WPT for Robotics Systems Based on SCMR

Presenter: Jason Knight-Han

Co-Presenter(s):
Andrew Terrazas, Blake Janowicz

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 22-23

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Nansong Wu

Department: Engineering

Funding Source/Sponsor: Other

Other Funding Source/Program: NASA MINDS MUREP

President's Strategic Plan Goal: Sustainability and Environmental Inquiry

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sAh6wHns93r2QSTx0e7OqPU6wzkWcjhY

Abstract:
In 2021, Ingenuity became the first aircraft to operate on Mars to support Perseverance’s ground exploration. A large portion of its battery capacity is reserved to keep equipment within operating temperature. This cooperative Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system uses solar panels which limit the average flight time of the UAV leading to slowed mission progress. To solve this limitation, research has been conducted to find an effective way to wirelessly transfer power between a rover and an aerial vehicle to extend its task duration. A strongly coupled magnetic resonance (SCMR)-based charging system will be implemented to provide high power transfer efficiency while providing tolerance for inevitable UAV misalignment. Thus far, a conformal SCMR coil system which meets the required efficiency marks along with peripheral control & communication systems have been demonstrated. Further research is underway utilizing a backscattered signal to offload mission specific information to a base station.