Autonomous laser-powered vehicle
US9850711B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3624
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An autonomous laser-powered vehicle designed to autonomously penetrate through ice caps of substantial (e.g., kilometers) thickness by melting a path ahead of the vehicle as it descends. A high powered laser beam is transmitted to the vehicle via an onboard bare fiber spooler. After the beam enters through the dispersion optics, the beam expands into a cavity. A radiation shield limits backscatter radiation from heating the optics. The expanded beam enters the heat exchanger and is reflected by a dispersion mirror. Forward-facing beveled circular grooves absorb the reflected radiant energy preventing the energy from being reflected back towards the optics. Microchannels along the inner circumference of the beam dump heat exchanger maximize heat transfer. Sufficient amount of fiber is wound on the fiber spooler to permit not only a descent but also to permit a sample return mission by inverting the vehicle and melting its way back to the surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.