Resonant Transformer Connectors for High Voltage Transmission Lines

There are numerous challenges developing reliable and long-lasting charging infrastructures for electronic devices, such as rovers, on the Moon and Mars because of the extremely harsh environmental conditions. According to the NASA Phase I subtopic Z13.05 Components for Extreme Environments, there is a current need for dust-tolerant electrical connectors that can function with light dust coating on the lunar and Mars surface. This is especially important for critical interface connections to high voltage power grids to enable a continuous human presence and operations on the Moon. Regolith, including dust, can often create reliability challenges over time, such as insulating connector terminals from establishing reliable electrical connections. When lunar regolith accumulates at the conductive terminals of state-of-the-art (SOA) connectors, it is extremely difficult to reverse and can be a single point of failure for an entire power grid system because of regolith’s strong insulating properties. The purpose of this R&D effort is to develop a resonant transformer connector system for high voltage AC transmission lines that can reliably interface with power sources on the Moon and Mars. It will be tested and verified electrically and mechanically for the accumulation of iron-enriched regolith to be more representative of the challenging Moon and Mars surface conditions. The proposed novel resonant transformer connector system will electrically interface with high voltage three-phase 3kV AC transmission lines and effectively provide more than 1kW of power, while being completely sealed with no exposed conductive terminals to operate effectively for the harsh environment on the Moon and Mars.

The primary NASA applications for the resonant transformer connector system will be to interface with high voltage three-phase AC transmission lines to provide power to devices on the surface of the Moon and Mars. Regolith and dust storms can irreparably damage the conductive terminals of connectors, which can cause major power line failures. There are no current connector solutions that eliminate the risk of regolith accumulation in the conductive terminals for high voltage power transmission lines. By implementing the resonant transformer connector system, power grid interfaces on the Moon and Mars can operate more effectively with significantly lower risk that regolith accumulation in the connector will disrupt entire NASA missions. Removable vehicle harnesses often experience major reliability issues due to frequent exposure to dust, dirt, rain, snow, and other environmental factors. This is especially prevalent with cross-over vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. These cable failures incur costs for the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in warranty, maintenance, and crash testing. The resonant transformer connector system can eliminate removable vehicle harnesses, such as those for removable doors, to improve the reliability and functionality of next-generation vehicles. Therefore, our resonant transformer connector development is a dual-use technology that is directly applicable to commercial and government applications.

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