Wireless Power Transfer to Embedded Sensors

• US 20110287713A1
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of South Carolina
• Original Assignee: University of South Carolina
• Inventors: Caicedo, Juan, Ali, Mohammod, Jin, Xiaohua
• Granted Patent: US 8,913,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• 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: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• 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 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/73 for taking measurements, e.g. using sensing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/24 for communication between two or more posts wireless communication networks H04W

Abstract

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a wireless sensor system is described. The wireless sensor system includes a near-field wireless power transfer component, at least one measurement sensor, and an antenna. The antenna is in communication with the measurement sensor and can transmit measurements from the measurement sensor. The near-field wireless power transfer component can wirelessly receive power to operate the measurement sensor.

Claims

1. A wireless sensor system comprising:

a near-field wireless power transfer component;

at least one measurement sensor; and

an antenna, wherein the antenna is in communication with the measurement sensor and can transmit measurements from the measurement sensor, and wherein the near-field wireless power transfer component can wirelessly receive power to operate the measurement sensor.

2. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the near-field wireless power transfer component comprises a coil and a liquid crystal polymer film.

3. A sensor according to claim 2, wherein the coil is fabricated on the liquid crystal polymer film.

4. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the near-field wireless power transfer component further comprises ferrite film.

5. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the near-field wireless power transfer component further comprises a rechargeable battery.

6. A sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a base station, the base station configured to wirelessly receive measurements from the measurement sensor.

7. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the measurement sensor comprises a strain sensor.

8. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the measurement sensor comprises a humidity sensor.

9. A sensor according to claim 1, wherein the measurement sensor comprises an acceleration sensor.

10. A sensor according to claim 7, wherein the antenna further comprises a humidity sensor.

11. A reinforced concrete element comprising:

a reinforcing bar;

concrete; and

a wireless sensor, the wireless sensor being positioned on the reinforcing bar and comprising a near-field wireless power transfer component, at least one measurement sensor, and an antenna, wherein the antenna is in communication with the measurement sensor and can transmit measurements from the measurement sensor, and wherein the near-field wireless power transfer component can wirelessly receive power to operate the measurement sensor.

12. A sensor according to claim 11, wherein the near-field wireless power transfer component comprises a coil and a liquid crystal polymer film.

13. A sensor according to claim 12, wherein the coil is fabricated on the liquid crystal polymer film.

14. A sensor according to claim 11, wherein the near-field wireless power transfer component further comprises ferrite film.

15. A sensor according to claim 11, wherein the near-field wireless power transfer component further comprises a rechargeable battery.

16. A sensor according to claim 11, further comprising a base station, the base station configured to wirelessly receive measurements from the measurement sensor.

17. A sensor according to claim 11, wherein the measurement sensor comprises a strain sensor.

18. A sensor according to claim 11, wherein the measurement sensor comprises a humidity sensor.

19. A sensor according to claim 11, wherein the measurement sensor comprises an acceleration sensor.

20. A sensor according to claim 17, wherein the antenna further comprises a humidity sensor.