Devices and methods for reducing mutual coupling effects in wireless power transmission systems

• US 10,680,319 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2017
• Issued: 06/09/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Hosseini, Alister, Leabman, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sun, Pinping
• Application Number:
  US15/400,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20180198199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/521 reducing the coupling between adjacent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/008 said selective devices having Sievenpipers' mushroom elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/26 varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture H01Q3/12, H01Q3/22, H01Q3/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0485 Dielectric resonator antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• 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 50/402 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 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for reducing mutual coupling between antennas. In one aspect, a wireless charging system includes: (1) two antennas configured to direct electromagnetic waves toward a wireless power receiver such that the electromagnetic waves interfere constructively at the receiver; and (2) a housing structure configured to receive the antennas, including: (a) a metallic base, (b) a first set of isolating components extending upwardly and defining a first region configured to receive a first antenna, and (c) a second set of isolating components extending upwardly and defining a second region configured to receive a second antenna, the second set including at least some isolating components distinct from those in the first set. The first and second sets of isolating components configured to: (i) create a physical gap between the antennas, and (ii) reduce a mutual coupling between the antennas.

Claims

1. A transmitter device for a wireless charging system, comprising:

at least two antennas configured to direct electromagnetic waves toward a wireless power receiver such that the electromagnetic waves interfere constructively at a location proximate to the wireless power receiver; and

a housing structure configured to receive the at least two antennas, the housing structure including;

a metallic base;

a first set of isolating components extending upwardly relative to the metallic base and defining a first region of the housing structure that is configured to receive a first antenna of the at least two antennas; and

a second set of isolating components extending upwardly relative to the metallic base and defining a second region of the housing structure that is configured to receive a second antenna of the at least two antennas, the second set including at least some isolating components distinct from those in the first set;

wherein the first and second sets of isolating components are configured (i) to create a physical gap in the housing structure between the first and second antennas, and (ii) to reduce a mutual coupling between the first antenna and the second antenna, and

wherein the first and second sets of isolating components comprise respective pluralities of metallic cylinders.

2. The transmitter device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first power source configured to provide power to the at least two antennas; and

a second power source configured to provide power to the first and second sets of isolating components, wherein the first power source is distinct from the second power source.

3. The transmitter device of claim 2, further comprising respective transmission lines for coupling the at least two antennas to the first power source.

4. The transmitter device of claim 2, wherein the metallic base is configured to provide power from the second power source to the first and second sets of isolating components.

5. The transmitter device of claim 1, wherein the first set of isolating components has at least one structural characteristic that is configured in accordance with a first characteristic of the first antenna.

6. The transmitter device of claim 5, wherein the second set of isolating components has at least one structural characteristic that is configured in accordance with a second characteristic of the second antenna.

7. The transmitter device of claim 6, wherein the first and second characteristics correspond to respective geometric shapes of the first and second antennas.

8. The transmitter device of claim 6, wherein the first and second characteristics correspond to respective frequencies at which the first and second antennas transmit the electromagnetic waves.

9. The transmitter device of claim 6, wherein the at least one structural characteristic of the first set of isolating components is distinct from the at least one structural characteristic of the second set of isolating components.

10. The transmitter device of claim 1, wherein:

the first antenna is configured to direct the electromagnetic waves outward from a particular surface of the first antenna, and

the first set of isolating components extends upwardly above the particular surface of the first antenna.

11. The transmitter device of claim 1, further comprising one or more processors that are (i) in communication with the at least two antennas and (ii) configured to control transmission of the electromagnetic waves using the at least two antennas.

12. The transmitter device of claim 1, further comprising an additional antenna configured for wireless communications with the wireless power receiver.

13. The transmitter device of claim 1, wherein the at least two antennas includes one or more of:

a surface-mounted dielectric resonator antenna;

a surface-mounted dielectric resonator antenna with a hollowed core; and

a microstrip antenna.

14. The transmitter device of claim 1, wherein:

the first region and the second region of the housing structure are respective coupling locations that are configured to couple the first antenna and the second antenna, respectively, to the metallic base,

the first set of isolating components is configured to surround a first perimeter of the first antenna, and

the second set of isolating components is configured to surround a second perimeter of the second antenna.

15. The transmitter device of claim 1, wherein the wireless power receiver includes an energy harvesting component configured to obtain energy from the electronic magnetic waves and convert the obtained energy to electrical charge used to provide power to an electronic device associated with the wireless power receiver.

16. A method of constructing a transmitter device for a wireless charging system, comprising:

providing at least two antennas configured to direct electromagnetic waves toward a wireless power receiver such that the electromagnetic waves interfere constructively at a location proximate to the wireless power receiver;

providing a housing structure configured to receive the at least two antennas, the housing structure including;

a metallic base;

a first set of isolating components extending upwardly relative to the metallic base and defining a first region of the housing structure that is configured to receive a first antenna of the at least two antennas; and

a second set of isolating components extending upwardly relative to the metallic base and defining a second region of the housing structure that is configured to receive a second antenna of the at least two antennas, the second set including at least some isolating components distinct from those in the first set;

wherein the first and second sets of isolating components are configured (i) to create a physical gap in the housing structure between the first and second antennas and (ii) to reduce a mutual coupling between the first antenna and the second antenna;

wherein the first and second sets of isolating components comprise respective pluralities of metallic cylinders;

mounting the first antenna at the first region of the housing structure, wherein a first perimeter of the first antenna is surrounded by the first set of isolating components; and

mounting the second antenna at the second region of the housing structure, wherein a second perimeter of the second antenna is surrounded by the second set of isolating components.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising communicatively coupling the first antenna and the second antenna to one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to govern operation of the first antenna and the second antenna.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

supplying power to the first antenna and the second antenna using a first power source; and

supplying power to the first and second sets of isolating components, via the metallic base, using a second power source, distinct from the first power source.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising coupling the plurality of isolating components to an electrical ground.