Traditional　wet　plug　charging　for　autonomous　underwater　vehicles　(AUVs)　limits　its　application.　Inductive　power　transfer　(IPT)　is　an　effective　solution　to　this　problem.　This　paper　proposes　an　arc-shaped　magnetic　coupler　incorporated　with　solenoid　coils　to　achieve　a　stable　and　efficient　output　against　rotational　misalignment　for　charging　AUV.　The　novel　magnetic　coupler　consists　of　two　solenoid　coils　and　an　arc-shaped　coil　with　a　reverse　winding,　guaranteeing　a　relatively　constant　total　mutual　inductance　and　decoupling　from　each　other.　This　magnetic　coupler　has　the　characteristics　of　a　compact　structure,　an　ultra-wide　coupling　range,　and　a　relatively　stable　equivalent　mutual　inductance.　The　experimental　IPT　prototype　can　deliver　1.29　kW　with　a　dc–dc　efficiency　of　93%　under　the　fully　aligned　case　and　1.2　kW　with　a　dc–dc　efficiency　of　91%　under　the　misaligned　case.　©　2024　John　Wiley　&　Sons　Ltd.