Multi-Wavelength Light Curtain for High-Flux Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser power beaming systems face challenges in accurately detecting objects within or near high-flux power beams due to issues such as interference from non-corresponding guard beam light signals, reflective objects masking detection, and transparent objects not blocking the beam path, leading to potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a plurality of guard beams with distinct wavelengths and emission characteristics to distinguish between different types of objects, using retro-reflectors and multiple detectors to enhance detection accuracy, and incorporates a controller to determine safe or unsafe conditions based on real-time or probabilistic estimates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional light curtain uses single-wavelength guard beams, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot distinguish between different types of objects leading to false detections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using multiple wavelengths for guard beams instead of a single wavelength. Each wavelength can be selectively absorbed or reflected by different materials, enabling the system to distinguish between transparent objects, reflective objects, and opaque objects. The detector measures intensity variations at multiple wavelengths to identify object properties and improve detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple detectors to improve detection accuracy, then object identification capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing detectors that can handle multiple wavelengths simultaneously. Instead of using separate detectors for each wavelength, the system uses a unified detector architecture that measures intensity at multiple wavelengths and processes the information to identify different object types. This reduces the number of detectors needed while maintaining high detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If transparent objects are present in the beam path, then they remain undetected by conventional light curtains, but adding multiple wavelengths increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses transparent object detection by utilizing parameter changes in wavelength. Transparent objects that do not block visible light may absorb or reflect infrared or ultraviolet wavelengths. By measuring intensity variations across multiple wavelengths, the system can detect transparent objects that would be invisible to single-wavelength systems, thereby improving detection reliability.
4Measurement precision
If reflective objects are present, then they may mask the detection of other objects, but using multiple wavelengths to resolve this increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the reflective object masking problem by changing the wavelength parameter. Different materials have characteristic absorption and reflection spectra across the electromagnetic spectrum. By measuring at multiple wavelengths, the system can distinguish between reflective objects and other objects based on their unique spectral signatures, preventing masking effects while maintaining system simplicity through unified detector design.
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 effectively distinguishes between various types of objects, reducing false negatives and ensuring safe operation by accurately detecting obstacles, thereby preventing potential hazards from high-flux power beams.
Implementation Method 1
positioned to reflect at least a portion of light emitted by the optical emitter toward the optical detector
Implementation Method 2
an optical emitter arranged to emit light at a first wavelength λ1 and a second wavelength λ2
Implementation Method 3
an optical detector arranged to separately detect intensities of light at the first and second wavelengths λ1 and λ2
Data Source
AI summary
A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, the detector module being arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.