Mobile Power Transmitters for On-Demand EV and Drone Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery-operated devices face challenges with low charge capacity, slow recharging rates, and the scarcity and specificity of charging services, particularly affecting electric vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles, which limits their operational range and mass adoption.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized charging network utilizing mobile power transmitters (MPTs) that can deliver power via physical connectors or non-contact mechanisms, allowing for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and ground-to-air power transfer, enabling continuous operation and access to renewable energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed charging stations are deployed to increase charging availability, then charging service coverage is improved, but dependence on fixed infrastructure increases and system resilience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having power receivers move to fixed charging stations, the patent inverts the approach by deploying mobile power transmitters to move to where power receivers are located. This reverses the traditional charging paradigm, eliminating the need for receivers to travel to fixed infrastructure points and thereby reducing infrastructure dependence while maintaining service coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic mobile power transmitters that can relocate themselves to different positions to serve power receivers. This dynamic capability allows the charging system to adapt to varying receiver locations and demands, providing versatile charging coverage without requiring a fixed network of charging stations, thus reducing infrastructure complexity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend operational range, then duration of action is improved, but device weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile power transmitters as intermediary entities that provide external power to extend operational range. Instead of increasing onboard battery capacity, the system uses intermediate power transfer mechanisms (wireless or wired connections to mobile transmitters) to supply additional energy, thereby extending range without adding battery weight to the power receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of increasing physical battery size with alternative power delivery mechanisms. By using wireless power transmission or removable battery packs exchanged via automated systems, the patent substitutes the need for large onboard batteries with external power delivery methods, maintaining operational range while reducing device weight.
3Ease of operation
If wireless power transmission is implemented to eliminate physical connectors, then ease of operation is improved, but power delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements wireless power transmission selectively for specific applications where ease of operation is paramount, rather than universally. For applications requiring high power delivery efficiency, the system can fall back to wired connections. This partial implementation allows the system to gain operational convenience where needed while maintaining efficiency where critical, balancing both requirements.
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 decentralized charging network provides abundant, time-saving, and resilient power delivery, reducing dependence on fixed infrastructure and offering uninterrupted operation, especially for urban electric vehicles and drones.
Implementation Method 1
Recent wireless charging capabilities that enable transferring of power via free space have also become increasingly popular
Implementation Method 2
laser-based power delivery has been proposed as a solution to create compact electronic circuits. For example, laser power beaming uses a laser to deliver concentrated light to a remote power receiver
Implementation Method 3
The receiver then converts the light to electricity, similar to solar powered photovoltaic (PV) cells converting sunlight into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
In an on-demand electric charge service, a plurality of mobile power transmitters or donors deliver electric charge to one or a plurality of compatible power receivers, or vice versa. Alternatively, a plurality of mobile power receivers or donors and a plurality of power receivers or recipients form nodes of a peer-to-peer charge service, such as in a hub-spoke or a block-chain configuration. A system and/or method for establishing a charge session in an on-demand electric charge service comprises a request processing unit for receiving a charge session request for one or a plurality of power receivers or one or a plurality of mobile power transmitters, and at least one user dataset or one provider dataset.