WIRELESS POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20160135269A1
• Filed: 01/15/2016
• Published: 05/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Hornick, Mike, McCracken, Robert E., Huggins, Mark, Whitmire, Jason P.
• Application Number:
  US14/996,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20160135269A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• 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 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A wireless power distribution system and method for power tools and other battery-powered devices. The system includes a power transmitter configured to transmit a power signal within a first power distribution volume and a plurality receivers configured to receive the power signal. The receivers include power harvesters, batteries, light sources and light sensors. The receivers determine whether the received power signal is greater than a power threshold value and convert the RF power signals into direct current. The direct current is used to charge a battery, power the light source, etc. The light source selectively receives power from the battery when the ambient light, detected by the light sensor, is below a light threshold value.

Claims

1. A wireless power distribution system comprising:

at least one power transmitter configured to transmit a power signal within a first power distribution volume; and

at least one receiver configured to receive the power signal,

wherein the at least one receiver includes a power harvester, at least one battery, a light source, and a light sensor, the receiver configured to determine whether the received power signal is greater than a power threshold value, the at least one battery configured to be in electrical communication with the at least one power harvester and receive power from the at least one power harvester when the received power signal is greater than the power threshold value, the light sensor configured to detect an amount of ambient light,

wherein the light source selectively receives power from the battery when the amount of ambient light is below a light threshold value.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a relay module configured to receive a power signal from the power transmitter and transmit power within a second power distribution volume

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second power harvester and a battery charger, the second power harvester configured to receive the power signal.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second power harvester is connected to the battery charger, and the battery charger includes a plurality of charging ports.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the power signal received by the second power harvester is provided to the battery charger, and the battery charger is configured to selectively provide power to the plurality of charging ports.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery is a lithium-based battery.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the power harvester includes an antenna, the antenna being positioned within the at least one receiver.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to be in electrical communication with the at least one power harvester and receive power from the at least one power harvester.

9. A method of wirelessly distributing power, the method comprising:

generating a power signal at a power transmitter;

transmitting the power signal within a power distribution volume;

receiving the power signal at a power harvester;

providing the received power signal to power a light source;

detecting an amount of ambient light using a light sensor;

comparing the amount of ambient light to a light threshold value; and

selectively powering the light source using a battery when the amount of ambient light is below the light threshold value.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving the power signal from the power transmitter at a relay module; and

transmitting power from the relay module within a second power distribution volume.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the battery is one of an AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V battery.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the battery is a lithium-based battery.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the power harvester is positioned within a housing of the battery.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving the power signal at a second power harvester;

comparing the received power signal to a power threshold value;

providing the received power signal to the battery when the received power signal is greater than the power threshold value; and

charging the battery using the received power signal.