Researchers at Northwest Polytechnic University in Xiangyang, China, have demonstrated a drone with a remote charging system that provides power through an adaptive ground-based laser that tracks a target from the ground.
A special photoelectric converter is located on the drone, which, like a photovoltaic panel, captures energy from the laser and allows the drone to stay in the air for an infinite time. Such systems are good at wireless power transmission, but can lose about 50% of energy.
Washington-based PowerLight, formerly known as LaserMotive, demonstrated a similar wireless charging system for drones back in 2012. Then Lockheed Martin’s Stalker drone was able to stay in the air for 48 hours with a power source located 600 meters away.
The Chinese team developed an “intelligent visual tracking algorithm” to keep the laser beam aimed at the drone, as well as a beam-forming system that can adapt to changes in atmospheric density. Also, the charging system can detect obstacles and quickly change the power of the beam to a safe level.
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The charging system was tested using a small quadcopter and demonstrated how it works indoors with the lights on and off, as well as outdoors at night. The video shows how the drone reaches a height of about 10 meters.
Long-range laser recharging systems open up prospects for high-altitude drone operations – for example, to create stable airborne platforms similar to low-altitude satellites. But their use, most likely, will be very dependent on the weather.
You can also expect some pressure from regulators given that these devices point lasers into the sky. The researchers did not disclose data on the output power of the laser, the range of the system and its effectiveness, referring to the military potential of the device. But this is clearly an early-stage lab mock-up.
PowerLight, on the other hand, seems much closer to commercialization, and the company says it is working on a long-range, lightweight and compact wireless laser power transfer with functional fail-safe systems and the ability to operate regardless of weather conditions.
Beyond military applications, it’s interesting to think about the extent to which wireless power is applicable to electric aircraft, particularly eVTOLs, where battery capacity and range are some of the challenges. A network of laser-powered chargers could help flying taxis make more commercial sense, but there’s a long way to go before such things are legally approved and ready for use in cities.
Source: New Atlas
