Development of a Novel Wireless Electric Power Transfer System for Space Applications

This paper will introduce a new implementation for wireless electric power transfer systems: space applications. Due to the risks that constitute the use of electrical connector for some space missions/applications, a simple wireless power system design approach will be evaluated as an alternative for the use of electrical connectors. This approach takes into consideration the overall system performance by designing the magnetic resonance elements and by verifying the overall system electrical behavior. System characterization is accomplished by executing circuit and analytical simulations using Matlab® and LTSpiceIV® software packages. The design methodology was validated by two different experiments: frequency consideration (design of three magnetic elements) and a small scale proof-ofconcept prototype. Experiment results shows successful wireless power transfer for all the cases studied. The proof-ofconcept prototype provided ~4 W of wireless power to the load (light bulb) at a separation of 3 cm from the source. In addition, a resonant circuit was designed and installed to the battery terminals of a handheld radio without batteries, making it turn on at a separation of ~5 cm or less from the source. It was also demonstrated by prototype experimentation that multiple loads can be powered wirelessly at the same time with a single electric power source.