Wireless power transmission system and associated devices

• US 20120043887A1
• Filed: 08/17/2011
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steven Mesibov
• Original Assignee: Steven Mesibov
• Inventors: Mesibov, Steven
• Application Number:
  US13/199,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20120043887A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/76
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0096 Fans, e.g. ceiling fans forced cooling of lighting devices characterised by the arrangement of fans F21V29/67
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A wireless power transmission system comprises: a power transmitter, which includes a power amplifier that provides a sinusoidal waveform in the frequency range of about 20 to 500 kHz; a first loop antenna producing an alternating magnetic field within a selected area; a power receiver, which includes a second loop antenna located at least partially within the alternating magnetic field of the first antenna; and an electricity-consuming device connected to the output of the power receiver. Both transmitter and receiver preferably contain a capacitive circuit element to optimize tuning, which may be discrete capacitors or may rely on the self capacitance of the antenna(s). Applications of the system include: wirelessly powered lights for fans, boats, aquariums, display cases, etc.; wirelessly powered sensors and other devices for use with captive animals; and systems for transmitting useful power through construction materials to devices on the other side of walls or other structures.

Claims

1. A wireless power transmission system comprising:

a power transmitter comprising;

a power amplifier that converts a DC level power supply into a sinusoidal waveform at a selected frequency in the range of about 20 to 500 kHz;

a first planar loop antenna; and

a tuning capacitor that couples said power amplifier with said antenna;

a power receiver comprising;

a second planar loop antenna; and

a receiver tuning capacitor; and

,

at least one electricity-consuming device connected to the output of said power receiver.

2. The power transmission system of claim 1 wherein said first and second planar loop antennas are both tuned to said selected frequency.

3. The power transmission system of claim 2 wherein said power transmitter and said power receiver comprise resonant circuits tuned to achieve a Q of at least 25 at said selected frequency.

4. The power transmission system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second planar loop antennas comprises a metallization layer on a dielectric substrate.

5. The power transmission system of claim 1 wherein said dielectric substrate is sufficiently flexible to conform to a selected curved surface.

6. The power transmission system of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second planar loop antennas is sufficiently flexible to conform respectively to the inner and outer surfaces of a polymer composite boat hull.

7. The power transmission system of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second planar loop antennas is sufficiently flexible to conform respectively to the outer and inner surfaces of a polymer composite pool structure.

8. The power transmission system of claim 1 wherein said electricity-consuming device is selected from the group consisting of:

lighting elements;

light emitting diodes;

mechanical devices;

pumps;

battery chargers;

decorative objects;

digital thermometers;

sensors;

sonar devices;

fish finders; and

communication devices.

9. The power transmission system of claim 1 further comprising data transceivers in communication with one another via said first and second planar antennas.

10. A wireless power system for watercraft comprising:

a power transmitter comprising a power amplifier that converts a DC level power supply into a sinusoidal waveform at a selected frequency in the range of about 20 to 500 kHz; and

a first planar loop antenna disposed adjacent to an inner surface of the hull in a selected area of said watercraft, said first antenna producing an inductive magnetic field within said selected area;

a power receiver located on an outer surface of said hull, said receiver comprising a second planar loop antenna adjacent to said selected area of said watercraft and a receiver tuning capacitor; and

,

at least one electricity-consuming device connected to the output of said power receiver.

11. The wireless power system of claim 10 wherein said power transmitter and said power receiver comprise resonant circuits tuned to achieve a Q of at least 25 at said selected frequency.

12. The wireless power system of claim 10 wherein each of said first and second planar loop antennas is sufficiently flexible to conform respectively to the inner and outer surfaces of said hull.

13. The wireless power system of claim 10 wherein said electricity-consuming device is selected from the group consisting of:

lighting elements;

light emitting diodes;

mechanical devices;

sensors;

sonar devices;

fish finders; and

communication devices.

14. The wireless power system of claim 10 further comprising data transceivers in communication with one another via said first and second planar antennas.

15. A containment system for animals comprising:

an enclosure for containing an animal in a captive state;

a power transmitter comprising a power amplifier that converts a DC level power supply into a sinusoidal waveform in the frequency range of 20 to 500 kHz;

a first planar loop antenna; and

a tuning capacitor that couples said power amplifier with said first antenna, said first planar loop antenna disposed adjacent to a surface of said enclosure and producing an inductive magnetic field within said enclosure;

a power receiver located within said enclosure, said receiver comprising a second antenna and a receiver tuning capacitor; and

,

at least one electricity-consuming device connected to the output of said power receiver.

16. The containment system of claim 15 wherein said second antenna comprises a device selected from the group consisting of:

planar loop antennas, inductors, and chip inductors.

17. The containment system of claim 15 wherein said enclosure comprises an animal cage and said electricity consuming device comprises a sensor to monitor a selected aspect of said animal'"'"'s condition.

18. The containment system of claim 15 wherein said enclosure comprises a tank for containing aquatic animals and said electricity-consuming device is selected from the group consisting of:

lighting elements;

light emitting diodes;

mechanical devices;

pumps;

decorative objects;

digital thermometers; and

sensors.

19. A wireless lighting system comprising:

at least one horizontal surface upon which selected objects may be displayed;

at least one movable stand for holding one or more of said selected objects;

a power transmitter comprising a power amplifier that converts a DC level power supply into a sinusoidal waveform at a selected frequency in the range of about 20 to 500 kHz; and

a first planar loop antenna disposed parallel to said horizontal surface, said first antenna producing an inductive magnetic field over at least part of said horizontal surface, and a tuning capacitor that couples said power amplifier to said first antenna;

a power receiver located on said movable stand, said receiver comprising a second planar loop antenna oriented parallel to said first loop antenna, a receiver tuning capacitor, and at least one lighting device connected to the output of said power receiver.

20. The wireless lighting system of claim 19 wherein said horizontal surface comprises a table top.

21. The wireless lighting system of claim 19 wherein said horizontal surface comprises a shelf in a display case.

22. A lighted ceiling fixture comprising:

an electric motor-driven ceiling fan having a plurality of fan blades;

a power transmitter comprising a power amplifier that converts a DC level power supply into a sinusoidal waveform at a selected frequency in the range of about 20 to 500 kHz; and

a first planar loop antenna disposed generally parallel to the plane of rotation of said fan blades, said first antenna producing an inductive magnetic field at least intermittently over at least part of the surfaces of said fan blades, and a tuning capacitor that couples said power amplifier to said first antenna;

a power receiver located on at least one of said fan blades, said receiver comprising a second planar loop antenna oriented generally parallel to said first loop antenna, a receiver tuning capacitor, and at least one lighting device on said fan blade connected to the output of said power receiver.