Energy transfer arrangement and method

• US 8,558,410 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Powerkiss OY (Powermat Technologies, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Itkonen, Maija
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US12/678,083
• Publication Number:
  US 20100308665A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,854 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 307/104
• 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 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• 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 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A energy transfer arrangement including a first energy surface, a second energy surface, first means for transferring energy from the first energy surface to the second energy surface, and second means for transferring energy from the second energy surface to a terminal device.

Claims

1. An energy transfer arrangement comprising

a first energy surface;

first means configured to transfer energy from the first energy surface to a terminal device

a second energy surface; and

second means configured to transfer energy from the second energy surface to the first energy surface.

2. An energy transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first energy surface may be freely placed in relation to the second energy surface.

3. An energy transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second means comprise at least one of the following:

at least one induction loop for wireless power transmission;

radiowave means;

microwave means; and

laser beam means.

4. An energy transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second means further comprise means configured to identify the first energy surface, the first means or the terminal device.

5. An energy transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first means further comprises means configured to identify the second energy surface, the second means or the terminal device.

6. An energy transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second energy surface comprises at least some of the second means and that the first energy surface comprises at least some of the first means.

7. An energy transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the second and the first energy surface further comprises:

at least one of the following;

at least one second identifying elements for detecting the first energy surface on the second energy surface or in the vicinity thereof and at least one first identifying elements for detecting the terminal device on the first energy surface or in the vicinity thereof;

at least one of the following;

means configured to process the detected event so as to determine the charging need of the first energy surface and the terminal device and for communicating this information to at least one first means and to the second means.

8. An energy transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an energy-storing element is arranged in connection with at least one of the following:

the first energy surface and the second energy surface.

9. An energy transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following:

at least one identifying elements and the second identifying element are at least one of the following;

RFID elements and RF frequency elements and microwave frequency elements.

10. An energy receiver comprising a receiver to receive energy from an energy transfer arrangement comprising:

a first energy surface;

first means configured to transfer energy from the first energy surface to a terminal device

a second energy surface; and

second means configured to transfer energy from the second energy surface to the first energy surface.

11. An energy receiver according to claim 10, wherein the first energy surface may be freely placed in relation to the second energy surface.

12. An energy receiver according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and the second means comprise at least one of the following:

at least one induction loop for wireless power transmission;

radiowave means;

microwave means; and

laser beam means.

13. An energy receiver according to claim 10, wherein the second means further comprises means configured to identify the first energy surface, the first means or the terminal device.

14. An energy receiver according to claim 10, wherein the first means further comprises means configured to identify the second energy surface, the second means or the terminal device.

15. An energy receiver according to claim 10, wherein the second energy surface comprises at least some of the second means and that the first energy surface comprises at least some of the first means.

16. An energy receiver according to claim 10, wherein it comprises at least one of the following:

an energy-receiving adapter and an energy-receiving battery and an energy-receiving charging cover and an energy-receiving USB port.

17. A method for transferring energy, comprising:

transferring energy from a first energy surface to a terminal device, wherein the method further comprises;

transferring energy from a second energy surface to the first energy surface.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

detecting the first energy surface on the second energy surface or in the vicinity thereof;

determining the charging need of the first energy surface;

communicating information on the charging need to at least one second energy means of the second energy surface configured to produce energy for the first energy surface;

detecting the terminal device on the first energy surface or in the vicinity thereof;

determining the charging need of the terminal device; and

communicating the information on the charging need to the at least one first energy means of the first energy surface configured to provide the terminal device with energy.

19. An energy transfer arrangement comprising a first energy surface and at least one first transmitting coil-receiving coil system to transfer electric energy from the first energy surface to a mobile terminal device, wherein the arrangement further comprises:

a second energy surface; and

at least one second transmitting coil-receiving coil system to transfer electric energy from the second energy surface to the first energy surface.