Antenna tile arrangements configured to operate as one functional unit

• US 9,979,440 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2014
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Original Assignee: Energous Corporation
• Inventors: Leabman, Michael A., Brewer, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Houston, Adam
• Application Number:
  US14/585,565
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 307104, 307149
• 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 50/402 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: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

A system for wireless power transmission is provided. The system comprises a plurality of tiles configured to operate as one functional unit. At least one of the tiles comprises an antenna and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) coupled to the antenna and the RFIC is configured to engage the antenna such that the antenna emits a plurality of wireless power waves defining a pocket of energy.

Claims

1. A system for wireless power transmission, the system comprising:

a plurality of transmit tiles configured to operate as one functional unit, each of the transmit tiles comprising;

one or more antennas,

a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) coupled to the one or more antennas and configured to engage the one or more antennas such that the antennas of the plurality of transmit tiles emit a plurality of wireless power waves forming constructive and destructive interference patterns defining a controlled pocket of energy exclusively at a location of a wireless power receiver, and

a controller coupled to the RFIC and configured to determine efficient trajectories along which to transmit the plurality of wireless power waves to form the pocket of energy at the location of the wireless power receiver, wherein the efficient trajectories reduce transmission losses by avoiding obstacles located between the system and the location of the wireless power receiver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles are positioned along a flat plane when operating as the one functional unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles are asymmetrical to each other.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles are symmetrical to each other.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles are positioned to define an open shape when operating as the one functional unit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles are positioned to define a closed shape when operating as the one functional unit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles are in contact with each other when operating as the one functional unit.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles avoid contact with each other when operating as the one functional unit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles are coupled to each other.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles define a row, a column, or a combination thereof when operating as the one functional unit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein respective one or more antennas of the plurality of the transmit tiles emit a second plurality of wireless power waves forming constructive and destructive interference patterns defining a second controlled pocket of energy exclusively at a location of a second wireless power receiver.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles are powered serially or in parallel when operating as the one functional unit.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the controlled pocket of energy exclusively at the location of the wireless power receiver has a first power level, and a space around the controlled pocket of energy has a second power level, wherein the first power level is greater than the second power level.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit tiles are part of an antenna array.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the RFIC and the controller is positioned off the transmit tiles.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of transmit tiles comprises a network communication component, wherein the network communication component is configured to obtain data to aid in determining the efficient trajectories along which to transmit the plurality of wireless power waves.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of transmit tiles are positioned within a specified distance of one another.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality transmit tiles is configured to transmit and receive wireless power waves.

19. A method of using transmit tiles to wirelessly deliver power to a wireless power receiver, the method comprising:

at a controller that is coupled with a plurality of transmit tiles configured to operate as one functional unit, each respective transmit tile comprising one or more antennas and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) coupled to the one or more antennas;

instructing the RFIC to engage the one or more antennas such that the antennas of the plurality of transmit tiles emit a plurality of wireless power waves forming constructive and destructive interference patterns defining a controlled pocket of energy exclusively at a location of the wireless power receiver, and

determining efficient trajectories along which to transmit the plurality of wireless power waves to form the pocket of energy at the location of the wireless power receiver, wherein the efficient trajectories reduce transmission losses by avoiding obstacles located between the plurality of transmit tiles and the location of the wireless power receiver.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a controller that is coupled with a plurality of transmit tiles configured to operate as one functional unit, each of the transmit tiles comprising one or more antennas and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) coupled to the one or more antennas, cause the controller to:

instruct the RFIC to engage the one or more antennas such that the antennas of the plurality of transmit tiles emit a plurality of wireless power waves forming constructive and destructive interference patterns defining a controlled pocket of energy exclusively at a location of a wireless power receiver, and

determine efficient trajectories along which to transmit the plurality of wireless power waves to form the pocket of energy at the location of the wireless power receiver, wherein the efficient trajectories reduce transmission losses by avoiding obstacles located between the plurality of transmit tiles and the location of the wireless power receiver.