PHOTOVOLTAIC RECEIVER FOR BEAMED POWER
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic (PV) array comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells, each PV cell of the plurality of PV cells being configured to receive at least one optical power beam and convert power from the at least one optical power beam to electrical power; and
wherein the PV array has a surface geometry arrangement to equalize irradiance of the PV cells received from the at least one optical power beam across the PV array.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method directed to using a PV array and laser beamed-power for aircraft and satellites is provided. More specifically, a system and method directed to a PV receiver that reduces power losses caused by variations in irradiance is provided. The use of a sloped array with a grooved cover glass coated with reflective coating allows the system and method to receive the laser beamed power at an angle and reduce any losses while producing a maximum power output. In addition, the use of capacitors in parallel with the PV cells in the array reduces resistive losses caused by short-term optical fluctuations and assists in maximizing power output for the array.
24 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic (PV) array comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells, each PV cell of the plurality of PV cells being configured to receive at least one optical power beam and convert power from the at least one optical power beam to electrical power; and wherein the PV array has a surface geometry arrangement to equalize irradiance of the PV cells received from the at least one optical power beam across the PV array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of converting laser beam power to electrical energy with a photovoltaic (PV) array, the PV array comprised of a plurality of PV cells, the method comprising:
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providing the PV array on an airborne vehicle, the PV array having a surface geometry arranged to equalize irradiance of the plurality of PV cells received from the laser power beam across the PV array; directing the laser beam toward the PV array; receiving the laser beam on the PV array; converting the laser beam into electrical power; and powering the airborne vehicle with the converted electrical power. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification