High Power Near-Field Wireless Transfer for Dust Intensive Applications

A great challenge with power management is the way power is transmitted to other devices. Traditional space systems operate through nuclear, solar, or tethered power mechanisms that require great complexity and process to qualify and operate.nbsp;Tethered systems are hindered tremendously by mechanically mated components that are prone to regolith incursion and that require large robotically generated forces for interconnection. Furthermore, astronauts suffer from limited suit dexterity to manipulate and manage such systems. Nuclear powered systems require intensive handling procedures, and in many cases, presidential authority to launchmdash;greatly increasing the cost and schedule of such missions. Solar powered systems require continuous access to the Sun and must follow predicated operational plans to maximize sunlight exposure and limit system duty cycles, ultimately constraining system performance. A wireless charging system mitigates these challenges for standalone systems that are unable to generate power independently through such traditional methods. Furthermore, a product such as this could have great utility not only on the Moon, but also in critical space applications on Mars, in orbit, and beyond.The proposing team of Astrobotic and WiBotic, are developing a charging solution that can satisfy these needs.nbsp;The performance and specifications were initially targeted fornbsp;multi-kW applications, but through discussions with customers and NASA we have learned a 400 W product is more favorable. The targeted specifications are as follows:Dust tolerant design for 1 micro;m lunar regolith particlesCharging rate of 400W, suitable for mid to large size battery powered vehiclesCharging range of 0-4cm (horizontal spacing), +/-5cm (lateral misalignment), 0-70deg (angular misalignment)Mass of 8kgCompact base station size of 29 x 37 x 15 cm and power receiver size of 15 x 11 x 5 cmOperational temperature range of -200C to +86C to enable operations at the lunar pole and equator