Laser Power Scanning for Moving Devices Without Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power technologies, such as electromagnetic induction, solar panels, and infrared laser beams, are inadequate for providing power to high-powered, moving devices like AR/VR headsets or devices without a power source, due to limitations in power delivery, safety concerns, and heat management.
Innovation Solution
A system using a plurality of lasers that scan an array of laser absorbing elements, tracked by cameras, to provide power safely and efficiently to non-stationary devices, with safety features like thermal sensors and motion tracking to prevent overheating and misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electromagnetic induction is used to provide wireless power, then power can be transmitted wirelessly, but the device must be close to or touching the power supply and the amount of power is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic induction (which requires close proximity) with laser-based optical power transmission. The laser beam transmits power through free space without requiring physical contact or close proximity between transmitter and receiver, thereby substituting a mechanical/electromagnetic field-based system with an optical system that enables remote power delivery.
2Power
If a high-powered laser is used to provide power, then sufficient power can be delivered, but the laser beam may cause harm to humans and generate heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser beam into multiple lower-power sub-beams that scan across the laser absorbing element. This segmentation distributes the total power delivery across multiple beam paths and time intervals, reducing the irradiance at any single point while maintaining overall power transfer capability, thereby mitigating safety hazards and heat concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic scanning of the laser beam across the absorbing element rather than continuous illumination of a single point. The beam moves in a scanning pattern (e.g., raster scan) that periodically exposes different portions of the element, allowing heat to dissipate and reducing peak irradiance while maintaining average power transfer.
3Ease of operation
If an infrared laser beam is used to provide power, then wireless power transmission is achieved, but the power is limited to comply with safety requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional point-to-point laser transmission to two-dimensional scanning across the absorbing element. By distributing the beam across multiple spatial positions in a scanning pattern, the system increases the effective area of power absorption without increasing peak irradiance, thereby enabling higher total power transfer while maintaining safety compliance.
4Power
If a high-powered laser is pointed at a fixed point on the receiver, then power can be delivered, but the receiver generates a lot of heat over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scanning of the laser beam across multiple portions of the absorbing element rather than continuous illumination of a fixed point. This periodic action allows each portion to be illuminated intermittently, providing cooling intervals that prevent excessive heat accumulation while maintaining overall power transfer through cumulative energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the absorbing element into multiple portions and segments the laser illumination across these portions through scanning. Each portion receives a fraction of the total energy over time, distributing the thermal load across the entire element surface area, thereby reducing peak temperatures and improving thermal management.
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 system enables high-powered wireless charging of moving devices by distributing heat and power over a larger area, ensuring safety by reducing irradiance and preventing overheating, while accommodating movement and human presence.
Implementation Method 1
a laser of a plurality of lasers is assigned to a first laser absorbing element of an array of laser absorbing elements
Implementation Method 2
The assigned laser scans the identified portions of the first laser absorbing element with a laser beam to provide power to the first laser absorbing element
Implementation Method 3
The assigned laser scans the identified portions of the first laser absorbing element with a laser beam to provide power to the first laser absorbing element
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing wireless power are described herein. A plurality of lasers may provide laser power to an array of laser absorbing elements. A laser of the plurality of lasers is assigned to a laser absorbing element of the array of laser absorbing elements. Portions of the laser absorbing element that are within a line of sight of the assigned laser are identified. The assigned laser scans the identified portions of the laser absorbing element to provide the laser power to the laser absorbing element. The laser absorbing element converts the laser power to electrical power. Electrical power from the laser absorbing elements may provide electrical power to a device.