Contactless Power Generation Using Flexible Solar Panel and LED Array

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for powering electronic devices attached to moving parts, such as slip rings and inductive coupling, are costly and require significant downtime for installation and maintenance, with no inexpensive and quick alternatives available for providing power to rotating devices.

Innovation Solution

A contactless power generation system using a flexible solar panel and a stationary LED array, where the LED array provides light to the solar panel to generate electricity, eliminating the need for direct contact and custom fittings, and allowing for easy installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If slip rings or inductive coupling are used to transfer power to rotating components, then power can be supplied continuously, but the cost increases significantly and installation requires significant downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous power supplyVSAvoidinstallation downtime and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical power transfer systems (slip rings with brushes and electrical contacts) with an optical system. A light source on the stationary part emits light that strikes a photovoltaic cell on the rotating component, converting light to electrical energy. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and complex fittings, allowing quick installation and removal without significant downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to transfer energy from the stationary power source to the moving component. Instead of direct electrical contact through slip rings, light serves as the intermediary carrier that bridges the stationary and rotating parts, enabling power transfer without mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If custom fittings and close tolerances are used in power transfer systems, then power transfer reliability improves, but installation complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer reliabilityVSAvoidcustom fittings and close tolerances

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with an optical system. The light source and photovoltaic cell do not require precise mechanical alignment or custom fittings like slip rings. The optical system maintains reliability through the simplicity of its components, which can be easily positioned and adjusted without stringent tolerance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If batteries are used to power sensors on moving devices, then power can be provided without external connections, but operational life is limited by battery capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent power provisionVSAvoidoperational life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the moving component to generate its own power through the photovoltaic cell that converts light to electrical energy. The sensor effectively powers itself by harvesting light energy, eliminating the need for battery replacement or recharging while maintaining indefinite operational life as long as light is available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides a low-cost, flexible, and efficient method for powering moving electronic devices, reducing downtime and maintenance costs by using LEDs to simulate natural sunlight for solar panel energy conversion, suitable for various applications including rotating shafts and oscillating devices.

Implementation Method 1

The solar panel converts the light into electricity and powers the power receiving device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

A stationary light-emitting diode (LED) array having a number of LEDs provides light to the solar panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode effect: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS8658882B1Contactless power generation

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Concepts and technologies described herein provide for providing power to an electronic device mounted to a moving apparatus. According to various aspects, a flexible solar panel is detachably mounted to the moving apparatus. A light emitting diode (LED) array is mounted on a flexible circuit board and is configured to emit light at a color temperature range that matches the effective response of the solar panel. The LED array is shaped according to the surface of the moving apparatus and is positioned a uniform gap width apart from the solar panel. When the moving apparatus is activated, light from the fixed LED array is received by the moving solar panel and converted into electricity for powering the electronic device that is electrically connected to the solar panel. Data from the electronic device may be wirelessly transmitted from the moving apparatus to a fixed receiver for storage or use.