Wireless power transmission with selective range

• US 9,941,754 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2014
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael A., Brewer, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Henze-Gongola, David V
• Application Number:
  US14/583,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20160099611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,200 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• 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 50/27 characterised by the type of receiving antennas, e.g. rectennas
• 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 50/80 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 7/00045 Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source

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 wireless power transmission using a selective range to wirelessly deliver power to an electronic device, the method comprising:

obtaining, by a transmitter, data included in a signal received from a receiver;

determining, by the transmitter, a location of the receiver based upon the data included in the signal received from the receiver;

in response to determining that the location of the receiver is within a predetermined wireless charging area, determining, by the transmitter a selective range for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power waves that constructively interfere within the predetermined wireless charging area, wherein;

the selective range is defined by (i) a first distance from the transmitter to the predetermined wireless charging area and (ii) a second distance, distinct from the first distance, from the transmitter to the predetermined wireless charging area, and

the location of the receiver is within the selective range; and

transmitting, by the transmitter using the selective range, a set of RF power waves that;

constructively interfere within the predetermined wireless charging area, wherein transmitting using the selective range includes transmitting first RF power waves of the set of RF power waves so that they travel the first distance from the transmitter to the predetermined wireless charging area and transmitting second RF power waves of the set of RF power waves so that they travel the second distance from the transmitter to the predetermined wireless charging area, wherein the receiver uses energy from the constructively interfering RF power waves to provide power to an electronic device that is coupled with the receiver; and

destructively interfere to form null-spaces substantially adjacent to the predetermined wireless charging area.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the transmitter, from the receiver one or more additional signals containing data indicating respective locations of one or more obstacles situated between the transmitter and the receiver; and

responsive to receiving the one or more additional signals;

automatically adjusting, by the transmitter, transmission of the set of RF power waves to avoid the one or more obstacles situated between the receiver and the transmitter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver uses energy from the constructively interfering RF power waves to provide power to the electronic device while the receiver is within the predetermined wireless charging area.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a plurality of antennas for transmitting the set of RF power waves using the selective range, and the plurality of antennas is configured to operate in a frequency band range of about 900 MHz to about 5.7 GHz.

5. A transmitter for wireless power transmission using a selective range to wirelessly deliver power to an electronic device, the transmitter comprising:

a communications component configured to receive a signal from a receiver;

a processor configured to;

obtain data included in the signal received from the receiver;

determine a location of the receiver based upon the data included in the signal received from the receiver;

in response to determining that the location of the receiver is within a predetermined wireless charging area, determine a selective range for transmitting radio frequency (RF) power waves that constructively interfere within the predetermined wireless charging area, wherein;

the selective range is defined by (i) a first distance from the transmitter to the predetermined charging area and (ii) a second distance, distinct from the first distance, from the transmitter to the predetermined wireless charging area, and

the location of the receiver is within the selective range;

a plurality of antennas configured to transmit, using the selective range, a set of RF power waves that;

constructively interfere within the predetermined wireless charging area, wherein transmitting using the selective range includes transmitting first RF power waves of the set of RF power waves so that they travel the first distance from the transmitter to the predetermined wireless charging area and transmitting second RF power waves of the set of RF power waves so that they travel the second distance from the transmitter to the predetermined wireless charging area, wherein the receiver uses energy from the constructively interfering RF power waves to provide power to an electronic device that is coupled with the receiver; and

destructively interfere to form null-spaces substantially adjacent to the predetermined wireless charging area.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the receiver uses energy from the constructively interfering RF power waves to provide power to the electronic device while the receiver is within the predetermined wireless charging area.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of antennas is configured to operate in a frequency band range of about 900 MHz to about 5.7 GHz.

8. The system according to 5, wherein the processor is further configured to dynamically adjust transmission of the set of RF power waves to regulate an amount of power provided to the receiver while the receiver is within the predetermined wireless charging area.

9. The system according to claim 5, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

mobile phone, tablet, music player, computer, and toy.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive from the receiver one or more additional signals containing data indicating respective locations of one or more obstacles situated between the transmitter and the receiver; and

responsive to receiving the one or more additional signals;

automatically adjusting, by the transmitter, transmission of the set of RF power waves to avoid the one or more obstacles situated between the receiver and the transmitter.