A device for converting electromagnetic radiation into electricity comprises an expander that includes a conical shape having an axis and a curved surface that is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation away from the axis to expand a beam of the electromagnetic radiation; and one or more energy conversion components configured to receive a beam of electromagnetic radiation expanded by the expander, and to generate electricity from the expanded beam of electromagnetic radiation. With the expander's curved surface, a beam of electromagnetic radiation that is highly concentrated—has a large radiation flux—may be converted into a beam that has a larger cross-sectional area. Moreover, one can configure, if desired, the curved surface to provide a substantially uniform distribution of radiation across the expanded cross-sectional area. With such an expanded beam the one or more energy conversion components can efficiently convert some of the electromagnetic radiation into electricity.
H01L 31/054 - Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
F21S 11/00 - Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight
G01S 3/78 - Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 3/786 - Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
G02B 3/08 - Simple or compound lenses with non-spherical faces with discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lens
G02B 27/09 - Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectioned area, not otherwise provided for
H01L 31/0232 - Optical elements or arrangements associated with the device
H01L 31/042 - PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
A free-space power receiver includes layouts of photovoltaic cells selected to optimize power extraction even when a power beam moves or changes profile on the receiver. The receiver may also include a circuit board having apertures therein whereby light may reach the photovoltaic cells. The circuit board may include suitable wiring for connecting the photovoltaic cells to one another and to a load for extraction of power.
A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, the detector module being arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
A power beaming system delivers electric power in laser light from a first location to a second location. The laser light has a high energy intensity level defining a hazardous illumination area and a low energy intensity level defining a safe illumination area. The system includes guard circuitry emitter(s) and corresponding detector(s). The guard circuitry forms a detection area about the hazardous illumination area to detect objects in proximity to the hazardous illumination area. A controller directs the guard and power beam circuitry according to sequentially activated safety modes to operate at a low energy intensity level, to scan in a defined pattern, to adjust operation of the detector(s), and to set guard circuitry parameters, an object detection value, or a change to the delivered electric power. An output coupled to the controller and power beam circuitry controllably permits or prevents operation at the high energy intensity level.
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
G01S 17/66 - Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
A free-space power receiver includes layouts of photovoltaic cells selected to optimize power extraction even when a power beam moves or changes profile on the receiver. The receiver may also include a circuit board, which may include suitable wiring for connecting the photovoltaic cells to one another and to a load for extraction of power. The receiver may include capacitors wired in parallel with the photovoltaic cells.
H01L 31/0475 - PV cell arrays made by cells in a planar, e.g. repetitive, configuration on a single semiconductor substrate; PV cell microarrays
H01L 31/0465 - PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate comprising particular structures for the electrical interconnection of adjacent PV cells in the module
H01L 31/05 - Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells
H02S 40/36 - Electrical components characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection
A power beaming system operates at high power to deliver power from a transmitter to a receiver over a fiber connection (PoF) or through free space (FSP). The receiver may have a gross design efficiency ratio of at least 70%, and the system may have a system design efficiency ratio of 40% or more. For PoF systems, the fiber length may range from 5m or less to 1km or more.
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
G02B 27/09 - Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectioned area, not otherwise provided for
H01L 31/054 - Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
G01S 17/04 - Systems determining the presence of a target
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
A dual-use electromagnetic beam system may be used as a remote power delivery system when not needed as an offensive weapon. For example, a system for disabling or destroying uncooperative or enemy assets such as UAVs or ground vehicles may be used during “down time” to provide power to assets that are separated from prime power sources by distance or by logistics.
H04B 10/00 - Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
F41H 13/00 - Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for
A power receiver includes a beam homogenizer that takes portions of a power beam and spreads them to each cover a substantial fraction (or all) of a power converter surface. The beam homogenizer may lack reflective side walls, and may have an aspect ratio as low as 2-5. The normalized deviation of beam irradiance at the surface may be reduced by a factor of 2-5 or more.
A reflector assembly at a power beam receiver includes at least two sets of reflection surfaces positioned to shift some incoming light away from the center of the beam and towards the periphery. These surfaces may be positioned obliquely to one another, for example orthogonally. By shifting a portion of the power beam away from a higher-intensity center and toward a lower-intensity periphery, the reflector assembly may improve receiver efficiency without substantial redirection of power outside of a power-collecting surface of the receiver.
H04B 10/00 - Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
A dual-use electromagnetic beam system may be used as a remote power delivery system when not needed as an offensive weapon. For example, a system for disabling or destroying uncooperative or enemy assets such as UAVs or ground vehicles may be used during “down time” to provide power to assets that are separated from prime power sources by distance or by logistics.
H04B 10/00 - Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
G01S 17/66 - Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
A power beaming system delivers electric power in laser light from a first location to a remote second location. The laser light has a high energy intensity level defining a hazardous illumination area and a low energy intensity level defining a safe illumination area. The system includes guard circuitry emitter(s) and corresponding detector(s). The guard circuitry forms a detection area about the hazardous illumination area to detect objects in proximity to the hazardous illumination area. A controller directs the guard and power beam circuitry according to sequentially activated safety modes to operate at a low energy intensity level, to scan in a defined pattern, to adjust operation of the detector(s), and to set guard circuitry parameters based on a time value, an object detection value, or a change to the delivered electric power. An output coupled to the controller and power beam circuitry controllably permits or prevents operation at the high energy intensity level.
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
G01S 17/66 - Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
A free-space power receiver includes layouts of photovoltaic cells selected to optimize power extraction even when a power beam moves or changes profile on the receiver. The receiver may also include a circuit board having apertures therein whereby light may reach the photovoltaic cells. The circuit board may include suitable wiring for connecting the photovoltaic cells to one another and to a load for extraction of power.
H10F 19/00 - Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one photovoltaic cell covered by group , e.g. photovoltaic modules
A free-space power receiver includes layouts of photovoltaic cells selected to optimize power extraction even when a power beam moves or changes profile on the receiver. The receiver may also include a circuit board having apertures therein whereby light may reach the photovoltaic cells. The circuit board may include suitable wiring for connecting the photovoltaic cells to one another and to a load for extraction of power.
The plurality of emitters and the plurality of detectors form a light curtain that is patterned about the beam, and are positioned to surround the beam. The plurality of emitters each have a centerline and each have a divergence angle centered on the centerline. The placement and orientation of the plurality of emitters about the acceptance centerline of the beam receiver are configured to align the centerlines of the plurality of emitters substantially parallel to the incoming beam. The detection of one or more of the plurality of emitters by one or more of the plurality of detectors depends on the divergence angles of each of the plurality of emitters and the tilt of the beam receiver relative to the beam centerline.
A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a high-flux power beam and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the high-flux power beam. The receiver has a plurality of photo-voltaic (PV) cells mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the high-flux power beam, at least one non-PV structure adjacent to each PV cell, and a plurality of structures to steer flux toward selected ones of the plurality of PV cells and away from selected ones of the at least one non-PV structure.
A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a power beam in a startup mode and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the power beam. The remote power receiver has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells (or other power converters) mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the power beam, startup power monitoring (SPM) logic to determine, based on electrical power generated by each of the plurality of PV cells, whether or not the remote power transmitter can operate in a high-flux mode, and a receiver-based transmitter circuit arranged to communicate an indication that the remote power transmitter can operate in the high-flux mode.
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/40 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using two or more transmitting or receiving devices
H02S 40/38 - Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
A method of monitoring a location of a power beam includes monitoring an electrical property of PV cells or subgroups of PV cells in a PV cell array and using the monitored electrical property to determine a location of the power beam. The determined location may be compared to a target location on the PV cell array and used to steer the power beam closer to the target location.
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
Embodiments are directed towards a safety system that can be used with a high-flux power beam, such as in wireless power transmission. The system includes a transmitter that generates and transmits a power beam and a receiver that receives the power beam. A plurality of sensors is configured to independently detect if an object is near, impeding, or about to impede (i.e., impinging) the power beam. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the object at different distances between the transmitter and the receiver. A controller triggers the transmitter to stop generating the power beam when any one or more of the plurality of sensors detects the object or a combination of the plurality of sensors detects the object. The controller triggers the transmitter to re-generate and transmit the power beam when each of the plurality of sensors fails to detect the object.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.
G01V 8/22 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers using reflectors
G01S 17/87 - Combinations of systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 7/00 - Details of systems according to groups , ,
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
G01S 17/04 - Systems determining the presence of a target
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
H04B 10/11 - Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
Various embodiments provide a laser power beaming system that delivers power via high intensity light, such as from a laser, using either power over fiber or free space power to isolate (or eliminate) high frequency noise and electromagnetic interference (EMI) due to, for example, switching. Damage or other harms from the EMI may be prevented. The opto-isolated power may be delivered from a remote source, or within a switched device, such as a variable frequency drive (VFD), itself.
G01D 5/26 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
H03K 17/16 - Modifications for eliminating interference voltages or currents
H03K 17/785 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the use of specified components by the use, as active elements, of opto-electronic devices, i.e. light-emitting and photoelectric devices electrically- or optically-coupled controlling field-effect transistor switches
Various embodiments provide a laser power beaming system that delivers power via high intensity light, such as from a laser, using either power over fiber or free space power to isolate (or eliminate) high frequency noise and electromagnetic interference (EMI) due to, for example, switching. Damage or other harms from the EMI may be prevented. The opto-isolated power may be delivered from a remote source, or within a switched device, such as a variable frequency drive (VFD), itself.
H03K 17/785 - Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and -breaking characterised by the use of specified components by the use, as active elements, of opto-electronic devices, i.e. light-emitting and photoelectric devices electrically- or optically-coupled controlling field-effect transistor switches
G01D 5/26 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
G01S 17/04 - Systems determining the presence of a target
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a high-flux power beam and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the high-flux power beam. The receiver has a plurality of photo-voltaic (PV) cells mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the high-flux power beam, at least one non-PV structure adjacent to each PV cell, and a plurality of structures to steer flux toward selected ones of the plurality of PV cells and away from selected ones of the at least one non-PV structure.
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H10F 19/20 - Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one photovoltaic cell covered by group , e.g. photovoltaic modules comprising photovoltaic cells in arrays in or on a single semiconductor substrate, the photovoltaic cells having planar junctions
A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a power beam in a startup mode and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the power beam. The remote power receiver has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells (or other power converters) mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the power beam, startup power monitoring (SPM) logic to determine, based on electrical power generated by each of the plurality of PV cells, whether or not the remote power transmitter can operate in a high-flux mode, and a receiver-based transmitter circuit arranged to communicate an indication that the remote power transmitter can operate in the high-flux mode.
G01S 17/02 - Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01V 8/20 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a high-flux power beam and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the high-flux power beam. The receiver has a plurality of photo-voltaic (PV) cells mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the high-flux power beam, at least one non-PV structure adjacent to each PV cell, and a plurality of structures to steer flux toward selected ones of the plurality of PV cells and away from selected ones of the at least one non-PV structure.
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H01L 31/0475 - PV cell arrays made by cells in a planar, e.g. repetitive, configuration on a single semiconductor substrate; PV cell microarrays
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H01L 31/042 - PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
H01L 31/054 - Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
A method of monitoring a location of a power beam includes monitoring an electrical property of PV cells or subgroups of PV cells in a PV cell array and using the monitored electrical property to determine a location of the power beam. The determined location may be compared to a target location on the PV cell array and used to steer the power beam closer to the target location.
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a power beam in a startup mode and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the power beam. The remote power receiver has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells (or other power converters) mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the power beam, startup power monitoring (SPM) logic to determine, based on electrical power generated by each of the plurality of PV cells, whether or not the remote power transmitter can operate in a high-flux mode, and a receiver-based transmitter circuit arranged to communicate an indication that the remote power transmitter can operate in the high-flux mode.
G01S 17/02 - Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
G01V 8/20 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers
Embodiments are directed towards a safety system that can be used with a high-flux power beam, such as in wireless power transmission. The system includes a transmitter that generates and transmits a power beam and a receiver that receives the power beam. A plurality of sensors is configured to independently detect if an object is near, impeding, or about to impede (i.e., impinging) the power beam. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the object at different distances between the transmitter and the receiver. A controller triggers the transmitter to stop generating the power beam when any one or more of the plurality of sensors detects the object or a combination of the plurality of sensors detects the object. The controller triggers the transmitter to re-generate and transmit the power beam when each of the plurality of sensors fails to detect the object.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
G01S 17/04 - Systems determining the presence of a target
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
38.
Wireless power transmitter and receiver with cordless operation
Embodiments are directed towards a multi-stage wireless power transmission system that includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit transmits a power beam to the receiving unit, which converts the power beam into local electrical power and provides it to a personal electronic device without a corded connection between the receiving unit and a mains power supply. The transmitting unit includes a light-based transmitter to generate and transmit a power beam towards the receiving unit. The receiving unit includes a receiver to receive at least a portion of the power beam and to convert the received power beam into local electrical power. The receiving unit also includes a power output unit to provide the received local power to a personal electronic device when the personal electronic device, which is separable from the receiving unit, is electrically coupled to the power output unit.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
G01S 17/04 - Systems determining the presence of a target
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
39.
Vehicle having a remote device powered by an energy beam
A commercially available vehicle is modified by coupling a beamed-power transmission system to the vehicle's frame. The beamed-power transmission system is arranged to deliver beamed power to a remote device such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e., UAV or drone). The cooling system of the vehicle is used to cool portions of the beamed-power transmission system. An aiming system aims a power beam produced by the beamed-power transmitter toward the remote device, and a stability system coupled to both the vehicle frame and the beamed-power transmission system maintains three-dimensional constancy of the power beam even when the vehicle frame is in motion. The commercially available vehicle may be an electric vehicle, a gas-electric hybrid vehicle, or the like having a power source that includes batteries, a fuel-cells, or a generator.
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
B60L 1/02 - Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of electrically-propelled vehicles to electric heating circuits
H02J 50/20 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves
B60L 9/00 - Electric propulsion with power supply external to the vehicle
H02J 7/02 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from AC mains by converters
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/12 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling of the resonant type
B60L 50/15 - Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by engine-driven generators, e.g. generators driven by combustion engines with additional electric power supply
A power beaming system delivers electric power in laser light from a first location to a remote second location. The laser light has a high energy intensity level defining a hazardous illumination area and a low energy intensity level defining a safe illumination area. The system includes guard circuitry emitter(s) and corresponding detector(s). The guard circuitry forms a detection area about the hazardous illumination area to detect objects in proximity to the hazardous illumination area. A controller directs the guard and power beam circuitry according to sequentially activated safety modes to operate at a low energy intensity level, to scan in a defined pattern, to adjust operation of the detector(s), and to set guard circuitry parameters based on a time value, an object detection value, or a change to the delivered electric power. An output coupled to the controller and power beam circuitry controllably permits or prevents operation at the high energy intensity level.
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
G01S 17/66 - Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
An electromagnetic energy receiving device includes an energy conversion component and an opto-mechanical coupling. The opto-mechanical coupling is arranged to receive a fiber-based conduit. The energy conversion component includes at least one internal surface having an arced profile of radius R, and the internal surface has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) assemblies arranged thereon such that each one of the plurality of PV assemblies is shingled upon at least one adjacent PV assembly.
G02B 27/09 - Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectioned area, not otherwise provided for
H02S 40/22 - Light-reflecting or light-concentrating means
H01L 31/042 - PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
An electromagnetic energy transmitting device includes a processing unit, a light-detecting sensor coupled to the processing unit, and a high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter. An electromagnetic energy receiver arranged to convert received light into electricity. A first fiber-based conduit couples the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter to the electromagnetic energy receiver. The first fiber-based conduit is arranged to pass high-flux light from the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter to the electromagnetic energy receiver. A second fiber-based conduit couples the electromagnetic energy receiver to the light-detecting sensor. The second fiber-based conduit is arranged to pass at least some light from the electromagnetic energy receiver to the light-detecting sensor, wherein the processing unit is arranged to control an output of the high-flux light from the high-flux source based on a control signal from the light-detecting sensor.
H01L 31/054 - Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
G01S 17/04 - Systems determining the presence of a target
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.
G01S 17/87 - Combinations of systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 17/02 - Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 7/00 - Details of systems according to groups , ,
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
G01V 8/22 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers using reflectors
G01S 17/88 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
G01S 17/04 - Systems determining the presence of a target
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
Embodiments are directed towards a multi-stage wireless power transmission system that includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit transmits a power beam to the receiving unit, which converts the power beam into local electrical power and provides it to a personal electronic device without a corded connection between the receiving unit and a mains power supply. The transmitting unit includes a light-based transmitter to generate and transmit a power beam towards the receiving unit. The receiving unit includes a receiver to receive at least a portion of the power beam and to convert the received power beam into local electrical power. The receiving unit also includes a power output unit to provide the received local power to a personal electronic device when the personal electronic device, which is separable from the receiving unit, is electrically coupled to the power output unit.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
Embodiments are directed towards a safety system that can be used with a high-flux power beam, such as in wireless power transmission. The system includes a transmitter that generates and transmits a power beam and a receiver that receives the power beam. A plurality of sensors is configured to independently detect if an object is near, impeding, or about to impede (i.e., impinging) the power beam. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the object at different distances between the transmitter and the receiver. A controller triggers the transmitter to stop generating the power beam when any one or more of the plurality of sensors detects the object or a combination of the plurality of sensors detects the object. The controller triggers the transmitter to re-generate and transmit the power beam when each of the plurality of sensors fails to detect the object.
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
A power beaming system includes a power beam reception unit and a power beam transmission unit. The power beam reception unit includes a power conversion array, such as a photovoltaic array, arranged to capture at least a portion of a power beam, and a power supply circuit arranged to convert flux from the captured portion of the power beam to electric power. The power beam transmission unit includes a power beam transmitter circuit to transmit a low-flux search beam during a first time window, and further arranged to transmit a high-flux power beam during a second time window. The power beam transmission unit also includes a location detection circuit arranged to identify a location of the reception unit based on the power beam transmitter circuit transmitting the low-flux search beam during the first time window.
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
G01V 8/22 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using multiple transmitters or receivers using reflectors
G01S 17/02 - Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 17/87 - Combinations of systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 17/88 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications
G01S 7/00 - Details of systems according to groups , ,
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
A power beaming system delivers electric power in laser light from a first location to a remote second location. The laser light has a high energy intensity level defining a hazardous illumination area and a low energy intensity level defining a safe illumination area. The system includes guard circuitry emitter(s) and corresponding detector(s). The guard circuitry forms a detection area about the hazardous illumination area to detect objects in proximity to the hazardous illumination area. A controller directs the guard and power beam circuitry according to sequentially activated safety modes to operate at a low energy intensity level, to scan in a defined pattern, to adjust operation of the detector(s), and to set guard circuitry parameters based on a time value, an object detection value, or a change to the delivered electric power. An output coupled to the controller and power beam circuitry controllably permits or prevents operation at the high energy intensity level.
G01S 17/02 - Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 17/66 - Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
49.
Energy efficient vehicle with integrated power beaming
A commercially available vehicle is modified by coupling a beamed-power transmission system to the vehicle's frame. The beamed-power transmission system is arranged to deliver beamed power to a remote device such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e., UAV or drone). The cooling system of the vehicle is used to cool portions of the beamed-power transmission system. An aiming system aims a power beam produced by the beamed-power transmitter toward the remote device, and a stability system coupled to both the vehicle frame and the beamed-power transmission system maintains three-dimensional constancy of the power beam even when the vehicle frame is in motion. The commercially available vehicle may be an electric vehicle, a gas-electric hybrid vehicle, or the like having a power source that includes batteries, a fuel-cells, or a generator.
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
B60L 11/12 - with additional electric power supply, e.g. accumulator
B60L 1/02 - Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of electrically-propelled vehicles to electric heating circuits
H02J 50/20 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves
B60L 9/00 - Electric propulsion with power supply external to the vehicle
H02J 7/02 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from AC mains by converters
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/12 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling of the resonant type
B60L 50/15 - Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by engine-driven generators, e.g. generators driven by combustion engines with additional electric power supply
A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.
G01S 17/02 - Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
G01S 17/88 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications
G01S 13/86 - Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
Embodiments are directed towards a safety system that can be used with a high-flux power beam, such as in wireless power transmission. The system includes a transmitter that generates and transmits a power beam and a receiver that receives the power beam. A plurality of sensors is configured to independently detect if an object is near, impeding, or about to impede (i.e., impinging) the power beam. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the object at different distances between the transmitter and the receiver. A controller triggers the transmitter to stop generating the power beam when any one or more of the plurality of sensors detects the object or a combination of the plurality of sensors detects the object. The controller triggers the transmitter to re-generate and transmit the power beam when each of the plurality of sensors fails to detect the object.
G01S 17/02 - Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
G01S 17/88 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications
G01S 13/86 - Combinations of radar systems with non-radar systems, e.g. sonar, direction finder
A power beaming system includes a power beam reception unit and a power beam transmission unit. The power beam reception unit includes a power conversion array, such as a photovoltaic array, arranged to capture at least a portion of a power beam, and a power supply circuit arranged to convert flux from the captured portion of the power beam to electric power. The power beam transmission unit includes a power beam transmitter circuit to transmit a low-flux search beam during a first time window, and further arranged to transmit a high-flux power beam during a second time window. The power beam transmission unit also includes a location detection circuit arranged to identify a location of the reception unit based on the power beam transmitter circuit transmitting the low-flux search beam during the first time window.
G01S 17/66 - Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 7/00 - Details of systems according to groups , ,
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
Embodiments are directed towards a multi-stage wireless power transmission system that includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit transmits a power beam to the receiving unit, which converts the power beam into local electrical power and provides it to a personal electronic device without a corded connection between the receiving unit and a mains power supply. The transmitting unit includes a light-based transmitter to generate and transmit a power beam towards the receiving unit. The receiving unit includes a receiver to receive at least a portion of the power beam and to convert the received power beam into local electrical power. The receiving unit also includes a power output unit to provide the received local power to a personal electronic device when the personal electronic device, which is separable from the receiving unit, is electrically coupled to the power output unit.
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
A power beaming system includes a power beam transmission unit (102) to generate and transmit a high-flux power beam (106) toward a receiving unit (108) at a remote location. The receiving unit includes a photovoltaic array (128) having a defined perimeter shape, and the power beam transmission unit includes at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array (150), which has a plurality of VCSEL emitters (152). The power beam transmission unit also includes a projection lens apparatus (126) and a control system. The control system which comprises a controller (136C) is arranged to control a light output of the VCSEL array (150), which includes controllably enabling a selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array, and controllably diffusing light with a diffuser (130) from the VCSEL array to uniformly illuminate a projection surface of the projection lens apparatus.
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H01S 5/062 - Arrangements for controlling the laser output parameters, e.g. by operating on the active medium by varying the potential of the electrodes
A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.
G01S 17/02 - Systems using the reflection of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 17/87 - Combinations of systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 17/88 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications
G01S 7/00 - Details of systems according to groups , ,
G01V 8/10 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers
H04B 10/80 - Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups , e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
H02J 50/30 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using light, e.g. lasers
H02J 50/60 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
An aerial platform receives power in the form of light, for example laser light, transmitted via an optical fiber from a remote optical power source. The platform comprises a receiver which converts at least a portion of the light to a different form of power, for example electric power. The platform also comprises a propulsion element which consumes the different form of power to generate propulsive thrust. Supplying power to the aerial platform from a remote source enables the platform to remain aloft longer than a battery or fuel tank carried by the platform would allow. Transmitting the power in the form of light is preferable in many cases to transmitting electric power, because electrical conductors are generally heavier than optical fibers, and are hazardous in the presence of lightning or a high-voltage power line.
B64F 3/02 - Ground installations specially adapted for captive aircraft with means for supplying electricity to aircraft during flight
H02J 17/00 - Systems for supplying or distributing electric power by electromagnetic waves
B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use
B64F 3/00 - Ground installations specially adapted for captive aircraft
H02J 7/02 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from AC mains by converters
57.
Device for converting electromagnetic radiation into electricity, and related systems and methods
A device for converting electromagnetic radiation into electricity comprises an expander that includes a conical shape having an axis and a curved surface that is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation away from the axis to expand a beam of the electromagnetic radiation; and one or more energy conversion components configured to receive a beam of electromagnetic radiation expanded by the expander, and to generate electricity from the expanded beam of electromagnetic radiation. With the expander's curved surface, a beam of electromagnetic radiation that is highly concentrated—has a large radiation flux—may be converted into a beam that has a larger cross-sectional area. Moreover, one can configure, if desired, the curved surface to provide a substantially uniform distribution of radiation across the expanded cross-sectional area. With such an expanded beam the one or more energy conversion components can efficiently convert some of the electromagnetic radiation into electricity.
G02B 3/08 - Simple or compound lenses with non-spherical faces with discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lens
H02S 20/32 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking
H01L 31/042 - PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
H01L 31/0232 - Optical elements or arrangements associated with the device
G01S 3/786 - Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
F21S 11/00 - Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight
G01S 3/78 - Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G02B 27/09 - Beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectioned area, not otherwise provided for
An aerial platform receives power in the form of light, for example laser light, transmitted via an optical fiber from a remote optical power source. The platform comprises a receiver which converts at least a portion of the light to a different form of power, for example electric power. The platform also comprises a propulsion element which consumes the different form of power to generate propulsive thrust. Supplying power to the aerial platform from a remote source enables the platform to remain aloft longer than a battery or fuel tank carried by the platform would allow. Transmitting the power in the form of light is preferable in many cases to transmitting electric power, because electrical conductors are generally heavier than optical fibers, and are hazardous in the presence of lightning or a high-voltage power line.
