Claims
- 1. An energy conversion system, comprising: a light source for providing a laser light beam output and for directing said light beam sequentially along different optical paths, a single multimode optical fiber coupled to said light source for receiving and conveying said light beam along said different optical paths to exit at a single output end of said fiber, a plurality of light energy conversion means disposed adjacent to said output end of said optical fiber for receiving said light beam and converting optical energy into electrical energy.
- 2. An energy conversion system, as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light energy conversion means are first and second photocells disposed for receiving light alternately thereon and further comprising a step-up transformer for receiving outputs from said photocells and transforming them into alternating current energy.
- 3. An energy conversion system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said light source comprises a laser for generating a beam of light and optical beam guidance means for directing said light beam along said different optical paths, said optical paths being first and second paths, said optical fiber having and input end, said optical paths intersecting said input end of said optical fiber at respective first and second angles of incidence to the central, longitudinal axis of the fiber at the input end.
- 4. An energy conversion system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said optical beam guidance means comprises a pockel cell and lens, said pockel cell being disposed for receiving said beam of light from said laser and being switchably responsive to alternate the beam of light's direction along said first and second optical paths through said lens, said lens focusing said beams on said fiber input end.
- 5. An energy conversion system as set forth in claim 2 and further comprising first and second spherical mirrors having a common central axis, said mirrors being tilted with respect to said central axis, said central axis being coincident with the longitudinal axis of said optical fiber at the output end of said fiber, said first mirror being tilted with respect to said axis for receiving optical energy from said fiber output end and directing said energy toward said first photocell, said second mirror being tilted with respected to said axis for receiving optical energy from said fiber output end and directing said energy toward said second photocell.
- 6. An energy conversion system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said light source comprises a laser for generating a beam of light and optical beam guidance means for directing said light beam along said different optical paths, said optical paths being first and second paths, said optical fiber having an input end, said optical paths intersecting said input end of said optical fiber at respective first and second angles of incidence to the longitudinal axis of the fiber at the input end.
- 7. A method for converting light energy into electrical energy, comprising the steps of:
- directing a beam of laser light alternately along first and second optical paths as respective first and second beam portions of light;
- guiding said beam portions of light along said paths into an optical fiber for transmission of said beam portions to a remote location;
- focusing each of said beam portions at respective different angles of entry into said fiber with respect to the longitudinal axis of said fiber;
- redirecting each of said beam portions of light to respective first and second optical energy detectors upon exit of the beam portion from said fiber; and converting said light energy beam portion into electrical energy pulses for power consumption.
DEDICATORY CLAUSE
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalties thereon.