Multiple Energy Beam Aiming Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy beaming systems face challenges in accurately maintaining multiple energy beams aimed at a single receiving target, particularly when the target is moving or subjected to atmospheric turbulence, leading to inefficiencies and the need for novel control methods to correct beam alignment.
Innovation Solution
A feedback control system utilizing sensors and processing devices to detect misalignments in multiple energy beams and provide corrective signals to adjust the aiming of each beam, incorporating modulation techniques such as amplitude, polarization, and angular 'coning' to distinguish and accurately direct energy beams onto an energy receiving device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple energy sources are used to provide power to a moving apparatus, then economies of scale are realized and energy beam source redundancy is achieved, but it becomes necessary to independently control each energy beam source to maintain accurate aiming at the receiving area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent energy beam sources into a coordinated system where each source is controlled by a central control system. The control system integrates feedback from sensors monitoring the receiving area position and translates this into coordinated control signals for multiple beam sources, merging their individual contributions into a unified power delivery system that maintains accurate aiming despite the complexity of multiple independent sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor the position of the receiving area on the moving apparatus. This position information is fed back to the control system, which then adjusts the aiming of multiple energy beam sources in real-time. The feedback loop enables the system to maintain accurate beam alignment on the receiving area despite the complexity of controlling multiple independent sources, resolving the contradiction between power output and control complexity
2Loss of energy
If the energy beam receiving area is kept not much larger than the meaningful width of an energy beam, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but it becomes more difficult to maintain accurate alignment with multiple energy beams on a moving target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of multiple energy beam sources based on real-time feedback from sensors monitoring the receiving area position. The control system continuously adjusts the aiming parameters of each beam source to track the moving receiving area, enabling the system to maintain precise alignment with a compact receiving area that is only slightly larger than the beam width. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and alignment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the task of powering the apparatus into multiple separate energy beam sources, each independently controlled to target the receiving area. This segmentation allows the receiving area to remain compact (comparable to single beam width) while multiple segmented beams are precisely directed at it through independent control, maintaining both energy efficiency and alignment accuracy
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
The system ensures precise and efficient energy delivery by maintaining accurate alignment of multiple energy beams, enhancing energy conversion efficiency and reducing losses due to misalignment, thereby improving the economic and technical benefits of using multiple smaller beam sources over a single large source.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor is configured to receive a portion of electromagnetic energy not incident on the target area and to provide a corresponding output signal
Implementation Method 2
a target area configured to receive an incident electromagnetic energy and to convert the incident electromagnetic energy into an electrical or thermal output
Data Source
AI summary
Plural energy beam sources are aimed at an energy receiving device by way of feedback control signals. Each energy beam is uniquely modulated by way of amplitude, polarization and/or coning patterns to enable individual detection and control. Sensors detect individual energy beams incident to the energy receiving device and provide corresponding detection signals. Control electronics receive the detection signals and derive one or more control signals that are coupled to the plural energy sources. Aircraft and other vehicles are thus provided with electrical and/or thermal energy without the need for source-to-vehicle cabling or substantial on-board energy resources.