Fluid-Alterable Optical Structures for Rapid Property Tuning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical structures are permanent and time-consuming to manufacture, making them expensive and inflexible for applications requiring adaptability, such as adaptive optics and concentrated solar power systems.
Innovation Solution
Development of alterable optical structures using fluid reservoirs, porous structures, and valves or magnetic field sources to control fluid communication, allowing for rapid alteration via capillary action or magnetic manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical structures are made permanent and precisely formed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static permanent optical structures to dynamic alterable optical structures. The optical structure can change its properties over time through fluid injection into the porous layer, allowing a single structure to replace multiple fixed structures, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by introducing a fluid into the porous layer, which alters the refractive index and optical properties of the structure. This parameter change enables the same physical structure to achieve different optical functions, resolving the contradiction between precision and manufacturing speed.
2Reliability
If optical structures are made permanent, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as structures cannot be readily altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical structure dynamic by incorporating a fluid reservoir and porous layer that allow controlled alteration of optical properties. The structure maintains reliability through its stable base architecture while gaining adaptability through reversible fluid injection, enabling the same structure to serve multiple functions over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulics by injecting fluid into the porous layer to alter optical properties. This fluid injection mechanism provides a reliable yet adaptable method to change the optical structure's characteristics without compromising structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional manufacturing methods are used for optical structures, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but loss of time increases due to expensive and time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the porous layer and fluid reservoir during manufacturing, so that alterations can be made quickly through simple fluid injection rather than requiring time-consuming re-manufacturing. This preliminary preparation reduces loss of time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes through fluid injection to alter optical properties without re-manufacturing the structure. This approach maintains manufacturing precision while dramatically reducing the time required to create different optical configurations, resolving the contradiction between precision and time loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and repeated alteration of optical properties, enhancing adaptability and efficiency in applications like telescopes and solar energy systems.
Implementation Method 1
When the at least one valve is open, the at least one fluid can move through the porous structure via capillary action
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field source oriented to magnetically manipulate the at least one magnetically manipulable fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are alterable optical structures. Also described herein are methods of altering same.