Magnetic Coupler Optimization for Inductive Power Transfer System of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Xiaokun Li, Junwei Lu and Sascha Stegen
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Xiaokun Li: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
Junwei Lu: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
Sascha Stegen: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been widely used in military and civilian applications. However, the insufficient cruising range restricts the development of UAVs due to the limitation of their battery. Inductive power transfer (IPT) is an effective way to charge the battery and solve this problem. Magnetic coupler is a key component of the IPT system, which greatly affects the power transfer and efficiency of the IPT. This paper proposes a new magnetic coupler with vertical spiral coils and ferrite PQI cores for the IPT system of UAVs, which can enhance the magnetic coupling and improve the performance of the IPT system. Finite element simulations are used to investigate the magnetic field distribution and coupling capability of the proposed magnetic coupler. In addition, an experimental platform is built to prove the validity of the IPT system using the proposed magnetic coupler. The results show that the coupling coefficient can reach 0.98, and the system transfer efficiency is 89.27% with an output power of 93 W. The IPT system also has a perfect misalignment tolerance and can achieve a stable output power.

Keywords: coupling coefficient; inductive power transfer (IPT); magnetic coupler; PQI cores; unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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