of motion of the drone was limited by a 7.5 cm nylon string tether, connected between the centre of the transmitting-coil and the bottom of the drone. The design of the IPT system, including all the power conversion stages and the IPT link, is explained in detail. The results on performance and specific practical considerations required for the physical implementation are provided. An average end-to-end efficiency of 60% was achieved for a coupling range of 23% to 5.8%. Relevant simulations concerning human exposure to electromagnetic fields are also included to assure that the demo is safe according to the relevant guidelines. This paper is accompanied by a video featuring the proposed IPT system.
Date Issued
2019-06-01
Date Acceptance
2018-09-13
Citation
IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 2019, 34 (6), pp.5093-5104
ISSN
0885-8993
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Start Page
5093
End Page
5104
Journal / Book Title
IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
Volume
34
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Identifier
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8469090
Grant Number
Ref: R122041-101/86440
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Engineering
Inductive power transmission
unmanned aerial vehicles
wireless power transmission
EFFICIENCY
POSITION
COILS
LOAD
0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-09-19