Open AccessResearch on space microwave energy reception technology based on electromagnetic-thermal-DC conversion
Author(s) -
Zhuoyue Qiu,
Xinfa Wang,
Zihao Qin,
Xiaoshun Wang,
Jinyong Fang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/2137/1/012021
Subject(s) - microwave , energy conversion efficiency , materials science , energy transformation , thermal , power (physics) , range (aeronautics) , efficient energy use , power density , thermal energy , energy conservation , microwave transmission , engineering physics , electrical engineering , optoelectronics , computer science , physics , telecommunications , engineering , composite material , thermodynamics
A new microwave energy reception method is proposed for the wireless energy transmission needs of lunar rovers combined with the lunar environment, i.e. collecting thermal energy through microwave absorbing materials, and then converting thermal energy into direct current by using temperature difference power generation devices. The article analyses the two conversion processes, microwave-thermal and thermal-DC, separately. Under the approximate condition that the temperature at both ends of the absorbing material is regarded as equal, the two conversion processes are linked by energy conservation, which theoretically leads to the temperature and total efficiency of the system at steady state. The temperature and total efficiency of the system are initially obtained by numerical simulation with respect to the thickness of the absorbing material, the receiving area and the input power density by selecting the parameters of the carbon and iron composite material at 10 GHz. The results show that there is an optimum thickness of absorbing material for a certain input power density and receiving area, which results in the highest system efficiency. The larger the receiving area and input power density in a certain range, the higher the efficiency, but beyond a certain range the system efficiency shows a decreasing trend. Also the theory and the actual will produce a large deviation when temperature is high. The article concludes that this energy receiving method has great potential for application in the space environment based on the excellent wave absorbing materials and thermoelectric components but further research is needed.