Patent Publication Number: US-2015077037-A1

Title: Wireless power transmission utilizing alternate energy sources

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present disclosure is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,430 filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Methodology For Pocket-forming”; Ser. No. 13/925,469 filed Jun. 24, 2013, entitled “Methodology for Multiple Pocket Forming”; Ser. No. 13/946,082 filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled “Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-forming”; Ser. No. 13/891,399 filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission” and Ser. No. 13/891,445 filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Transmitters For Wireless Power Transmission”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by these references. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transmission, and more particularly, to wireless power transmission utilizing alternate sources of energy. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electronic devices such as laptop computers, smartphones, portable gaming devices, tablets and so forth may require power for performing their intended functions. This may require having to charge electronic equipment at least once a day, or in high-demand electronic devices more than once a day, whereby electrical costs may increase. Moreover, such an activity may be tedious and may represent a burden to users. For example, a user may be required to carry chargers in case his electronic equipment is lacking power. In addition, users have to find available power sources to connect to. Furthermore, the forgoing power sources may depend on energy sources such as hydrocarbon which may be expensive but also pollutant and harmful to the environment. There are some instances where such economic cost may turn electricity scarce. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a wireless power transmission system where electronic devices may be powered without requiring extra chargers or plugs an utilizing alternate sources of energy as power sources. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure describes a methodology for wireless power transmission based on pocket-forming. This methodology may include one transmitter and at least one or more receivers, being the transmitter the source of energy and the receiver the device that is desired to charge or power. Techniques for determining the location of devices including receivers may be disclosed. 
     In an embodiment, a description of pocket-forming methodology using at least one transmitter and at least one receiver may be provided. 
     In another embodiment, a transmitter suitable for pocket-forming including at least two antenna elements may be provided. 
     In a further embodiment, a receiver suitable for pocket forming including at least one antenna element may be provided. 
     In an embodiment, a transmitter utilizing at least one solar panel, as power supply, for delivering power wirelessly to users waiting for transportation on train stations, bus stations or airports may be provided. 
     In another embodiment, a plurality of transmitters utilizing at least one solar panel, as power supply, on lamp pole structures for delivering power wirelessly to pedestrians may be provided. 
     In yet another embodiment, a transmitter utilizing at least one wind turbine, as power supply, for delivering power wirelessly to houses or selected regions may be provided. 
     In yet another further embodiment, a portable assembly including a power module for delivering wireless power in locations where electricity can be scarce may be provided. 
     A wireless power transmission, comprising: pocket-forming transmitter for generating power RF waves to form pockets of energy converging in 3-d space for powering or charging an electronic device; an alternative power source connected to the transmitter for powering the transmitter; and a receiver for capturing the pockets of energy to charge or power the electronic device connected to the receiver. 
     The disclosed configurations and methods of wireless power transmission with alternative power sources may provide efficient and simultaneous charging of one or more electronic devices, while using at least one or more transmitters that may position its antenna array in suitable locations accessible to the public for optimal pocket forming. Additional features and advantages can become apparent from the detailed descriptions which follow taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures which are schematic and may not be drawn to scale. Unless indicated as representing the background information, the figures represent aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates wireless power transmission using pocket-forming according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a component level illustration for a transmitter which may be utilized to provide wireless power transmission as described in  FIG. 1  according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a component level embodiment for a receiver which can be used for powering or charging an electronic device as described in  FIG. 1  according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a wireless power transmission where a transmitter utilizing at least one solar panel, as power supply, may provide wireless power, through pocket-forming, to users wanting to charge their electronic devices at bus station, airports, train stations and the like according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a wireless power transmission where either one or a plurality of transmitters, utilizing at least one solar panel, can be used to provide wireless power, through pocket-forming, to pedestrians wanting to charge electronic devices, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a wireless power transmission where a transmitter may utilize a typical wind turbine as alternative power source. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a wireless power transmission where a portable assembly for delivering power may be utilized 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Definitions 
     “Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more RF waves which converge in 3-d space, forming controlled constructive and destructive interference patterns. 
     “Pockets of energy” may refer to areas or regions of space where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructive interference patterns of RF waves. 
     “Null-space” may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energy do not form because of destructive interference patterns of RF waves. 
     “Transmitter” may refer to a device, including a chip which may generate two or more RF signals, at least one RF signal being phase shifted and gain adjusted with respect to other RF signals, substantially all of which pass through one or more RF antenna such that focused RF signals are directed to a target. 
     “Receiver” may refer to a device including at least one antenna element, at least one rectifying circuit and at least one power converter, which may utilize pockets of energy for powering, or charging an electronic device. 
     “Adaptive pocket-forming” may refer to dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or more targeted receivers. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, which may not be to scale or to proportion, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings and claims, are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments can be used and/or and other changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. 
     A. Essentials of Pocket-Forming 
       FIG. 1  illustrates wireless power transmission (WPT)  100  using pocket-forming. A transmitter  102  may transmit controlled Radio Frequency (RF) waves  104  which may converge in 3-d space. These RF waves  104  may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pockets of energy  106  may form at constructive interference patterns and can be 3-dimensional in shape whereas null-spaces may be generated at destructive interference patterns. A receiver  108  may then utilize pockets of energy  106  produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device, for example a laptop computer  110  and thus effectively providing wireless power transmission. In some embodiments, there can be multiple transmitters  102  and/or multiple receivers  108  for powering various electronic devices, for example smartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same time. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a component level embodiment for a transmitter  200  which may be utilized to provide wireless power transmission  100  as described in  FIG. 1 . Transmitter  200  may include a housing  202  where at least two or more antenna elements  204 , at least one RF integrated circuit (RFIC)  206 , at least one digital signal processor (DSP) or micro-controller  208 , at least one optional communications component  210  and at least one battery component  212  may be included. Housing  202  can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Antenna elements  204  may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequency bands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations part  18  (Industrial, Scientific and Medical equipment). Antenna elements  204  may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Suitable antenna types may include, for example, patch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch and widths from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch. Other antenna elements  204  types can be used, for example meta-materials, dipole antennas among others. RFIC  206  may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phases and/or relative magnitudes of RF signals which may serve as inputs for antenna elements  204  for controlling pocket-forming. These RF signals may be produced using an external power supply  214  and a local oscillator chip (not shown) using a suitable piezoelectric material. Power supply  214  can be an AC or DC power source which may include suitable energies sources or devices such as combustion engines, thermal sources, wind turbines, solar panels and the like. Additionally, transmitter  200  may utilize battery component  212  to store surplus energy. Micro-controller  208  may then process information send by a receiver through its own antenna elements for determining optimum times and locations for pocket-forming. In some embodiments, the foregoing may be achieved through. communications component  210 . Communications component  210  may be based on standard wireless communication protocols which may include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. In addition, communications component  210  may be used to transfer other information such as an identifier for the device or user, battery level, location or other such information. Other communications component  210  may be possible which may include radar, infrared cameras or sound devices for sonic triangulation for determining the device&#39;s position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a component level embodiment for a receiver  300  which can be used for powering or charging an electronic device as exemplified in wireless power transmission  100 . Receiver  300  may include a housing  302  where at least one antenna element  304 , one rectifier  306 , one power converter  308  and an optional communications component  310  may be included. Housing  302  can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing  302  may be an external hardware that may be added to different electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well. Antenna element  304  may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands similar to the bands described for transmitter  200  from  FIG. 2 . Antenna element  304  may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. On the contrary, for devices with well-defined orientations, for example a two-handed video game controller, there might be a preferred polarization for antennas which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given polarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch and widths from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch. Patch antennas may have the advantage that polarization may depend on connectivity, i.e. depending on which side the patch is fed, the polarization may change. This may further prove advantageous as a receiver, such as receiver  300 , may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission. Rectifier  306  may include diodes or resistors, inductors or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna element  304  to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifier  306  may be placed as close as is technically possible to antenna element  304  to minimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated using power converter  308 . Power converter  308  can be a DC-DC converter which may help provide a constant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device, or as in this embodiment to a battery  312 . Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. Lastly, communications component  310 , similar to that of transmitter  200  from  FIG. 2 , may be included in receiver  300  to communicate with a transmitter or to other electronic equipment. 
     B. Wireless Power Transmission Utilizing Alternate Sources of Energy 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a WPT  400  where a transmitter  402 , similar to transmitter  200  described in  FIG. 2  above, utilizes at least one solar panel  404 , as power supply  214 , for providing wireless power, through pocket-forming, to users wanting to charge their electronic devices. In this embodiment, a bus stop station may include solar panel  404  in its roof  406  for providing solar power to transmitter  402 . Users on such a bus stop station may power their electronic devices, wirelessly through pocket forming, while waiting for transportation. In this embodiment, one user may charge a tablet  408  while another user may power a Bluetooth headset  410 . Both electronic devices, i.e. tablet  408  and/or headset  410  may include receivers suitable for pocket forming (as described in  FIG. 3  above). Moreover, the aforementioned bus stop station may include an energy storing unit  412  for saving surplus solar energy. Such energy storing unit  412  may function as battery component  212  for transmitter  200 . WPT  400  may be beneficial because users can power devices using alternate sources of energy different from coal or fuel oils. Moreover, electronic devices can be charged while traveling without requiring any wired connections and without the inconveniences typically associated with carrying chargers. The disclosed arrangement could also be employed in train stations, airports and other such places. Furthermore, energy storing unit  412  can be used to provide power at such locations during the night, or during poor solar conditions. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a WPT  500  where either one or a plurality of transmitters  502  can be used to provide wireless power, through pocket-forming, to pedestrians wanting to charge electronic devices. As in the previous embodiment from  FIG. 4 , transmitter  502  can utilize solar panels  504  as power supply  214 . In addition, transmitter  502  and solar panel  504  can be placed in lamp pole structures and can be seen as mainstream infrastructure. Solar panels  504  for this application can be from about 10 feet to about 30 feet in size. In this embodiment, pedestrians may charge their electronic devices, which may operatively be coupled to, attached to or otherwise include receivers suitable for pocket forming, while walking on the street on their way to work or while enjoying foods or beverages in food carts and the like. WPT  500  can be used whenever a lamp pole structure can be placed, for example in parks, bridges and the like. In other variations of WPT  500 , pedestrians may charge portable rechargeable batteries  506  which upon charging may be utilized at their homes or work sites. This foregoing embodiment may be beneficial for regions where electricity may be scarce, for example, in villages or in third world contexts. Moreover, electric companies can set up dedicated stations for powering such batteries  506  and may charge a fee based on the amount of power requested. WPT  500  may lead to spreading green infrastructures for power handling and distribution. Such an example can be seen in  FIG. 6  below. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a WPT  600  where a transmitter  602  may utilize a typical wind turbine  604  as power supply  214 . By using the power of the wind and the components typically associated with wind turbine  604 , power can be delivered wirelessly, through transmitter  602  and pocket-forming, to houses or dedicated regions without utilizing wires, thereby reducing the cost associated with the distribution of energy. In addition, wireless power can be used by any user in the region utilizing a pocket-forming enabled device, i.e. utilizing devices which may operatively be coupled to, attached to or otherwise include receivers suitable for pocket forming. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a WPT  700  where a portable assembly  702  for delivering power wirelessly may be utilized. Assembly  702 , located at the rightmost part of  FIG. 7 , may include a power module  704  which may further include a power source and a transmitter (not shown), a battery component  706  for storing surplus energy and a collapsible pole structure  708  for mounting the aforementioned components. Pole structure  708  can be made of a suitable material, for example aluminum, which provides high strength, durability and low weight. Pole structure  708  when extended can be of about 10 to 30 feet in height. In its top part, a power source, such as a solar panel  710  (included in module  704 ) may be placed. Then, a transmitter  712  (also from module  704 ) may be attached to pole structure  708  by suitable mechanical means such as brackets, fasteners and the like. Moreover, transmitter  712  may electrically be connected to solar panel  710  to utilize solar energy for providing wireless power. Lastly, battery component  706  may also be connected to store surplus energy which can be used to provide power during the night, or during poor solar conditions. Finished Assembly  702  can be seen in the leftmost part of  FIG. 7 . This configuration for WPT  700  can be beneficial when users requiring power find themselves in areas where electricity may be scarce, for example in villages in the third world, in jungles, deserts, while navigating in the ocean, or any other situation or location where power may not be accessible. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.