Fiber Spooler Optical Power Transfer for Long-Distance Remote Platforms
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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 of high-power optical energy over long distances (up to hundreds of kilometers) to remote platforms, allowing for conversion into heat, electricity, or mechanical work, while minimizing bending losses through active cooling and precise fiber management.
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 locations 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 selecting specific wavelengths (1540-1550nm) where attenuation is minimized, using ultra-low OH content fibers to reduce absorption losses, and carefully controlling fiber manufacturing parameters to minimize imperfection losses. This enables long-distance transmission while maintaining acceptable power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite fiber structures with specific core and cladding materials designed to minimize various loss mechanisms. The fiber construction combines materials with complementary properties to reduce Rayleigh scattering, OH absorption, and infrared absorption simultaneously, enabling extended transmission distances with reduced power loss.
2Power
If high power optical energy is transmitted through fiber, then remote power delivery capability is enhanced, but thermal damage to fiber and non-linear effects such as SRS and self-focusing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent operates at optimized power levels and wavelengths that avoid the onset of harmful non-linear effects. By selecting specific operating parameters and controlling power density, the system delivers high optical power while preventing thermal damage, stimulated Raman scattering, and self-focusing that would otherwise limit power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the optical fiber as an intermediary medium that safely transports high power optical energy from the source to the remote load. The fiber's controlled properties act as a buffer that manages power delivery while protecting against direct thermal damage and non-linear effects at both the source and destination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fiber is coiled on a spooler for deployment, then flexibility and mobility are improved, but bending losses and potential fiber damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the spooler with an optimized radius of curvature that maintains fiber bends within safe limits. By controlling the geometric parameters of the spooling system, the fiber can be deployed in coiled configurations for mobility while keeping bending losses and stress-induced damage below critical thresholds.
4Temperature
If active cooling systems are added to manage power losses, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive cooling mechanisms and thermally conductive spooler materials that automatically dissipate heat without requiring complex active cooling systems. The spooler itself serves as a heat sink, and the system leverages natural convection and conduction to manage thermal loads, reducing complexity while maintaining effective thermal control.
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 extended distances, bypassing line-of-sight limitations, enabling applications in mobile, underwater, and planetary systems by maintaining acceptable power levels and reducing infrastructure requirements for the remote platform.
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
high thermal conductivity drum spooler and active cooling to manage power losses
Implementation Method 3
conversion of the transferred optical energy to another form of energy such as heat, electricity, or mechanical work
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.