Waveguide-Backed Antenna Array for Drone Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drone systems require frequent battery charging, leading to increased complexity, cost, and the need for multiple drones, which limits their operational efficiency and payload capacity due to the finite battery life and charging time.
Innovation Solution
A battery-charging subsystem that uses a high-power energy beam, such as a metamaterial surface-scattering antenna array, to charge drone batteries wirelessly while the drone is in service, reducing the number of drones needed and eliminating the need for mechanical or human battery swapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drones are equipped with finite-capacity batteries for operation, then the drones can perform tasks such as security monitoring and package delivery, but the batteries require periodic charging which increases system complexity, acquisition costs, and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical battery-swapping system with a wireless energy transfer system using electromagnetic fields. The drone receives power through a rectenna that converts microwave energy to electrical energy, eliminating the need for physical battery replacement mechanisms and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless power transmission system between the power source and the drone. A ground-based or aerial power station transmits energy via microwave beams through the atmosphere to the drone's rectenna, serving as a mediator that enables continuous operation without direct physical connection.
2Reliability
If multiple drones are deployed to ensure continuous operation during battery charging, then operational continuity is maintained, but the number of drones required increases leading to higher acquisition and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation of the drone by providing uninterrupted power supply through wireless energy transfer. The drone can recharge its batteries mid-mission or extend operational duration significantly, eliminating the need to return to base for battery swapping and maintaining continuous useful action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary charging action by establishing wireless power transmission capabilities before battery depletion occurs. The drone can top-up its battery during flight or positioning, preventing operational interruption rather than reacting after battery exhaustion.
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend operational duration, then service time between charges increases, but the weight and volume of the drone increase reducing payload capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wireless recharging action where the drone can intermittently receive power bursts during flight or at designated locations. This periodic energy supplementation extends operational duration without requiring a single large battery, maintaining lightweight design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent solves the weight-duration contradiction by adding a temporal dimension to power supply through periodic wireless recharging. Instead of increasing battery mass for extended duration, the system provides energy over time through repeated wireless transmission cycles, effectively extending service time without increasing weight.
4Productivity
If battery charging infrastructure is expanded to support more drones, then operational capacity increases, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal wireless power transmission system that can serve multiple drones simultaneously or sequentially. The ground-based or aerial power station can direct energy beams to any drone within range, providing multi-functionality that replaces multiple dedicated charging stations with a single versatile platform.
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 solution allows for a reduction in the number of drones and batteries required, decreases system complexity and cost, and enables drones to carry heavier payloads by enabling continuous operation and charging on the fly, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A waveguide-backed antenna array with distributed signal amplifiers for transmission of a high-power beam
Implementation Method 2
distributed signal amplifiers for transmission of a high-power beam
Implementation Method 3
transmission of a high-power beam
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of an antenna configured to form a high-power beam, such as a battery-charging beam, includes a transmission structure, signal couplers, amplifiers, and antenna elements. The transmission structure (e.g., a waveguide) is configured to carry a reference signal (e.g., a traveling reference wave), and each of the signal couplers is configured to generate a respective intermediate signal in response to the reference signal at a respective location along the transmission structure. Each of the amplifiers is configured to amplify, selectively, an intermediate signal from a respective one of the couplers, and each of the antenna elements (e.g., conductive patches) is configured to radiate a respective elemental signal in response to an amplified intermediate signal from a respective one of the amplifiers. In operation, the elemental signals interfere with one another to form a transmission beam, such as a battery-charging, or other high-power, transmission beam.