Optical Power Beaming Receiver With Steerable Reflector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The spatial and temporal fluctuations of laser beam intensity due to atmospheric turbulence pose significant challenges to the design of photovoltaic-based free-space optical power beaming receivers, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic element with a steerable reflector and electrical charge storage elements, combined with optical elements and mechanical actuators, is configured to mitigate beam distortion effects by distributing light intensity evenly across multiple photovoltaic elements, allowing for adaptive alignment and efficient energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a photovoltaic element is used to convert laser light to electrical energy, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but spatial and temporal intensity fluctuations due to atmospheric turbulence cause reliability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic element is divided into multiple segments or zones that can independently adjust their optical properties. Each segment receives a portion of the laser beam and can be individually controlled to compensate for intensity fluctuations, thereby maintaining reliable energy conversion despite atmospheric turbulence
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that allow the photovoltaic element to adapt in real-time to changing beam conditions. This includes adjustable optical components and control circuits that respond to intensity fluctuations, enabling the system to maintain reliable operation under varying atmospheric conditions
2Device complexity
If the photovoltaic element is directly illuminated by the laser beam, then energy conversion is simplified, but spatial intensity modifications cause non-uniform energy distribution and overheating
Solution Approach 1:
An optical diffuser or scattering element is introduced between the laser beam and the photovoltaic element to act as an intermediary. This intermediary component redistributes the spatial intensity profile of the laser beam, creating a more uniform illumination pattern across the photovoltaic surface while preventing localized overheating
Solution Approach 2:
The photovoltaic element incorporates regions with different optical or thermal properties to handle non-uniform energy distribution. Certain areas are designed with enhanced heat dissipation capabilities or adjusted absorption characteristics to compensate for localized intensity variations, maintaining thermal uniformity without significantly increasing overall system complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the laser beam intensity fluctuates temporally at frequencies greater than 100 Hz, then power transfer adaptability is challenged, but increasing control complexity reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback control mechanisms where sensors monitor the laser beam intensity in real-time and provide signals to control circuits. These control circuits adjust the photovoltaic element's operation or associated optical components to compensate for temporal fluctuations, enabling the system to adapt to high-frequency power variations while maintaining relatively simple operation through automated control
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 enhances the reliability and efficiency of laser power beaming systems by tolerating high-intensity fluctuations, reducing overheating, and improving energy conversion efficiency through homogenous light distribution and adaptive beam alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic element, configured to convert the light beam to electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a light reflector element configured to reflect a light beam toward one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic elements
Data Source
AI summary
A free-space optical power beaming device may be configured to receive a light beam from an external source. The device may include a plurality of photovoltaic elements configured to convert light to electrical energy; a plurality of electrical charge storage elements, and a light reflector element configured to reflect a light beam toward one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic elements. Each electrical charge storage element may be coupled with at least of one of the plurality of photovoltaic elements and configured to store electrical energy output from the at least one of the plurality of photovoltaic elements. In some aspects a set of the plurality of photovoltaic elements may be configured in a tilted manner. In other aspects the light reflector element may be steerable to reflect a light beam toward one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic elements to provide a desired time-averaged light intensity distribution.