Wireless electrical temperature regulator for food and beverages

• US 9,521,926 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2014
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael A., Brewer, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): JENNISON, BRIAN W
• Application Number:
  US14/586,016
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/2472 of the cordless type, i.e. whereby the cup can be plugged into an electrically-powered base element
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/2483 with electrical heating means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3476 Packages provided with an electrical circuit, e.g. resistances, for heating the contents microwave susceptors B65D2581/3463
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/04 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 27/00 Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy F25B30/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/16 Sensors measuring the temperature of products
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0266 Cooktops
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/12 Cooking devices

Abstract

The present disclosure provides various methods, apparatus, and systems for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle. The apparatus includes a receiver coupled to the receptacle, which receives pockets of energy generated in response to radio frequency waves. These radio frequency waves can be emitted by a pocket-forming transmitter in response to communication from the receptacle. The receiver coupled to the receptacle then provides electrical energy to a temperature regulating component associated with it. This temperature regulating component is configured to alter temperature of contents of the receptacle to desired temperature. Also disclosed is a cup containing liquids, such as beverages, which may be controllably heated to, or maintained at, a desired temperature using wireless power transmission.

Claims

1. A method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle, comprising the steps of:

receiving, by a wireless power receiver coupled to the receptacle, energy at a pocket of energy generated by constructive interference of a plurality of power waves emitted by a wireless power transmitter;

providing, by the receiver coupled to the receptacle, electrical energy to a temperature regulating component associated with the receptacle, the temperature regulating component being configured to alter temperature of contents of the receptacle to a desired temperature;

determining, by a sensor coupled to the receptacle, a temperature of the contents of the receptacle;

transmitting, by a communications component of the receiver, a signal containing data indicating the temperature of the contents of the receptacle to the wireless power transmitter; and

receiving, by the receiver, energy from an adjusted pocket of energy generated by the transmitter adjusting at least one of the plurality of power waves based upon the temperature of the contents of the receptacle.

2. The method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 1, further including the step of receiving, by the receiver, the temperature of the contents of the receptacle from the sensor coupled to the receptacle.

3. The method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 1, wherein the temperature regulating component comprises an electrical resistance heater configured to heat the contents of the receptacle.

4. The method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is a cup configured to heat a beverage.

5. The method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 4, wherein the cup includes an external layer configured to maintain the temperature of the contents of the cup.

6. The method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is a plate configured to heat food on the plate.

7. The method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 1, wherein the temperature regulating component comprises a thermoelectric cooler configured to cool the contents in the receptacle.

8. The method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 1, wherein the pocket of energy is regulated by utilizing adaptive pocket-forming.

9. The method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 1, wherein the communications component comprises one or more antennas of the receiver.

10. The method for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 1, wherein the communications component uses standard wireless communication protocols selected from a group consisting of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and FM radio.

11. An apparatus for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle, the apparatus comprising:

a receptacle coupled to a sensor, a receiver, and a temperature regulating component that is configured to alter temperature of contents of the receptacle to desired temperature in response to electricity from the receiver;

the sensor configured to determine the temperature of the contents of the receptacle and communicate the temperature of the contents of the receptacle to the receiver;

the receiver comprising a communications component configured to transmit a signal containing data indicating the temperature of contents to a wireless power transmitter; and

the receiver configured to receive energy from a pocket of energy and convert the received energy into electricity through one or more antennas and one or more rectifying circuits of the receiver, the pocket of energy being generated by constructive interference of a plurality of power waves emitted by a wireless power transmitter, the power waves being emitted based upon the temperature of the contents of the receptacle.

12. The apparatus for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 11, further including an electrical switch connected to the receiver and configured to control supply of electricity to the temperature regulating component.

13. The apparatus for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 11, wherein the temperature regulating component comprises an electrical resistance heater configured to heat the contents of the receptacle.

14. The apparatus for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 11, wherein the temperature regulating component comprises a thermoelectric cooler configured to cool the contents of the receptacle.

15. The apparatus for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 11, wherein the receptacle is a cup configured to heat a beverage.

16. The apparatus for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 11, wherein the cup includes an external layer configured to serve as a thermal insulator.

17. The apparatus for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 11, wherein the receptacle is a plate configured to heat food on the plate.

18. The apparatus for wireless regulation of temperature of contents of a receptacle of claim 11, wherein the pocket of energy is regulated by utilizing adaptive pocket-forming.