Power-over-fiber safety system

1. A power-over-fiber safety system, comprising:

a processing unit;

a light-detecting sensor coupled to the processing unit;

a high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter;

an electromagnetic energy receiver arranged to convert received light into electricity;

a first fiber-based conduit optically coupling the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter to the electromagnetic energy receiver, the first fiber-based conduit arranged to pass high-flux light from the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter to the electromagnetic energy receiver; and

a second fiber-based conduit optically coupling the electromagnetic energy receiver to the light-detecting sensor, the second fiber-based conduit arranged to pass at least some light from the electromagnetic energy receiver to the light-detecting sensor, wherein the processing unit is arranged to control an output of the high-flux light from the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter based on a control signal from the light-detecting sensor.

2. A power-over-fiber safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit and the light-detecting sensor are integrated into the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter.

3. A power-over-fiber safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the control signal from the light-detecting sensor is asserted when light passed via the second fiber-based conduit drops below a determined threshold.

4. A power-over-fiber safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic energy receiver further comprises:

an energy conversion component arranged to convert a first portion of the high-flux light to electricity; and

at least one optical element arranged to direct a second portion of the high-flux light toward the light-detecting sensor via the second fiber-based conduit.

5. A power-over-fiber safety system according to claim 4 , wherein the second optical element further comprises:

a prism.

6. A power-over-fiber safety system according to claim 4 , wherein the second optical element further comprises:

a reflecting device.

7. A power-over-fiber safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the first fiber-based conduit and the second fiber-based conduit are separate and distinct, and the first fiber-based conduit and the second fiber-based conduit are substantially bundled by a common containment structure.

8. A power-over-fiber safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the first fiber-based conduit and the second fiber-based conduit are a same fiber-based conduit.

9. A power-over-fiber safety system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an electromechanical shade responsive to the control signal, the electromechanical shade arranged to allow or prevent the high-flux light from passing out of the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter.

10. A power-over-fiber safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the second optical element further comprises:

a housing, the housing having a first opto-mechanical coupling arranged to accept the first fiber-based conduit and a second opto-mechanical coupling arranged to accept the second fiber-based conduit.

11. A power-over-fiber safety method, comprising:

generating, with a high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter, a high-flux light;

transmitting the high-flux light toward an electromagnetic energy receiver via a first fiber-based conduit;

providing a safety sensor, the safety sensor arranged to receive a secondary light signal from the electromagnetic energy receiver via a second fiber-based conduit; and

generating with the safety sensor, an indication that the transmission of the high-flux light should cease.

12. A power-over-fiber safety method according to claim 11 , further comprising:

based on the indication that the transmission of the high-flux light should cease, controlling an electromechanical shade to prevent the high-flux light from passing out of the high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter.

13. A power-over-fiber safety method according to claim 11 , wherein the high-flux light and the secondary light signal have the same wavelength.

14. A power-over-fiber safety method according to claim 11 , wherein the high-flux light and the secondary light signal have a different wavelength.

15. A power-over-fiber safety method according to claim 11 , further comprising:

receiving a control signal to override the safety sensor.

16. A safety-system enabled electromagnetic energy receiver, comprising:

a housing;

at least one opto-mechanical coupling arranged in a portion of the housing to receive a first fiber-based conduit;

an energy conversion component arranged to receive high-flux light and generate electricity from at least a first portion of the received high-flux light; and

an optical element arranged to direct a second portion of the received high-flux light out from the housing as an indication that the high-flux light was receive; and

at least one second opto-mechanical coupling arranged in a second portion of the housing to receive a second fiber-based conduit, wherein the first fiber-based conduit is arranged to receive the first portion and the second portion of the high-flux light, and wherein the second fiber-based conduit is arranged to pass the second portion of the received high-flux light out from the housing.

17. A safety-system enabled electromagnetic energy receiver according to claim 16 , wherein the second portion of the high-flux light passed through the second fiber-based conduit represents a safety control signal for controlling a high-flux electromagnetic energy transmitter.

18. A safety-system enabled electromagnetic energy receiver according to claim 16 , wherein the opto-mechanical coupling and the second opto-mechanical coupling are threaded couplings.

19. A safety-system enabled electromagnetic energy receiver according to claim 16 , wherein the high-flux light is a laser light.

20. A safety-system enabled electromagnetic energy receiver according to claim 16 , wherein the optical element is arranged to reflect, refract, or focus the second portion of the received high-flux light.