Space-Based Power Beaming via Satellite Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing space-based power generation systems face challenges in delivering environmentally safe and flexible power to ground-based receivers, limited by regulatory concerns and the need for infrastructure, with current systems being expensive and inflexible due to large platform requirements and fixed receiver locations.
Innovation Solution
A system of multiple space-based satellites that can vary in orbital placement, work together to transmit power to a remote receiver, using energy capture and generation components, energy conversion, and a controller to regulate power beams within safe exposure limits, allowing for wireless transmission and communication between satellites to ensure safe and flexible power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large space-based platform is used to deliver significant power to planetary surface, then power transmission capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase due to tons of material needed to be launched to orbit and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large space-based power transmission system into multiple smaller satellite units. Each satellite independently captures solar energy and transmits a portion of the power beam to the ground receiver. By segmenting the system, the patent avoids the complexity of launching and assembling tons of material for a single large platform, while still achieving significant total power transmission capability through coordinated operation of multiple satellites.
2Power
If power beam intensity is increased to deliver more power to ground receiver, then power delivery capability is improved, but environmental safety deteriorates due to temperature threshold exceeded in surrounding atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the total power transmission into multiple lower-intensity beams from different satellites. Each satellite transmits a portion of the total power, ensuring that the intensity of individual beams remains below the atmospheric temperature threshold that would cause environmental harm, while the cumulative power delivery to the ground receiver remains significant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple low-intensity power beams from different satellites at the ground receiver location. While each individual beam remains environmentally safe (below temperature thresholds), the merged or cumulative effect at the receiver provides substantial total power delivery capability, thus resolving the contradiction between power delivery and environmental safety.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed ground-based receiver infrastructure is used, then power reception stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to move receiver to different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by enabling the ground-based receiver to be mobile rather than fixed. The receiver can be moved to different locations as needed, providing adaptability and versatility. The system maintains power reception stability through coordinated tracking and beam adjustment by the satellite constellation, ensuring stable power delivery even as the receiver relocates.
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
Enables environmentally safe and flexible power delivery to movable ground-based receivers, reducing logistical and infrastructure costs by allowing multiple satellites to collectively transmit power below safe exposure limits, with coordinated beam control and communication ensuring efficient energy distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an energy conversion system on a satellite of the plurality of space-based satellites to convert the at least one of captured energy and generated energy to the power and to transmit the power
Implementation Method 2
The controller regulates a power beam from at least one of the satellites of the plurality of space-based satellites as the power is transmitted to the receiver to provide for radiation from the power beam to be at an acceptable exposure limit for a life form during wireless transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a plurality of space-based satellites is disclosed where each satellite has at least one of an energy capture component and an energy generator component, an energy conversion component to convert the at least one of captured energy and generated energy into a power beam for wireless transmission, and a communication system to provide for each satellite in the plurality of space-based satellites to communicate between each other. The system also includes a controller to control power beam generation from at least one satellite of the plurality of satellites. Another system and method are also disclosed.