Energies (Jun 2024)

Quasi-Wireless Capacitive Power Transfer for Wire-Free Robotic Joints

  • Tyler Marcrum,
  • John-Caleb Williams,
  • Christopher S. Johnson,
  • Matthew Pearce,
  • Carson Pope,
  • C. W. Van Neste,
  • Charles Vaughan,
  • Darren Boyd

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/en17122858
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 12
p. 2858

Abstract

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Robotics is a highly active, multidisciplinary research area with a broad list of applications. A large research focus is to enhance modularity in order to expand kinematic capabilities, lower fabrication time, and reduce construction costs. Traditional wiring within a robot presents major challenges with mobility and long-term maintenance. Designing robotics without wires would make a significant functional impact. This work presents a new application of quasi-wireless capacitive power transfer that investigates impedance matching parameters over a highly resonant, coupled transmission line to achieve efficient power transfer over a robotic chassis. A prototype is developed and its operating metrics are analyzed with regard to the matching parameters.

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