Solar Recharging Control Using Reflected Light From Low-Diffusion Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices, especially drones, face challenges in recharging their batteries due to obstructed direct sunlight access, as they often lack frequent charging locations and cannot perform emergency landings when batteries are depleted, necessitating a system to optimize solar energy recharging even in obstructed conditions.
Innovation Solution
A computerized method that identifies objects with low diffusion rates, such as bodies of water, and uses an ad hoc network of unmanned vehicles to reflect solar rays towards the device, enabling recharging by maximizing available solar energy when direct sunlight is unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If mobile devices use solar cells for recharging, then energy autonomy is improved, but recharging capability deteriorates when direct sunlight is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reflective surfaces (intermediaries) between the sun and the solar cell to redirect sunlight to the solar cell when direct sunlight is blocked. These reflective surfaces act as mediators that capture sunlight from alternative angles and reflect it onto the solar cell, enabling recharging even when the device is in shadow or cloudy conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning reflective surfaces at different locations and angles around the mobile device. This dimensional approach allows sunlight to be redirected from multiple directions, transforming the problem from a two-dimensional direct line-of-sight requirement to a three-dimensional light path optimization problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drones operate over water or in cloudy areas, then operational versatility is improved, but solar energy availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs reflective surfaces as intermediaries to capture sunlight that would otherwise be blocked by clouds or reflected away by water surfaces. These intermediaries redirect the available sunlight onto the solar cell, enabling energy reception in environments where direct sunlight is naturally obstructed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameters of light reception by using adjustable reflective surfaces that can orient themselves to capture sunlight from different angles. This parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying environmental conditions such as cloud cover density and water surface orientation.
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 method effectively recharges depleted battery energy of mobile devices by redirecting solar radiation, ensuring continuous operation even in cloudy conditions or over water, where direct solar charging is impossible.
Implementation Method 1
a computer determines a mobile device requires a recharge, where the mobile device have a solar cell and an imaging device. The computer may identify an object with a low diffusion rate and recharge the mobile device based on that the mobile device receiving the solar energy from the identified object.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer receives determines a mobile device requires a recharge, where the mobile device have a solar cell and an imaging device. The computer identifies an object with a low diffusion rate. The computer recharges the mobile device, based on determining that the mobile device receiving the solar energy from the identified object.