Guided Surface Wave Probes for Lossy Media Energy Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies have not effectively enabled the practical launching of open surface guided waves over planar or spherical surfaces of lossy, homogeneous media, despite theoretical possibilities since the early 1900s.

Innovation Solution

The use of guided surface waveguide probes configured to excite electric fields that couple into a guided surface wave mode on a lossy conducting medium, such as the Earth, by synthesizing a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle, with a feed network providing phase delay to match the wave tilt angle, and a coupling control system coordinating the operation of these probes to launch synchronized guided surface waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional antenna structures are used to transmit radio waves, then radiation fields can be launched, but energy loss due to geometric spreading occurs and limits transmission distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy loss due to geometric spreadingVSAvoidpractical launching of open surface guided waves

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental propagation parameter from radiated waves to guided surface waves, and modifies the excitation parameters (phase, amplitude, angle) to match the complex Brewster angle condition. This enables energy to propagate along the lossy conducting medium surface without geometric spreading loss, directly resolving the energy loss problem while providing a practical launching method through specific parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If guided surface waveguide probes are used to launch synchronized guided surface waves with proper phase coordination, then energy transfer efficiency is significantly improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple probes and coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity with multiple probes and coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single probe function into multiple segmented probes (at least two probes) positioned at specific separations (quarter wavelength or half wavelength). Each probe handles a portion of the wave generation, and their combined synchronized operation creates the desired guided surface wave pattern. This segmentation improves energy transfer by creating a more robust and directional wave launch while distributing the complexity across modular probe units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic phase relationships between multiple probes, with excitations coordinated at specific phase differences (90 degrees or 180 degrees). This periodic phase coordination creates constructive interference patterns that enhance guided surface wave generation. The periodic action principle resolves the contradiction by providing systematic phase control that improves energy transfer efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through regular, repeatable phase relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach allows for the efficient propagation of guided electromagnetic fields as guided surface waves along the surface of lossy conducting media, overcoming previous inefficiencies and achieving significant energy transfer without geometric spreading loss.

Implementation Method 1

synthesizing a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBrewster's Angle: Brewster's Angle

Implementation Method 2

with a feed network providing phase delay to match the wave tilt angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase delay:

Implementation Method 3

a coupling control system coordinating the operation of these probes to launch synchronized guided surface waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSynchronized wave propagation:

Data Source

PatentUS10355333B2Global electrical power multiplication

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 QUANTUM WAVE LLC

AI summary

Various examples are provided for global electrical power multiplication. In one example, a global power multiplier includes first and second guided surface waveguide probes separated by a distance equal to a quarter wavelength of a defined frequency and configured to launch synchronized guided surface waves along a surface of a lossy conducting medium at the defined frequency; and at least one excitation source configured to excite the first and second guided surface waveguide probes at the defined frequency, where the excitation of the second guided surface waveguide probe at the defined frequency is 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the excitation of the first guided surface waveguide probe. In another example, a method includes launching synchronized guided surface waves along a surface of a lossy conducting medium by exciting first and second guided surface waveguide probes to produce a traveling wave propagating along the surface.