Multi-Element Energy Steering with Rod-Mounted Focal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy-delivery systems face limitations in adjusting the direction and focus of energy without physically moving the system, restricting the range of energy delivery and increasing the time required to target specific regions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising energy delivery devices coupled to rods via rotatable joints, allowing for geometric focusing and beam steering by adjusting the position of moveable plates relative to stationary plates, enabling wide-area energy emission and precise focal zone control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If beam steering is used to adjust the focus or direction of energy without physically moving the energy-delivery elements, then the adjustment speed is improved, but the adjustment range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the energy-delivery elements physically movable in addition to being electronically adjustable. Each element is mounted on a movable platform that can change its position, allowing the system to dynamically adjust both the direction and focus of energy beams. This combines electronic beam steering with physical repositioning to achieve both fast adjustment and extended range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the energy-delivery system is physically moved to target regions outside the beam steering adjustment range, then the adjustment range is improved, but the time required to target specific regions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy-delivery system into multiple independently controllable elements, each mounted on its own movable platform. This segmentation allows different elements to be positioned and steered independently, enabling the system to rapidly switch between multiple target regions without requiring complete physical repositioning of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses movable platforms with actuators to dynamically reposition energy-delivery elements. This dynamic capability allows the system to quickly adjust element positions and beam directions to track moving targets or switch between multiple stationary targets, significantly reducing the time required to target specific regions compared to fixed systems.
3Productivity
If the energy-delivery devices are geometrically focused on the target point, then the energy delivery efficiency is improved, but the angular area over which energy can be emitted is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy emission function across multiple segmented elements, each capable of independent geometric focusing. By distributing the focusing function across multiple elements rather than requiring a single element to cover all angles, the system can maintain efficient focusing on the target point while collectively covering a wider angular area through the coordinated operation of multiple elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for controlling the angular direction of energy emitted from a plurality of energy delivery devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of rods, each rod mechanically coupled to one of the energy delivery devices, to a stationary plate, and to a moveable plate. The stationary plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a first rotatable joint that is mechanically coupled to each rod. The moveable plate includes holes that are configured to receive a portion of a second rotatable joint, the second rotatable joint slidingly engaging a portion of the respective rod. The angle of each rod changes when the moveable plate is moved in any direction with respect to the stationary plate. Changing the rod angle changes the angular direction of the energy emitted from the energy delivery devices such that the energy passes through an intended focal position.