Aerial Vehicle Beam Charging Alignment Using Photodiode Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging aerial vehicles like drones on the ground is inefficient, limiting their operation time and distance, and existing wireless charging methods face technical inefficiencies due to environmental conditions and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Aerial vehicles are equipped with a wireless charging mechanism using a light beam to charge the battery while in the air, adjusting the position of the light receiver relative to the beam for improved alignment without ground-based tracking systems, leveraging high mobility and photodiode signals for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the aerial vehicle is charged by connecting to a battery charger on the ground, then the battery can be charged reliably, but the aerial vehicle requires landing which reduces operational efficiency and limits flight time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (physical plug-and-socket charging interface) with an optical wireless energy transmission system. A ground-based laser transmitter beam transmits energy wirelessly to a photodiode receiver on the aerial vehicle, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and ground landing during charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light (laser beam) as an intermediary medium to transfer energy from the ground-based transmitter to the aerial vehicle's receiver. This optical intermediary enables energy transmission through air without direct contact, resolving the contradiction between reliable energy transfer and operational continuity.
2Productivity
If wireless charging is implemented using existing methods, then ground-based charging can be eliminated, but environmental conditions and system complexity reduce charging efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The aerial vehicle's navigation and positioning systems serve dual purposes: their primary function for flight control and a secondary function for maintaining alignment with the charging laser beam. The vehicle's own motion control system automatically adjusts its position to optimize energy reception, eliminating the need for separate complex tracking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the aerial vehicle's navigation and positioning subsystems multi-functional by utilizing them both for standard flight operations and for beam alignment during wireless charging. This eliminates the need for dedicated tracking hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining charging efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the aerial vehicle maintains alignment with the light beam during charging, then energy absorption is maximized, but the vehicle requires active position adjustment which consumes additional energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where photodiode signal strength continuously monitors alignment quality with the laser beam. This real-time feedback information drives automatic position adjustments by the navigation system, creating a closed-loop control that maximizes energy absorption while minimizing unnecessary motion through intelligent, signal-based decision-making.
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
This method enables efficient and reliable wireless charging of aerial vehicles, enhancing their operational capabilities by maintaining alignment and maximizing energy absorption, thus extending flight time and range.
Implementation Method 1
Aerial vehicles are equipped with a wireless charging mechanism using a light beam to charge the battery while in the air
Implementation Method 2
leveraging high mobility and photodiode signals to maintain alignment
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may include a processor configured to process photodiode signal information, which corresponds to a plurality of photodiodes of an aerial vehicle, for example, to identify a plurality of electric currents, which may be generated by the plurality of photodiodes based on energy of a light beam to charge a battery of the aerial vehicle. The processor may be configured to determine a vehicle-position displacement to displace the aerial vehicle based on the plurality of electric currents. The vehicle-position displacement may be configured to adjust a photodiode-beam relative position of the plurality of photodiodes relative to the light beam. The apparatus may include an output to provide position displacement information based on the vehicle-position displacement.