Methods and apparatus for beaming power

• US 6,534,705 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2001
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Power Beaming Corporation
• Original Assignee: Power Beaming Corporation
• Inventors: Berrios, Jesus, Cox, Eric L., Porter, Terry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAMOND, ALAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/912,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20020046763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 136/244, 136/291, 136/292, 244/173, 244/1.R, 323/221, 323/906, 322/2.R
• US Class Current: 136/243
• CPC Class Codes: F03H 3/00 Use of photons to produce a reactive propulsive thrust
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/906 Solar cell systems

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for beaming power from one location to another are provided. Energy is used to power one or more lasers to provide a coherent, wide-aperture beam, which is directed to the receiving platform. Photovoltaic cells on the receiving platform convert energy of the laser beam into electrical energy. Receiving platforms are provided that take advantage of the higher energy density in the laser beam.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a remote platform including a photovoltaic cell; and

an optical power emitter including a plurality of lasers to provide a plurality of laser beams having photonic energy, the plurality of beams being coherent with respect to each other;

wherein the optical power emitter directs the plurality of beams at the platform; and

wherein the platform is at an altitude with respect to the optical power emitter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the beams include wide aperture beams.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wide aperture beams have apertures greater than 10 centimeters.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wide aperture beams have apertures in the range of 10 to 10,000 centimeters.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the average power density within the wide aperture beams is less than 1.4 kW/m².

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the average power density within the wide aperture beams is greater than 1.37 kW/m².

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lasers are operated in a pulsed mode.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lasers includes an array of light emitting diodes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lasers are operated in a continuous mode.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic cell converts the photonic energy received from the optical power emitter into electrical energy.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the frequency of the beams is selected to optimize the phonetic energy conversion to electrical energy and minimize the phonetic energy conversion to heat.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical power emitter is located on earth.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the platform includes a platform for a satellite located outside the earth'"'"'s atmosphere.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the platform includes a platform for an aircraft aloft inside the earth'"'"'s atmosphere.

15. A method for a degraded photovoltaic cell comprising:

overly illuminating the degraded photovoltaic cell with a laser beam to supply the photovoltaic cell with the avenge photonic energy of more than one sun equivalent;

wherein the over-illumination increases the electrical energy production capacity for the degraded photovoltaic cell to approximately the same level as the electrical energy production capacity for a good photovoltaic cell illuminated with the average photonic energy of one sun equivalent.

16. The method of claim 15, including simultaneously illuminating the degraded photovoltaic cell with a laser beam having photonic energy and a solar ray having solar energy.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein overly illuminating the degraded photovoltaic cell extends the lifetime of the degraded photovoltaic cell.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein overly illuminating the degraded photovoltaic cell reduces the size needed for an array of a plurality of photovoltaic cells including the degraded photovoltaic cell.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the over-illumination increases the electrical energy production capacity of the degraded photovoltaic cell to a level that exceeds the capacity of a good photovoltaic cell illuminated with the average photonic energy of one sun equivalent.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein overly illuminating the degraded photovoltaic cell reduces the size needed for an array of a plurality of photovoltaic cells including the degraded photovoltaic cell.