Thin-Film Metasurface Antenna Array for Lightweight Space Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metasurface antennas for wireless energy transmission in aerospace applications are limited by weight and space requirements due to the use of dielectric substrates.
Innovation Solution
The development of an antenna element and array utilizing thin-film membranes and an electromagnetic metasurface with a metallic coating, allowing for lightweight and foldable designs that can receive and emit electromagnetic radiation, particularly suited for wireless energy transmission in space applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dielectric substrates are used in metasurface antennas, then the antenna can achieve unusual reflection/transmission properties and modify dispersion properties, but the weight and space requirements increase making them unsuitable for aerospace applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dielectric substrate from the metasurface antenna structure, extracting only the essential functional components (metasurface pattern, feeding mechanism, ground plane) that can operate in free-space or with minimal support structure. This extraction eliminates the heavy dielectric material while preserving the antenna's electromagnetic functionality for wireless energy transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-film membranes as support structures instead of bulk dielectric substrates. These thin films provide mechanical support while minimizing weight, allowing the metasurface pattern to be formed on a lightweight substrate that is suitable for aerospace applications where weight is critical
2Reliability
If dielectric substrates are used in metasurface antennas, then the antenna can achieve unusual reflection/transmission properties and modify dispersion properties, but the space requirements increase making them unsuitable for aerospace applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bulky dielectric substrate and replaces it with thin-film membranes and minimal support structures. This extraction reduces the overall volume of the antenna while maintaining the metasurface's ability to achieve unusual reflection/transmission properties and modify dispersion properties through its pattern design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a bulky three-dimensional dielectric substrate to a two-dimensional thin-film membrane structure. This dimensional reduction significantly decreases the volume occupied by the antenna while preserving its electromagnetic functionality, making it suitable for space-constrained aerospace applications
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 provides a lightweight and compact antenna system capable of efficient wireless energy transmission over long distances, addressing the weight and space constraints of conventional antennas in aerospace applications.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic metasurface arranged on a first side of the first thin-film membrane opposite of the second thin-film membrane
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to an antenna element (100) comprising a first thin-film membrane (110); second thin-film membrane (120) arranged essentially parallel to and spaced apart from the first thin-film membrane (110); an electromagnetic metasurface (130) arranged on a first side (111) of the first thin-film membrane (110) opposite of the second thin-film membrane (120); and a metallic coating (140) arranged on a first side (121) of the second thin-film membrane (120) opposite of the first thin-film membrane (110). The present invention is further directed to an antenna array.