Energy harvesting with two conducting antenna within different substances

• US 9,728,998 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2013
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Humavox Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Humavox Ltd.
• Inventors: Manova-Elssibony, Asaf
• Primary Examiner(s): Isla Rodas, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Dung V
• Application Number:
  US14/377,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20160020631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 320107, 320109
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/27 characterised by the type of receiving antennas, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/0138 Electrical filters or coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/38 Impedance-matching networks

Abstract

A system is presented for harvesting electromagnetic energy propagating in surroundings. The system comprises an antenna unit, a harvesting unit, and an input signal adapting circuit. The antenna unit is configured for receiving external electromagnetic radiation from the surroundings and producing a corresponding electric output. The harvesting unit comprises at least one energy harvesting circuit each configured and operable for receiving signals indicative of the output of the antenna unit and generating and storing corresponding electric charge, the harvesting circuit comprising: a rectifying unit comprising a plurality of rectifiers each configured and operable to receive AC electric signals and generate corresponding DC electric power; and a charge collection unit configured and operable to receive the plurality of DC electric powers from said rectifying unit and converting and accumulating them into the electric charge presenting harvested energy. The input signal adapting circuit has an input connected to the antenna unit and an output connected to the rectifying unit, the input signal adapting circuit being configured and operable for adjusting a predetermined electrical property of the antenna unit and rectifying unit to thereby optimize receipt of the electric output of the antenna unit to the harvesting circuit.

Claims

1. An antenna unit configured and operable for receiving external electromagnetic radiation from surroundings and producing a corresponding output electric signal, said antenna unit comprising at least two conductive elements positioned in at least two different transmission media being different substances that are different in at least one of electric and magnetic properties, such that received external electromagnetic radiation creates a potential difference between the at least two conductive elements producing an output electric signal, thereby allowing uptake of the external electromagnetic radiation from the surroundings.

2. The antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein said at least two different transmission media include different animate tissues.

3. The antenna unit according to claim 1, being attached to an animate body, wherein said at least two different transmission media include animate tissue and air.

4. The antenna unit according to claim 1, where said antenna is connected to transmitting unit and configured for transmitting electromagnetic radiation.

5. A system for harvesting electromagnetic energy propagating in surroundings, said system comprising:

the antenna unit of claim 1 configured for receiving external electromagnetic radiation from the surroundings and producing a corresponding electric output;

a harvesting unit for receiving signals indicative of the output of the antenna unit and generating and storing corresponding electric charge; and

an input signal adapting circuit being configured and operable for adjusting a predetermined electrical property of the antenna unit to optimize receipt of the electric output of the antenna unit to the harvesting unit.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said antenna unit comprises at least two conductive elements positioned in at least two different transmission media being different in at least one of electric and magnetic properties.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said at least two different transmission media include at least two different anima issues.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein said at least two different transmission media include animate tissue and air.