Laser Power Transfer Beam Control Under Eye-Safety Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless power transfer using high-intensity lasers is limited by safety regulations due to the risk of thermal damage to human tissue, particularly the retina, which restricts power delivery capabilities in environments where people are present.
Innovation Solution
A wireless laser power transfer system with active and passive safety mechanisms that modulate and control laser beam power and direction, using transceivers and photo-voltaic cells to ensure exposure within safe limits, including eye-safe power levels and adaptive beam steering to prevent obstruction detection, allowing scalable power delivery without exceeding maximum permissible exposure (MPE) standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-intensity laser beams are used for wireless power transfer, then power delivery capability is improved, but safety risk to human tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts laser beam parameters including power level, direction, and modulation based on real-time feedback from transceivers and photo-voltaic cells. The controller varies power and direction of laser beams and modulates them to maintain eye-safe levels while enabling scalable power delivery up to high intensities when conditions permit
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs active feedback mechanisms where transceivers communicate between transmitter and receiver, and photo-voltaic cells detect the power of received laser beams. The controller uses this feedback to adjust laser parameters, ensuring exposure remains within maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits while optimizing power transfer
2Productivity
If laser power is increased beyond eye-safe levels, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but exposure hazard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic modulation of laser beams where the first controller modulates laser beams and the second controller demodulates and detects the power. This allows the system to operate at high power levels during controlled intervals while maintaining eye-safe levels during other intervals, achieving both efficiency and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of the laser including power level, modulation frequency, and beam direction. The controller varies these parameters dynamically to allow operation at higher power levels for improved efficiency while ensuring that exposure remains within safe limits through active control
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
Enables safe and efficient wireless power transfer by dynamically adjusting laser power and direction to maintain eye-safe levels and prevent exposure hazards, allowing higher power delivery while adhering to safety regulations, thereby enhancing the usability of laser-based power transfer systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first photo-voltaic cell, and a second controller adapted to demodulate and detect the power of the modulated laser beam received by the first photo-voltaic cell
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless laser power transfer system includes, in part, a transmitter and a receiver that form a wireless link. The transmitter, includes, in part, a first communication system, at least a first source of laser beam, and a controller adapted to vary power and direction of the laser beam and further to modulate the laser beam. The receiver includes, in part, a communication system adapted to establish a wireless link with the first communication system, at least a first photo-voltaic cell, and a controller adapted to demodulate and detect the power of the modulated laser beam received by the first photo-voltaic cell from the first source of laser beam. The system optionally includes at least a second source of laser beam controlled by the transmitter controller. The system optionally further includes a second photo-voltaic cell. The transmitter controller is further adapted to cause the second laser beam to strike the second photo-voltaic cell.