Laser Power Beaming Diffusion Optics for Hot Spot and Reflection Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser power beaming systems suffer from inefficiency and safety issues due to 'hot spots' and hazardous specular reflections from high-flux light beams, which can cause eye and skin damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating diffusion elements to uniformly distribute the laser light flux across a projection lens and to diffuse specularly reflected light, increasing the apparent angular size of the beam and reducing intensity hotspots, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-flux laser beam is used for power transmission, then the power transmission efficiency is improved, but hot spots are formed causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
A diffusion element is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser source and the projection lens. This diffusion element scatters the high-flux laser beam into multiple lower-intensity rays, eliminating hot spots while maintaining overall power transmission efficiency. The diffusion element acts as a mediator that transforms the concentrated beam into a distributed pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-flux laser beam is segmented into multiple discrete rays through the diffusion element. Instead of a single concentrated beam, the energy is divided into numerous smaller beams that illuminate different areas of the projection lens, preventing localized overheating and hot spot formation.
2Productivity
If a high-flux laser beam is used for power transmission, then the power transmission efficiency is improved, but hazardous specular reflections are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusion element serves as a mediator that intercepts the high-flux laser beam before it reaches the projection lens and receiver. By scattering the light at this intermediate stage, it prevents the formation of hazardous specular reflections that would otherwise occur at optical interfaces and surfaces downstream.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of concentrated laser light causing dangerous reflections is converted into a benefit by using the diffusion element to scatter the light. The same high-flux beam that could create hazardous reflections is transformed into a safe, distributed illumination pattern that maintains power transmission efficiency without the reflection hazard.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a diffusion element is added to distribute light uniformly, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusion element is implemented as a simple, inexpensive optical component that can be easily integrated into the existing laser system. Rather than complex active control systems or multiple moving parts, a single passive diffusion element provides the safety function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
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 diffusion elements effectively reduce the incidence of 'hot spots' and safely disperse reflected laser light, improving safety for humans and objects while enhancing the efficiency of power conversion in laser power beaming systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first diffusion element arranged in a system that generates and transmits a high-flux light beam. The diffusion element uniformly distributes light across a projection element
Implementation Method 2
The uniform distribution of light reduces the incidence of 'hot spots,' which improves safety to humans, animals, and other objects. This uniform distribution also aids in converting the laser source from a point source to an extended source.
Implementation Method 3
The problem of high power laser light dangerously reflected from a receiving module is solved by a diffusion element that safely distributes, scatters, or otherwise disperses the reflected laser light across a wider area.
Implementation Method 4
The second diffusion element is arranged and positioned to capture and diffuse portions of the high-flux light beam reflected from the unit that receives high-flux light beam.
Data Source
AI summary
A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.