Study, Design, and Implementation of a Wireless Power Transfer System for CERN Robotic Platforms

CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) employs robotics systems to carry out inspections and interventions in areas that would be hazardous or unsafe for humans. In fact, in particle accelerator environments, radiation levels can be a serious threat to human health, and robots are often used to perform tasks in place of humans. One of the main problems that arises during long-duration robotic interventions is battery autonomy. At the moment, the main charging method relies on a classic cable connection. However, attaching a cable charger manually is not always feasible, especially when operating remotely. For this reason, a mobile wireless charging platform is needed. It would be a portable unit installed directly in the intervention area, powered by a standard 230 V AC socket, and able to recharge the robot whenever it hovers above the station. This document covers the concept and general configuration of the wireless charger, which are studied and discussed. It also includes coil design and electromagnetic simulations, coil physical implementation and measurement, and the design and simulation of the electronic circuits and PCBs.