METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY TO DIRECT CURRENT

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for converting radio frequency energy (RF) into direct current for generating electric power includes a dipolar antenna (10) for receiving radio frequency energy (RF) and a circuit (12) connected thereto for converting the radio frequency energy (RF) to direct current. The circuit (12) has a positive output line (25) connected to one pole (18) of the antenna and a negative output line (26) connected to the other pole (19) of the antenna. A positive transmitting diode (D1) is located in the positive output line (25) and a negative transmitting diode (D2) is located in the negative output line (26). First and second bus lines (31 and 32) and a pair of tuned circuits (30) of opposite polarity couple the positive output line (25) and negative line (26) to the bus lines (31 and 32) with one of the bus lines (32) being connected to ground (42). Each tuned circuit includes a first bridging line (33) connecting the positive output line (25) to the first and second bus lines (31 and 32) and a second bridging line (34) connecting the negative output line (26) to the first and second bus lines (31 and 32). Each bridging line has a diode (D3 and D4) therein oriented at a polarity which is reverse with respect to the respective transmitting diode (D1 or D2). The bridging lines (33 and 34) of each tuned circuit are connected to one another by an inductance (35) and have capacitors (C2) disposed between the diode and the grounded bus line (42). A direct current load device (15) is connected to the output lines (25 and 26) of the circuit (12).

Description: \ METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY TO DIRECT CURRENT Background of the Invention Field of the Invention 5 • The instant invention relates to methods of and apparatus for converting radio frequency energy to direct current. . More particularly, the instant inven¬ tion relates to a method of and apparatus for converting radio frequency energy to direct current wherein the 10 direct current is of sufficient magnitude to power devices such as battery chargers and electric motors without the use of amplification. Technical Considerations in Prior Art There has long been interest in technology directed 15 to transmitting electrical energy over a distance with¬ out utilizing conductors, such as wire conductors. Development of such a technology has enormous potential. This was first recognized by Nikola Tesla who in 1899 constructed a 200 foot Tesla coil rated at 300 kilowatts 20 and 150 kilocycles. Tesla hoped to set up standing waves of electrical energy around the whole surface of the earth, so that receiving antennas set at optimum points could tap the power when needed. Tesla was able to light hundreds of lamps at a distance of aleout 40 25 kilometers with his device without utilizing'electrical conductors. The scheme has generally remained a scien¬ tific curiosity, but has provided the initial groundwork for current developments wherein attempts are being made to transmit power by microwaves. However, power trans- mitted by microwaves is envisioned in the form of a beam of very high intensity which is focused from a microwave generator to a receiving antenna. This technology is envisioned as being used for many types of purposes such as transmitting microwave energy collected from gigantic solar power satellites and "star wars"-type weapons systems. However, the focused microwave beam is not suitable for many applications in that the beam must be directed toward a receiving antenna and cannot be trans¬ mitted through most objects, including living objects, without destroying the objects. The instant invention relies on converting energy from standing waves which are emitted from radio fre- quenσy sources such as RF-antennas in the RF range rather than the microwave range. Of particular interest are very low frequencies which are not used in com¬ munications and are available for transmitting power. Also of interest with respect to the instant invention are the low frequency waves emitted by the earth due to pulsation thereof caused by its magnetic field. These low frequency standing "earth" waves can be picked up by receivers tuned thereto. Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide new and improved methods of and apparatus for converting radio frequency currents to direct current for practical uses other than communications, wherein the direct current energy converted from the radio frequency input energy does not require amplification. The source of radio frequencies convertible to direct current by the circuit shown may include sources of high frequency, low frequency (LF) , very low fre¬ quency (VLF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) radio waves as well as seismic vibration of the earth's mag¬ netic fields. Upon further study of the specification and appended claims, further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The instant invention contemplates using a dipolar RF input such as a coaxial cable or RF receiving antenna. The dipolar RF input is connected to a circuit configured in accordance with the principles of the instant invention to convert the RF signals to direct current. The radio frequency signals applied by the .dipolar input are transmitted to first and second leads, with one lead being rectified to transmit positive voltage and the other lead being rectified to transmit negative voltage. The positive voltage lead is con¬ nected directly to a positive output line and the nega¬ tive voltage lead is connected directly to a negative output line. The positive output line is connected to a pair of bus lines through a first pair of capacitors, while the negative output line is connected to the pair of bus lines by a second pair of capacitors. Disposed between the first bus lines and the positive output line is a reverse diode of negative polarity, while disposed between the negative output line and the first bus line is a reverse diode of positive polarity. The positive and negative output lines are connected to one another through an inductance which is in parallel with the capacitors of the first and second pair connected be¬ tween the second bus line and the positive and negative output lines. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the afore-described circuit is duplicated for each positive and negative output line. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the afore-described 5' circuitry is coupled to additional circuits identically configured and balancing one another in order to in¬ crease the direct current output of the arrangement. In accordance with a further configuration of the invention, the antenna utilized is a dipolar antenna of ID, arranged in a "butterfly" configuration. The instant invention further contemplates the method of utilizing the afore-described circuit so as to generate direct current from RF energy wherein the direct current has sufficient power to perform tasks 155 such as charging batteries, lighting lamps and powering direct current electric motors without the use of con¬ ventional amplifiers. Brief Description of the Drawing Various other objects, features and attendant 20 advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the drawing, and wherein: 25 There is shown a diagram of a circuit in accordance with the instant invention in combination with a driven device and a dipolar input which receives radio fre¬ quency waves which are converted to DC current for •powering the driven device. 30 Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a dipolar antenna, designated generally by the numeral 10, which receives radio frequency waves from an RF trans¬ mitter 11. The radio frequency waves are transmitted to -*\ a radio frequency-to-direct current converting circuit, designated generally by the numeral 12, through a coax- 5 ial cable 13. DC current from the circuit 12 is used to power an output device, designated generally by the numeral 15, which may for example be a battery charger, DC motor or lighting device. The circuit 12 has no other power inputs other than the radio frequency energy 10 transmitted thereto through the coaxial cable 13 and includes no amplifiers for amplifying the RF energy. Preferably, the dipolar antenna 10 is formed of two triangular loops of aluminum wire 16 and 17, one of which is connected to the annular conductor 19 of the 15 coaxial cable 13 and the other of which is connected to the center conductor 18 of the coaxial cable. The size of the bipolar antenna 10 is dependent on the particular application to which it is put. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the antenna 10 is approxi- 20 ately 12 inches in width and 18 inches in length. Such an antenna is used to receive five watt energy, such as that generated by a walkie-talkie or citizen-band radio. The annular conductor 19 of the coaxial cable 13 is connected to a positive lead 21 of the circuit 12, while 25 the center conductor 18 of the coaxial cable is con¬ nected to a negative lead 22 of the circuit. A positive transmitting diode Dl is disposed between the lead 21 and the remainder of the circuit 12, while a negative transmitting diode D2 is disposed between the lead 22 30 and the remainder of the circuit. The positive trans¬ mitting diode Dl is connected to a positive output line 25, while the negative transmitting diode D2 is con¬ nected to a negative output line 26. Accordingly, the positive voltages with respect to ground are produced on output line 25 and the negative voltages with respect to ground are produced on output line 26. In order to provide a DC output of sufficient power, a plurality of inductance-capacitance, RF-tuned circuits such as the circuit 30, each forming either a positive cell or a negative cell, are utilized for connecting the positive output line 25 and negative output line 26 to first and second bus lines 31 and 32, respectively. Bus line 32 is connected to ground while bus' lines 32 can be connected to circuits similar to circuit 12. The positive output line 25 is connected by a first bridging line 33 to the first and second bus lines 31 and 32 while the negative output line 26 is connected by a second bridging line 34 to the first and second bus lines. The bridging line 33 has capacitors Cl and C2 disposed between the positive output line 25 and the first and second bus lines 31.and 32, while the bridging line 34 also has capacitors Cl and C2 dispensed between the negative output line 26 and the first and second bus lines. Connected between the bridging lines 33 and 34, is an inductor 35 which serves as an RF choke, while disposed between the positive output line 25 and the capacitor Cl there is a negative polarity diode D4, referred to herein as a bridging diode, and disposed between the negative output line 26 and capaci¬ tor Cl in line 34 there is a positive polarity diode D3, referred to herein as a bridging diode. As is seen of the drawing, the RF tuned circuit cell 30 is repeated a plurality of times. In the specific example shown, the circuit 12 has separate cells 30, 37, 38 and 39. The cells 30 and 38 are of opposite polarity and balance one another, while the cells 37 and 39 of opposite polarity and also balance one another. In order for the system to function, a pair of opposite polarized cells must be utilized. The particular number of cells 30 and the value of the components thereof are determined by the ' • configuration of the dipolar .antenna 10 and the power and frequency of the RF transmitter 11. 5 The radio frequency to direct current conversion circuit 12 may itself be expanded by connection to a duplicate pairs of cells via pins 41 and 42 so as to provide additional direct current output on lines 25 and 26. 10 An operative embodiment of the invention utilizes the following elements: Diodes Dl, D2, D3 and D4 - Germanium Diodes, Archer 1 N34A Catalog #1123. Inductor 35- 47 Milli henry R.F. Choke 15 Capacitors Cl and C2-0.47 Pico Farads at 200 volts Coaxial Cable 13 - 50 ohms Dipolar Antenna 10 - aluminum wire triangular loops approximately 12 inches by 18 inches. A capacitor Cl may be inserted in line 21 and an 20 inductance 35 placed across lines 21 and 22 when a coaxial cable 13 is used as an input without an antenna 13. Performance may also be enhanced by using an optional RF choke in line 26. From the foregoing description, one skilled in the 25 art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifi¬ cations of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. Apparatus for converting radio frequency energy into direct current, the apparatus comprising: a dipolar input for receiving radio frequency energy; a positive output line connected to one pole of- the dipolar input and a negative output line connected to the other pole of the dipolar input, a positive transmitting input diode means in the positive output line and a negative transmitting input diode means in the negative output line; first and second bus lines and a pair of tuned circuits of opposite polarity coupling the positive output line and negative line to the bus lines, one of the bus lines being connected to ground; each tuned circuit including a first bridging line connecting the positive output line to the first and second bus lines and a second bridging line connecting the negative output line to the first and second ground lines, each bridging line having a bridging diode means therein oriented at a polarity which is reverse with respect to the transmitting input diode means of the respective output line; the bridging lines of each tuned circuit being connected to one another by an inductance and having capacitors disposed between the bridging diode means thereof and the bus lines, and a direct current device connected to the bridging lines of the tuned circuit. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of similarly configured tuned circuits con- nected between the output lines and the bus lines. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of radio frequency-to-direct current conver¬ sion circuits connected to one another to provide a ' direct current power array tuned to a specific radio frequencies such as a high frequency source, low fre¬ quency source, very low frequency source, extremely low frequency source, or a source created by seismic vibra¬ tions of the earth's magnetic field. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of radio frequency-to-direct current converter circuits connected to one another to form an a-rray of circuits tuned to a particular radio frequency. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device connected to the output lines is a direct current motor. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device connected to the output line is an illuminating device. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device connected to the output lines is a battery charger. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device connected to the output lines is a DC-to-AC converter. 9. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the dipolar input is an antenna utilizing aluminum wire arranged in pair of triangular loops. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dipolar input is a dipolar antenna. - lO - 11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the dipolar input is a dipolar antenna. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dipolar input utilizes a coaxial cable. 13. A method of converting radio frequency energy into direct energy, the method comprising the steps of: providing a dipolar input with radio frequency energy to provide a dipolar output; rectifying the dipolar output to provide a positive and negative line currents; applying the positive and negative line currents through at least one opposed pair of identically tuned circuits of opposite polarity to produce a direct cur¬ rent output. 14. The method of 13 wherein the dipolar input is through a coaxial cable. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the dipolar input is provided by an antenna. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of pairs of identical tuned circuits are provided.

Inventors: PHILLIPS SR RAYMOND P, PHILLIPS, SR., RAYMOND, P.
Applicants: PHILLIPS RAYMOND P SR, PHILLIPS, SR., RAYMOND, P.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: H02M7
IPC codes: H02J17, H02M7