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Electrical Systems Overview

Presented by Jasper Nance

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Outline

1. System Overview

2. Power Transmission

3. Power Storage

4. Power Utilization

5. Some extra details

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Design Challenges and Risks

• Weight • Transmission of very large amounts of power• Expensive of the laser system

Challenges

Risks

• Reflected laser radiation poses a hazard• High energy densities pose a fire risk for onboard

systems and sensors

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System Overview

Power Source

Power Supply

Beam Source

Beam Receiver

1rst

Power Converter

Ultra-capacitor bank

Transmission

Reception and Storage

Use

2nd Power Converter

Control System Motor(s)

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TransmissionPower Source

• Unlimited power from 110V mains provided

Power Supply

• ~10KW power supply

• Laser supplies more complex

Beam Source

• 8KW Laser• Guidance system• Safety Cutoff

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Reception and Storage• Laser: Solar Cells• Wifi feedback to guidance system

• Buck-boost topology

• Several KW• Outputs safe voltage level for

caps (2.5V, 5V)

• Store excess energy while at maximum power transfer

• Each cap is 2500 Farads

• 7800 joules of energy

• Capable of extremely high power

Beam Receiver

1rst

Power Converter

Ultra-cap bank

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Utilization• Optimized converter for ultra-cap

levels• Provides power to the motor at a

stable and controllable level• Monitors system for

• Speed• Power• End of climb• Descent• Emergency stop signal

• DC Motor 12 / 24 / 36V• Powers climb

2nd Power Converter

Control System

Motor(s)

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Research Since large amounts of energy are required at the receiving end, high

efficiency cells must be utilized.

Focusing and Alignment

Wavelength of the photovoltaic cells should match to achieve maximum power transfer.

Designing a photocell array that is both rigid and lightweight.

Converting the electricity into a useable voltage/current.

Texas Scribbler

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Laser Power Transmission Components• Beam Emitter:• Produces high-intensity, beam of light

– Beam must be focused over entire vertical ascension– Ideally spectrum optimized to transducer element

Laser radiation• considerably more expensive• less focusing hardware needed• Better for longer distances

4500W “Sky Tracker” lamp

2000W Diode Laser Array

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Ultracapacitors

Step5: Charge the ultracapacitors

• 2500F 2.5V

• 7800 Joules

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EE Teams• EE Team 1: Guidance system and wifi feedback

• Controlling a tri-axis gimbal mount• Use wifi link to maintain aim• Design around laser pointers

• EE Team 2: Power converter design • ~1KW design• Begin with dummy source and provide power

to caps, motor• Must be extremely lightweight!