Space Solar Power Beaming With Diode Lasers and Ground PV Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Space-based solar power systems face limitations such as large apertures in space and ground, safety issues due to microwave exposure, and high costs, while optical systems require expensive materials and precise pointing for efficient power transmission.
Innovation Solution
A system using diode lasers as artificial light sources with low coherence, directly coupled to photovoltaic arrays, and a radiator panel for heat dissipation, allowing for larger receiver apertures and efficient power conversion using conventional solar cells, reducing the need for intermediate optical-to-optical conversion and complex power electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If microwave-based systems are used for space-based solar power transmission, then power transmission capability is improved, but safety issues arise due to allowable microwave exposure limits and large aperture requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of electromagnetic radiation type from microwave to optical frequency. This parameter change allows power transmission at higher frequencies with correspondingly lower exposure limits, resolving the safety contradiction while maintaining transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from microwave-based power transmission to optical-based power transmission, representing a dimensional change in the electromagnetic spectrum. This enables the use of different safety standards and exposure limits applicable to optical radiation rather than microwave radiation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical SSP systems use small earth apertures with high beam quality laser sources, then safety intensity limits are improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring high beam quality lasers and specialized photovoltaic materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, commercially available solar photovoltaic materials instead of specialized high-cost materials. This allows the use of lower beam quality light sources and simpler optical systems while maintaining effective power conversion, reducing both device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the optical system to match the spectral response of conventional solar photovoltaic materials. This parameter alignment enables the use of standard, low-cost PV cells rather than specialized materials, thereby reducing device complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If optical SSP systems use terrestrial solar cell arrays made of conventional materials, then ease of manufacture is improved, but efficiency decreases due to mismatch with laser wavelength and need for optical-to-optical conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the wavelength parameter of the transmitted light to match the spectral sensitivity peak of conventional silicon photovoltaic cells. This parameter matching eliminates the need for optical-to-optical conversion and enables direct electrical conversion, simultaneously achieving ease of manufacture and high efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the intermediate optical-to-optical conversion stage from the system architecture. By directly illuminating conventional photovoltaic cells with laser light at matched wavelengths, the system extracts only the essential power conversion function, eliminating unnecessary conversion steps and improving overall efficiency
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 increases system efficiency, reduces thermal demands, and allows for safe and efficient power transmission with existing solar cell technologies, overcoming the limitations of previous systems by using incoherently combined diode lasers and conventional solar arrays.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic array disposed in an area on the earth or other celestial body that is 200 m-20 km or more in any one dimension and is configured to receive the projected one or more beams of light and is configured to convert the received one or more beams of light into electricity
Implementation Method 2
an artificial light source disposed at a distance from earth or other celestial body, where the artificial light source is configured to project one or more beams of light onto the earth or other celestial body
Implementation Method 3
a radiator panel thermally coupled to the artificial light source and configured to dissipate heat generated by the artificial light source when projecting the one or more beams of light
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provides a system having an artificial light source disposed at a distance from earth or other celestial body, where the artificial light source is configured to project one or more beams of light onto the earth or other celestial body. The system may include a photovoltaic array disposed in an area on the earth or other celestial body that is 200 m-20 km or more in any one dimension that is configured to receive the projected one or more beams of light and is configured to convert the received one or more beams of light into electricity.