WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSMISSION USING NEAR-FIELD ENERGY

• US 20120274147A1
• Filed: 10/19/2011
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Fuller, Christopher, Stecher, Frederick P.
• Application Number:
  US13/276,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20120274147A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/104
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/062 for focusing
• 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 2310/40 The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/50 using additional energy repeaters between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• 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: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

Techniques are described for wireless energy transmission and projecting magnetic fields over relatively long near-fields. In one example, a device for transmitting near-field energy comprises at least one source that generates a radiofrequency (RF) signal, an antenna that generates near-field signals from the RF signal, and a plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements that form a lens in communication with the antenna that captures the near-field signals, generates near-field energy, and re-directs the near-field energy toward an object in the near-field of the lens, where the sub-wavelength sized elements are disposed about the antenna.

Claims

1. A device for transmitting near-field energy, the device comprising:

at least one source that generates a radiofrequency (RF) signal;

an antenna that generates near-field signals from the RF signal; and

a plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements that form a lens in communication with the antenna that captures the near-field signals, generates near-field energy, and re-directs the near-field energy toward an object in the near-field of the lens,

wherein the sub-wavelength sized elements are disposed about the antenna.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sub-wavelength sized elements comprise metamaterial elements.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the sub-wavelength sized elements comprise composite materials.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the sub-wavelength sized elements comprise composite materials and metamaterials.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is a loop antenna comprising a plurality of turns.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the lens and the antenna form a partial toroidal shape.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is a first antenna, the lens is a first lens, and wherein object is a receiver comprising:

a plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements that form a second lens that captures the transmitted near-field energy; and

a second antenna in communication with the second lens that generates a current from the near-field energy.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the lens forms part of either a first magnetic levitation module or an electromagnetic deflection system.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the object is a moving and electrically conductive, and wherein the near-field energy alters the course of the object.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is configured to produce an artificial magnetosphere.

11. A device for receiving near-field energy, the device comprising:

a plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements that form a lens that captures the near-field energy; and

an antenna in communication with the lens that generates a current from the near-field energy,

wherein the sub-wavelength sized elements are disposed about the antenna.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the generated current provides a source of temporary power.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the generated current provides a source of permanent power to a structure.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is a part of a magnet levitation module.

15. A system for wirelessly transmitting near-field energy, the system comprising:

at least one source that generates a radiofrequency (RF) signal;

a first antenna that generates near-field signals from the RF signal;

a first plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements that form a first lens in communication with the antenna that captures the near-field signals, generates near-field energy, and re-directs the near-field energy into the near-field of the first lens,

wherein the first plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements are disposed about the first antenna;

a second plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements that form a second lens that captures the transmitted near-field energy; and

a second antenna in communication with the second lens that generates a current from the near-field energy,

wherein the second plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements are disposed about the second antenna.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the sub-wavelength sized elements comprise metamaterial elements.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the sub-wavelength sized elements comprise composite materials.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the sub-wavelength sized elements comprise composite materials and metamaterials

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the antenna is a loop antenna comprising a plurality of turns.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the lens and antenna form a partial toroidal shape.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the first lens forms part of a power station, and wherein the second lens forms part of a vehicle or battery charger.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the first lens forms part of a transmission tower, and wherein the second lens forms part of a receiver.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the first lens forms part of a first magnetic levitation module, and wherein the second lens forms part of a second magnetic levitation module.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein the first lens is positioned on a satellite orbiting Earth, and wherein the second lens is positioned on a tower on Earth.

25. The system of claim 15, further comprising an electrical outlet, wherein the generated current is directed to the electrical outlet to supply power.

26. A directed energy weapon that transmits near-field energy, the weapon comprising:

a source that generates a radiofrequency (RF) signal;

an antenna that generates near-field signals from the RF signal; and

a plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements forming a lens in communication with the antenna that captures the near-field signals, generates near-field energy, and re-directs the near-field energy toward an object in the near-field of the lens,

wherein the plurality of sub-wavelength sized elements are disposed about the antenna.

27. The weapon of claim 26, wherein the object is a ground-based target.

28. The weapon of claim 26, wherein the object is at least one of an improvised explosive device, a warhead with electronic fuzing, a vehicle, spacecraft, and equipment comprising electronics.