Drum Fiber Spooler 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 in applications requiring kilowatts to tens of megawatts, such as powering remote systems in harsh environments or over long distances.
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 and conversion of high power optical energy over long distances, up to hundreds of kilometers, to various platforms, including mobile and underwater systems, by minimizing bending losses and using high thermal conductivity materials for cooling.
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 systems is enabled, but power loss due to Rayleigh scattering, OH absorption, imperfection loss, and infrared absorption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes fiber parameters including core diameter, cladding diameter, numerical aperture, and material composition to minimize attenuation at specific wavelengths. It selects operating wavelengths (1550nm for single-mode, 1064nm for multi-mode) where Rayleigh scattering and infrared absorption are minimized, directly addressing the power loss issue while maintaining long transmission distance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite fiber structures with specific core-cladding material combinations and doping profiles to reduce OH absorption and imperfection loss. It uses ultra-low OH content silica glass and optimized dopant concentrations to create fibers with minimized attenuation across the transmission spectrum, enabling both long distance and high power delivery
2Power
If high power optical energy is transmitted through fiber, then sufficient power reaches remote systems, but thermal damage to fiber and non-linear effects such as SRS and self-focusing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transmitted optical power across multiple parallel fibers or uses multi-mode fibers with distributed mode propagation to reduce power density in any single location. This segmentation approach prevents localized thermal damage and reduces the intensity of non-linear effects while maintaining total power delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs large bend radius fiber routing and optimized fiber geometry to distribute optical power more evenly along the fiber length, preventing self-focusing and hot spot formation. The curved path design ensures uniform stress distribution and thermal management throughout the fiber structure
3Length of stationary object
If fiber is coiled on a drum spooler for deployment, then long transmission distances are achieved, but bending losses and fiber stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs drum spoolers with optimized diameter and winding geometry to maintain minimum bend radius requirements for the fiber. The spooler geometry is specifically engineered to distribute fiber curvature evenly, preventing sharp bends that would cause excessive bending losses while enabling compact storage and deployment of kilometers of fiber
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-coats fibers with protective layers and pre-configures them with optimal mechanical properties before spooling to withstand repeated bending cycles. The fiber is prepared in advance with stress-relief treatments and protective coatings that prevent damage during the coiling and uncoiling operations, maintaining low bending losses throughout the fiber's operational life
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 converts optical power into usable forms like heat or electricity, enabling applications previously impossible due to power limitations, such as powering robotic systems in extreme environments or industrial operations without the need for local power generation.
Implementation Method 1
light, or optical energy, can be sent down a relatively small diameter (e.g., twenty-five micron) glass optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
conversion of the transferred optical energy to another form of energy such as heat, electricity, or mechanical work
Implementation Method 3
drum configured fiber spooler mounted thereon
Data Source
AI summary
An optical energy transfer and conversion system comprising a fiber spooler and an electrical power extraction subsystem connected to the spooler with an optical waveguide. Optical energy is generated at and transferred from a base station through fiber wrapped around the spooler, and ultimately to the power extraction system at a remote mobility platform for conversion to another form of energy. The fiber spooler may reside on the remote mobility platform which may be a vehicle, or apparatus that is either self-propelled or is carried by a secondary mobility platform either on land, under the sea, in the air or in space.