Energy device with integral conductive surface for data communication via electromagnetic energy and method thereof

• US 8,260,203 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2009
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sapurast Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Infinite Power Solutions, Inc. (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Brantner, Paul C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US12/556,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20100068995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/404.1, 455/562.1, 455/410, 455/575.5, 455/107, 455/121, 235/487, 340/8.1, 343/860
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/02 Details of electrodes H01M4/00; of non-active parts H01M50/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/40 Printed batteries , e.g. thin film batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/02 Details electrodes H01M4/86 - H01M4/98
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and system to, for example, transmit and/or receive wireless signals is disclosed. The present invention uses, for example, electrically conductive surfaces within the energy device itself as a means of receiving and/or transmitting wireless communications signals. The surface may be an integral portion of the energy device, such as a charge collection surface within a battery or a capacitor that mainly provides the battery or a capacitor with a necessary function. In another embodiment of the invention the metallic or conductive surface is added to and specifically built into the energy device during manufacturing for the main purpose of receiving and/or transmitting wireless communications signals but is otherwise not necessary for the energy storage component.

Claims

1. An energy device for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, comprising:

an energy component, and

at least one electrically conductive surface that is an integral part of said energy component,

wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises at least one electrically conductive protrusion extending therefrom in the direction parallel to the component layers and wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals.

2. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said energy component comprises an energy storage device comprising any device from the group of:

electrochemical energy storage device, electrical energy storage device, magnetic energy storage device, mechanical energy storage device, electro-mechanical energy storage device, magneto-electric energy storage device, thermal energy storage device, and chemical energy storage device.

3. The energy device of claim 2, wherein said energy storage device comprises components selected from the group of:

battery, thin-film battery, capacitor, thin-film capacitor, piezo-electric element, magneto-electric element, thermal mass container, flywheel, micro-flywheel, micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS), mechanical spring, hydrogen generator with hydrogen container, and ozone generator with ozone container.

4. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said energy component comprises an energy generation device comprising any device from the group of:

electric generator, chemical energy generating device, fuel cell, hydro electric generator, thermal-electric generator, piezo-electric generator, Peltier junction thermal electric generator, atomic particle to electric generator, light to electric generator, light to thermal generator, magneto-strictive generator, and magneto-strictive-electroactive generator.

5. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said energy component comprises a geometrical shape selected from the group of square, rectangular, triangular, multi-sided polygonal, round, curved, wavy, and non-uniform in thickness.

6. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises an electromagnetic impedance that is adapted to the frequencies of the wireless signals to be transmitted and/or received.

7. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises a material selected from the group of:

the anode of an electrochemical storage device, the anode current collector of an electrochemical storage device, the cathode of an electrochemical storage device, the cathode current collector of an electrochemical storage device, the encapsulation of an electrochemical storage device, the substrate of an electrochemical storage device, the casing of an electrochemical storage device, the negative electrode of a capacitor, the positive electrode of a capacitor, the casing of a capacitor, the casing of a mechanical energy storage device, a mechanical spring, the metal frame of a flywheel, the casing of an electro-mechanical device, the electrodes of a piezo-electric element, the wiring of a magneto-electric element, the electrodes of a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS), the casing of a thermal energy storage device, the casing of a chemical energy storage device, the casing of a fuel cell, the electrodes of a fuel cell, the electrical interconnects of between fuel cells, the casing of hydrogen generator with hydrogen container, the casing of an ozone generator with ozone container, the electrodes in a Peltier electric generator, the electrically and thermally conductive heat sinks within a Peltier electric generator, the casing of Peltier electric generator, the electrodes in an atomic particle generator, the casing of an atomic particle generator, the collectors in a magnetostrictive generator, and the casing of a magnetostrictive generator.

8. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises a geometrical shape selected from the group of square, rectangular, triangular, multi-sided polygonal, round, curved, wavy, and non-uniform in thickness.

9. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface is structurally or chemically modified beyond its primary functional need by said energy component, whereby said modification causes an increase in the ability of said surface to receive and/or transmit wireless signals.

10. The energy device of claim 9, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface has a thickness that is greater than that of said energy component.

11. The energy device of claim 9, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises a surface area having a length in at least one horizontal direction greater than the length of said energy component.

12. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface has a thickness that is greater than that of said energy component.

13. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises a surface area having a length in at least one horizontal direction greater than the length of said energy component.

14. The energy device of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises a material selected from the group of:

metals, alloys, semiconductors, conductive organics and polymers, and conductive composites.

15. The energy device of claim 1, wherein the shape of said device is selected from the group of:

square, rectangular, triangular, multi-sided polygonal, round, curved, wavy, and non-uniform in thickness.

16. The energy device of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal comprises electromagnetic energy selected from the group of:

electrical field coupled energy, magnetic field coupled energy, light wave direct coupled energy, light wave thermally coupled energy, laser or coherent light coupled energy, and sub-millimeter wavelength radiation coupled energy.

17. The energy device of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal is selected from the group comprising:

broad band frequency, narrow band frequency, directed energy, indirect energy, ultra low frequency, super low frequency, very low frequency, low frequency, medium frequency, high frequency, very high frequency, ultra high frequency, super high frequency, extremely high frequency, infra red light frequency, visible light frequency, ultra violet light frequency, and x-ray frequency.

18. An energy device for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, comprising:

an energy component, and

at least one electrically conductive surface that is an integral part of said energy component,

wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises at least one electrically conductive protrusion extending therefrom in the direction orthogonal to the component layers and wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals.

19. The energy device of claim 18, wherein said energy component comprises an energy storage device comprising any device from the group of:

electrochemical energy storage device, electrical energy storage device, magnetic energy storage device, mechanical energy storage device, electro-mechanical energy storage device, magneto-electric energy storage device, thermal energy storage device, and chemical energy storage device.

20. The energy device of claim 19, wherein said energy storage device comprises components selected from the group of:

battery, thin-film battery, capacitor, thin-film capacitor, piezo-electric element, magneto-electric element, thermal mass container, flywheel, micro-flywheel, micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS), mechanical spring, hydrogen generator with hydrogen container, and ozone generator with ozone container.

21. The energy device of claim 18, wherein said energy component comprises an energy generation device comprising any device from the group of:

electric generator, chemical energy generating device, fuel cell, hydro electric generator, thermal-electric generator, piezo-electric generator, Peltier junction thermal electric generator, atomic particle to electric generator, light to electric generator, light to thermal generator, magneto-strictive generator, and magneto-strictive-electroactive generator.

22. The energy device of claim 18, wherein said energy component comprises a geometrical shape selected from the group of square, rectangular, triangular, multi-sided polygonal, round, curved, wavy, and non-uniform in thickness.

23. The energy device of claim 18, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises an electromagnetic impedance that is adapted to the frequencies of the wireless signals to be transmitted and/or received.

24. The energy device of claim 18, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises a material selected from the group of:

the anode of an electrochemical storage device, the anode current collector of an electrochemical storage device, the cathode of an electrochemical storage device, the cathode current collector of an electrochemical storage device, the encapsulation of an electrochemical storage device, the substrate of an electrochemical storage device, the casing of an electrochemical storage device, the negative electrode of a capacitor, the positive electrode of a capacitor, the casing of a capacitor, the casing of a mechanical energy storage device, a mechanical spring, the metal frame of a flywheel, the casing of an electro-mechanical device, the electrodes of a piezo-electric element, the wiring of a magneto-electric element, the electrodes of a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS), the casing of a thermal energy storage device, the casing of a chemical energy storage device, the casing of a fuel cell, the electrodes of a fuel cell, the electrical interconnects of between fuel cells, the casing of hydrogen generator with hydrogen container, the casing of an ozone generator with ozone container, the electrodes in a Peltier electric generator, the electrically and thermally conductive heat sinks within a Peltier electric generator, the casing of Peltier electric generator, the electrodes in an atomic particle generator, the casing of an atomic particle generator, the collectors in a magnetostrictive generator, and the casing of a magnetostrictive generator.

25. The energy device of claim 18, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises a geometrical shape selected from the group of square, rectangular, triangular, multi-sided polygonal, round, curved, wavy, and non-uniform in thickness.

26. The energy device of claim 18, wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface is structurally or chemically modified beyond its primary functional need by said energy component, whereby said modification causes an increase in the ability of said surface to receive and/or transmit wireless signals.

27. An energy device for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, comprising:

an energy component, and

at least one electrically conductive surface that is an integral part of said energy component,

wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals and is structurally or chemically modified beyond its primary functional need by said energy component, whereby said modification causes an increase in the ability of said surface to receive and/or transmit wireless signals, and

wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises at least one electrically conductive protrusion extending therefrom in the direction about parallel to the component layers.

28. An energy device for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, comprising:

an energy component, and

at least one electrically conductive surface that is an integral part of said energy component,

wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals and is structurally or chemically modified beyond its primary functional need by said energy component, whereby said modification causes an increase in the ability of said surface to receive and/or transmit wireless signals, and

wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises at least one electrically conductive protrusion extending therefrom in the direction about orthogonal to the component layers.

29. An energy device for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, comprising:

an energy component, and

at least one electrically conductive surface incorporated into said device during the manufacture of said device as an added component that is an integral part of said energy component,

wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals.

30. The energy device of claim 29, further comprising said at least one electrically conductive surface comprising an external antenna.

31. An energy device for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, comprising:

an energy component,

at least one electrically conductive surface that is an integral part of said energy component,

wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals, and

at least one external element that improves the reception and/or transmission of the wireless signal and wherein said external element is selected from the group of;

external diode, rectenna consisting of said external diode and said at least one electrically conductive surface, external full bridge rectifier, external half bridge rectifier, and external reactive components, wherein said external reactive components are any combination of capacitors, coils, diodes, transistors, RF chokes, and integrated devices.

32. An energy device for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, comprising:

an energy component,

a first electrically conductive surface that is an integral part of said energy component,

wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals, and

a second electrically conductive surface that, in combination with said first electrically conductive surface, are adapted to form an array which provides an improved transmission and/or reception of wireless signals.

33. The energy device of claim 32, wherein said array is adapted to provide an improved transmission and/or reception of said wireless signals in an omni-directional response.

34. The energy device of claim 32, wherein said array is adapted to provide an improved transmission and/or reception of said wireless signals in an uni-directional response.

35. The energy device of claim 32, wherein said plurality of electrically conductive surfaces comprises a connection in series and/or in parallel that are adapted to transmit and/or receive wireless signals.

36. The energy device of claim 32, wherein all electrically conductive surfaces comprise substantially equal size and shape.

37. The energy device of claim 32, wherein at least one of said electrically conductive surfaces comprises a substantially different size and shape than the other electrically conductive surfaces.

38. An energy device for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, comprising:

more than one energy component,

a first electrically conductive surface that is an integral part of one of said energy components,

wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals, and

wherein said more than one energy components are connected in series and/or in parallel.

39. The energy device of claim 38, wherein all energy components comprise substantially the same size and shape.

40. The energy device of claim 38, wherein at least one of said energy components comprise a substantially different size and shape than the other energy components.

41. An array comprising a plurality of energy devices for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals, each energy device comprising:

an energy component,

a first electrically conductive surface that is an integral part of said energy component,

wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals, and

wherein said energy devices are connected in series and/or in parallel.

42. The array of claim 41, wherein all energy devices comprise substantially equal size and shape.

43. The array of claim 41, wherein at least one of said energy devices comprise a substantially different size and shape than the other energy devices.

44. A method of transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals of electromagnetic energy comprising:

providing at least one energy device within range of a wireless signal, said device comprising an electrically conductive surface and an energy component, wherein said electrically conductive surface is an integral part of said energy component and wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals;

wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises at least one electrically conductive protrusion extending therefrom in the direction parallel to the component layers; and

transmitting and/or receiving a wireless signal across said electrically conductive surface.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising modifying the geometry and/or chemical make-up of said electrically conductive surface beyond its primary functional need by said energy component to improve the transmitting and/or receiving of wireless signals.

46. The method of claim 44, further comprising receiving a control signal to an autonomous electrical device.

47. A method of transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals of electromagnetic energy comprising, comprising:

providing at least one energy device within range of a wireless signal, said device comprising an electrically conductive surface and an energy component, wherein said electrically conductive surface is an integral part of said energy component and wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals;

wherein said at least one electrically conductive surface comprises at least one electrically conductive protrusion extending therefrom in the direction orthogonal to the component layers; and

; and

transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals across said electrically conductive surface.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising modifying the geometry and/or chemical make-up of said electrically conductive surface to improve the transmitting of wireless signals.

49. The method of claim 47, further comprising receiving a control signal to an autonomous electrical device.

50. A method of tuning the transmission and/or reception of wireless signals of a wireless communication device for a known signal, comprising:

providing an energy component, and

providing at least one electrically conductive surface that is an integral part of said energy component,

wherein said at least one conductive surface is adapted to receive and/or transmit wireless signals, and

providing said energy component within range of a wireless signal, wherein said electrically conductive surface has a first surface area and a first thickness for a first known transmission and/or reception signal.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising increasing the surface area of the electrically conductive surface in at least one horizontal direction to a second surface area.

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising increasing the thickness of the electrically conductive surface to a second thickness.

53. The method of claim 50, further comprising providing a plurality of electromagnetically conductive surfaces.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising configuring at least two of the plurality of conductive surfaces into an array to improve the transmission of wireless signals.

55. The method of claim 53, further comprising configuring at least two of the plurality of conductive surfaces into an array to improve reception of wireless signals.