Design and Implementation of Underwater Inductive Power Transfer Systems with an Accurate Eddy Current Loss Model Approach

This study analyzes an underwater inductive wireless power transfer (UIWPT) to be used in offshore vehicles. Fixating on inadvertent eddy current losses (ECLs), this study offers an approach to tackle this concern based on the optimal selection of main design parameters of Archimedean magnetic coils. An accurate analytical electromagnetic field model is derived for directly calculating ECLs, and based on the ECL model, the main design parameters of coils are selected. The electrical fundamental components of coils are calculated as a function of the selected design parameters. A numerical metaheuristic optimization method along with the formulation of a multi-objective function and inequality constraints is utilized to estimate the selected parameters of coils. This function addresses various design objectives simultaneously, considering the water medium and inequality constraints. For optimization purposes, an electrical equivalent circuit model is derived, considering the ECLs impact by reflecting these losses in the equivalent circuit model. The ECL model is verified through Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Finally, a laboratory scale setup is developed and UIWPT experiments are conducted to validate the equivalent circuit and analytical modeling, the calculation of components, and the simulation study.