Power transmission network

• US 20060270440A1
• Filed: 05/22/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powercast Corporation
• Original Assignee: Firefly Power Technologies LLC (Powercast Corporation)
• Inventors: Shearer, John G., Greene, Charles E., Harrist, Daniel W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,844,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/522
• 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: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/34 TPC management, i.e. sharing limited amount of power among users or channels or data types, e.g. cell loading

Abstract

A network for power transmission to a receiver that converts the power into current includes a first node for transmitting power wirelessly in a first area. The first area has a minimum electric or magnetic field strength. The network includes a second node for transmitting power wirelessly in a second area. The second area has a minimum electric or magnetic field strength and overlaps the first area to define an overlap area. In another embodiment, the network includes a source in communication with the first and second nodes which provides power to them. Also disclosed are methods for power transmission to a receiver that converts the power into current.

Claims

1. A network for power transmission to a receiver which converts the power into current comprising:

a first node for transmitting power wirelessly in a first area, the first area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength; and

a second node for transmitting power wirelessly in a second area, the second area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength and overlapping the first area to define an overlap area.

2. A network as described in claim 1 wherein the first and second nodes transmit power wirelessly with different frequencies or different polarizations or in pulses that do not interfere with each other.

3. A network as described in claim 2 including at least one controller which controls the frequency or the polarization or the pulses of at least one of the first node and the second node.

4. A network as described in claim 3 wherein when there is more than one controller, at least one controller communicates with at least one other controller.

5. A network as described in claim 4 including a third node having a third area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength which overlaps the first area.

6. A network as described in claim 5 including a fourth node having a fourth area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength which overlaps the second area, and wherein the first, second, third and fourth nodes transmit power wirelessly with different frequencies or different polarizations or in pulses that do not interfere with each other.

7. A network as described in claim 6 wherein each node includes a transmitter and an antenna.

8. A network as described in claim 7 wherein each controller is in communication with the antenna or the transmitter of its associated node.

9. A network as described in claim 8 wherein each controller has a memory and a CPU or MCU in communication with the memory.

10. A network for power transmission to a receiver which converts the power into current comprising:

a first node for transmitting power wirelessly in the first area, the first area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength;

a second node for transmitting power wirelessly in a second area, the second area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength; and

a source in communication with the first and second nodes which provides power to them.

11. A network as described in claim 10 wherein the first area and the second area overlap.

12. A network as described in claim 11 including a controller in communication with the source which controls power transmission by the first node and the second node such that phase cancellation of the power transmitted by the first node and second node is controlled.

13. A network as described in claim 12 including a plurality of additional nodes each having an associated area and in communication with the source.

14. A network as described in claim 13 wherein each node includes an antenna.

15. A network as described in claim 14 including a plurality of additional sources each having respective nodes and controllers wherein the controllers are in communication with each other.

16. A network as described in claim 15 wherein the controller is in communication with the source which controls the transmission of power wirelessly from the nodes with different frequencies or different polarizations or in pulses that do not interfere with each other.

17. A network as described in claim 16 wherein the nodes transmit power wirelessly with different frequencies or different polarizations or in pulses that do not interfere with each other.

18. A method for power transmission to a receiver which converts the power into current comprising the steps of:

transmitting power wirelessly from a first node in a first area, the first area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength; and

transmitting power wirelessly from a second node in a second area, the second area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength and overlapping the first area to define an overlap area.

19. A method as described in claim 18 wherein the step of transmitting power wirelessly from the second node includes the step of transmitting power wirelessly from the second node with different frequencies or different polarizations or in pulses that do not interfere with the transmission of power from the first node.

20. A method for power transmission to a receiver which converts the power into current comprising the steps of:

transmitting power wirelessly from a first node in the first area, the first area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength;

transmitting power wirelessly from a second node in a second area, the second area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength; and

providing power to the first and second nodes from a source in communication with them.

21. A method as described in claim 20 wherein the step of transmitting power wirelessly from the second node includes the step of transmitting power wirelessly from the second node with different frequencies or different polarizations or in pulses that do not interfere with the transmission of power from the first node.

22. A method as described in claim 21 including the step of controlling with a controller in communication with the source the frequency or polarization or when a pulse of power is transmitted by the first node and the second node.

23. A controller for controlling power transmission of at least one source and/or one antenna to a receiver which converts the power into current comprising:

a processor which issues instructions to the source and/or the antenna; and

a memory which stores information concerning the power transmission of the source.

24. A controller as described in claim 23 including an antenna in communication with the processor through which the instructions are sent to the source and/or the antenna to control the source and/or antenna.

25. A network for power transmission to a receiver which converts the power into current comprising:

first means for transmitting power wirelessly in a first area, the first area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength; and

second means for transmitting power wirelessly in a second area, the second area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength and overlapping the first area to define an overlap area.

26. A network as described in claim 25 wherein the first means includes a first node, and the second means includes a second node.

27. A system for RF power transmission, comprising:

a first node for transmitting power wirelessly in a first coverage area, the first coverage area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength;

a second node for transmitting power wirelessly in a second coverage area,

the second coverage area having a minimum electric or magnetic field strength;

at least one source in communication with the first node and the second node; and

at least one receiver,

wherein the receiver receives RF power from the first node when the at least one receiver is within the first coverage area and from the second node when the at least one receiver is within the second coverage area, and

the at least one receiver converts the power into current.

28. The system as described in claim 27, wherein the first coverage area and the second coverage area overlap to define an overlap area.

29. The system as described in claim 28, wherein the receiver receives RF power from the first node and the second node in the overlap area.

30. The system as described in claim 29, wherein the first node and the second node transmit power in multiple frequencies, polarizations and/or in pulses.

31. The system as described in claim 30, wherein the RF power does not include data.

32. The system as described in claim 31, wherein the RF power is used to charge at least one battery.

33. The system as described in claim 32, wherein the RF power is used to power at least one device.

34. A system for power transmission, comprising:

a receiver including a receiver antenna; and

an RF power transmitter including a transmitter antenna,

wherein the RF power transmitter transmits RF power in multiple polarizations, and

the receiver converts the RF power to direct current.

35. A controller for controlling power transmission of at least one source and/or at least one antenna to a receiver which converts the power into current, comprising:

means for issuing instructions to the at least one source and/or the at least one antenna; and

means for storing information concerning the power transmission.

36. The controller as described in claim 35, wherein the means for issuing instructions is a processor.

37. The controller as described in claim 36, wherein the means for storing information is a memory.

38. The controller as described in claim 37, further including a communication antenna in communication with the processor through which the instructions are sent.