Actively Cooled Fiber Spoolers for Long-Distance Optical Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic systems face significant power loss due to mechanisms like Rayleigh scattering, OH absorption, imperfection loss, and infrared absorption, limiting the transmission of high power optical energy over long distances, especially for applications requiring kilowatts to tens of megawatts, such as remote robotic systems and planetary exploration.
Innovation Solution
An optical power transfer system utilizing a fiber spooler and electrical power extraction subsystem, combined with a fiber optic rotary joint, enables the transmission of high power optical energy over long distances (up to 100 kilometers) to remote platforms, allowing conversion to heat, electricity, or mechanical work, using a high thermal conductivity drum spooler and active cooling to manage power losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If optical energy is transmitted through fiber over long distances, then power delivery to remote platforms is achieved, but power loss occurs due to Rayleigh scattering, OH absorption, imperfection loss, and infrared absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the fiber core diameter to 200-1000 micrometers and selecting specific wavelengths (1064nm or 2080nm) to minimize absorption losses. The fiber material composition is also optimized with specific doping concentrations to reduce Rayleigh scattering and OH absorption, thereby reducing power loss while maintaining long transmission distance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling system with heat exchangers and thermal management devices between the fiber transmission system and the remote platform. This intermediary system actively removes heat generated during transmission, compensating for power loss and enabling sustained long-distance power delivery without excessive thermal degradation
2Power
If high power optical energy (kilowatts to tens of megawatts) is transmitted, then sufficient power reaches remote platforms for heavy-duty applications, but thermal damage to fiber and non-linear effects such as SRS and self-focusing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical fiber into multiple parallel fibers rather than using a single high-power fiber. This distribution of power across multiple fibers reduces the power density in each individual fiber, preventing thermal damage and non-linear effects like self-focusing and stimulated Raman scattering, while still delivering the required total power level to the remote platform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces active cooling intermediaries including heat exchangers and thermal management systems positioned along the fiber path and at the remote platform. These intermediaries actively remove heat before it can cause thermal damage to the fiber, enabling sustained high power transmission by maintaining fibers within safe operating temperature ranges
3Loss of energy
If fiber diameter is increased to reduce power loss, then transmission efficiency improves, but self-focusing limits actual power delivery to four or five megawatts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple parallel optical fibers instead of a single large-diameter fiber. Each fiber operates at a lower power level that avoids self-focusing and other non-linear effects, while the combined output of all fibers delivers the required high total power. This segmentation approach decouples the relationship between individual fiber diameter and total power delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite fiber structures with optimized material compositions including specific dopants and core-cladding configurations. These composite structures reduce Rayleigh scattering and OH absorption losses, improving transmission efficiency without requiring increased fiber diameter, thereby avoiding the self-focusing limitation while maintaining low power 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
This system effectively transfers and utilizes high power optical energy over long distances, bypassing line-of-sight limitations, enabling applications like ice-penetrating robotic systems and planetary exploration without the need for local power generation, with efficient power conversion and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber optic cable connecting the base station to a remote platform
Implementation Method 2
an optical power extraction subsystem... for conversion to another form of energy such as heat, electricity, or mechanical work
Implementation Method 3
using a high thermal conductivity drum spooler and active cooling to manage power losses
Implementation Method 4
using a high thermal conductivity drum spooler and active cooling to manage power losses
Implementation Method 5
As light travels down the fiber, a portion of the injected energy is lost due to several mechanisms including Rayleigh scattering
Implementation Method 6
OH absorption, imperfection loss, and infrared absorption
Implementation Method 7
infrared absorption loss is a function of wavelength and material
Data Source
AI summary
An optical power transfer system for powering a remote mobility system for multiple missions comprising a high power source and a chilling station connected to a laser source. The laser source transmits a high optical energy to a beam switch assembly via an optical fiber. The beam switch assembly is optically connected to actively cooled fiber spoolers. Docking stations are adapted for securing the fiber spoolers until alternatively ready for use by a remote mobility system. The remote mobility system is optically connected to the fiber spoolers and has a receiving port adapted for securing the fiber spoolers thereon. The fiber spooler transmits the optical energy to a power conversion system which converts the optical energy received to another usable form of energy. More than one power source may be used where the remote mobility system transfers from one source to another while maintaining an operational radius to each source.