Wireless Power Receiver Converter Systems

According to the NASA Phase I subtopic Z1.05 Lunar and Planetary Surface Power Management and Distribution, there is a current need for AC-DC converter systems to support robotic operations. Ongoing developments in In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) rovers and Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTVs) present numerous challenges for reliable mechanical wired power connections due to lunar regolith, or dust storms on Mars. Wireless power transfer technology is a viable candidate that mitigates this challenge and can provide a long-lasting reliable solution. However, as the development of these ongoing efforts advances, new challenges have been identified. NASA has expressed a need for high efficiency converters for wireless power applications in the Wireless Power Beaming for Lunar and Mars Missions scope. Specifically, in the receiver unit, the AC-DC and DC-DC stages require a wide voltage range operation due to the inherent challenges of wireless power transfer technology. This leads to operational difficulties that can irreparably damage the system or create problems interfacing with rover battery management systems (BMS). Furthermore, these large input voltage ranges create thermal losses that are extremely difficult to mitigate in lunar environmental conditions. The proposed Wireless Power Receiver Converter System combines both AC-DC and DC-DC stages into a single unit. The proposed effort will use a Class-E rectifier with embedded voltage regulation capability and wireless communication for future cross-platform compatibility. This results in an ultra-wide voltage range capability with overall higher system efficiency, lower mass, and lower thermal requirements on rovers.

The primary NASA applications for the Wireless Power Converter System are the In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) rovers and Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTVs) currently under development. Furthermore, this technology will be compatible with other existing wireless power systems beyond lunar applications, such as Wireless Power Beaming for Mars missions. In the immediate term, the proposed technology will be compatible with the ISRU Pilot Excavator (IPEx) which currently uses a wireless charging system that is facing ongoing challenges with its receiver. The manufacturing industry is heavily transitioning towards autonomy to implement tasks, such as transporting goods throughout the factory floor. Current wired and wireless power solutions can be unreliable due to fretting of conductive terminals from the accumulation of dust and dirt and misalignment between the mobile robot and the charging station. By implementing the Wireless Power Converter System, Yank Technologies will be able to provide a more robust end-to-end wireless power link that is capable of handling larger load variations with higher efficiencies and power densities compared to current state-of-the-art receivers.

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