Guided Surface Waveguide Probe for Efficient Energy Launch
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of practical structures for efficiently launching open surface guided waves over planar or spherical surfaces of lossy, homogeneous media, as theoretical analyses have not been translated into effective engineering solutions.
Innovation Solution
Guided surface waveguide probes are configured to excite electric fields that couple into a guided surface wave mode along the surface of a lossy conducting medium, such as the Earth, by synthesizing a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle, thereby launching a guided electromagnetic field in the form of a guided surface wave.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional antenna structures are used to transmit radio waves, then radiation fields can be launched, but the transmission efficiency is low due to energy loss in lossy media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional radiating antenna structures with guided surface waveguide probes that generate guided surface waves. This substitution changes the fundamental transmission mechanism from radiation fields to guided waves that propagate along the Earth's surface, dramatically reducing energy loss in lossy media and enabling efficient long-distance power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the propagation mode parameter from radiated electromagnetic waves to guided surface waves. By adjusting the waveguide probe design and operating parameters, the system achieves mode-matching with the surface wave mode, transforming the transmission characteristics to overcome the limitations of conventional radio wave propagation in lossy environments.
2Reliability
If theoretical analyses of guided surface waves are used, then understanding of wave propagation is achieved, but practical engineering structures are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guided surface waveguide probes as intermediary structures that bridge the gap between theoretical guided surface wave analysis and practical power transmission applications. These probes serve as the missing practical implementation that translates theoretical wave propagation understanding into workable engineering solutions for long-distance wireless power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms theoretical wave propagation parameters into practical design specifications for waveguide probes. By changing from abstract theoretical models to concrete structural parameters (probe geometry, material properties, operating frequency), the invention makes guided surface wave technology manufacturable and deployable in real-world applications.
3Area of stationary object
If radiated electromagnetic fields are used for transmission, then coverage area is achieved, but the field strength decays rapidly with distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radiated electromagnetic field transmission with guided surface wave propagation. This substitution fundamentally changes how energy distributes in space - instead of spherical radiation that decays with distance, the guided waves are confined to propagate along the Earth's surface, maintaining field strength over much longer distances while providing wide coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the field propagation parameter from three-dimensional radiation to two-dimensional surface guidance. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both large coverage area and sustained field strength by confining energy propagation to the Earth's surface, overcoming the rapid decay characteristic of conventional radiated fields.
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 solution enables the efficient launch of guided surface waves along lossy conducting media, achieving mode-matching with the surface wave mode and overcoming the limitations of traditional radiated electromagnetic fields.
Implementation Method 1
synthesizing a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle, thereby launching a guided electromagnetic field in the form of a guided surface wave
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for fixing a navigational position using guided surface waves launched from guided surface wave waveguide probes at various ground stations. A guided surface wave is received using a guided surface wave receive structure. A reflection of the guided surface wave is received using the guided surface wave receive structure. An amount of time that has elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave is calculated. A location of the guided surface wave receive structure is determined based at least in part on the amount of time elapsed between receiving the guided surface wave and receiving the reflection of guided surface wave.