Hybrid charging method for wireless power transmission based on pocket-forming

• US 9,871,398 B1
• Filed: 12/29/2014
• Issued: 01/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yeshaw, Esayas
• Application Number:
  US14/584,743
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• 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 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a hybrid charging method for wireless power transmission based on pocket-forming. This method may extend the battery life of electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, Bluetooth headsets, smart-watches among others. The method may include wireless power transmission through suitable techniques such as pocket-forming, while including an additional source of energy (backup battery) in the receiver attached or connected to the electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for wireless power charging, the method comprising:

when a receiver coupled to an electronic device is within a threshold distance from a transmitter;

receiving, by at least one antenna of the receiver, a plurality of wireless power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter, wherein the plurality of wireless power transmission waves constructively interferes at the receiver;

converting, by the at least one antenna of the receiver, the plurality of wireless power transmission waves that constructively interfere at the receiver into an alternating current (AC) voltage;

rectifying, by a rectifier of the receiver, the AC voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage, wherein the rectifier is coupled to the at least one antenna;

converting, by a power converter of the receiver, the DC voltage to a constant DC voltage output, wherein the power converter is coupled to the rectifier; and

providing, by the power converter of the receiver, the constant DC voltage output to a backup battery of the receiver to at least partially charge the backup battery, wherein the power converter is coupled to the backup battery; and

when the receiver is not within the threshold distance from the transmitter, and after providing the constant DC voltage output to the backup battery to at least partially charge the backup battery, draining the backup battery to provide power to a battery of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver is embedded in the electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a controller of the electronic device is coupled to a communication device of the electronic device and the battery of the electronic device, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the transmitter via the communication device in order to control energy received by the at least one of the backup battery and the battery of the electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the power converter is directly coupled to the backup battery and the battery of the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein an additional power converter is electrically interposed between the backup battery and the battery of the electronic device, the additional power converter delivery DC voltage from the backup battery and to the battery of the electronic device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the backup battery is coupled to the battery of the electronic device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a case comprises the receiver, wherein the case encases the electronic device, wherein the case is electrically coupled to the electronic device via at least one of a bus and a plug so that the receiver provides power to the electronic device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the battery of the electronic device comprises a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery,

the battery of the electronic device is coupled to a controller external to the receiver, and

the controller comprises at least one of a digital signal processor, a microprocessor and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when the receiver is within the threshold distance from the transmitter:

providing, by the power converter of the receiver, the constant DC voltage output to the battery of the electronic device while at least partially charging the backup battery.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless power transmission waves converge at the receiver to define a pocket of energy.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the power converter maintains a first power level to charge the battery of the electronic device and a second power level to charge the backup battery.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the power converter is a first power converter,

the first power converter is also coupled to the battery of the electronic device, and

a second power converter of the receiver is electrically interposed between the backup battery and the battery of the electronic device to deliver DC voltage from the backup battery to the battery of the electronic device.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when the receiver is within the threshold distance from the transmitter:

communicating a first power status of the backup battery and a second power status of the battery of the electronic device to the transmitter; and

receiving at least one wireless power transmission wave from the transmitter that is changed based on the communicating.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein draining the backup battery to provide power to the battery of the electronic device is performed in response to the battery of the electronic device being drained.

15. A wireless power receiving system, the system comprising:

an electronic device comprising a controller and a battery;

a receiver coupled to the electronic device, the receiver comprising;

an antenna configured to, when the receiver is within a threshold distance from a transmitter;

receive a plurality of wireless power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter, wherein the plurality of wireless power transmission waves constructively interfere at the receiver, and

convert the plurality of wireless power transmission waves that constructively interfere at the receiver into an alternating current (AC) voltage;

a rectifier coupled to the antenna, wherein the rectifier is configured to rectify the AC voltage into a DC voltage;

a power converter configured to convert the DC voltage into a constant DC voltage, wherein the power converter is configured to charge a backup battery of the receiver and the battery of the electronic device external to the receiver based on the constant DC voltage;

the backup battery coupled to the power converter, wherein the backup battery is configured to receive the constant DC voltage from the power converter, wherein the constant DC voltage is sufficient to charge the backup battery;

wherein the controller is configured to, when the receiver is not within the threshold distance from the transmitter, and after the backup battery receives the constant DC voltage to at least partially charge the backup battery, drain the backup battery to provide power to the battery of the electronic device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the receiver is configured to communicate with the transmitter through at least one of a short RF wave and a pilot signal sent through the antenna.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the battery of the electronic device is a chargeable lithium battery.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the receiver is embedded in the electronic device.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the power converter is configured to charge the backup battery first and then charge the battery of the electronic device.

20. A receiver coupled to an electronic device, the receiver comprising:

at least one antenna configured to, when the receiver is within a threshold distance from a transmitter;

receive a plurality of wireless power transmission waves transmitted by the transmitter, wherein the plurality of wireless power transmission waves constructively interferes at the receiver, and

convert the plurality of wireless power transmission waves that constructively interfere at the receiver into an alternating current (AC) voltage;

a rectifier coupled to the at least one antenna, wherein the rectifier is configured to rectify the AC voltage into a DC voltage; and

a power converter configured to;

convert the DC voltage into a constant DC voltage output, and

provide the constant DC voltage output to a backup battery of the receiver,

wherein the backup battery, after receiving at least a partial charge, is drained to provide power to a battery of the electronic device when the receiver is not within the threshold distance from the transmitter.