Abstract: A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.

Abstract: The plurality of emitters and the plurality of detectors form a light curtain that is patterned about the beam, and are positioned to surround the beam. The plurality of emitters each have a centerline and each have a divergence angle centered on the centerline. The placement and orientation of the plurality of emitters about the acceptance centerline of the beam receiver are configured to align the centerlines of the plurality of emitters substantially parallel to the incoming beam. The detection of one or more of the plurality of emitters by one or more of the plurality of detectors depends on the divergence angles of each of the plurality of emitters and the tilt of the beam receiver relative to the beam centerline.

Abstract: A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a laser power beaming system that delivers power via high intensity light, such as from a laser, using either power over fiber or free space power to isolate (or eliminate) high frequency noise and electromagnetic interference (EMI) due to, for example, switching. Damage or other harms from the EMI may be prevented. The opto-isolated power may be delivered from a remote source, or within a switched device, such as a variable frequency drive (VFD), itself.

Abstract: A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a beam projection system, including a beam transmitter, a beam receiver, a plurality of emitters, and a plurality of detectors. The beam transmitter has one or more light sources to transmit a beam, and also has a centerline. The beam receiver is arranged to receive the beam from the beam transmitter. The beam receiver has an acceptance centerline. The plurality of emitters and the plurality of detectors form a light curtain that is patterned about the beam, and are positioned to surround the beam. The plurality of emitters each have a centerline and each have a divergence angle centered on the centerline. The placement and orientation of the plurality of emitters about the acceptance centerline of the beam receiver are configured to align the centerlines of the plurality of emitters substantially parallel to the incoming beam.

Abstract: A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a power beam in a startup mode and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the power beam. The remote power receiver has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells (or other power converters) mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the power beam, startup power monitoring (SPM) logic to determine, based on electrical power generated by each of the plurality of PV cells, whether or not the remote power transmitter can operate in a high-flux mode, and a receiver-based transmitter circuit arranged to communicate an indication that the remote power transmitter can operate in the high-flux mode.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a location of a power beam includes monitoring an electrical property of PV cells or subgroups of PV cells in a PV cell array and using the monitored electrical property to determine a location of the power beam. The determined location may be compared to a target location on the PV cell array and used to steer the power beam closer to the target location.

Abstract: A remote power system includes a remote power transmitter arranged to output a high-flux power beam and a remote power receiver arranged to receive the high-flux power beam. The receiver has a plurality of photo-voltaic (PV) cells mounted to generate electrical power from energy in the high-flux power beam, at least one non-PV structure adjacent to each PV cell, and a plurality of structures to steer flux toward selected ones of the plurality of PV cells and away from selected ones of the at least one non-PV structure.

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

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

Abstract: A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.

Abstract: A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.

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

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy receiving device includes an energy conversion component and an opto-mechanical coupling. The opto-mechanical coupling is arranged to receive a fiber-based conduit. The energy conversion component includes at least one internal surface having an arced profile of radius R, and the internal surface has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) assemblies arranged thereon such that each one of the plurality of PV assemblies is shingled upon at least one adjacent PV assembly.

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

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy transmitting device includes a processing unit, a light-detecting sensor coupled to the processing unit, and a high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter. An electromagnetic energy receiver arranged to convert received light into electricity. A first fiber-based conduit couples the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter to the electromagnetic energy receiver. The first fiber-based conduit is arranged to pass high-flux light from the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter to the electromagnetic energy receiver. A second fiber-based conduit couples the electromagnetic energy receiver to the light-detecting sensor. The second fiber-based conduit is arranged to pass at least some light from the electromagnetic energy receiver to the light-detecting sensor, wherein the processing unit is arranged to control an output of the high-flux light from the high-flux source based on a control signal from the light-detecting sensor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy transmitting device includes a processing unit, a light-detecting sensor coupled to the processing unit, and a high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter. An electromagnetic energy receiver arranged to convert received light into electricity. A first fiber-based conduit couples the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter to the electromagnetic energy receiver. The first fiber-based conduit is arranged to pass high-flux light from the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter to the electromagnetic energy receiver. A second fiber-based conduit couples the electromagnetic energy receiver to the light-detecting sensor. The second fiber-based conduit is arranged to pass at least some light from the electromagnetic energy receiver to the light-detecting sensor, wherein the processing unit is arranged to control an output of the high-flux light from the high-flux source based on a control signal from the light-detecting sensor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy receiving device includes an energy conversion component and an opto-mechanical coupling. The opto-mechanical coupling is arranged to receive a fiber-based conduit. The energy conversion component includes at least one internal surface having an arced profile of radius R, and the internal surface has a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) assemblies arranged thereon such that each one of the plurality of PV assemblies is shingled upon at least one adjacent PV assembly.

Abstract: A system to detect obstacles includes a power beam transmission circuit, a power beam reception circuit arranged to receive a power beam from the power beam transmission circuit, an emitter module, and a detector module arranged to distinguish between a first characteristic and a second characteristic. The emitter module includes a first emitter arranged to emit a first signal having the first characteristic, the first signal emitted in proximity to the power beam, and a second emitter arranged to emit a second signal having the second characteristic, the second characteristic different from the first characteristic, the second signal emitted in proximity to the first signal. The detector module includes a first detector arranged to respond to the first signal emitted by the first emitter, wherein the detector module is arranged to determine when an obstacle is in or near a line-of-sight transmission path between the first emitter and the first detector.