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 diagnostic device for analysing properties of an analyte in a sample liquid including: a distribution zone having at least two hydrophilic layers placed one on top of the other, wherein one layer is a top layer (12) and the other is a bottom layer (13); and a detection zone located under the distribution zone, the detection zone having a detection layer (14), wherein: the top layer has one or more openings (15) through which the sample liquid is introduced into the device; the bottom layer having one or more openings (16) connecting the distribution zone to the detection zone; the bottom layer also having a means by which the sample liquid is distributed from the top layer's opening to the detection layer through the bottom layer's opening; and a visual indication results on the detection layer when the sample liquid comes into contact with the detection layer.

Abstract: A power beaming system includes a power beam transmitter arranged to transmit the power beam, and a power beam receiver arranged to receive the power beam from the power beam transmitter. A power beam transmission source is arranged to generate a laser light beam for transmission by the power beam transmitter from a first location toward a remote second location. A beam-shaping element shapes the laser light beam, at least one diffusion element uniformly distributes light of the shaped laser light beam, and a projection element illuminates a power beam receiving element of predetermined shape with the shaped laser light beam. At the power beam receiver, a diffusion surface diffuses a portion the power beam specularly reflected from the power beam receiver.

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 aerial platform receives power in the form of light, for example laser light, transmitted via an optical fiber from a remote optical power source. The platform comprises a receiver which converts at least a portion of the light to a different form of power, for example electric power. The platform also comprises a propulsion element which consumes the different form of power to generate propulsive thrust. Supplying power to the aerial platform from a remote source enables the platform to remain aloft longer than a battery or fuel tank carried by the platform would allow. Transmitting the power in the form of light is preferable in many cases to transmitting electric power, because electrical conductors are generally heavier than optical fibers, and are hazardous in the presence of lightning or a high-voltage power line.

Abstract: An aerial platform receives power in the form of light, for example laser light, transmitted via an optical fiber from a remote optical power source. The platform comprises a receiver which converts at least a portion of the light to a different form of power, for example electric power. The platform also comprises a propulsion element which consumes the different form of power to generate propulsive thrust. Supplying power to the aerial platform from a remote source enables the platform to remain aloft longer than a battery or fuel tank carried by the platform would allow. Transmitting the power in the form of light is preferable in many cases to transmitting electric power, because electrical conductors are generally heavier than optical fibers, and are hazardous in the presence of lightning or a high-voltage power line.

Abstract: A device for converting electromagnetic radiation into electricity comprises an expander that includes a conical shape having an axis and a curved surface that is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation away from the axis to expand a beam of the electromagnetic radiation; and one or more energy conversion components configured to receive a beam of electromagnetic radiation expanded by the expander, and to generate electricity from the expanded beam of electromagnetic radiation. With the expander's curved surface, a beam of electromagnetic radiation that is highly concentrated—has a large radiation flux—may be converted into a beam that has a larger cross-sectional area. Moreover, one can configure, if desired, the curved surface to provide a substantially uniform distribution of radiation across the expanded cross-sectional area. With such an expanded beam the one or more energy conversion components can efficiently convert some of the electromagnetic radiation into electricity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing status data to a requesting device are disclosed. A request for status data is transmitted from a requesting device to a providing device. The request includes prior values of variables stored at the requesting device. At the providing device, the transmitted prior values are compared with current values of the variables stored at the providing device. Changed variables, which comprise variables for which the current value is different from the prior value, are identified. A variable map is formulated that identifies the changed variables. Current values for the changed variables and variable map are organized into a pre-defined format to form status data. The status data is transmitted to the requesting device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing status data to a requesting device are disclosed. A request for status data is transmitted from a requesting device to a providing device. The request includes prior values of variables stored at the requesting device. At the providing device, the transmitted prior values are compared with current values of the variables stored at the providing device. Changed variables, which comprise variables for which the current value is different from the prior value, are identified. A variable map is formulated that identifies the changed variables. Current values for the changed variables and variable map are organized into a pre-defined format to form status data. The status data is transmitted to the requesting device.