Secured wireless power distribution system

• US 9,876,380 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2014
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael, Brewer, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Nitin
• Application Number:
  US14/586,137
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 713300
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/36 by positioning the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/40 The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/23 characterised by the type of transmitting antennas, e.g. directional array antennas or Yagi antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A wireless power distribution system for military applications is disclosed. The system includes a wireless power transmitter coupled with a power source. The transmitter may form pockets of energy using controlled radio frequencies. Electrical equipment coupled with an electronic receiver may utilize pockets of energy formed by the transmitter to charge or power the electrical equipment. The transmitter coupled with a power source may be used in a fixed position or may be carried in a vehicle for portability.

Claims

1. A method of secured wireless power transmission, the method comprising:

at a receiver having a communications component, at least one antenna element, and a rectifying circuit;

communicating, by the communications component of the receiver, a communications signal, which includes a security code, to a transmitter coupled to a power source, wherein the transmitter is configured to recognize the security code;

receiving, by the at least one antenna element of the receiver, energy from a plurality of power transmission waves that forms a constructive interference pattern proximate to a location of the receiver, wherein the transmitter transmits the plurality of power transmission waves in response to recognizing the security code communicated to the transmitter by the receiver; and

charging, using electricity generated by the rectifying circuit using the energy from the plurality of power transmission waves received by the at least one antenna element of the receiver, an electronic device that is coupled with the receiver.

2. The method of claim 1,

wherein:

the at least one antenna element of the receiver is in communication with at least one antenna element of the transmitter, and

the at least one antenna element of the transmitter transmits at least some of the plurality of power transmission waves.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a plurality of antennas, a radio frequency integrated circuit, a processor configured to implement a security logic used to recognize the security code, and a communications component.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a power converter configured to receive the electricity from the rectifying circuit and generate a constant direct current voltage that is used to charge the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications component of the receiver communicates with the transmitter through signals sent using a wireless communication protocol.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter, in response to recognizing the security code communicated to the transmitter by the receiver:

transmits the plurality of power transmission waves to form the constructive interference pattern in proximity to the receiver in response to determining that the receiver is within range of the transmitter; and

transmits the plurality of power transmission waves to a secondary transmitter, that is distinct and separate from the transmitter, in response to determining that the receiver is outside the range of the transmitter, wherein the secondary transmitter re-transmits the plurality of power transmission waves that forms the constructive interference pattern proximate to the location of the receiver.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the constructive interference pattern proximate to the location of the receiver is regulated by the transmitter utilizing adaptive pocket-forming.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the power source is a mobile generator mechanically coupled to the transmitter.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of power transmission waves is a plurality of radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmitter is a far-field wireless power transmitter.

11. A wireless charging system for secured wireless charging of a mobile electronic device, the system comprising:

a mobile electronic device coupled to a receiver;

the receiver configured to communicate a security code to a transmitter; and

the transmitter configured to;

receive the security code from the receiver;

recognize, using security logic of the transmitter, the security code; and

in response to recognizing the security code, transmit a plurality of power transmission waves that forms a constructive interference pattern proximate to a location of the receiver,

wherein the receiver is further configured to;

receive, via an antenna element of the receiver, energy from the plurality of power transmission waves; and

charge, using electricity generated using the energy from the plurality of power transmission waves received by the antenna element of the receiver, the mobile electronic device.

12. The wireless charging system of claim 11, further comprising:

a secondary transmitter distinct and separate from the transmitter,

wherein;

the transmitter is further configured to, in response to determining that the receiver is outside a range of the transmitter, transmit the plurality of power transmission waves to the secondary transmitter; and

the secondary transmitter is configured to re-transmit the plurality of power transmission waves that form a constructive interference pattern proximate to the location of the receiver.

13. The wireless charging system of claim 11, wherein the receiver further includes a power converter configured to generate a constant direct current voltage that is used to charge the mobile electronic device.

14. The wireless charging system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of power transmission waves is a plurality of RF power transmission waves.

15. The wireless charging system of claim 14, wherein the transmitter is a far-field wireless power transmitter.

16. A method of secure wireless charging of an electronic device, comprising:

at a transmitter having a communications component, at least one processor, and a plurality of antenna elements;

receiving, by the communications component, a communication signal from a receiver that includes a security code;

analyzing via the at least one processor, using security logic of the transmitter, the security code received from the receiver;

in response to recognizing the security code, transmitting, by at least some of the plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of power transmission waves that forms a constructive interference pattern proximate to a location of the receiver; and

wherein at least one antenna element of the receiver receives energy from the plurality of power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter; and

the receiver, using electricity generated from the plurality of power transmission waves received from the transmitter, charges or powers an electronic device that is coupled with the receiver.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the plurality of power transmission waves includes:

transmitting the plurality of power transmission waves to the receiver in response to determining that the receiver is within range of the transmitter; and

transmitting the plurality of power transmission waves to a secondary transmitter, distinct and separate from the transmitter, in response to determining that the receiver is outside the range of the transmitter, wherein the secondary transmitter re-transmits the plurality of power transmission waves that forms the constructive interference pattern proximate to the location of the receiver.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of power transmission waves is a plurality of RF power transmission waves.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the transmitter is a far-field transmitter.