Optical Power Feed Feedback Control for Surplus Energy Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In optical power supply systems, surplus electric power is often wasted due to fluctuating loads, as the existing systems do not efficiently manage and utilize excess energy at the power receiving side.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a power over fiber system that utilizes semiconductor lasers and photoelectric conversion elements with specific semiconductor materials to convert and manage electric power efficiently, including feedback mechanisms to control surplus power, ensuring constant energy supply even with varying loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electric power is transmitted continuously to ensure constant supply, then power reliability is improved, but energy waste increases when load is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidsurplus electric power waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the power receiving device monitors its actual power consumption and sends control signals back to the power transmitting device. This feedback loop enables the transmitting device to adjust its power output dynamically, transmitting only the amount of power actually needed by the load, thereby eliminating surplus power waste while ensuring continuous reliable supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static continuous power transmission to dynamic adaptive power transmission. The power transmission level is continuously adjusted based on real-time load conditions, allowing the system to optimize between reliability and energy efficiency by matching supply with actual demand fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If power transmission level is reduced to match low load demand, then energy efficiency is improved, but power supply stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidpower supply stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control mechanism continuously monitors power consumption and adjusts transmission levels accordingly. This ensures that power supply stability is maintained by dynamically adapting the transmission level to match actual demand, preventing both over-transmission (waste) and under-transmission (instability).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The power receiving device autonomously monitors its own power consumption and generates control signals to regulate incoming power. This self-service mechanism enables the system to self-regulate power transmission levels, maintaining stability while optimizing energy efficiency without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If semiconductor materials with wide bandgap are used, then photoelectric conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotoelectric conversion efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes semiconductor materials with specific parameter changes - particularly wide bandgap materials - to fundamentally improve photoelectric conversion efficiency. By changing the material parameter (bandgap width), the system achieves superior energy conversion performance that outweighs the increased manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs composite material structures combining different semiconductor materials with complementary properties. This allows optimization of photoelectric conversion efficiency while managing manufacturing complexity through material composition rather than single-material perfection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 approach enables efficient optical power supply by controlling surplus electric power at the receiving side, preventing power shortages and minimizing waste, thus optimizing energy utilization across the system.

Implementation Method 1

a laser converts electric power into optical power which is transmitted through an optical fiber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from semiconductor laser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

the optical power is reconverted into electric power with a solar cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3930011B1Power feed device of an optical power feed system and optical power feed system
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP3930011B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3930011B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3930011B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical fiber power feed system 1A1 comprises a power feed device 110, and a power receiving device 310 that converts power feed light from the power feed device to power. The power receiving device comprises: a photoelectric conversion element 311 that converts power feed light 112 from the power feed device to power; a feedback semiconductor laser 311F that uses a portion Q2 of a power Q converted by the photoelectric conversion element to do laser oscillation and outputs a power feed light 112F to the power feed side; and a control device 312 that monitors a power feed amount Q1 to the power load and controls the conversion amount by the feedback semiconductor laser according to the power feed amount. The power feed device comprises: a semiconductor laser 111 that does laser oscillation using power and outputs the power feed light 112 to the power receiving device; and a feedback photoelectric conversion element 111F that converts power feed light from the power receiving device to power and outputs that as drive power of the semiconductor laser. With an other system 1A2, a portion of the power feed light is circulated directly as the feedback power feed light 112F.