Inventing Wireless Electrical Power: My Dad and Nikola Tesla

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of wireless electrical power transmission, inspired by Nikola Tesla's ideas. Participants explore the feasibility of generating strong electromagnetic signals capable of powering devices, such as cars, without the need for physical connections.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the feasibility of generating powerful electromagnetic fields for wireless power transmission, suggesting that it would require significant changes in material usage, as metal objects could inadvertently conduct electricity.
  • Another participant proposes a method involving a high-power phased array transmitter and a low-power phased array receiver to facilitate wireless power transmission through a querying and power pulse system, although they note the high costs and line-of-sight limitations.
  • Humorous remarks are made about the implications of having electrical power in coat hangers, suggesting both warmth and potential hazards like burns.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the practicality and implications of wireless power transmission, with no consensus reached on the feasibility of the proposed methods or the safety concerns involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations related to material properties and the potential for energy loss in the proposed wireless power transmission methods.

Nenad
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me and my dad were having a conversation about nikola tesla last night and he was saying how todays world needs to invent a wierless source of electrical energy. Kind of like radio, but instead of getting a weak electromagnetic signal, you would get a strong powerful signal that could maybe power a car. My question is, why can't we do that? :confused:
 
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If you could generate the fields to allow that kind of power output, we would have to stop making things out of metal. What if all your coat hangers started carrying 4 amps at 110V?

Most of this power would be wasted anyway. It would be beamed into space or into the ground.

There are ways to use "beamed" energy on a small scale. All antennae rebroadcast their signals. Your radio actually acts as a weak transmitter for any station to which you are tuned. What you could do, is alternate a querrying pulse with a power pulse.

You would need a high-power phased array source, and a low power phased array reciever. (A phased array is capable of generating a fairly narrow beam of radio waves).

First, the transmitter sends out a querrying pulse. This is a low power omnidirectional EM wave. Your local phased array detects that part of the radiation directed toward it, and rebroadcasts it to the transmitter. The transmitter detects the return signal, and uses the phased array to send an amplified mirror image pulse back to you. This amplified signal is enough to run your appliance.

It would be prohibitively expensive, and would only work with line of sight, but many materials would be transparent to the signals involved.

Njorl
 
4 amps in coathangers... You could have nice warm clothes to put on in winter!
 
4 amps in coathangers... You could have nice warm clothes to put on in winter!

You'll definitely need something to cover up the third degree burns!
 
thanx guys.
 

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