Wireless Microwave Power Transmission Antenna Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind power generation systems face challenges in stable electric power transmission due to the constant motion of floating power generation equipment caused by waves and winds, leading to difficulties in directing the power transmission beam accurately to the reception antenna, resulting in wasted power and failure to receive microwaves.
Innovation Solution
A wireless electric power transmission apparatus comprising a power transmission antenna, a driver, a beacon receiver, and a transmission signal generator, which emits radio waves only when the beacon signal from the reception antenna is detected, ensuring the power transmission antenna is directed towards the reception antenna, preventing microwave emission when the orientation is compromised by motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If microwave power transmission is implemented from offshore power generation apparatus to land, then the need for construction of laying power cables is eliminated and electric power costs are reduced, but the position and posture of floating power generation equipment are shaken at all times under the influence of waves and winds, making stable electric power transmission difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the reception antenna transmit a beacon signal before power transmission begins. The transmission antenna detects this beacon signal to determine the reception antenna's position and orientation, and pre-adjusts its beam direction accordingly. This preliminary positioning and orientation detection ensures that when power transmission starts, the transmission beam is already correctly directed toward the reception antenna, compensating for the effects of wave and wind motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the beacon signal from the reception antenna to continuously monitor and adjust the transmission beam direction. The transmission antenna detects the beacon signal's characteristics to determine the reception antenna's state, and adjusts its orientation in real-time to maintain accurate beam alignment despite the floating body's motion caused by waves and winds.
2Productivity
If the orientation direction of a power transmission beam is controlled based on the magnitudes of electric power received at the plurality of regions on the wave receiving surface, then highly efficient electric power transfer is achieved under stable installation conditions, but it is difficult to control the orientation direction when the power transmission beam is not yet being directed to the power reception antenna, such as at the beginning of power transmission
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on power magnitude detection during active transmission, the system performs preliminary orientation detection using a beacon signal transmitted before power transmission begins. This allows the transmission antenna to establish the correct beam direction in advance, solving the problem of initial alignment without requiring power transmission to already be occurring.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon signal serves as an intermediary that facilitates orientation detection without requiring actual power transmission. This separate detection signal allows the system to determine the reception antenna's position and orientation independently of the power beam, enabling accurate initial alignment before power transfer begins.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the power transmission antenna is shaken more largely than when installed on the ground, then the power transmission beam may be moved out of the power reception antenna surface, but continuous power transmission is required to meet energy demand
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the beacon signal from the reception antenna to detect changes in its position and orientation caused by wave and wind motion. Based on this feedback, the transmission antenna adjusts its beam direction in real-time to maintain accurate alignment with the moving reception antenna, ensuring continuous reliable power transmission despite the floating body's motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static alignment approach to a dynamic one, where the transmission beam direction is continuously adjusted to track the moving reception antenna. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain accurate beam alignment despite the floating power generation equipment's position and posture changes caused by waves and winds.
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 solution prevents the emission of microwaves when the reception antenna cannot receive them due to motion, ensuring stable and efficient power transmission even under the influence of waves and winds, reducing power loss and maintaining continuous energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a power transmission antenna 8, which emits radio waves toward a power receiver 7
Implementation Method 2
a beacon receiver 5, which detects a beacon signal transmitted by the power receiver 7
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave power transmission apparatus converts electric energy into microwaves, and transmits the microwaves to a microwave power receiver between sea and land. A power transmission antenna to emit the microwaves is directed to a direction of the microwave power receiver by a driver. When a beacon receiver detects a beacon signal transmitted by the microwave power receiver, a transmission signal generator generates a transmission signal emitted as microwaves from the power transmission antenna. Radio waves are not emitted from the power transmission antenna when the beacon signal is not detected. Not detecting the beacon signal corresponds to a situation where a power reception antenna cannot receive the microwaves due to motion of the antenna being on the sea. The wireless electric power transmission apparatus and electric power transfer system can prevent occurrence of a situation where the emitted microwaves cannot be received.