Wireless Battery Charging by Adaptive Inductive Coupling

In response to the Navy need for wireless battery charging methods for distributed electronic equipment worn or carried by the soldier, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a novel wireless battery charging system using inductive coupling. Called the Battery Inductive Coupling Adaptive Recharger (BICAR) system, it incorporates such innovations as adaptive inductive coupling, a magnetomechanical-adaptive receiver module, advanced power management, algorithms, and a graphical user interface to remotely recharge batteries. The GUI profiles a given alternating power source conversion for a given battery, in terms of power and voltage, including its aging stage. The BICAR operates over wide electromagnetic frequency (60-400 Hz) and voltage ranges. It recharges typical Marine Corps devices such as the mounted thermal weapons scope. In Phase I, POC will construct a preliminary BICAR prototype and demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. By the end of Phase II, a BICAR prototype at TRL-5 will be demonstrated to the Navy.