Wireless power transfer to embedded sensors

• US 9,287,936 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of South Carolina
• Original Assignee: University of South Carolina
• Inventors: Ali, Mohammod, Caicedo, Juan, Jin, Xiaohua
• Primary Examiner(s): Wendell, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US14/571,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20150147965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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:

internal components configured for locating within a structure, the internal components comprising at least one measurement sensor, an antenna configured for communication with the at least one measurement sensor and for transmitting measurements from the at least one measurement sensor, a wireless transceiver, a micro-controller, a memory, a battery configured to power one or more of the internal components, and a wireless receive coil configured for recharging the battery in response to a magnetic field; and

external components configured for locating external to the structure, the external components comprising a power source, an oscillator in communication with the power source, and a transmit coil in communication with the oscillator, the transmit coil being configured for generating the magnetic field.

2. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the internal components further comprise a liquid crystal polymer film.

3. The wireless sensor system according to claim 2, wherein the wireless receive coil is fabricated on the liquid crystal polymer film.

4. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the internal components further comprise a ferrite film.

5. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, further comprising a base station, the base station configured to wirelessly receive measurements from the at least one measurement sensor.

6. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement sensor comprises a strain sensor.

7. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement sensor comprises a humidity sensor.

8. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement sensor comprises an acceleration sensor.

9. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a humidity sensor.

10. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the battery and the wireless transceiver are a component of a patch.

11. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the oscillator and the transmit coil are components of a resonator patch.

12. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the power source is a solar power source.

13. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement sensor comprises an acoustic sensor.

14. The wireless sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured for monitoring a bridge, a building, a pipeline, a power line, a dam, or a hazardous waste containing structure.