Multi-layered safety system

• US 10,634,813 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2016
• Issued: 04/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LaserMotive Inc.
• Original Assignee: LaserMotive Inc.
• Inventors: Kare, Jordin T., Nugent, Jr., Thomas J., Bashford, David, Erickson, Carsten Casey, Bashford, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ko, Tony
• Application Number:
  US15/574,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20180131449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,441 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/06 Systems determining position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/87 Combinations of systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/006 using shared front-end circuitry, e.g. antennas G01S13/765, G01S13/825 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/484 Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/22 using reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/005 Optical components external to the laser cavity, specially adapted therefor, e.g. for homogenisation or merging of the beams or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping H01S5/026, H01S5/18388 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0085 for modulating the output, i.e. the laser beam is modulated outside the laser cavity
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/06216 Pulse modulation or generation
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/423 having a vertical cavity
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1141 One-way transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/807 Optical power feeding, i.e. transmitting power using an optical signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators

Abstract

Embodiments are directed towards a safety system that can be used with a high-flux power beam, such as in wireless power transmission. The system includes a transmitter that generates and transmits a power beam and a receiver that receives the power beam. A plurality of sensors is configured to independently detect if an object is near, impeding, or about to impede (i.e., impinging) the power beam. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect the object at different distances between the transmitter and the receiver. A controller triggers the transmitter to stop generating the power beam when any one or more of the plurality of sensors detects the object or a combination of the plurality of sensors detects the object. The controller triggers the transmitter to re-generate and transmit the power beam when each of the plurality of sensors fails to detect the object.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a transmitter to generate a power beam;

a receiver to receive at least a portion of the power beam;

a plurality of sensors arranged to independently detect when an object is proximate to the power beam, at least a first set of one or more sensors of the plurality of sensors arranged to detect the object at or within a first detection volume between the transmitter and the receiver, at least a second set of one or more sensors of the plurality of sensors arranged to detect the object at or within a second detection volume between the transmitter and the receiver, the first detection volume including a first distance range from the transmitter and the second detection volume including a second distance range from the transmitter, the first distance range being different from the second distance range; and

a controller to interrupt transmission of the power beam to the receiver as a result of a determination, based on information from one or more of the plurality of sensors, that the object is at risk of contacting the power beam.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes:

a plurality of cameras to capture a plurality of images of the object from one or more angles, wherein the controller is arranged to;

compare information associated with a position of the object in the plurality of images;

triangulate the position of the object; and

determine if the object is at risk of contacting the power beam based on the triangulated position of the object.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes:

a plurality of rangefinders, at least one of the plurality of rangefinders arranged to detect the object at or within the first detection volume and at least another one of the plurality of rangefinders arranged to detect the object at or within the second detection volume.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes:

an ultrasound-based sensor, an infrared-based sensor, and a radar-based sensor, each of the ultrasound-based sensor, infrared-based sensor, and radar-based sensor arranged to detect the object at or within a different distance between the transmitter and the receiver.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes:

a third sensor arranged to detect the object at or within a third detection volume between the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the first distance range is closest to the transmitter, wherein the second distance range partially overlap a portion of the first distance range, and wherein the third detection volume includes a third distance range closest to the receiver and partially overlapping a portion of the second distance range.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors includes:

a third sensor arranged to detect the object within a first radial distance from a central axis of the power beam; and

a fourth sensor arranged to detect the object within a second radial distance from the central axis of the power beam.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of sensors is arranged to provide an intrusion-detected signal to the controller when the one or more of the plurality of sensors detects the object, and wherein the controller, in response to the intrusion-detected signal from any of the plurality of sensors, is arranged to automatically interrupt power to the transmitter.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of sensors is arranged to provide intrusion detection information to the controller when the one or more of the plurality of sensors detects the object, wherein the controller is arranged to generate an intrusion probability based on a weight of the intrusion detection information received from at least some of the one or more of the plurality of sensors, and wherein the controller is arranged to automatically interrupt transmission of the power beam when the intrusion probability crosses a predetermined threshold.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors includes:

an emitter arranged to emit a time-varying optical signal substantially parallel to the power beam toward at least one reflector;

a detector arranged to generate an output based on a reflection of the time-varying optical signal; and

wherein the controller is arranged to automatically interrupt transmission of the power beam in response to the detector output crossing a predetermined threshold.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors includes:

a timing source arranged to generate a time-varying electrical signal;

an emitter positioned in proximity to the transmitter and configured to utilize the time-varying electrical signal to emit a time-varying optical signal toward a reflector positioned in proximity to the receiver;

a detector arranged to generate a light-intensity output and a pulsed output based on a reflection of the time-varying optical signal;

intensity-threshold circuitry arranged to provide a first trigger to the controller when the light-intensity output is outside a first threshold; and

time-of-flight circuitry arranged to provide a second trigger to the controller when a delay between the pulsed output and the time-varying electrical signal crosses a second threshold; and

wherein the controller is arranged to automatically interrupt transmission of the power beam in response to receiving the first trigger or the second trigger.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of sensors include:

a plurality of light emitters arranged to produce a light curtain that surrounds the power beam.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged to trigger the transmitter to transmit the power beam when each of the plurality of sensors fails to detect the object.

13. A method, comprising:

transmitting a power beam from a transmitter toward a receiver;

employing a plurality of sensors arranged to independently detect an object proximate to the power beam, at least a first set of one or more sensors of the plurality of sensors arranged to detect the object at or within a first distance range between the transmitter and the receiver, at least a second set of one or more sensors of the plurality of sensors arranged to detect the object at or within a second distance range between the transmitter and the receiver, the first distance range different from the second distance range;

receiving, from at least one of the plurality of sensors, information indicating that the object is proximate to the power beam;

determining, using the information from the at least one of the plurality of sensors, that the object is at risk of contacting the power beam;

disabling transmission of the power beam in response to the determination that the object is at risk of contacting the power beam.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the employing of the plurality of sensors includes:

emitting a time-varying optical signal from an emitter that is in proximity to the transmitter toward a reflector that is in proximity to the receiver;

receiving a reflection of the time-varying optical signal;

generating a light-intensity output based on a return signal;

determining if the light-intensity output is outside a threshold value; and

in response to the light-intensity output being outside the threshold value, providing the determination that the object at risk of contacting the power beam.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the employing of the plurality of sensors includes:

generating a time-varying electrical signal;

emitting, from an emitter that is in proximity to the transmitter, a time-varying optical signal toward a reflector that is in proximity to the receiver, the time-varying optical signal based on the time-varying electrical signal;

receiving a reflection of the time-varying optical signal;

generating a pulsed output based on the reflection of the time-varying optical signal;

determining if a delay between the pulsed output and the time-varying electrical signal is outside a threshold; and

in response to the delay being outside the threshold, providing the determination that the object is at risk of contacting the power beam.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving intrusion detection information from two or more of the plurality of sensors when the two or more of the plurality of sensors detect the object;

generating an intrusion probability based on a weight of the intrusion detection information received from the two or more sensors of the plurality of sensors; and

interrupting the power beam when the intrusion probability exceeds a predetermined threshold.

17. A system, comprising:

a transmitter that generates a power beam;

a receiver that receives the power beam;

a reflector positioned in proximity to the receiver;

at least one single-sided sensor, including;

a timing source configured to generate a time-varying electrical signal;

an emitter positioned in proximity to the transmitter, the emitter electrically coupled to the timing source and configured to utilize the time-varying electrical signal to emit a time-varying optical signal toward the reflector;

a detector configured to generate a light-intensity output and a pulsed output based on a return signal derived from a reflection of the time-varying optical signal;

intensity-threshold circuitry electrically coupled to the detector and configured to generate a first trigger when the light-intensity output crosses a first threshold;

time-of-flight circuitry electrically coupled to the timing source and the detector, the time-of-flight circuitry configured to generate a second trigger when a delay between the pulsed output and the time-varying electrical signal crosses a second threshold; and

a controller electrically coupled to the intensity-threshold circuitry and the time-of-flight circuitry, the controller configured to generate a third trigger, the third trigger arranged to cause interruption of the power beam when the intensity-threshold circuitry generates the first trigger or the time-of-flight circuitry generates the second trigger; and

a processor that interrupts transmission of the power beam when the third trigger is received from the controller.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a plurality of cameras configured to capture a plurality of images of an object from one or more angles; and

wherein the processor is configured to compare information associated with the plurality of images, triangulate a position of the object based on the information, and cause interruption of the power beam based on the triangulated position of the object.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a plurality of rangefinders, at least one of the plurality of rangefinders arranged to detect the object at or within a first detection volume between the transmitter and the receiver and at least another one of the plurality of rangefinders arranged to detect the object at or within a second detection volume between the transmitter and the receiver; and

wherein the processor is arranged to cause interruption of the power beam when any of the plurality of rangefinders detect an object.

20. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a first sensor arranged to detect an object at or within a first detection volume between the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the first sensor is closest to the transmitter;

a second sensor arranged to detect the object at or within a second detection volume between the transmitter and the receiver;

a third sensor arranged to detect the object at or within a third detection volume between the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the third sensor is closest to the receiver and wherein the first detection volume includes a first distance that is a first distance range closest to the transmitter, wherein the second detection volume includes a second distance that is a second distance range partially overlapping a portion of the first distance range, and wherein the third detection volume includes a third distance that is a third distance range closest to the receiver and partially overlapping the second distance range; and

wherein the processor is arranged to cause interruption of the power beam when any of the first, second, or third sensors detects the object.