Patent JPS58205379A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
USH855H
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical beam switching circuit for photovoltaic energy conversion
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1990-04-30
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Granted: 1990-12-04
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Expires: 2010-04-30
Abstract
Abstract Optical power is supplied to a remote location and switched between conveon circuits for converting the optical power to electrical power to remotely power a system or device. Laser light is guided by a fiber optic to illuminate photovoltaic cells to produce the electrical power. The electrical current from the cells is made to alternate by switching the light between the cells and using a transformer to step up the voltage. This allows power to be supplied to a remote area without disrupting the existing electromagnetic fields in the area and where space and voltage requirements are limited such that the use of many photovoltaic cells is prohibitive.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Otto
- 👤 Richard D. Milton
- 👤 Debbee J. Jordan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3502; G02B6/3504; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/80; H04B10/806; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/3572; G02B6/3598
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An optical beam switching and energy conversion circuit comprising: a single fiber optic filament for conveying light therethrough, first and second photocells, a moveable first end of said fiber optic filament positioned for directing light as an output alternately toward said photocells, means coupled to said filament for moving said first end of the filament and directing said first end back and forth in a plane, said first and second photo cells each generating an electrical voltage output in response to optical energy input, and a voltage path coupled between the electrical voltage output of said first and second photocells and said means for moving said first end of the filament.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An optical beam switching and energy conversion circuit comprising: a single fiber optic filament for conveying light therethrough, first and second photocells, a moveable first end of said fiber optic filament positioned for directing light as an output alternately toward said photocells, means coupled to said filament for moving said first end of the filament and directing said first end back and forth in a plane, said first and second photo cells each generating an electrical voltage output in response to optical energy input, and a voltage path coupled between the electrical voltage output of said first and second photocells and said means for moving said first end of the filament.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical beam switching and energy conversion circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said photocells are photovoltaic cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical beam switching and energy conversion circuit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for moving said first end of the filament comprises first and second coils disposed on opposite side of said filament adjacent said first end and a magnetic field sensitive member attached to the periphery of said filament for responding to electromagnetic fields periodically generated by said coils for moving said filament first end in said plane, said first coil being coupled to receive an output from said first photocell, and said second coil being coupled to receive an output from said second photocell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An optical beam switching and energy conversion circuit as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising first and second prisms disposed in the optical path between said first and second photovoltaic cells respectively and said fiber optic filament first and for directing optical energy from said filament to said cells.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-03 | 1994-06-04 | 1994-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-03 | 1998-06-04 | 1998-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-03 | 2002-06-04 | 2002-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |