Power receiver circuit

• US 10,483,766 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2018
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: uBeam, Inc.
• Original Assignee: uBeam, Inc.
• Inventors: Gao, Hong, Bolus, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Thai H
• Application Number:
  US15/885,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20180159337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 307104, 320108
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/002 Intermediate AC, e.g. DC supply with intermediated AC distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/082 Plural DC voltage, e.g. DC supply voltage with at least two different DC voltage levels
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/102 being switching converters H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/108 using diodes blocking reverse current flow H02J1/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/12 Parallel operation of dc generators with converters, e.g. with mercury-arc rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/15 using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0045 Converters combining the concepts of switch-mode regulation and linear regulation, e.g. linear pre-regulator to switching converter, linear and switching converter in parallel, same converter or same transistor operating either in linear or switching mode
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/32 Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/2176 comprising a passive stage to generate a rectified sinusoidal voltage and a controlled switching element in series between such stage and the output

Abstract

Systems and techniques are provided for a power receiver circuit. A power generating mechanism may include power generating elements that may generate alternating current signals. Rectifier circuit may include rectifiers that may generate a direct current signal from an alternating current signal, and diodes. Group circuits that may connect groups of rectifier circuits in electrical circuits to combine the direct current signals from the rectifier circuits in a group into a single direct current signal. A step down converter may be connected to the group circuits. The step down converter may convert a direct current signal to a direct current signal of a target voltage level. An output switch may be connected to the step down converter. A linear regulator may be connected to the step down converter. A microcontroller may be connected to the linear regulator and the output switch and may control the output switch.

Claims

1. A power receiver circuit device comprising:

a power generating mechanism comprising power generating elements configured to generate alternating current signals;

one or more rectifier circuits, each rectifier circuit comprising a rectifier configured to generate a direct current signal from an alternating current signal and a diode;

one or more group circuits, each group circuit connecting a group of rectifier circuits in an electrical circuit to combine the direct current signals from the rectifier circuits in the group into a single direct current signal;

a step down converter connected to the one or more group circuits, the step down converter configured to convert a direct current signal to a direct current signal of a target voltage level;

an output switch connected to the step down converter;

a linear regulator connected to the step down converter; and

a microcontroller connected to the linear regulator and the output switch and configured to control the output switch, wherein the microcontroller is configured to open the output switch, enter a standby state, and send a message using a radio of the microcontroller that the voltage of the voltage of the direct current signal from the step down converter has dropped when the microcontroller determines that the voltage of the direct current signal from the step down converter falls below a predetermined a threshold voltage.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the linear regulator is configured to convert a direct current signal from the step down converter to a direct current signal with a native voltage of the microcontroller.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to control the output switch by opening the output switch and closing the output switch.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to communicate with the transmitting device using the radio when the linear regulator supplies sufficient power to operate the microcontroller.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the communication with the transmitting device comprises one or more of sending a measurement of a voltage of a direct current signal input into the step down converter, sending a measurement of a voltage of a direct current signal input to the output switch, sending a measurement of an amperage of a direct current signal output by the output switch, sending a message indicating that voltage of the direct current input to the output switch has fallen below a predetermined threshold, receiving a message instructing the microcontroller to open the output switch, and receiving a message instructing the microcontroller to close the output switch.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the output switch is configured to output a direct current signal received form the step down converter when the output switch is closed and to output no signal when the output switch is open.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the step down converter is further configured to receive the direct current signal from the one or more group circuits.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the direct current signal from the one or group circuits has a varying voltage.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more rectifier circuits is connected to a single power generating element.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the diode of one of the rectifier circuits is connected to an output of the rectifier of the one of the rectifier circuits.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein each group circuit connecting a group of rectifier circuits in an electrical circuit to combine the direct current signals from the rectifier circuits in the group into a single direct current signal connects the group of rectifier circuits in either parallel or in series.