Beam homogenization at receiver
AssigneeLaserMotive, Inc.
InventorsSergiy DETS, Thomas J. NUGENT, JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reflector assembly at a power beam receiver includes at least two sets of reflection surfaces positioned to shift some incoming light away from the center of the beam and towards the periphery. These surfaces may be positioned obliquely to one another, for example orthogonally. By shifting a portion of the power beam away from a higher-intensity center and toward a lower-intensity periphery, the reflector assembly may improve receiver efficiency without substantial redirection of power outside of a power-collecting surface of the receiver.
Claims27
A power receiver, comprising:
- a power conversion structure positioned to receive an incoming power beam and configured to convert at least a portion of the incoming power beam to electricity;
- and
- input optics configured to convert a substantially round power beam having a center to a substantially polygonal power beam, the input optics including:
- a first set of reflection surfaces configured to shift a first portion of the substantially round power beam away from the center;
- and
- a second set of reflection surfaces configured to shift a second portion of the substantially round power beam away from the center, the second set of reflection surfaces being positioned at an angle to the first set of reflection surfaces.
A power receiver, comprising:
- a power conversion structure positioned to receive an incoming power beam and configured to convert at least a portion of the incoming power beam to electricity;
- input optics configured to convert a Gaussian power beam having a center and having a substantially Gaussian intensity profile to a super-Gaussian power beam having a substantially super-Gaussian intensity profile, the input optics including:
- a first set of reflection surfaces configured to shift a first portion of the Gaussian power beam away from the center;
- and
- a second set of reflection surfaces configured to shift a second portion of the Gaussian power beam away from the center, the second set of reflection surfaces being positioned at an angle to the first set of reflection surfaces.
A method of transforming a power beam having a center, comprising:
- positioning input optics in a path of the power beam, the input optics including:
- a first set of reflection surfaces configured to shift a first portion of the power beam away from the center;
- and
- a second set of reflection surfaces configured to shift a second portion of the power beam away from the center, the second set of reflection surfaces being positioned at an angle to the first set of reflection surfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.