Enhanced Axial Misalignment Tolerance in a 10-kW Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Wireless Charging System Utilizing a Split Solenoid Coupler

This letter presents a 10-kW wireless charging system for autonomous underwater vehicles, utilizing a split solenoid coupler to enhance axial misalignment tolerance. Comparative finite-element analysis with traditional solenoid structures indicates the split solenoid design's superiority in reducing inductance fluctuations, with a 22% reduction in coupling coefficient fluctuation and a 24.8% and 25.6% reduction in self-inductance and mutual inductance fluctuations, respectively, at an 80-mm axial misalignment. Experimental validation of the system demonstrates high efficiency in saltwater environments, achieving a peak efficiency of 96.3% at 7.1 kW and a maximum power output of 10.6 kW at 95.6% efficiency. A tight coupling coefficient of 0.69 along with the split solenoid coupler improves both axial misalignment and system efficiency enabling high-power wireless power transfer in marine environments.