Fiber Spooler and Rotary Joint 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 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 100 kilometers) to remote platforms, allowing for conversion to heat, electricity, or mechanical work, using a high thermal conductivity drum spooler and active cooling to manage power loss and maintain fiber integrity.
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 achieved, 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 that avoid OH absorption peaks and minimizes Rayleigh scattering, while controlling infrared absorption through material selection and purity enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite fiber structures with multiple layers including core, cladding, and protective coatings made from different materials optimized for specific functions. It uses ultra-low OH content silica glass combined with specialized coatings to reduce various types of losses simultaneously.
2Power
If high power optical energy is transmitted through fiber, then power delivery capability is improved, 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 multiple wavelengths, reducing the power density in any single fiber. This segmentation approach allows higher total power delivery while keeping individual fiber power levels below thresholds for thermal damage and non-linear effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary cooling mechanisms and thermal management systems between the fiber and the environment, using heat sinks and active cooling to maintain fiber temperatures below damage thresholds during high-power operation.
3Ease of operation
If fiber is coiled for deployment, then flexibility and ease of deployment are improved, but bending losses and thermal management challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs fiber spooling systems with optimized curvature radii that balance flexibility with minimal bending loss. It employs gradual transition zones and controlled winding patterns to maintain bend radii above critical thresholds while enabling practical deployment configurations.
4Temperature
If active cooling is implemented to manage power losses, then thermal management is improved, but system complexity and device weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements passive thermal management features where the fiber structure itself provides heat dissipation through its material properties and geometric configuration. The cladding and coating layers are designed to conduct heat away from the core, and the spooling configuration promotes natural convection and radiation cooling without requiring active cooling systems.
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 in non-line-of-sight conditions, overcoming traditional limitations by minimizing bending losses and maintaining fiber integrity, enabling applications like powering underwater vehicles, ice penetrating robots, and space exploration.
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
subsequent 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.