Guided Surface Waveguide Probe for Zero Reflection Launch

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Solution Overview

Problem

For over a century, there has been no practical structure for efficiently launching open surface guided waves over planar or spherical surfaces of lossy, homogeneous media, despite theoretical possibilities.

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, resulting in zero reflection and launching a guided electromagnetic field as a guided surface wave.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional antenna structures are used for signal transmission, then radio waves can be transmitted, but energy loss occurs due to radiation fields and geometric spreading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy lossVSAvoidtransmission mode flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from radiated electromagnetic fields to guided electromagnetic fields. By using a waveguide structure, the energy transmission mode is changed from spherical/geometric spreading to confined guidance along the waveguide, dramatically reducing energy loss while maintaining transmission versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide acts as an intermediary structure between the signal source and destination. It provides a controlled path for electromagnetic energy, mediating the transmission process to prevent energy dissipation into free space while allowing flexible routing and adaptation to different transmission requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If guided surface wave modes are used on lossy media, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the complexity of launching and controlling these waves increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy lossVSAvoidwave launching structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical wave launching structures with an electrically tuned resonant system. By using electrical resonance and impedance matching, the complicated mechanical adjustment of waveguide probe positions and orientations is substituted with simpler electrical parameter adjustments, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining energy transfer efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide probe structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it launches guided surface waves, provides impedance matching, and enables resonant coupling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving efficient energy transfer on lossy media

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of moving object

If field strength is increased for better signal propagation, then transmission distance is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission distanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guided electromagnetic field provides continuous energy confinement along the waveguide path, maintaining field strength over long distances without requiring increasing power input. The waveguide structure continuously guides the energy, preventing the geometric spreading that would otherwise require compensating power increases, thus achieving extended transmission distance with constant energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

The solution enables the efficient propagation of guided surface waves along lossy conducting media with exponential decay, resembling transmission line modes, and allows for effective energy transfer without energy loss until a resistive load is present.

Implementation Method 1

by synthesizing a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle, resulting in zero reflection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBrewster's Angle: Brewster's Angle

Implementation Method 2

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGuided Surface Wave:

Data Source

PatentUS10274527B2Field strength monitoring for optimal performance

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 CPG TECH LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are various embodiments for adjusting an operational parameter of a guided surface waveguide probe according to measurements received from one or more measuring devices. A measuring device measures the conditions associated with an environment of the measuring device. The measuring devices communicates the measured data to the guided surface waveguide probe. Adjustments can be made to one or more operational parameters of the guided surface waveguide probe according to the measured data.