Camouflaged Photovoltaic Layers for Self-Powered Sensor Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photovoltaic cell installations are aesthetically unappealing and inefficient, making them unsuitable for widespread use in scenarios where visual integration is crucial, and they require battery replacement, which is impractical in covert surveillance and large-scale IoT deployments due to finite battery capacity and detectability issues.
Innovation Solution
Development of energy transmissive layers using micron-sized particles with controlled refractive indices, integrated with photovoltaic arrays and sensors, to create aesthetically neutral surfaces that transmit a significant percentage of electromagnetic energy while appearing opaque from any angle, eliminating the need for battery replacement by harnessing ambient energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional photovoltaic cell layers are installed on outer surfaces to convert ambient light to electricity, then energy harvesting capability is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible dark greyscale to black presentations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining photovoltaic cell layers with translucent or transparent overlay layers that have specific optical properties. The overlay layer contains particles with controlled refractive indices that scatter visible light to create an aesthetically pleasing appearance while allowing electromagnetic energy transmission to the photovoltaic layer beneath, thus resolving the contradiction between energy harvesting capability and aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating a multi-layer structure where the overlay layer has different optical properties than the photovoltaic layer. The overlay layer is designed to be visually appealing and translucent/transparent to specific wavelengths, while the photovoltaic layer beneath converts electromagnetic energy to electricity. This local differentiation allows each layer to optimize its specific function while working together as a unified system
2Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic layers are made more efficient by using darker presentations, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but visual integration deteriorates making them easily distinguishable and distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary overlay layer between the photovoltaic cell layer and the external environment. This overlay layer acts as a mediator that allows visible light to pass through to the photovoltaic layer for efficient energy conversion while simultaneously presenting an aesthetically pleasing, visually integrated appearance to observers. The overlay layer with its specific refractive index particles enables the system to achieve both high energy conversion efficiency and good visual integration
3Reliability
If battery-powered sensors and tracking devices are deployed for covert surveillance, then operational capability is improved, but detectability increases due to finite battery capacity requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling sensors and tracking devices to harvest their own operating power from ambient electromagnetic energy through integrated photovoltaic cells. This eliminates the need for external battery replacement operations, allowing devices to be deployed in covert locations where maintenance access is limited or impossible. The devices continuously convert ambient light and other electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy to power their operations indefinitely
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by capturing and converting ambient electromagnetic energy (light, radio waves, etc.) that would otherwise be wasted into useful electrical power. The photovoltaic layers continuously recover energy from the environment to sustain device operation, eliminating dependence on depleting battery supplies and enabling long-term covert deployment without maintenance
4Shape
If energy transmissive layers with micron-sized particles are formed over photovoltaic components, then aesthetic appearance is improved by providing color-matched and texture-matched camouflage, but light transmission efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the refractive indices of the micron-sized particles in the overlay layer to match or blend with the underlying photovoltaic components. By adjusting particle size, material composition, and refractive index parameters, the overlay layer achieves effective optical camouflage that makes components difficult to distinguish while maintaining sufficient transmission of electromagnetic energy at the wavelengths the photovoltaic materials need to absorb for power generation
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 solution provides self-powered sensor and communication devices with autonomous energy harvesting, maintaining functionality without battery replacement and integrating seamlessly into various environments, addressing both aesthetic and operational limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers... are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic components, and sensor components, in the packages, the energy harvesting components self-powering the packages
Implementation Method 2
Development of energy transmissive layers using micron-sized particles with controlled refractive indices... to create aesthetically neutral surfaces that transmit a significant percentage of electromagnetic energy while appearing opaque from any angle
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided that integrated a unique set of structural features for concealing self-powered sensor and communication devices in aesthetically neutral, or camouflaged, packages that include energy harvesting systems that provide autonomous electrical power to sensors, data processing and wireless communication components in the portable, self-contained packages. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below. The layers uniquely implement optical light scattering techniques to make the layers appear opaque when observed from a light incident side, while allowing at least 50% and as much as 80+%, of the energy impinging on the energy or incident side to pass through the layer.