U.S. patent application number 15/574663 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-10 for power beaming vcsel arrangement.
The applicant listed for this patent is LASERMOTIVE, INC.. Invention is credited to Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr..
Application Number | 20180131450 15/574663 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56087538 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180131450 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kare; Jordin T. ; et
al. |
May 10, 2018 |
POWER BEAMING VCSEL ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
A power beaming system includes a power beam transmission unit
(102) to generate and transmit a high-flux power beam (106) toward
a receiving unit (108) at a remote location. The receiving unit
includes a photovoltaic array (128) having a defined perimeter
shape, and the power beam transmission unit includes at least one
vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array (150), which
has a plurality of VCSEL emitters (152). The power beam
transmission unit also includes a projection lens apparatus (126)
and a control system. The control system which comprises a
controller (136C) is arranged to control a light output of the
VCSEL array (150), which includes controllably enabling a selected
portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to the
defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array, and controllably
diffusing light with a diffuser (130) from the VCSEL array to
uniformly illuminate a projection surface of the projection lens
apparatus.
Inventors: |
Kare; Jordin T.; (San Jose,
CA) ; Nugent, Jr.; Thomas J.; (Bellevue, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LASERMOTIVE, INC. |
Kent |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56087538 |
Appl. No.: |
15/574663 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
May 18, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2016/033117 |
371 Date: |
November 16, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62163307 |
May 18, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 17/89 20130101;
H02J 50/60 20160201; G01S 7/484 20130101; H01S 5/005 20130101; H02J
50/90 20160201; H04B 10/807 20130101; G01S 17/06 20130101; H04B
10/1141 20130101; G01S 17/04 20200101; H02J 50/10 20160201; G01S
7/006 20130101; G01S 17/87 20130101; G01V 8/22 20130101; H01S
5/06216 20130101; H01S 5/423 20130101; H02J 50/30 20160201; G01S
17/88 20130101; H01S 5/0085 20130101; G01S 7/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 10/80 20060101
H04B010/80; H01S 5/42 20060101 H01S005/42; H01S 5/00 20060101
H01S005/00; H02J 50/30 20060101 H02J050/30; G01S 7/00 20060101
G01S007/00; G01S 17/89 20060101 G01S017/89; G01S 17/87 20060101
G01S017/87; G01S 7/484 20060101 G01S007/484 |
Claims
1. A power beaming system, comprising: a power beam transmission
unit to generate and transmit a high-flux power beam toward a
receiving unit at a remote location; and the receiving unit, the
receiving unit including a photovoltaic array having a defined
perimeter shape, wherein the power beam transmission unit includes:
at least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array
having a plurality of VCSEL emitters; a projection lens apparatus;
and a control system to control a light output of the VCSEL array,
wherein control of the light output of the VCSEL array includes
controllably enabling a selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL
emitters corresponding to the defined perimeter shape of the
photovoltaic array.
2. A power beaming system according to claim 1, comprising: at
least one diffusion apparatus positioned between the VCSEL array
and the projection lens apparatus wherein control of the light
output of the VCSEL array further includes controllably diffusing
light from the VCSEL array to uniformly illuminate a projection
surface of the projection lens apparatus.
3. A power beaming system according to claim 1, comprising: a
plurality of lenslets positioned between the VCSEL array and the
projection lens apparatus, each of the plurality of lenslets
arranged to decrease divergence of a light beam generated by a
corresponding VCSEL array element, wherein decreasing divergence of
light from a plurality of VCSEL array elements reduces an overlap
of light beams generated by adjacent VCSEL array elements.
4. A power beaming system according to claim 1, wherein the control
system includes: a processor; memory; and a switch module arranged
to enable and disable selected VCSEL emitters under control of the
processor.
5. A power beaming system according to claim 4, wherein the control
system is arranged to controllably enable selected VCSEL emitters
into a plurality of output patterns.
6. A power beaming system according to claim 5, wherein the
plurality of output patterns includes a circle, a hexagon, and a
rectangle.
7. A power beaming system according to claim 1, wherein the
projection lens apparatus includes at least one of: a
non-axisymmetric optical element to change an aspect ratio of the
high-flux power beam; and a rotation optical element to rotate the
high-flux power beam.
8. A power beaming system according to claim 7, wherein the control
system is arranged to change a position of at least one portion of
the projection lens apparatus.
9. A power beaming system according to claim 1, comprising: at
least one communication receiver associated with the power beam
transmission unit; and at least one communication transmitter
associated with the receiving unit, wherein the receiving unit is
arranged to automatically communicate information associated with
the received high-flux power beam, and wherein the transmission
unit is arranged to automatically change a position of at least one
portion of the projection lens apparatus in response to the
information communicated from the receiving unit.
10. A power beaming system according to claim 9, wherein the
information communicated from the receiving unit is associated with
a shape of the high-flux power beam, an intensity of the high-flux
power beam, or an orientation of the high-flux power beam.
11. A method to communicate a power beam, comprising: generating a
high-flux power beam from at least one vertical cavity surface
emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a plurality of VCSEL emitters;
as part of the generating, controllably enabling a selected portion
of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to a defined
perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array; diffusing light from the
VCSEL array to uniformly illuminate a projection surface of a
projection lens apparatus; and transmitting the shaped and focused
high-flux power beam toward the photovoltaic array of a receiving
unit at a remote location.
12. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11,
comprising: positioning at least one diffusion apparatus between
the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus.
13. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11,
wherein the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array is
one of a circle, a hexagon, and a rectangle.
14. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11,
wherein controllably enabling the selected portion of the plurality
of VCSEL emitters corresponding to the defined perimeter shape of
the photovoltaic array includes adjusting a position of a
non-axisymmetric optical element or a rotation optical element
relative to at least one portion of the projection lens
apparatus.
15. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11,
comprising: changing a position of at least one portion of the
projection lens apparatus.
16. A method to communicate a power beam according to claim 11,
comprising: receiving information communicated from the receiving
unit, the information associated with the received high-flux power
beam; and automatically changing a position of at least one portion
of the projection lens apparatus in response to the information
communicated from the receiving unit.
17. A power beaming transmission unit, comprising: at least one
vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a
plurality of VCSEL emitters; a projection lens apparatus; and a
control system arranged to selectively enable and disable a
determined portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding
to a defined perimeter shape of a remote photovoltaic array, the
control system further arranged to control a uniform illumination
of a projection surface of the projection lens apparatus.
18. A power beaming transmission unit according to claim 17,
comprising: at least one diffusion apparatus positioned between the
VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus.
19. A power beaming transmission unit according to claim 17,
comprising: a plurality of lenslets positioned between the VCSEL
array and the projection lens apparatus, each of the plurality of
lenslets arranged to adjust a level of divergence of a light beam
generated by a corresponding VCSEL array element.
20. A power beaming transmission unit according to claim 17,
wherein the control system is arranged to change a position of at
least one portion of the projection lens apparatus.
21. A power beaming transmission unit according to claim 17,
comprising: at least one communication receiver arranged to receive
information from a remote receiving unit, the information
associated with: a shape of a high-flux power beam generated and
transmitted by the power beaming transmission unit, an intensity of
the high-flux power beam generated and transmitted by the power
beaming transmission unit, or an orientation of the high-flux power
beam generated and transmitted by the power beaming transmission
unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/163,307, filed
on May 18, 2015, entitled "Provisional Patents for Wireless Power"
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to power beaming
technology. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present
disclosure relates to a vertical cavity surface emitting laser
(VCSEL) arrangement and use of said VCSEL in a power beaming
system.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] A power beaming system, which may also be called an optical
wireless power system, includes at least one transmitter and at
least one receiver. In a conventional laser power beaming system,
the transmitter forms a high-flux beam of laser light, which is
projected through the air over a distance toward the receiver. The
receiver, which may be in a remote area having an absence of easily
available power, includes a light reception module (e.g., a
photovoltaic module) to receive the high-flux beam of laser light.
At the receiver, the laser light is converted to usable electric
power, which is transported to one or more circuits where the power
is consumed, stored, or otherwise utilized.
[0004] In a conventional laser power transmitter, a laser assembly
converts electric power into optical power (i.e., light), typically
but not necessarily in the near-infrared (NIR) portion of the
optical spectrum wavelength between 0.7 and 2.0 .mu.m. The laser
assembly may comprise a single laser or multiple lasers, which may
be mutually coherent or incoherent. The light output of the laser
assembly passes through various optical elements (e.g., optical
fibers, lenses, mirrors, etc.), which convert the raw laser light
to a beam of a desired size, shape, for example, circular or
rectangular, power distribution, and divergence. Various elements
of the laser assembly also aim the light power beam toward the
receiver.
[0005] All of the subject matter discussed in the Background
section is not necessarily prior art and should not be assumed to
be prior art merely as a result of its discussion in the Background
section. Along these lines, any recognition of problems in the
prior art discussed in the Background section or associated with
such subject matter should not be treated as prior art unless
expressly stated to be prior art. Instead, the discussion of any
subject matter in the Background section should be treated as part
of the inventor's approach to the particular problem, which in and
of itself may also be inventive.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure is directed toward high-flux power
beam system technology. In conventional power beam systems, a
high-flux laser source generally provides high-flux light that is
shaped and projected toward a receiver. In the present disclosure,
rather than a conventional edge emitting, high-flux laser source,
vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) technology provides
the light that is projected toward a reception unit. In the
embodiments discussed herein, the problem of non-uniform
illumination of a receiver (e.g., a photovoltaic array) in a power
beam system is solved by providing and desirably controlling a
VCSEL means of generating high-flux light.
[0007] A first embodiment of the inventive concepts described
herein is directed to a power beaming system. The power beaming
system includes a power beam transmission unit arranged to generate
and transmit a high-flux power beam toward a receiving unit at a
remote location. The receiving unit includes a photovoltaic array
having a defined perimeter shape. In this embodiment, the power
beam transmission unit includes at least one vertical cavity
surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a plurality of VCSEL
emitters, a projection lens apparatus, and a control system to
control a light output of the VCSEL array. Control of the light
output of the VCSEL array includes controllably enabling a selected
portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to the
defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array, and controllably
diffusing light from the VCSEL array to uniformly illuminate a
projection surface of the projection lens apparatus.
[0008] In some cases of the first embodiment, the power beaming
system also includes at least one diffusion apparatus positioned
between the VCSEL array and the projection lens apparatus. In some
cases, the power beaming system includes a plurality of lenslets
positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens
apparatus. Here, each of the plurality of lenslets is arranged to
decrease the divergence of a light beam generated by a
corresponding VCSEL array element, wherein decreasing the
divergence of light from a plurality of VCSEL array elements
reduces an overlap of light generated by adjacent VCSEL array
elements.
[0009] In these or other cases of the first embodiment, the power
beaming system includes a processor, a memory, and a switch module
arranged to enable and disable selected VCSEL emitters under
control of the processor. The control system may be arranged to
controllably enable selected VCSEL emitters into a plurality of
output patterns, and in some cases, the plurality of output
patterns includes a circle, a hexagon, and a rectangle. In still
other cases of the first embodiment, the projection lens apparatus
includes at least one of a non-axisymmetric optical element to
change an aspect ratio of the high-flux power beam and a rotation
optical element to rotate the high-flux power beam. Here, the
control system may be arranged to change a position of at least one
portion of the projection lens apparatus.
[0010] The power beaming system of the first embodiment, in some
cases, includes at least one communication receiver associated with
the power beam transmission unit, and at least one communication
transmitter associated with the receiving unit. Here, the receiving
unit may be arranged to automatically communicate information
associated with the received high-flux power beam, and the
transmission unit may be arranged to automatically change a
position of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus
in response to the information communicated from the receiving
unit. In some cases, the information communicated from the
receiving unit is associated with a shape of the high-flux power
beam, an intensity of the high-flux power beam, or an orientation
of the high-flux power beam.
[0011] A second embodiment of the inventive concepts described
herein includes a method to communicate a power beam. The method
may include the acts of generating a high-flux light beam from at
least one vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array
having a plurality of VCSEL emitters, and as part of the
generating, controllably enabling a selected portion of the
plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding to a defined perimeter
shape of a photovoltaic array. The method may further include the
acts of diffusing light from the VCSEL array to uniformly
illuminate a projection surface of a projection lens apparatus and
transmitting the shaped and focused high-flux power beam toward the
photovoltaic array of a receiving unit at a remote location.
[0012] The method of the second embodiment to communicate a power
beam may also include the active positioning of at least one
diffusion apparatus between the VCSEL array and the projection lens
apparatus. In some cases, the defined perimeter shape of the
photovoltaic array is one of a circle, a hexagon, and a
rectangle.
[0013] In some cases of the second embodiment, controllably
enabling the selected portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters
corresponding to the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic
array includes adjusting a position of a non-axisymmetric optical
element or a rotation optical element relative to at least one
portion of the projection lens apparatus. In these, or in other
cases, the method also includes changing a position of at least one
portion of the projection lens apparatus. In some cases, the method
includes receiving information communicated from the receiving
unit, the information associated with the received high-flux power
beam, and automatically changing a position of at least one portion
of the projection lens apparatus in response to the information
communicated from the receiving unit.
[0014] A third embodiment of the inventive concepts described
herein includes a power beaming transmission unit. The power
beaming transmission unit includes at least one vertical cavity
surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array having a plurality of VCSEL
emitters, a projection lens apparatus, and a control system. The
control system is arranged to selectively enable and disable a
determined portion of the plurality of VCSEL emitters corresponding
to a defined perimeter shape of a remote photovoltaic array. The
control system is further arranged to control a uniform
illumination of a projection surface of the projection lens
apparatus.
[0015] In some cases of the third embodiment, the power beaming
transmission unit also includes at least one diffusion apparatus
positioned between the VCSEL array and the projection lens
apparatus. In some cases, the power beaming transmission unit
includes a plurality of lenslets positioned between the VCSEL array
and the projection lens apparatus. In this case, each of the
plurality of lenslets is arranged to adjust a level of divergence
of a light beam generated by a corresponding VCSEL array element.
In some cases, the control system is arranged to change a position
of at least one portion of the projection lens apparatus. In these
or other cases, at least one communication receiver is arranged to
receive information from a remote receiving unit. The information
is associated with a shape of a high-flux power beam generated and
transmitted by the power beaming transmission unit, an intensity of
the high-flux power beam generated and transmitted by the power
beaming transmission unit, or an orientation of the high-flux power
beam generated and transmitted by the power beaming transmission
unit. In still some other cases, the high-flux power beam is
modulated in order to communicate information to the remote
receiving unit.
[0016] This Brief Summary has been provided to introduce certain
concepts in a simplified form that are further described in detail
below in the Detailed Description Except where otherwise expressly
stated, the summary is not intended to identify key or essential
features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit
the scope of the claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described
with reference to the following drawings, wherein like labels refer
to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise
specified. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the
drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the
shapes of various elements are selected, enlarged, and positioned
to improve drawing legibility. The particular shapes of the
elements as drawn have been selected for ease of recognition in the
drawings. One or more embodiments are described hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical cavity surface
emitting laser (VCSEL) array, and an optional plurality of
additional VCSEL arrays, along with a cross-sectional view of a
VCSEL array;
[0019] FIGS. 2A-2F are VCSEL arrays formed with particular shapes
and patterns;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a power beaming system embodiment where a
plurality of VCSEL arrays illuminate a receiving unit;
[0021] FIGS. 4A-4E are power beaming system embodiments focusing a
power beam generated from a VCSEL array;
[0022] FIGS. 5A-5G are structures associated with power beaming
system embodiments that focus a high-flux power beam generated from
at least one VCSEL array;
[0023] FIGS. 6A-6C are VCSEL array embodiments illustrating various
levels of diffusion;
[0024] FIGS. 7A-7E are a VCSEL controller embodiment and various
VCSEL output patterns;
[0025] FIGS. 8A-8B are power beam control embodiments that change
the aspect of a VCSEL power beam in one direction;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a power beaming system embodiment arranged to
shape, aim, focus, and direct other aspects of a transmitted
high-flux power beam.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The present application is related to the following
applications filed on the same day as the present application,
naming the same inventors, and assigned to the same entity; each of
said applications incorporated herein by reference to the fullest
extent allowed by law: U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,
entitled MULTI-LAYERED SAFETY SYSTEM, bearing client number
720173.405; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled LIGHT
CURTAIN SAFETY SYSTEM, bearing client number 720173.406; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled DIFFUSION SAFETY
SYSTEM, bearing client number 720173.407; U.S. patent application
Ser. No. ______, entitled LOCATING POWER RECEIVERS, bearing client
number 720173.409; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,
entitled MULTISTAGE WIRELESS POWER, bearing client number
720173.410.
[0028] In the following description, certain specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various
disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or
more of these specific details, or with other methods, components,
materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures
associated with computing systems including client and server
computing systems, as well as networks, have not been shown or
described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions
of the embodiments.
[0029] Prior to setting forth the embodiments however, it may be
helpful to an understanding thereof to first set forth definitions
of certain terms that are used hereinafter.
[0030] The term "power beam" is used, in all its grammatical forms,
throughout the present disclosure and claims to refer to a
high-flux light transmission that may include a field of light,
that may be generally directional, that may be arranged for
steering/aiming to a suitable receiver. The power beams discussed
in the present disclosure include beams formed by one or more
high-flux VCSEL arrays or other like sources sufficient to deliver
a desirable level of power to a remote receiver without passing the
power over a conventional electrical conduit such as wire.
[0031] In the present disclosure, the term "light," when used as
part of a safety system such as a guard beam, refers to
electromagnetic radiation including visible light, ultraviolet
light, and mid- or short-wavelength infrared light. Shorter or
longer wavelengths, including soft X-rays and thermal infrared,
terahertz (THz) radiation, or millimeter waves, are also considered
to be light within the present disclosure when such light can be
reflected, blocked, attenuated, or otherwise used to detect
obstacles of the sizes and compositions of interest.
[0032] The present invention may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the
terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It is further
to be understood that unless specifically defined herein, the
terminology used herein is to be given its traditional meaning as
known in the relevant art.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical cavity surface
emitting laser (VCSEL) array 150, and an optional plurality of
additional VCSEL arrays 150a-150c, along with a cross-sectional
view of VCSEL array 150. Each of the VCSEL arrays 150, 150a-150c
includes a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152, 152a-152n. In FIG. 1,
four VCSEL emitters are expressly identified (i.e., VCSEL emitter
152, VCSEL emitters 152a-152n), however, a VCSEL array 150 of the
present disclosure may include significantly more (e.g., dozens,
hundreds, or thousands) VCSEL emitters. To this end, FIG. 1 is not
drawn to scale, and the number of VCSEL emitters, the actual and
relative size of each VCSEL emitter, the positioning of each VCSEL
emitter, the orientation of each VCSEL emitter, and other such
parameters of VCSEL emitters are illustrated in FIG. 1 to simplify
the discussion of the present inventive concepts. Such presentation
of VCSEL emitters in FIG. 1 should not be construed to limit the
claims.
[0034] In some cases, every VCSEL emitter has a generally same size
and composition. In other cases, different VCSEL emitters have
different sizes and compositions. Along these lines, a plurality of
VCSEL arrays may all be identical, or in some cases, different
VCSEL arrays may have different sizes, number of VCSEL emitters,
arrangement of VCSEL emitters, or other characteristics.
[0035] In the embodiments discussed herein, a VCSEL array 150
includes a control port 154. The control port 154 may be arranged
to unidirectionally or bidirectionally pass information, such as
control information or data. Control information may include one or
more signals to direct the VCSEL array 150 to enable or disable a
single VCSEL emitter 152, a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152a-152n
in any desirable grouping or arrangement, or the control
information may direct the VCSEL array 150 to enable or disable
every VCSEL emitter 152 in the array. In some cases, the control
information is passed as one or more discrete voltage signals, and
in some cases, the control information is passed as one or more
programmatic commands passed from a processor executing a software
program. In still other cases, the control information is included
with the operations of a finite state machine.
[0036] As illustrated in the cross-sectional view of the VCSEL
array 150 of FIG. 1, a VCSEL emitter 152, when enabled, generates
and outputs a conical light beam 156. In FIG. 1, a single conical
light beam 156 is identified for simplicity; however, each VCSEL
emitter may be enabled so as to generate and output a conical light
beam, as illustrated. From the aggregate conical light beams 156 of
each enabled VCSEL emitter 152, the VCSEL array 150 generates and
outputs a composite light beam 158. In the embodiment of FIG. 1,
the composite light beam 158 of VCSEL array 150 is incoherent,
which is typical in known high-power VCSEL arrays (i.e., the
individual VCSEL emitters are not locked in phase to neighboring
VCSEL emitters). Techniques for creating coherent VCSEL arrays have
been proposed, and such arrays would be expected to produce a
combined conical beam having significantly smaller divergence than
a beam from an individual VCSEL emitter.
[0037] The wavelength of the emitted light beam 156 is generally
determined by the materials that comprise the VCSEL structure. The
amplitude of the emitted light beam 156 may in some cases be
determined by at least one parameter, such as current, passed to or
otherwise arranged to control, the VCSEL array 150. In other cases,
however, the amplitude of the emitted light beam 156 may be
determined under control of an external device, such as a
processor, with a discrete signal, programmatic signal, or some
other signal passed through the control port 154.
[0038] In some cases, VCSEL array 150 provides substantial total
power at visible or infrared wavelengths from a two-dimensional
array of individual, comparatively low-power, sources. In the
present disclosure, an array such as VCSEL array 150 is a high
power VCSEL array comprising dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of
individual VCSEL emitters 152 in a roughly
one-square-centimeter-sized array. VCSEL array 150 may produce tens
to hundreds of watts of optical power continuously, or higher peak
power in short pulses. Each VCSEL emitter 152 produces a separate
beam (e.g., a conical-shaped light beam), which may have a roughly
circular cross-section and a Gaussian power distribution in angle.
In aggregate, the VCSEL array 150 of FIG. 1 also produces a light
beam 158 having a roughly circular cross-section and a Gaussian
power distribution in angle. In other cases, a VCSEL array 150 may
provide a different beam shape, a different beam power
distribution, or some other different characteristic. The far-field
divergence of the beam from a VCSEL array 150 is approximately the
same as the divergence of the beam from an individual VCSEL emitter
152.
[0039] FIGS. 2A-2F are VCSEL arrays 150, 150d-150h formed with
particular shapes and patterns. In FIG. 2A, a single VCSEL array
150, which is also illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a plurality of
VCSEL emitters 152 formed in a circle pattern. The VCSEL array 150d
in FIG. 2B is formed in a hexagon pattern, and the VCSEL array 150e
in FIG. 2C is formed as a square. Other shapes are also
contemplated. In FIGS. 2D-2F, a plurality of VCSEL arrays 150 are
formed into larger arrays. The first large array 150f of FIG. 2D
includes 12 VCSEL array 150 structures; the second large array 150g
of FIG. 2E includes 10 VCSEL array 150 structures; and the third
large array 150h of FIG. 2F includes 17 VCSEL array 150 structures.
Other shapes, compositions, and formats of VCSEL arrays are also
contemplated. When a particular VCSEL array structure is formed
along the lines of those shown in FIGS. 2A-2F, a generated
high-flux power beam may be arranged to correspond to a defined
perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array that receives the beam.
[0040] In some embodiments, a laser power beaming transmission unit
includes one or more VCSEL arrays as a laser source. The one or
more VCSEL arrays may be formed in a generally defined shape (e.g.,
a square, a rectangle, a circle, a hexagon, or some other shape).
The VCSEL array structure may also be positioned in the object
plane of a projecting lens. The projecting lens is sized to accept
the entire beam from the one or more VCSEL arrays and configured to
focus an image of the VCSEL arrays on a remotely located reception
unit, which is formed including an array of photovoltaic cells
having a defined perimeter shape. In some cases, the one or more
VCSEL arrays will be arranged to mimic the same overall shape as
the array of photovoltaic cells in the reception unit. Because the
VCSEL array comprises a large number of small emitters of equal
power, the receiver may be approximately uniformly illuminated,
receiving the same power per unit area when averaged over areas
that are large compared to the image of a single VCSEL emitter.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a power beaming system 100 embodiment where a
plurality of VCSEL arrays of a transmission unit 102 generate and
transmit a high-flux power beam 106 thereby illuminating a
receiving unit 108 at a remote location. The receiving unit 108
includes a photovoltaic array 128, which has a defined perimeter
shape. The transmission unit 102 includes a plurality of vertical
cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays 150, and each VCSEL
array 150 has a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152. The transmission
unit 102 also includes a projection lens apparatus 126. The
projection lens apparatus 126 in some embodiments includes only a
single projection lens. In other embodiments, the projection lens
apparatus 126 includes a projection lens along with one or more
other structures such as shaping lenses, focusing lenses, prisms,
diffusers, or other optical structures. The projection lens
apparatus 126 may also include mounting devices to move or
otherwise position other structures of the apparatus, such as
filters, baffles, shades, and the like.
[0042] In some optional cases, the transmission unit 102 includes a
control system (e.g., FIG. 7A) to control a light output of the
VCSEL array 150. In these cases, control of the light output of the
VCSEL array 150 may include controllably enabling a selected
portion of the plurality of VCSEL elements 152, for example, to
enable VCSEL elements 152 that result in illumination of the
defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128. Control of
the light output of the VCSEL array 150 may also include
controllably diffusing light from the VCSEL array 150 to uniformly
illuminate a projection surface of the projection lens apparatus.
Such diffusing, as well as other actions to shape, aim, and diffuse
the composite light beam 158, may be implemented with a control
system that directs motion of one lens structure with respect to
another, such as positioning of particular baffles, positioning of
mirrors, positioning of a diffusion apparatus, or positioning some
other structure about the composite light beam 158 path.
[0043] The VCSEL emitters 152 generate a high-flux composite light
beam 158, which is imposed on a projection lens apparatus 126. In
some cases, the composite light beam 158 includes uniformly
distributed light flux that may be imposed directly on a projection
lens, and in other cases, the composite light beam 158 is applied
to a different structure of the projection lens apparatus 126 to
improve the distribution of light flux (e.g., shaping, diffusing,
and the like). In still other cases, the control system (FIG. 7A)
directs the performance of other actions.
[0044] When the composite light beam 158 passes through the
projection lens apparatus 126, a high-flux power beam 106 is
transmitted toward the reception unit 108. Because the high-flux
power beam 106 substantially conforms to the defined perimeter
shape of the photovoltaic array 128, the photovoltaic array 128 is
uniformly illuminated. An intensity plot is also illustrated in
FIG. 3. The intensity plot illustrates a substantially uniform
distribution of light flux spread across most or all of the
positions within the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic
array 128.
[0045] FIGS. 4A-4E are power beaming system embodiments focusing a
power beam generated from a VCSEL array 150. In each of the
embodiments, a transmission unit 102 includes the VCSEL array 150,
which produces the composite light beam 158, along with a
projection lens apparatus 126. Other components of the transmission
unit 102 are not shown to simplify the drawings. A high-flux power
beam 106 is transmitted from the transmission unit 102 toward a
reception unit 108. More particularly, the high-flux power beam 106
is arranged to uniformly illuminate a defined perimeter shape of a
photovoltaic array 128.
[0046] In some embodiments, the projection lens apparatus 126 may
be configured to focus a high-flux power beam 106
slightly-in-front-of, or slightly behind, an exposed plane of a
photovoltaic cell 128. By "mis-focusing" in this way, the images
(i.e., the high-flux power beam 106) generated by one or more
individual VCSEL arrays 150 are slightly blurred at the point of
contact on the photovoltaic array 128. The blurring causes the
high-flux power beam 106 to provide a more uniform illumination of
the photovoltaic cells at the scale of the spacing of the
individual VCSEL emitter 152 images that comprise the composite
light beam 158.
[0047] FIG. 4A illustrates a focal point of a high-flux power beam
106 directly on a photovoltaic cell 128. In this embodiment, the
high-flux power beam 106 has been shaped and aimed so as to strike
the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128 at the
focal point of the high-flux power beam 106. In FIG. 4B, a focal
point of the high-flux power beam 106 is behind the defined
perimeter shape of the photovoltaic cell 128, and in FIG. 4C, the
focal point of the high-flux power beam 106 is in front of a
photovoltaic cell 128. Accordingly it is recognized that by
configuring the projection lens apparatus 126 and the VCSEL array
150 in a desirable way (e.g., manually, automatically,
programmatically, electronically, mechanically, electromechanical,
or in some other way), with or without feedback from the reception
unit 108, the power beaming system may be improved to uniformly
transfer as much flux from the high-flux power beam 106 to the
reception unit 108.
[0048] In other embodiments, a diffusion structure of one type or
another may be positioned inside the high-flux path between the one
or more VCSEL arrays 150 of the transmission unit 102 and the
photovoltaic array 128 of the reception unit 108. For example, FIG.
4D illustrates a focal point of a high-flux power beam 106 directly
on a large angle diffusing structure 130, which is in front of the
defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic cell 128. The large
angle diffusing structure 130 may provide a comparatively large
angle diffusion of, for example, five degrees, ten degrees, or
more, to more uniformly even out the illumination of the
photovoltaic cells.
[0049] In contrast, or in addition, FIG. 4E illustrates a more
sophisticated projection lens apparatus 126. In the embodiment of
FIG. 4E, the high-flux power beam 106 is formed after passing the
composite light beam 158 through a projection lens apparatus 126
that includes at least one small angle diffusing structure 132. In
this case, the small diffusion angle may be, for example, one
degree or less. Different from a conventional laser light source,
the VCSEL array 150 produces many individual points of light (e.g.,
hundreds or even thousands). Through use of a diffusing structure,
such as the large angle diffusing structure 130 and the small angle
diffusing structure 132, the high-flux power beam 106 may be formed
as a homogenous beam that strikes the defined perimeter shape of
the photovoltaic array 128.
[0050] In some embodiments of the power beaming systems described
in the present disclosure, the projection lens apparatus 126 may be
a zoom lens, a varifocal lens, or another type of lens arranged to
allow the size, shape, or other characteristics of the projected
high-flux power beam 106 image to be adjusted in one way or
another. For example, in some embodiments, a particular lens may be
selected, positioned, or otherwise implemented to allow the size of
the high-flux power beam image to be adjusted independent of the
projection focal distance. This type of lens allows the image
sourced by the VCSEL array 150 to be adjusted to match the size of
the defined perimeter of the photovoltaic array 128. Other lens
arrangements, and adjustments to additional characteristics of the
high-flux power beam are also contemplated. One benefit of such
flexibility in one or both of the transmission unit 102 and the
reception unit 108 is that a same transmission unit 102 may be used
with one or more reception units 108 at varying distances, of
varying sizes, or of some other configuration. In the same way, a
same reception unit 108 may be used with one or more transmission
units 102 at varying distances, of varying sizes, or of some other
configuration.
[0051] In some embodiments, the projection lens apparatus 126
includes only a single projection lens. In other embodiments, the
projection lens apparatus 126 includes a simple or complex train of
optical structures. The train of projection lens apparatus 126
structures may include, for example, any one or more of relay
lenses, flat mirrors, curved, mirrors, field lenses, and other
optical elements. The projection lens apparatus 126 may also
include means of moving, positioning, or otherwise adjusting one
structure relative to other structures in the projection lens
apparatus 126. When so configured, the projection lens apparatus
126 is arranged to project an appropriately focused high-flux power
beam 106 image that is sourced by one or more VCSEL arrays 150 onto
the photovoltaic array 128 of the reception unit 108. In some
embodiments, the projection lens apparatus 126 may be configured to
distribute light from one or more VCSEL arrays 150 over the exit
aperture of the transmission unit 102 in a desired fashion, such as
approximately uniformly, in a Gaussian distribution, or in some
other profile.
[0052] FIGS. 5A-5G are structures associated with power beaming
system embodiments that focus a high-flux power beam 106 generated
from at least one VCSEL array 150. In FIG. 5A, one or more VCSEL
arrays 150 of a transmission unit 102 produce a composite light
beam 158, which is accepted by a projection lens apparatus 126. The
projection lens apparatus 126 projects a high-flux beam 106 toward
a reception unit 108. The projection lens apparatus 126 is arranged
to controllably generate and aim a high-flux power beam 106 at a
defined perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array 128 of the remote
reception unit 108, which is positioned at a particular distance
from the transmission unit 102.
[0053] In FIGS. 5B-5D, a high-flux power beam 106 is generated by a
transmission unit 102 and projected from a projection lens
apparatus 126 toward a reception unit 108, which has a particular
photovoltaic array 128 having a defined perimeter shape. In FIG.
5B, the high-flux power beam 106 is projected over a particular
distance "A." In FIG. 5C, the high-flux power beam 106 is projected
over a longer distance "A+B," and in FIG. 5D, the high-flux power
beam 106 is projected over a shorter distance "A-C." In the cases
of FIGS. 5B-5D, the projection lens apparatus 126 is arranged to
form, shape, focus, and perform other acts to desirably project a
high-flux power beam 106 toward the reception unit 108.
[0054] FIGS. 5E and 5F illustrate reception units 108 having a
photovoltaic array 128 having a particular defined perimeter shape.
In FIG. 5E, the defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array
128 is substantially circular. In FIG. 5F, the defined perimeter
shape of the photovoltaic array 128 is substantially rectangular.
Other shapes, including squares, hexagons, and others, are
contemplated. The particular defined perimeter shape of a
photovoltaic array 128 may or may not be symmetrical, geometrically
regular, or contiguous. For example, the photovoltaic array 128 may
be formed in the shape of a "plus sign," an ellipse or circle with
irregular edges, a donut, a horseshoe, and nearly any other
shape.
[0055] In FIG. 5G, a projection lens apparatus 126 includes an
optional first optical structure 126A, an optional second optical
structure 126B, and optional controller 136A, an optional
input/output (I/O) interface 138, and an optional
positioning/placement system 140. In some cases, the projection
lens apparatus 126 includes only a single projection lens, for
example the optional first optical structure 126A or the optional
second optical structure 126B. In other cases, the projection lens
apparatus 126 may include any number of additional optical
structures. The optional optical structures in FIG. 5G, of which
only two are illustrated for brevity, may include any one or more
of projection lenses, shaping lenses, focusing lenses, lenslet
arrays, prisms, diffusers, filters, mirrors, baffles, shades,
shaped apertures, other optical structures.
[0056] The optional position/placement system 140 may be arranged
as a frame, bezel, or other mounting structure to contain, move,
and otherwise position the one or more optional optical structures
126A, 126B. In some cases, the optional optical structures 126A,
126B may be inserted or removed from the path of light through the
projection lens apparatus 126. In addition, or in the alternative,
the optional position/placement system 140 may be arranged to move
one optional optical structure with respect to another or with
respect to some other reference. The optional optical structures
may be positioned for permanent placement, semi-permanent
placement, or temporary placement. The optional optical structures
may be positioned, and repositioned, dynamically, for example under
direction of the controller 136A. In some cases, the optional
position/placement system 140 is an electronic device, in other
cases it is an electromechanical device, and in still other cases,
the optional position/placement system 140 is a manually controlled
mechanical device.
[0057] The controller 136A may be a mechanical controller or an
electronic controller such as a finite state machine,
microcontroller, or processor. The controller 136A, when it is
included in a projection lens apparatus 126, may be used to direct
operations of the projection lens apparatus 126. For example, the
controller 136A may receive input from an external source (e.g., a
human being, a computing device, or some other source) via the
optional I/O interface 138. Based on the input, or based on some
other source of control information, the controller 136A may
automatically or otherwise position any number of optional optical
structures 126A, 126B in the path of light through the projection
lens apparatus 126.
[0058] FIGS. 6A-6C are VCSEL array 150 embodiments illustrating
various levels of diffusion. In some embodiments, the optional
first optical structure 126A or the optional second optical
structure 126B of the projection lens apparatus 126 may be formed
as a lenslet array 142A, 142B, which is positioned in front of each
VCSEL array 150. The lenslet array 142A is a converging lenslet
array that acts to reduce the beam divergence of light generated by
each individual VCSEL emitter 152. Conversely, the diverging
lenslet array 142B acts to increase the beam divergence of light
generated by each individual VCSEL emitter 152.
[0059] FIG. 6A is a VCSEL array 150 embodiment wherein a VCSEL
array 150 generates a composite light beam 158 that strikes a
projection lens apparatus 126. The embodiment of FIG. 6A does not
include any lenslet array structures. Accordingly, the light of the
composite light beam 158, which passes through the projection lens
apparatus 126, has a particular divergence, which is illustrated in
FIG. 6A as angle .theta..sub.A.
[0060] In FIG. 6B, a converging lenslet array 142A is arranged to
decrease divergence of the composite light beam 158 that passes
through the projection lens apparatus 126. The light in the
embodiment of FIG. 6B has a particular reduced divergence which is
illustrated as angle .theta..sub.B. With reference back to FIG. 6A,
the light beam in the embodiment of FIG. 6B follows the divergence
angular relationship (.theta..sub.B<.theta..sub.A).
[0061] In the embodiment of FIG. 6B, the converging lenslet array
142A may be located and particularly arranged near an image of the
VCSEL array 150 within the projection optical path. Reducing the
divergence of the individual VCSEL emitter 152 beams will increase
the radiance (i.e., power per (unit area*solid angle)) of the VCSEL
array 150. Accordingly, this reduced divergence allows the light
from the VCSEL array 150 to be focused on a smaller photovoltaic
array 128, or at a greater distance, when presuming a fixed
projection aperture.
[0062] In FIG. 6C, a diverging lenslet array 142B is arranged to
increase divergence of the composite light beam 158 that passes
through the projection lens apparatus 126. The light in the
embodiment of FIG. 6C has a particular increased divergence which
is illustrated as angle .theta..sub.C. With reference back to FIG.
6A, the light beam in the embodiment of FIG. 6C follows the
divergence angular relationship
(.theta..sub.C>.theta..sub.A).
[0063] In the embodiment of FIG. 6C, the diverging lenslet array
142B or a diffusion device is placed in front of each VCSEL array
150 to increase the divergence of the individual VCSEL emitter 152
beams and reduce the radiance of the VCSEL array 150. Reducing the
VCSEL radiance allows the overall VCSEL-based composite light beam
158 to fill the projection aperture when focusing the image on a
larger photovoltaic array 128 or at closer range than the lowest
size or highest distance allowed by the bare VCSEL array 150 and
projection aperture. Filling the determined projection aperture in
this way increases the apparent angular size of the high-flux power
beam 106, which reduces the eye hazard associated with the
high-flux power beam 106, and increases safety as per certain U.S.
and International laser safety standards.
[0064] When a lenslet array 142A, 142B is positioned in front of a
VCSEL array 150 as in FIGS. 6B and 6C, then each individual lenslet
of the array focuses the light from its corresponding VCSEL emitter
152 source onto a focusing lens, a projection lens, or some other
portion of the projection lens apparatus 126.
[0065] For example, the focusing by the lenslet array 142A permits
hundreds or thousands of individual light beams (e.g., one beam
from each VCSEL emitter 152) to hit the optional lens structure
(e.g., a focusing lens), thereby substantially filling the entire
lens structure area with very little if any overlap.
[0066] As another example, the diverging by the lenslet array 142B
of hundreds or thousands of individual light beams from the
plurality of VCSEL emitters 152 permits a field of light to hit the
optional lens structure (e.g., a focusing lens), thereby
substantially filling the entire lens structure area with a
desirable level of overlap.
[0067] The efficient use of the determined full area of the lens
structure results in a desirable amount of light divergence, a
desirable amount of light overlap, and more efficient use of the
light produced by the VCSEL array 150. In some cases, the amount of
efficiency gained by use of one lenslet array or another (i.e.,
lenslet array 142A or lenslet array 142B) may be limited mostly, or
only, by the amount of spacing between VCSEL arrays 150 or by the
amount of spacing between VCSEL emitters 152 in a VCSEL array
150.
[0068] FIGS. 7A-7E are a VCSEL controller embodiment and various
VCSEL output patterns.
[0069] In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, a transmission control unit
102 includes a VCSEL array 150 light source, which is comprised of
a plurality of VCSEL emitters 152. A projection lens apparatus 126
is arranged to accept a composite light beam 158 (FIG. 3) from the
VCSEL array 150 and project a high-flux power beam 106 (FIG. 3)
toward a reception unit 108 (FIG. 3). The transmission unit 102
includes a transmission control module 136B, which is generally
responsible for the operations of the entire transmission unit 102.
For brevity, the discussion of operations that are directed,
performed, or otherwise associated with the transmission control
module 136B are limited in the present disclosure to particular
operations associated with the VCSEL array 150.
[0070] The transmission control module 136B includes a switch
module 160 and a controller 136C. The controller 136C includes a
processor 162, a memory 164, and other modules not shown for
simplicity. The controller 136C directs the operations of the
switch module 160 to selectively enable and disable VCSEL emitters
152 of the VCSEL array 150. The switch module 160 may include any
type of one or more controllable electronic switches, such as a
MOSFETs, SCRs, bipolar transistors, and the like. In some cases,
some portions of the switch module 160 or an entire switch module
160 is integrated into a VCSEL array 150. In other cases, a switch
module is partially or entirely separate and distinct from a VCSEL
array 150.
[0071] In some cases, the controller 136C is arranged to control
one or more individually addressable VCSEL emitters 152. In these
and other cases, the controller 136C may be arranged to control
addressable groups of groups VCSEL emitters 152. In still other
cases, the controller 136C may have binary (i.e., on/off) control
of every VCSEL emitter 152 of the VCSEL array 150 as if the array
was a single light source instead of a plurality of light sources.
The controller 136C in some cases directly controls the VCSEL array
150, and in other cases, control of the VCSEL array 150 or the
associated VCSEL emitters 152 is executed via the switch module
160.
[0072] The controller 136C in some cases is also able to control
the projection lens apparatus 126 as described elsewhere in the
present disclosure.
[0073] In some embodiments, as described herein, a VCSEL array 150
is controllably illuminated in a particular shape or pattern. That
is, a controller 136C is able to individually control a plurality
of distinct VCSEL emitters 152 or one or more groups of VCSEL
emitters 152. In other cases, a VCSEL array 150 is arranged with a
plurality of VCSEL emitters 152 positioned in a particular shape or
pattern, and in this case, enabling or disabling the VCSEL array
150 will either illuminate or extinguish all of the VCSEL emitters
152 of the shape or pattern. Along these lines, FIGS. 7B-7E
illustrate four particular illumination patterns of a VCSEL array
150.
[0074] The VCSEL emitters 152 of FIGS. 7B-7E may be individually
controllable, controllable in groups, or controllable as a single
unit. In FIG. 7B, the VCSEL array 150 is arranged to illuminate a
square shape, and in FIG. 7C, the VCSEL array 150 is arranged to
illuminate a circle. In FIG. 7D, the VCSEL array 150 is arranged to
illuminate in the shape of a hexagon, and in FIG. 7E, the VCSEL
array 150 is arranged to illuminate in the shape of a trapezoid.
Other shapes, patterns, orientations and the like are contemplated,
and accordingly, the embodiments described herein are not limited
merely to those illustrated in the figures.
[0075] Separately, or in addition to the embodiments described
herein, some power beaming system embodiments comprise a plurality
of VCSEL arrays 150 formed or otherwise arranged together into an
assembly of VCSEL arrays 150. In some of these embodiments, the
size and shape of the emitting area of a VCSEL array 150 assembly
may be varied by switching off portions of the array assembly. Such
switching may be done by entire VCSEL arrays 150, or by portions of
arrays (e.g., individual rows or columns of VCSEL emitters 152, or
subarrays of various sizes and shapes of VCSEL emitters 152), or by
individual VCSEL emitters 152.
[0076] By varying the size and shape of a VCSEL array or VCSEL
assembly emitting area, a transmitted high-flux power beam 106 may
be matched to photovoltaic arrays 128 of differing size and shape.
In particular, if the photovoltaic array 128 of any particular
reception unit 108 is of nominal shape and not substantially
aligned to the transmission unit 102 (e.g., the photovoltaic array
128 is rotated about one or more axes relative to a desired
orientation), the reception unit 108 will appear distorted as seen
from the transmission unit 102. For example, if the defined
perimeter shape of a photovoltaic array 128 is a circle, the
reception unit 102 may appear to the transmission unit 102 as an
ellipse having its major axis at any rotation angle around the beam
axis. Along these lines, a square perimeter shape may appear to be
a rectangle, and may similarly appear to be rotated around the beam
axis. In some cases, the defined perimeter shape of the
photovoltaic array 128 of a given reception unit 102 may even
appear to be significantly asymmetric. For example, a square shape
may appear significantly trapezoidal. In the case of image
projectors, such as slide or video projectors, this is referred to
as "keystoning". By adjusting the output of one or more VCSEL
arrays 150, the transmitted high-flux power beam 106 may be matched
to the distorted shape and thereby efficiently illuminate the
photovoltaic array 128.
[0077] FIGS. 8A-8B are power beam control embodiments that change
the aspect of a VCSEL-based high-flux power beam 106 in one
direction. The embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8B may be combined with each
other or yet different embodiments to change the aspect of a
high-flux power beam 106 into or more directions, or in other
ways.
[0078] In some embodiments, in addition to or instead of varying
the VCSEL assembly emitting area, the transmission unit 102 may
compensate for distortions in the apparent shape of the
photovoltaic array 128 by adjusting one or more asymmetric or other
optical structures in the projection lens apparatus 126. In these
cases, the optical structures (e.g., optional first optical
structure 126A, optional second optical structure 126B of FIG. 5G)
may include, without limitation, non-axisymmetric optical elements,
rotation optics, and other optical structures. Non-axisymmetric
optical elements may include optical structures such as cylindrical
lenses 166A, 166B, cylindrical mirrors, cylindrical-symmetry
diffraction gratings, and other such devices, which modify or
otherwise affect light passing there-through, for example, to
change the beam aspect ratio. Rotation optics may include
structures such as a Dove prism 168 or other prism, mirror,
diffractive devices, and like arrangements, which may be used to
compensate for rotation of the receiver around the beam axis. Other
optical structures are also contemplated.
[0079] These optical structures may be coupled to one or more
actuators in the projection lens apparatus 126, which can insert or
remove various optional optical elements or change the positions,
orientations, or other characteristics of the optional optical
elements.
[0080] In FIG. 8A, a portion of the projection lens apparatus 126
includes an optional first optical element embodied as a first
cylindrical lens 166A and an optional second optical element
embodied as a second cylindrical lens 166B. Representative motion
of one of the cylindrical lenses relative to the other cylindrical
lens between position "A" and position "B" is illustrated in FIG.
8A along with a representation of how the shape of the high-flux
power beam 106 is correspondingly adjusted.
[0081] In FIG. 8B, a portion of the projection lens apparatus 126
includes an optional first optical element embodied as a dove prism
168. Representative rotation of the dove prism 168 is shown about a
center line of rotation between a first angle "A" and a second
angle "B." Corresponding to the rotation of the dove prism 168, the
illustration of FIG. 8B also shows representative rotation of the
high-flux power beam 106 between two angles, which in FIG. 8B
correspond to the dove prism's angle "A" and angle "B." In some
embodiments of the power beaming systems described herein, a
transmission unit 102 is in communication with a reception unit
108.
[0082] In some cases, the communication is uni-directional; and
other cases, the communication is bidirectional. Based on
information that is passed between a reception unit 108 and a
transmission unit 102, the transmission unit 102 may determine
which VCSEL emitters 152 to turn on, which VCSEL emitters 152 to
turn off, and which directions to provide to a projection lens
apparatus 126 so as to desirably form a high-flux power beam
106.
[0083] FIG. 9 is a power beaming system embodiment 100A arranged to
shape, aim, focus, and direct other aspects of a transmitted
high-flux power beam 106 (FIG. 3). The system embodiment of FIG. 9
includes a transmission unit 102 and a reception unit 108. The
transmission unit 102 and reception unit 108 of FIG. 9 include
particular structural elements described herein, and in addition,
several optional elements that are present in some embodiments.
[0084] The transmission unit 102 of FIG. 9 includes one or more
VCSEL arrays 150, and a switch module 160. Switch module 160 is
arranged to control individual VCSEL elements 152 of the one or
more VCSEL arrays 150. The transmission unit 102 of FIG. 9 also
includes an optional processor 162 and cooperative memory 164, an
optional wireless sensor device 170, which in FIG. 9 is illustrated
as a camera or some other type of image sensor, and an optional
data receiver 172.
[0085] The reception unit 108 of FIG. 9 includes a photovoltaic
array 128, and several optional devices including a processor 162A
and cooperative memory 164A, a data transmitter 174, and one or
more fiducial elements 178A-178D. The reception unit 108 of FIG. 9
includes a power management and distribution device/system (PMAD)
176 that is arranged to collect, store, distribute, or otherwise
manage electrical power converted from the photovoltaic array
128.
[0086] Using the optional processor 162 and cooperative memory 164,
or using discrete circuits to implement a finite state machine or
other control logic, the transmission unit 102 may be arranged to
control particular adjustable parameters such as a lens zoom, a
lens selection, positioning of symmetrical or asymmetric optical
elements, or take other actions. Using one or more optional sensors
(e.g., wireless sensor device 170), the transmission unit 102 may
be arranged to determine the apparent size, shape, distance, and
other parameters associated with the active area of the
photovoltaic array 128. For example, in some cases, the wireless
sensor device 170 is embodied as a camera or some other such
imaging device, which is arranged to capture image data associated
with the photovoltaic array 128. In this case, particular image
processing carried out by the processor 162 and cooperative memory
164 produces data by which the high-flux power beam 106 may be
configured (e.g., size, shape, focal point, rotation, and the
like).
[0087] Alternatively, or in addition, the transmission unit 102 may
embody a wireless sensor device 170, such as a camera or another
imaging device that images one or more fiducial elements 178A-178D
physically positioned in association with the reception unit 108.
The imaging device or the processor 162 in memory 164 may determine
the orientation, location, distance, or other information about the
reception unit 102, and alternatively or in addition, the
photovoltaic array 128. As yet another alternative, the reception
unit 108 may include means of sensing or otherwise determining its
own location information. The reception unit 108 may be arranged to
determine its own orientation relative to the environment, for
example, via use of a tilt sensor or some other sensor, relative to
the transmission unit 102, relative to the high-flux power beam
106, or relative to some other reference point. The reception unit
may then send this information to the transmission unit 102 via
optional radios (e.g., data transmitter 174 and data receiver 172).
In other cases, the reception unit 108 may also sense information
about the high-flux power beam 106, and inform the transmission
unit 102 as to whether or not the transmitted high-flux power beam
106 is too large, too small, or otherwise mis-matched to the
defined perimeter shape of the photovoltaic array 128.
[0088] In some cases of the power beam system embodiment 100A of
FIG. 9, the transmission unit 102 communicates information to the
reception unit 108. For example, the data receiver 172 may be
configured as a transceiver that includes the ability to transmit
data. Correspondingly the data transmitter 174 of the reception
unit 108 may be configured as a transceiver that includes the
ability to receive data. The communicated data may include timing
information, efficiency information, scheduling information,
information about the high-flux power beam 106, or any other type
of information. In some cases, the data communication features are
performed using the high-flux power beam 106 and the photovoltaic
array 128 in cooperation with the processors and memory associated
with each respective unit. The transmission unit 102, for example,
may modulate the high-flux power beam 106 in time, amplitude,
frequency, or in some other way to communicate data.
Correspondingly, the reception unit 108 may analyze information
perceived at the photovoltaic array 128, such as changes in
intensity of the high-flux power beam 106 or other modulation
information, and from this the reception unit 108 may capture
useful information in the high-flux power beam 106 itself.
[0089] Certain words and phrases used in the present disclosure are
set forth as follows. The terms "include" and "comprise," as well
as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term
"or," is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases "associated with"
and "associated therewith," as well as derivatives thereof in all
grammatical forms, may mean to include, be included within,
interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or
with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with,
interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have,
have a property of, or the like.
[0090] The term "controller" means any device, system, or part
thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be
implemented in hardware, firmware, or software, or some combination
of at least two of the same. The functionality associated with any
particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether
locally or remotely. Other definitions of certain words and phrases
may be provided within this patent document. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will understand that in many, if not most
instances, such definitions apply to prior as well as future uses
of such defined words and phrases.
[0091] In some cases, the figures in the present disclosure
illustrate portions of one or more non-limiting computing device
embodiments such as the transmission unit 102 and the reception
unit 108. The computing devices may include operative hardware
found in conventional computing device apparatuses such as one or
more processors, volatile and non-volatile memory, serial and
parallel input/output (I/O) circuitry compliant with various
standards and protocols, wired and/or wireless networking circuitry
(e.g., a communications transceiver), one or more user interface
(UI) modules, logic, and other electronic circuitry. In addition,
or in the alternative, the computing device embodiments may be
electronic circuits formed to carry out operations of a finite
state machine.
[0092] Processors, such as those that may be employed in the
transmission unit 102 and the reception unit 108 may include
central processing units (CPU's), microcontrollers (MCU), digital
signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits
(ASIC), and the like. The processors interchangeably refer to any
type of electronic control circuitry configured to execute
programmed software instructions. The programmed instructions may
be high-level software instructions, compiled software
instructions, assembly-language software instructions, object code,
binary code, micro-code, or the like. The programmed instructions
may reside in internal or external memory or may be hard-coded as a
state machine or set of control signals. According to methods and
devices referenced herein, embodiments describe software executable
by the processor and operable to execute certain ones of the method
acts.
[0093] As known by one skilled in the art, a computing device has
one or more memories such as memory 164 and memory 164A, and each
memory comprises any combination of volatile and non-volatile
computer-readable media for reading and writing. Volatile
computer-readable media includes, for example, random access memory
(RAM). Non-volatile computer-readable media includes, for example,
read only memory (ROM), magnetic media such as a hard-disk, an
optical disk drive, a floppy diskette, a flash memory device, a
CD-ROM, and/or the like. In some cases, a particular memory is
separated virtually or physically into separate areas, such as a
first memory, a second memory, a third memory, etc. In these cases,
it is understood that the different divisions of memory may be in
different devices or embodied in a single memory. The memory in
some cases is a non-transitory computer medium configured to store
software instructions arranged to be executed by a processor.
[0094] The computing devices illustrated herein may further include
operative software found in a conventional computing device such as
an operating system or task loop, software drivers to direct
operations through I/O circuitry, networking circuitry, and other
peripheral component circuitry. In addition, the computing devices
may include operative application software such as network software
for communicating with other computing devices, database software
for building and maintaining databases, and task management
software where appropriate for distributing the communication
and/or operational workload amongst various processors. In some
cases, the computing device is a single hardware machine having at
least some of the hardware and software listed herein, and in other
cases, the computing device is a networked collection of hardware
and software machines working together in a server farm to execute
the functions of one or more embodiments described herein. Some
aspects of the conventional hardware and software of the computing
device are not shown in the figures for simplicity.
[0095] When so arranged as described herein, each computing device
may be transformed from a generic and unspecific computing device
to a combination device comprising hardware and software configured
for a specific and particular purpose.
[0096] Input/output (I/O) circuitry and user interface (UI) modules
include serial ports, parallel ports, universal serial bus (USB)
ports, IEEE 802.11 transceivers and other transceivers compliant
with protocols administered by one or more standard-setting bodies,
displays, projectors, printers, keyboards, computer mice,
microphones, micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) devices such as
accelerometers, and the like.
[0097] Unless defined otherwise, the technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials
are described herein.
[0098] As used in the present disclosure, the term "module" refers
to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic
circuit, a processor and a memory operative to execute one or more
software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuitry, or
other suitable components (i.e., hardware, software, or hardware
and software) that provide the functionality described with respect
to the module.
[0099] A processor (i.e., a processing unit), as used in the
present disclosure, refers to one or more processing units
individually, shared, or in a group, having one or more processing
cores (e.g., execution units), including central processing units
(CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, micro
controllers, state machines, and the like that execute
instructions. In the present disclosure, the terms processor in any
of its grammatical forms is synonymous with the term
controller.
[0100] In the present disclosure, memory may be used in one
configuration or another. The memory may be configured to store
data. In the alternative or in addition, the memory may be a
non-transitory computer readable medium (CRM) wherein the CRM is
configured to store instructions executable by a processor. The
instructions may be stored individually or as groups of
instructions in files. The files may include functions, services,
libraries, and the like. The files may include one or more computer
programs or may be part of a larger computer program. Alternatively
or in addition, each file may include data or other computational
support material useful to carry out the computing functions of the
systems, methods, and apparatus described in the present
disclosure.
[0101] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the
specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and
variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be
construed in an open, inclusive sense, e.g., "including, but not
limited to."
[0102] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" and variations thereof means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the
appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an
embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0103] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless
the content and context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also
be noted that the conjunctive terms, "and" and "or" are generally
employed in the broadest sense to include "and/or" unless the
content and context clearly dictates inclusivity or exclusivity as
the case may be. In addition, the composition of "and" and "or"
when recited herein as "and/or" is intended to encompass an
embodiment that includes all of the associated items or ideas and
one or more other alternative embodiments that include fewer than
all of the associated items or ideas.
[0104] The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein
are for convenience only and do not limit or interpret the scope or
meaning of the embodiments.
[0105] The various embodiments described above can be combined to
provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be
modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents,
application and publications to provide yet further embodiments.
These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of
the above-detailed description. In general, in the following
claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims
to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the
claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the
disclosure.
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