Optical Energy Transfer and Conversion System
First Claim
1. An optical power transfer system for launching a spacecraft into low Earth orbit comprising:
- a ground-based laser power generation station; and
a launch vehicle optically connected to said ground-based laser power generation station.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical power transfer system for launching a spacecraft into low Earth orbit comprising a ground-based laser power generation station and a launch vehicle optically connected thereto. The generation station is capable of generating high optical power in the range of kilowatts to tens of megawatts and transferring the optical power generated to a launch vehicle to generate thrust. The generation station comprises a high power source, a chilling station, a laser, optical fiber, and at least one coupler. The launch vehicle comprises an actively cooled fiber spooler mounted thereon with a length of fiber for transmission of high optical energy circumscribing at least part thereof. The launch vehicle also contains a working fluid and fluid reservoir, a thruster assembly, an air intake and a storage chamber. In alternative embodiments, the launch vehicle may contain a beam switch assembly, multiple fiber spoolers and multiple thruster assemblies wherein at least one thruster assembly is gimbaled.
24 Citations
42 Claims
-
1. An optical power transfer system for launching a spacecraft into low Earth orbit comprising:
-
a ground-based laser power generation station; and a launch vehicle optically connected to said ground-based laser power generation station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of launching a spacecraft into low Earth orbit using an optical power transfer system, said method comprising the steps of:
-
generating optical power at a base station; transmitting said optical power to a launch vehicle via an actively cooled fiber spooler on said launch vehicle, said transmitting step performed using an optical fiber; converting said optical power received by said launch vehicle to another form of energy usable by said launch vehicle; optically focusing said optical power into a reaction chamber to impinge on a refractory target; regeneratively feeding a working fluid to a heat exchanger contained within said actively cooled fiber spooler; pre-heating of said working fluid within said heat exchanger; injecting said working fluid into said reaction chamber; heating and expanding said working fluid within said reaction chamber; and channeling the exhaust through a rocket nozzle to produce thrust. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method of recovery of optical fiber expended during launch of a spacecraft, said method comprising the steps of:
-
affixing a first high energy connector to a drum spooler, said first high energy connector optically connected to a spacecraft; launching of said spacecraft; releasing an optical fiber connected at one end to said spacecraft from said spacecraft during launch of said spacecraft said optical fiber adapted for transmission of high optical energy sufficient to launch said spacecraft; engaging said optical fiber expended from said spacecraft to said drum spooler following said launching step; and collecting said optical fiber for processing, cleaning and rewinding for future use. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. An optical power transfer system for launching a multiple thruster spacecraft into low Earth orbit comprising:
-
a high power laser source; a launch vehicle; at least one actively cooled fiber spooler mounted on said launch vehicle and optically connected to said high power laser source; a first optical fiber connected at one end to said high power laser source and at the other end to said at least one actively cooled fiber spooler, said at least one actively cooled fiber spooler having a length of said first optical fiber circumscribing at least part thereof; a fiber guide extending distally from said at least one actively cooled fiber spooler, said fiber guide radially enclosing a portion of said first optical fiber; a beam switch assembly optically connected to said at least one actively cooled fiber spooler; and a plurality of thruster assemblies optically connected to said beam switch assembly. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. An optical power transfer system for launching a multiple thruster spacecraft into low Earth orbit comprising:
-
a high power laser source; a plurality of fiber spoolers; a first plurality of fiber having a first end connected to said high power laser source and a second end connected to said plurality of fiber spoolers; a plurality of fiber guides extending distally from said plurality of fiber spoolers, said plurality of fiber guides partially enclosing said first plurality of fiber; a plurality of laser injection assemblies in optical communication with said plurality of fiber spoolers; a second plurality of fiber having a first end connected to said plurality of laser injection assemblies and a second end connected to said plurality of fiber spoolers; at least one coupler positioned inline between said plurality of fiber spoolers and said plurality of laser injection assemblies; and at least one thruster assembly in optical communication with said plurality of laser injection assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
-
Specification