Thermal Rectenna Array for Narrowband Heat-to-Power Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for converting thermal energy into electrical energy are inefficient, particularly in near field applications, due to the challenge of capturing broadband, incoherent thermal radiation, and the difficulty in achieving coherent, narrowband radiation for effective energy harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A novel system comprising a rectenna with an antenna and rectifying diodes, in conjunction with a radiator that emits coherent narrowband electromagnetic waves, allowing for efficient capture and conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy by utilizing a radiator with a specific design and material composition to emit narrowband lobes, and a vacuum chamber to minimize scattering effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If broadband antennas are used to capture thermal radiation, then the coverage of wavelengths is improved, but the efficiency of energy capture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband thermal radiation spectrum is segmented into multiple narrowband frequency ranges, with each rectenna element tuned to a specific frequency range. This segmentation allows each element to operate at peak efficiency for its designated band while collectively covering the full broadband spectrum, resolving the contradiction between wavelength coverage and energy capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multiple rectenna elements that can be dynamically configured or activated based on the thermal radiation spectrum being harvested. By adapting which elements are active and adjusting their resonance frequencies, the system maintains high efficiency across varying thermal sources while preserving broadband coverage capability.
2Loss of energy
If narrowband rectennas are used for efficient rectification, then the rectification efficiency is improved, but the ability to capture broadband thermal radiation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple narrowband rectenna elements are merged into a single integrated system, where each element maintains its narrowband optimization for high rectification efficiency while the collective array provides broadband capture capability. The merging of multiple specialized elements creates a system that achieves both high efficiency and broad coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The rectenna array is designed with multi-functionality, where each element serves a specific narrowband function but the overall system performs broadband thermal radiation harvesting. This universal design allows the system to efficiently handle diverse thermal sources across different temperature ranges and emission spectra.
3Adaptability or versatility
If incoherent broadband radiation is captured, then the coverage of thermal spectrum is improved, but the antenna and rectifier efficiency deteriorates due to deconstructive interference
Solution Approach 1:
The incoherent broadband radiation is segmented into discrete narrowband frequency components, with each rectenna element resonating at its designated frequency. This segmentation transforms the problematic incoherent broadband input into organized narrowband signals that constructively interfere at each resonant element, eliminating deconstructive interference while maintaining full spectral coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the frequency parameter distribution by using resonant coupling between the antenna and rectifier elements at specific narrowband frequencies. This parameter transformation converts the broad, incoherent frequency distribution into concentrated resonant responses, dramatically improving efficiency while preserving broadband coverage through the ensemble of resonant elements.
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 conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy, increasing efficiency by capturing coherent radiation and reducing interference, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing technologies in both near and far field regions.
Implementation Method 1
a rectenna with an antenna and rectifying diodes, in conjunction with a radiator that emits coherent narrowband electromagnetic waves, allowing for efficient capture and conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a radiator with a specific design and material composition to emit narrowband lobes
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device to collect and convert thermal energy from the surrounding environments to produce usable electric power. The device includes a rectenna that is preferably a narrow bandwidth rectenna. In an embodiment, the rectenna comprises a rectenna complex, which is, in sequence, a high gain antenna, optional matching circuits, an optional narrow bandpass filter, and one or more rectifying diodes. An embodiment may include multiple arrays of linked nanoscale rectenna complexes. When linked in arrays using preselected bandwidths in the infrared and near infrared spectral regions, the rectenna complex acts as a thermally responsive collector capable of extracting heat energy from its surrounding environment to produce usable electric power.