Orientation-independent wireless charging

• US 9,973,031 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2017
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerngy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aerngy, Inc.
• Inventors: Nejatali, Saeed, Afshar, Mohammad Javad
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Application Number:
  US15/400,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20170201118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 320107, 320108, 307104
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

Methods are provided herein for orientation-independent, wireless charging of devices. The methods disclosed herein comprise transmitters and at least one receiver to transmit power wirelessly. The methods described herein comprise generating rotating magnetic fields to induce an electric current in a device.

Claims

1. A method for orientation-independent, wireless charging of a device comprising:

a. generating a rotating magnetic field, within a three-dimensional charging space, by using a first transmitter configured to transmit a first signal having a first frequency and a first amplitude, a second transmitter configured to transmit a second signal having a second frequency and a second amplitude, and a third transmitter configured to transmit a third signal having a third frequency and a third amplitude; and

wherein the first frequency, the second frequency, and the third frequency are equal, and wherein the first amplitude, the second amplitude, and the third amplitude vary at the same frequency; and

wherein the first frequency has a phase difference of 90 degrees with respect to the second frequency and the third frequency; and

wherein the third amplitude has a phase difference of 90 degrees with respect to the first amplitude and the second amplitude; and

b. inducing, by the rotating magnetic field, an electric current in at least one receiver within the three-dimensional charging space;

wherein the electric current that is induced in the receiver provides power wirelessly to the device, independent of an orientation of the device, relative to the rotating magnetic field.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitters comprise a transmit antenna or a transmit coil, an oscillator, a driver, and a transmitter impedance match circuit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the oscillator transforms a direct current into an alternating current (AC) and generates a signal comprising an amplitude and a frequency.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the driver amplifies an alternating current and transfers it to the transmitter impedance match circuit.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmitter impedance match circuit matches an impedance of an electric current amplified by the driver to an impedance of the transmit antenna or the transmit coil.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitters are always on.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a receive antenna or receive coil, a receiver impedance match circuit, and a voltage regulator.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the receiver impedance match circuit cancels out a reactive impedance of a signal generated by the receive antenna or receive coil.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the voltage regulator regulates an electric current induced in the receiver and provides said regulated electric current to the device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises the receiver.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional charging space ranges between 0.01 m³ and 100 m³.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitters are installed on all three axes of space of the three-dimensional charging space.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the frequency of the transmitters placed on a same axis of space is kept at a phase difference of 0 degrees.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency at which the amplitude varies is less than the first frequency, the second frequency, and the third frequency.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a cycle of the rotating magnetic field is independent of the first frequency, the second frequency, or the third frequency.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of the electric current transferred is independent of an orientation of the transmitters.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of the electric current transferred is independent of an orientation of the receivers.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the phase differences in amplitude and frequency depend on a physical position of the transmitters in the charging space.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotating magnetic field induces an electric current in the receive antenna or receive coil.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitters are energized by a synchronized electric power source.