Beam power with broadcaster impingement detection

• US 8,008,615 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Wood, Victoria Y. H., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Weaver, Thomas A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Nugent, Thomas J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sohn; Seung C
• Application Number:
  US12/286,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20100079008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 250/227.26, 250/205, 250/206, 250/214.R, 372/38.1, 342/457, 342/357.1, 342/357.12, 455/69, 455/522, 455/523, 455/70, 455/92
• US Class Current: 250/227.26
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• 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 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/807 Optical power feeding, i.e. transmitting power using an optical signal

Abstract

A beam power source transmits a signal indicating power availability, receives a request for power in response, and beams power in response to the request.

Claims

1. A system for supplying beamed power, comprising:

a power beaming unit configured to supply power to a receiving unit in the form of a power beam;

a guard beaming unit configured to produce a guard beam configured to substantially surround the power beam; and

a detection unit configured to recognize an imminent impingement on the power beam, the detection unit including;

a receiver configured to receive a guard beam reflected from the receiving unit; and

decision circuitry configured to determine that the reflected guard beam has been interrupted and to direct the power beaming unit to modulate the power beam.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein modulating the power beam includes suspending the power beam.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein modulating the power beam includes terminating the power beam.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a beam combiner configured to combine the power beam and the guard beam in a substantially collinear arrangement.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the guard beam is substantially cylindrical.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the guard beam includes a plurality of beams arranged around the power beam.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the guard beam is configured to scan an area substantially surrounding the power beam.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the guard beam includes a plurality of substantially concentric beams.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the guard beaming unit is configured to produce a guard beam by reflecting energy from a retroreflector array located at the receiving unit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the guard beaming unit is configured to produce the guard beam by reflecting fringes of the power beam.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the guard beam differs in wavelength, polarity, modulation, or character from the power beam.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the decision unit is configured to determine a characteristic of an object impinging on the guard beam.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the characteristic of the object is selected from the group consisting of speed, direction, size, shape, and composition.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the guard beam is electromagnetic.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the guard beam is acoustic.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a beam optimization unit configured to use information received from the receiver to adjust a power beam characteristic.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the beam optimization unit is configured to adjust a beam spot size, shape, power, intensity, or power-time profile.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power within an enclosed space.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power directly to the receiving unit.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power to a beam-directing element configured to redirect the power to the receiving unit.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to gradually increase an amount of power beamed from the power beaming unit.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam electromagnetic power.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the electromagnetic power has an optical frequency.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the electromagnetic power has an RF frequency.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit includes a laser that generates a power beam.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam pulsed power.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power continuously.

28. A system for supplying beamed power, comprising:

a power beaming unit configured to supply power to a receiving unit in the form of a power beam;

a guard beaming unit configured to produce a guard beam configured to substantially surround the power beam; and

a detection unit configured to recognize an imminent impingement on the power beam, the detection unit including;

a receiver configured to receive a guard beam reflected from the receiving unit; and

decision circuitry configured to determine that the reflected guard beam has been interrupted and to direct the power beaming unit to reroute the power beam.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising a beam combiner configured to combine the power beam and the guard beam in a substantially collinear arrangement.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the guard beam is substantially cylindrical.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the guard beam includes a plurality of beams arranged around the power beam.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein the guard beam is configured to scan an area substantially surrounding the power beam.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the guard beam includes a plurality of substantially concentric beams.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the guard beaming unit is configured to produce a guard beam by reflecting energy from a retroreflector array located at the receiving unit.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the guard beaming unit is configured to produce the guard beam by reflecting fringes of the power beam.

36. The system of claim 28, wherein the guard beam differs in wavelength, polarity, modulation, or character from the power beam.

37. The system of claim 28, wherein the decision unit is configured to determine a characteristic of an object impinging on the guard beam.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the characteristic of the object is selected from the group consisting of speed, direction, size, shape, and composition.

39. The system of claim 28, wherein the decision unit is configured to select a beam-directing element and to instruct the power beaming unit to direct the power beam toward the beam-directing element.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the decision unit is further configured to direct the selected beam-directing element to redirect the power beam toward the receiving unit.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the decision unit is further configured to direct the selected beam-directing element to redirect the power beam toward a second beam-directing element.

42. The system of claim 28, wherein the guard beam is electromagnetic.

43. The system of claim 28, wherein the guard beam is acoustic.

44. The system of claim 28, further comprising a beam optimization unit configured to use information received from the receiver to adjust a power beam characteristic.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the beam optimization unit is configured to adjust a beam spot size, shape, power, intensity, or power-time profile.

46. The system of claim 28, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power within an enclosed space.

47. The system of claim 28, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power directly to the receiving unit.

48. The system of claim 28, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power to a beam-directing element configured to redirect the power to the receiving unit.

49. The system of claim 28, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to gradually increase an amount of power beamed from the power beaming unit.

50. The system of claim 28, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam electromagnetic power.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the electromagnetic power has an optical frequency.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the electromagnetic power has an RF frequency.

53. The system of claim 28, wherein the power beaming unit includes a laser that generates a power beam.

54. The system of claim 28, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam pulsed power.

55. The system of claim 28, wherein the power beaming unit is configured to beam power continuously.

56. A method for supplying beamed power, comprising:

directing a composite power beam toward a receiving unit, the composite power beam including a main power beam and a guard beam substantially surrounding the main power beam;

receiving a reflection of at least a portion of the composite power beam from the receiving unit, the reflection including a reflection of at least a portion of the guard beam;

monitoring the received reflection to identify an impingement on the guard beam; and

modulating at least the main power beam.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein modulating at least the main power beam includes terminating the main power beam.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein modulating at least the main power beam includes suspending the main power beam.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising combining the power beam and the guard beam in a substantially collinear arrangement.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein the guard beam is substantially cylindrical.

61. The method of claim 56, wherein the guard beam includes a plurality of beams arranged around the power beam.

62. The method of claim 56, further comprising scanning the guard beam in an area substantially surrounding the power beam.

63. The method of claim 56, wherein the guard beam includes a plurality of substantially concentric beams.

64. The method of claim 56, further comprising producing a guard beam by reflecting energy from a retroreflector array located at the receiving unit.

65. The method of claim 56, further comprising producing the guard beam by reflecting fringes of the power beam.

66. The method of claim 56, wherein the guard beam differs in wavelength, polarity, modulation, or character from the power beam.

67. The method of claim 56, further comprising determining a characteristic of an object impinging on the guard beam.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the characteristic of the object is selected from the group consisting of speed, direction, size, shape, and composition.

69. The method of claim 56, wherein the guard beam is electromagnetic.

70. The method of claim 56, wherein the guard beam is acoustic.

71. The method of claim 56, further comprising using the monitored received reflection to adjust a power beam characteristic.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein adjusting includes adjusting a beam spot size, shape, intensity, power, or power-time profile.

73. The method of claim 56, wherein directing a composite power beam includes directing the composite power beam within an enclosed space.

74. The method of claim 56, wherein directing a composite power beam includes beaming power directly to the receiving unit.

75. The method of claim 56, wherein directing a composite power beam includes beaming power to a beam-directing element configured to redirect the power to the receiving unit.

76. The method of claim 56, wherein directing a composite power beam includes gradually increasing an amount of power beamed.

77. The method of claim 56, wherein the main power beam is electromagnetic.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the main power beam has an optical frequency.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the main power beam has an RF frequency.

80. The method of claim 56, wherein the main power beam is generated by a laser.

81. The method of claim 56, wherein directing a composite power beam includes directing a pulsed main power beam.

82. The method of claim 56, wherein directing a composite power beam includes directing a continuous main power beam.

83. A method for supplying beamed power, comprising:

directing a composite power beam toward a receiving unit, the composite power beam including a main power beam and a guard beam substantially surrounding the main power beam;

receiving a reflection of at least a portion of the composite power beam from the receiving unit, the reflection including a reflection of at least a portion of the guard beam;

monitoring the received reflection to identify an impingement on the guard beam; and

rerouting the composite power beam.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising combining the power beam and the guard beam in a substantially collinear arrangement.

85. The method of claim 83, wherein the guard beam is substantially cylindrical.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein the guard beam includes a plurality of beams arranged around the power beam.

87. The method of claim 83, further comprising scanning the guard beam in an area substantially surrounding the power beam.

88. The method of claim 83, wherein the guard beam includes a plurality of substantially concentric beams.

89. The method of claim 83, further comprising producing a guard beam by reflecting energy from a retroreflector array located at the receiving unit.

90. The method of claim 83, further comprising producing the guard beam by reflecting fringes of the power beam.

91. The method of claim 83, wherein the guard beam differs in wavelength, polarity, modulation, or character from the power beam.

92. The method of claim 83, further comprising determining a characteristic of an object impinging on the guard beam.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the characteristic of the object is selected from the group consisting of speed, direction, size, shape, and composition.

94. The method of claim 83, wherein rerouting the composite power beam includes selecting a beam-directing element and instructing the power beaming unit to direct the power beam toward the selected beam-directing element.

95. The system of claim 94, further comprising directing the selected beam-directing element to redirect the power beam toward the receiver.

96. The system of claim 94, further comprising directing the selected beam-directing element to redirect the power beam toward a second beam-directing element.

97. The method of claim 83, wherein the guard beam is electromagnetic.

98. The method of claim 83, wherein the guard beam is acoustic.

99. The method of claim 83, further comprising using the monitored received reflection to adjust a power beam characteristic.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein adjusting includes adjusting a beam spot size, shape, power, intensity, or power-time profile.

101. The method of claim 83, wherein directing a composite power beam includes directing the composite power beam within an enclosed space.

102. The method of claim 83, wherein power directly to the receiving unit.

103. The method of claim 83, wherein directing a composite power beam includes beaming power to a beam-directing element configured to redirect the power to the receiving unit.

104. The method of claim 83, wherein directing a composite power beam includes gradually increasing an amount of power beamed.

105. The method of claim 83, wherein the main power beam is electromagnetic.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein the main power beam has an optical frequency.

107. The method of claim 105, wherein the main power beam has an RF frequency.

108. The method of claim 83, wherein the main power beam is generated by a laser.

109. The method of claim 83, wherein directing a composite power beam includes directing a pulsed main power beam.

110. The method of claim 83, wherein directing a composite power beam includes directing a continuous main power beam.