Multi-mode energy receiver system

• US 10,483,806 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2017
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PowerSphyr Inc.
• Original Assignee: PowerSphyr Inc.
• Inventors: Meng, David F., Wright, William B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L
• Application Number:
  US15/786,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20180109147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/10 using reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/04 for varying one co-ordinate of the orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/23 characterised by the type of transmitting antennas, e.g. directional array antennas or Yagi antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/12 Arrangements for reducing harmonics from ac input or output
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/24 Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A device is provided that includes a processor configured to identify a power transferring device and to determine a range configuration relative to the power transferring device, and to determine a power status of the device. The device also includes a first antenna configured to receive an oscillating power signal from the power transferring device at a first selected frequency based on the range configuration relative to the power transferring device, and on the power status of the device, and a first rectifier circuit configured to convert the oscillating power signal from the first antenna at the first selected frequency into a direct-current signal to charge a device load. A method for using the above device is also provided.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a processor configured to identify a power transferring device, to determine a range configuration relative to the power transferring device, and to determine a power status of the device;

a first antenna configured to receive an oscillating power signal from the power transferring device at a first selected frequency based on the range configuration relative to the power transferring device, and based on the power status of the device; and

a first rectifier circuit configured to convert the oscillating power signal from the first antenna at the first selected frequency into a direct-current signal to charge a device load.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second antenna configured to receive

an inductively coupled magnetic power signal from the power transferring device at a second selected frequency when the processor determines a near field range configuration relative to the power transferring device and a power level lower than a threshold as the power status of the device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first rectifier circuit comprises a balancing circuit configured to receive a differential input from the oscillating power signal from the first antenna.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a switch to transmit the direct-current signal to an external device or to a battery.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first antenna is configured to detect multiple wireless signals operating at multiple frequencies, the processor further configured to tune the first antenna at a frequency of one of the multiple wireless signals and to cause the first rectifier circuit to convert the one of the wireless signals into the direct-current signal.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a power protection circuit configured to determine a fault condition in the direct-current signal, the fault condition comprising one of an over voltage condition, an over charge condition, and an over temperature condition.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the oscillating power signal from the first antenna and provide an amplified oscillating signal to the first rectifier circuit.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first rectifier circuit comprises a matching circuit configured to balance a differential coupling of the first antenna to provide the direct-current signal to the device load.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first rectifier circuit comprises a radio-frequency shield to prevent a harmonic re-radiation of the oscillating power signal.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the oscillating power signal has a bandwidth and the first rectifier circuit is configured to convert a first portion of the oscillating power signal within a first portion of the bandwidth to charge a first device load and a second portion of the oscillating power signal within a second portion of the bandwidth to charge a second device load.

11. A method of charging a mobile electronic device, comprising:

identifying, by a power receiving unit, a power transferring unit in a proximity of the power receiving unit;

determining a range configuration between the power transferring unit and the power receiving unit;

determining a power status of the power receiving unit;

selecting a first antenna in the power receiving unit based on the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the power receiving unit, and on the power status of the power receiving circuit;

receiving, with the first antenna, an oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit at a selected frequency;

converting the oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit at the selected frequency into a direct-current signal; and

providing the direct-current signal to a device load.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein converting the oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit at the selected frequency into a direct-current signal comprises balancing a differential input from the first antenna.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving, with the first antenna, an oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit comprises tuning a radio-frequency amplifier circuit coupled to the first antenna at the selected frequency in the power receiving unit.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein selecting a first antenna in the power receiving unit comprises selecting a radio-frequency antenna to receive a directed radio-frequency power when the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the power receiving unit is within a far field, and selecting an inductively coupled antenna when the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the power receiving unit is within a near field.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein selecting the first antenna in the power receiving unit comprises selecting a radio-frequency antenna configured to receive a propagating, directed radio-frequency signal as the oscillating power signal when the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the power receiving unit is beyond a near field configuration and within a far field configuration.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein selecting the first antenna in the power receiving unit comprises simultaneously selecting a radio-frequency antenna configured to receive a propagating, directed radio-frequency signal and an inductively coupled antenna, when the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the power receiving unit is within a near field configuration.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving, in a reserve battery, at least a first portion of the direct-current signal, and providing at least a second portion of the direct-current signal from the reserve battery to a mobile electronic device docked in the power receiving unit.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving, in a wireless receiver, multiple wireless signals operating at multiple frequencies,

tuning the at least one power receiving circuit at a frequency of one of the wireless signals, and

converting, in a rectifier circuit, the one of the wireless signals into the direct-current signal.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising selecting a second antenna in the power receiving unit and receiving, with the second antenna, a second oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit at a second frequency, wherein the second oscillating power signal comprises a propagating, directed radio-frequency signal.

20. A non-transitory, computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor in a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

identifying, by a power receiving unit, a power transferring unit in a proximity of the power receiving unit;

determining a range configuration between the power transferring unit and the power receiving unit;

determining a power status of the power receiving unit;

selecting a first antenna in the power receiving unit based on the range configuration between the power transferring unit and the power receiving unit, and on the power status of the power receiving circuit;

receiving, with the first antenna, an oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit at a selected frequency;

converting the oscillating power signal from the power transferring unit at the selected frequency into a direct-current signal; and

providing the direct-current signal to a device load.