Development of a wireless power transfer system for underwater vehicles with multiple power sources

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14359
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 24020:Marine engineering-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: KOMEDA Shohei 東京海洋大学, 学術研究院, 准教授 (50815678)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 非接触給電 / 高周波インバータ / 水中探査機 / 共振周波数 / 複数送電コイル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project investigates a circuit configuration with multiple power sources and its operation method as a wireless power transfer system for underwater vehicles such as autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles. This system is characterized by its ability to detect the misalignment direction of the receiving coil while transmitting power by comparing the phases of the currents in three sets of transmitting coils. After detecting the misalignment direction, the operating frequency is controlled so that the nearest transmission coil operates in resonance, thereby improving the load voltage, transmitted power, and power transmission efficiency.

Free Research Field

パワーエレクトロニクス，船舶海洋工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究課題では，水中探査機向けの非接触給電システムを検討し，特に複数電源を用いることによる利点を明らかにしている。そのため，複数送電コイルを利用する際の動作原理の理論解析に学術的意義があり，大容量向けの非接触給電システムにも応用可能であると考えられる。本研究課題で明らかにした特性により，位置ずれ方向の検出と共振周波数追従による電力伝送効率の改善が明らかとなった。そため，水中探査機の運用効率の改善が期待でき，この点に社会的意義を有している。