Systems and methods for wireless power transmission

• US 9,853,692 B1
• Filed: 12/29/2014
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Bell, Douglas, Leabman, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Fritz M
• Application Number:
  US14/584,170
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 307104, 320108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/402 the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
• 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: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting wireless power comprising:

receiving, by a transmitter from at least one of a plurality of antennas, a first communication signal from a receiver coupled to an electronic device, the first communication signal comprising a location and device parameters associated with the electronic device;

splitting, by the transmitter, the plurality of antennas into at least one communication antenna and a first group of antennas;

assigning, by the transmitter, the first group of antennas to the receiver based on the device parameters associated with the electronic device;

transmitting, by the transmitter, two or more power transmission waves from the first group of antennas such that the power transmission waves converge as constructive interference patterns to form a pocket of energy at the location associated with the electronic device;

receiving, by the transmitter via the at least one communication antenna, a second communication signal from the receiver, the second communication signal comprising a power level associated with the electronic device;

adjusting, by the transmitter, a phase at which power transmission waves are transmitted by each antenna of the first group of antennas based on the power level associated with the electronic device; and

transmitting, by the transmitter, two or more power transmission waves having the adjusted phase from the first group of antennas such that the power transmission waves converge as constructive interference patterns to form an adjusted pocket of energy at the location associated with the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when the power level associated with the electronic device is above a predetermined threshold, adjusting the first group of antennas to reduce the number of antennas in the first group.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a number and type of antennas in the first group of antennas is based on a range and power transmission capability of the transmitter, wherein the fewer the N number of antennas in the first group results in a narrower range and a lower power delivery of the pocket of energy to the electronic device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined threshold is determined by a power table associated with the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when the power level associated with the electronic device is below a predetermined threshold, adjusting the first group of the plurality of antennas to increase a number of antennas in the first group.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a number and type of antennas in the first group of antennas is based on a range and power transmission capability of the transmitter, wherein the greater the N number of antennas in the first group results in a wider range and a higher power delivery of the pocket of energy to the electronic device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined threshold is determined by a power table associated with the electronic device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antennas include flat antennas, patch antennas, or dipole antennas.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein antennas in the plurality of antennas are configured to operate in frequency bands of 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz, or 5.8 GHz.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein antennas in the plurality of antennas have a vertical polarization, horizontal polarization, circular polarization, left hand polarization, right hand polarization, or a combination of polarizations.

11. A system comprising:

a transmitter configured to;

receive by at least one of a plurality of antennas a first communication signal from a receiver coupled to an electronic device, the first communication signal comprising a location and device parameters associated with the electronic device;

split the plurality of antennas into at least one communication antenna and a first group of antennas;

assign the first group of antennas to the receiver based on the device parameters associated with the electronic device;

transmit two or more power transmission waves from the first group of antennas such that the power transmission waves converge as constructive interference patterns to form a pocket of energy at the location associated with the electronic device;

receive, via the at least one communication antenna, a second communication signal from the receiver, the second communication signal comprising a power level associated with the electronic device;

adjust a phase at which power transmission waves are transmitted by each antenna of the first group of antennas based on the power level associated with the electronic device; and

transmit two or more power transmission waves having the adjusted phase from the first group of antennas such that the two or more power transmission waves converge as constructive interference patterns to form an adjusted pocket of energy at the location associated with the electronic device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is further configured to, when the power level associated with the electronic device is above a predetermined threshold, adjust the first group of antennas to reduce the number of antennas in the first group.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein a number and type of antennas in the first group of antennas is based on a range and power transmission capability of the transmitter, wherein the fewer the N number of antennas in the first group results in a narrower range and a lower power delivery of the pocket of energy to the electronic device.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the predetermined threshold is determined by a power table associated with the electronic device.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is further configured to, when the power level associated with the electronic device is below a predetermined threshold, adjust the first group of the plurality of antennas to increase a number of antennas in the first group.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein a number and type of antennas in the first group of antennas is based on a range and power transmission capability of the transmitter, wherein the greater the N number of antennas in the first group results in a wider range and a higher power delivery of the pocket of energy to the electronic device.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined threshold is determined by a power table associated with the electronic device.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of antennas include flat antennas, patch antennas, or dipole antennas.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein antennas in the plurality of antennas are configured to operate in frequency bands of 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz, or 5.8 GHz.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein antennas in the plurality of antennas have vertical polarization, horizontal polarization, circular polarization, left hand polarization, right hand polarization, or a combination of polarizations.