Jet Stream Flight Vehicle Wireless Power Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind power generation systems using airships face inefficiencies in power transmission due to the complexity of connecting power lines and the need for winches, which increase costs and risk of accidents.

Innovation Solution

A wind power generation system that utilizes a flight vehicle to generate power from jet streams without a winch, converting the power to a laser for transmission to the ground, where it is converted back to electricity using a ground reception unit or relay ship.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a power line is connected between the airship and ground system to transmit power, then power transmission is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to power line installation and connection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical power line connection system with an optical transmission system using lasers. The power generation unit converts mechanical energy from wind turbines directly into laser beams for wireless power transmission to the ground, eliminating the need for physical power lines and their associated connection complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces laser beams as an intermediary medium to transfer energy between the airship and ground. Instead of direct electrical connection through power lines, the system uses optical energy as a mediator to bridge the gap between airborne power generation and ground-based power reception

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If a winch system is used to lower the flight vehicle to the ground for power transmission, then power transfer is enabled, but additional costs and accident risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer capabilityVSAvoidaccident risk
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical winch-based power transfer system with an optical laser transmission system. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical contact and physical lowering of the flight vehicle, thereby removing the associated safety risks and additional cost requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the winch system and its associated mechanical components from the power transfer process. By taking out this hazardous mechanical subsystem, the invention achieves power transfer without the risks of mechanical failure, entanglement, or collision that accompany winch operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Power

If multiple power generation devices are embedded in the airship to increase floating power, then power generation capacity increases, but the weight and volume of the airship increase, leading to higher costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloating powerVSAvoidairship weight
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal expansion (adding more devices within the airship) to vertical utilization (deploying wind turbines in the three-dimensional space around the airship). This allows the airship to harness wind energy from multiple directions and altitudes without increasing its own weight, as the turbines are positioned externally in the surrounding air space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional system where the airship serves both as a platform for power generation and as a mobile positioning system. The wind turbines can be deployed and repositioned dynamically to optimize power capture from different wind directions, making the system adaptable to varying environmental conditions without requiring additional fixed infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables efficient and stable power transmission from high altitudes to the ground, reducing costs and risks associated with winch-based systems while improving power recovery efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

converting wind energy at a high altitude to mechanical energy, and then causing an aerodynamic body, which is capable of converting the mechanical energy to electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic force: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

causing an aerodynamic body, which is capable of converting the mechanical energy to electrical energy which may be generally used for civil and industrial purposes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

converting the wind power to a laser, transmitting the laser to the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 4

converting the laser to electricity on the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3581793B1Wind power generation system using jet stream
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 AN KWANGWOO
  • EP3581793B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3581793B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3581793B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wind power generation system using a jet stream. The wind power generation system is implemented to include a flight vehicle configured to produce power through wind power generation while floating in the air and autonomously flying without a winch and configured to transmit the produced power to the ground, and a ground reception unit configured to receive a power signal transmitted from the flight vehicle and convert the power signal to electricity, wherein the flight vehicle enters a power generation location or escapes from the power generation location through buoyancy adjustment, the flight vehicle produces power through wind power generation while staying at the top of the troposphere or in the vicinity of the stratosphere where the jet stream is generated, and the flight vehicle includes a propeller configured to rotate in one direction due to the jet stream, a power generator configured to produce power by converting mechanical energy due to a rotational force of the propeller to electrical energy, a power generation control unit configured to control entry or escape into or from the power generation location, a buoyancy adjustment unit configured to increase or decrease buoyancy according to control of the power generation control unit, a laser conversion unit configured to convert power produced by the power generator to a laser, and a laser shooting unit configured to transmit the laser converted by the laser conversion unit to the ground.