Receiver for wireless power reception having a backup battery

• US 10,396,588 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2018
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Borroto, Alfonso Perez
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yeshaw, Esayas G
• Application Number:
  US15/872,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20180212454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• 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 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• 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: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

The present disclosure provides devices and methods for wireless power transmission. These devices and methods may extend the battery life of electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, Bluetooth headsets, smart-watches among others. An example method may include, when a receiver coupled to an electronic device is within a threshold distance from a transmitter: (i) receiving a plurality of wireless power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter, (ii) converting the plurality of wireless power transmission waves into usable electricity, and (iii) providing the usable electricity to a backup battery of the receiver to at least partially charge the backup battery. Further, when the receiver is not within the threshold distance from the transmitter, and after providing the usable electricity to the backup battery to at least partially charge the backup battery, draining the backup battery to provide power to the battery of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for wireless power charging, the method comprising:

when a receiver that is embedded within an electronic device is within a threshold distance from a transmitter;

receiving, by the receiver, a plurality of wireless power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter, wherein each wireless power transmission wave of the plurality of wireless power transmission waves constructively interferes with at least one other wireless power transmission wave of the plurality of wireless power transmission waves at the receiver;

converting, by the receiver, the plurality of wireless power transmission waves into usable electricity; and

providing, by the receiver, the usable electricity to a backup battery of the receiver to provide a full or partial charge of the backup battery, wherein the backup battery of the receiver is distinct and separate from a battery of the electronic device; and

when the receiver is not within the threshold distance from the transmitter, and after providing the usable electricity to the backup battery to provide the full or partial charge of the backup battery, draining the backup battery to provide power to the battery of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a controller of the electronic device is coupled to a communication device of the electronic device, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the transmitter via the communication device in order to control an amount of usable electricity received via the plurality of wireless power transmission waves.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the plurality of wireless power transmission waves into usable electricity comprises:

converting, by at least one antenna of the receiver, the plurality of wireless power transmission waves into an alternating current (AC);

rectifying, by a rectifier of the receiver, the AC to a direct current (DC), wherein the rectifier is coupled to the at least one antenna; and

converting, by a power converter of the receiver, the DC to a constant DC output, wherein the power converter is coupled to the rectifier.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the power converter is directly coupled to the backup battery of the receiver and the battery of the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein an additional power converter is electrically interposed between the backup battery of the receiver and the battery of the electronic device, the additional power converter configured to deliver DC from the backup battery of the receiver and to the battery of the electronic device.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the backup battery of the receiver is coupled to the battery of the electronic device.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the power converter is coupled to the backup battery of the receiver.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when the receiver is within the threshold distance from the transmitter:

providing the usable electricity to the battery of the electronic device while charging the backup battery of the receiver.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when the receiver is within the threshold distance from the transmitter:

communicating a first power status of the backup battery of the receiver and a second power status of the battery of the electronic device to the transmitter; and

receiving at least one wireless power transmission wave from the transmitter that is changed based on the communicating.

10. A receiver coupled to an electronic device, the receiver comprising:

a backup battery that is distinct and separate from a battery of the electronic device; and

an antenna assembly configured to, when the receiver is within a threshold distance from a transmitter;

receive a plurality of wireless power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter, wherein each wireless power transmission wave of the plurality of wireless power transmission waves constructively interferes with at least one other wireless power transmission wave of the plurality of wireless power transmission waves at the receiver;

convert the plurality of wireless power transmission waves into usable electricity; and

provide the usable electricity to the backup battery to provide a full or partial charge of the backup battery,

wherein the backup battery, after receiving the full or partial charge, is drained to provide power to the battery of the electronic device when the receiver is not within the threshold distance from the transmitter.

11. The receiver of claim 10, wherein the receiver is embedded in the electronic device.

12. The receiver of claim 10, wherein a controller of the electronic device is coupled to a communication device of the electronic device, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the transmitter via the communication device in order to control an amount of usable electricity received via the plurality of wireless power transmission waves.

13. The receiver of claim 10, wherein the antenna assembly comprises:

at least one antenna configured to;

receive the plurality of wireless power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter; and

convert the plurality of wireless power transmission waves into an alternating current (AC);

a rectifier coupled to the at least one antenna, the rectifier being configured to rectify the AC into a first direct current (DC); and

a power converter coupled to the rectifier, the power converting being configured to;

convert the first DC into a second DC, and

provide the second DC to the backup battery.

14. The receiver of claim 13, wherein the second DC is a constant DC output.

15. The receiver of claim 13, wherein the power converter is directly coupled to the backup battery of the receiver and the battery of the electronic device.

16. The receiver of claim 13, further comprising an additional power converter electrically interposed between the backup battery of the receiver and the battery of the electronic device, the additional power converter being configured to deliver DC from the backup battery of the receiver and to the battery of the electronic device.

17. The receiver of claim 10, wherein the backup battery of the receiver is coupled to the battery of the electronic device.

18. The receiver of claim 10, wherein the receiver is configured to provide the usable electricity to the battery of the electronic device while charging the backup battery when the receiver is within the threshold distance from the transmitter.

19. The receiver of claim 10, wherein the receiver is configured to, when the receiver is within the threshold distance from the transmitter:

communicate a first power status of the backup battery of the receiver and a second power status of the battery of the electronic device to the transmitter; and

receive at least one wireless power transmission wave from the transmitter that is changed based on the communicating.