System and method for powering a vehicle using radio frequency generators
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- positioning a plurality of RF generators beneath the road surface of a roadway, the RF generators configured to transmit RF signals in a fixed, upward direction towards vehicles traveling over the roadway;
identifying a particular driver and/or vehicle driving over the roadway;
determining whether the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals;
selectively transmitting the RF signals only if the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals;
coupling a rectenna to the underside of a vehicle, the rectenna configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generators and to generate power from the RF signals; and
using the power generated by the rectenna to power the vehicle.
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Abstract
A system and method are described for powering a vehicle using radio frequency (“RF”) signals. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: positioning a plurality of RF generators beneath the road surface of a roadway, the RF generators configured to transmit RF signals in the direction of vehicles traveling over the roadway; coupling a rectenna on a vehicle, the rectenna configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generators and to generate power from the RF signals; and using the power generated by the rectenna to power the vehicle.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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positioning a plurality of RF generators beneath the road surface of a roadway, the RF generators configured to transmit RF signals in a fixed, upward direction towards vehicles traveling over the roadway; identifying a particular driver and/or vehicle driving over the roadway; determining whether the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals; selectively transmitting the RF signals only if the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals; coupling a rectenna to the underside of a vehicle, the rectenna configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generators and to generate power from the RF signals; and using the power generated by the rectenna to power the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for powering a vehicle comprising:
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a plurality of RF generators positioned beneath a road surface of a roadway, the RF generators configured to transmit RF signals in a fixed, upward direction towards vehicles traveling over the roadway, a plurality of authorization/control modules positioned beneath the road surface, the authorization/control modules configured to identify a particular driver and/or vehicle driving over the roadway, to further determine whether the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals, and to cause the RF generators to selectively transmit the RF signals only if the driver and/or vehicle are authorized to receive the RF signals; a rectenna coupled to the underside of a vehicle, the rectenna configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generators and to generate power from the RF signals; and a rechargeable power source within the vehicle, the rechargeable power source capable of being recharged by the power generated by the rectenna. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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RF generator means positioned beneath a road surface of a roadway, the generator means configured to transmit RF signals in a fixed, upward direction towards vehicles traveling over the roadways, authorization/control means positioned beneath the road surface, the authorization/control means configured to identify a particular driver and/or vehicle driving over the roadway, to further determine whether the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals, and to cause the RF generators to selectively transmit the RF signals only if the driver and/or vehicle are authorized to receive the RF signals; rectenna means coupled to the underside of a vehicle, the rectenna means configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generator means and to generate power from the RF signals; and rechargeable power source means within the vehicle, the rechargeable power source means capable of being recharged by the power generated by the rectenna. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification