Patent Application
20120274272
Embodiments are generally related to a device for wireless transmission and reception of electric power. Embodiments also relate to wireless charging of rechargeable devices. Embodiments additionally relate to the transmission of microwave energy for charging wireless devices and tools such as, for example, cordless power drills, yard tools, cellular telephones, laptop computers, and so forth.
Wireless Power Transmission (WPT) is an efficient technique of transmitting electric power from one point to another through a vacuum or the atmosphere without the use of wire or any other substance. WPT can be utilized for applications where either an instantaneous amount or a continuous delivery of energy is needed, but where conventional wires are unaffordable, inconvenient, expensive, hazardous, unwanted or impossible. The power can be transmitted using microwaves, millimeter waves or lasers.
Microwave transmission refers to the technology of transmitting information by the use of the radio waves whose wavelengths are conveniently measured in small numbers of centimeters by using various electronic technologies.
Microwave radio transmission is commonly used by communication systems on the surface of the Earth, in satellite communications, and in deep space radio communications. Other parts of the microwave radio band are used for radars, radio navigation systems, sensor systems, and radio astronomy.
The use of rechargeable devices such as, for example, drills, yard tools, and wireless hand held devices such as cell phones have been increased. Such devices require a direct connection or “touching” of the devices to an electric power source for recharging the device batteries. The charging of such devices would be a problem in a place where no direct electrical connection is possible. Therefore, there exists a need for wireless transmission of electric power for charging rechargeable electronic devices using microwaves.
The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiment and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
It is, therefore, one aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for a device for wireless transmission and reception of electric power.
It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide wireless charging of rechargeable devices.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide transmission of microwave energy for charging wireless tools and devices such as, for example, drills, yard tools, and cell phones.
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the disclosed embodiments and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
The embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. The embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In general, the system 100 utilizes microwave transmission, which involves transmitting information via the use of radio waves whose wavelengths are generally measured in small numbers of centimeters via electronic technologies. These are called microwaves. This part of the radio spectrum ranges across frequencies of roughly 1.0 gigahertz (GHz) to 30 GHz. Also, by using the formula λ=c/f, these correspond to wavelengths from 30 centimeters down to 1.0 cm. [In the above equation, the Greek letter λ (lambda) is the wavelength in meters; c is the speed of light in meters per second; and f is the frequency in hertz (Hz).] Thus, the transmitter 135 is capable of microwave transmission.
The electric power converter 140 converts the microwave energy received by the receiver 130 to electric power. The electric power is utilized to charge the rechargeable batteries 150 of wireless device 145. The wireless device 145 can be a rechargeable device such as tools and wireless devices. The tools can be drills, yard tools, etc., and the wireless devices can be cell phones, smartphones, laptop computers or any device containing a rechargeable battery.
Based on the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a number of embodiments, preferred and alternative, are disclosed herein. For example, in one embodiment, an apparatus can be provided for radio frequency transmission of energy for wirelessly recharging of a wireless device. Such an apparatus may include, for example, a microwave energy generator that connects electrically to a microwave source and an electric power source; and a transmitter and a microwave energy converter, wherein said transmitter is connected electrically to said microwave energy converter and wirelessly transmits microwave energy for wireless transmission to and recharging of a wireless device. In an alternative embodiment, the aformentioned wireless device can comprise one or more rechargeable batteries. In another embodiment, the wireless device can communicate electrically with a receiver, wherein said receiver receives said microwave energy wirelessly from said transmitter.
In yet another embodiment, the wireless device can include at least one rechargeable battery and communicates electrically with a receiver, wherein said receiver receives said microwave energy wirelessly from said transmitter. In still another embodiment, an electrical power converter can be provided for converting said microwave energy to electrical power and transmitting said electric power to said at least one rechargeable battery for recharging of said wireless device.
In yet another embodiment, a system for radio frequency transmission of energy for recharging a wireless device can be provided. Such a system can include, for example, a microwave energy generator for generating microwave energy said microwave generator comprising a microwave source, an electric power source, a microwave energy convertor and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting microwave energy to a wireless device; and a receiver associated with and which communicates with said wireless device, wherein said receiver receives microwave energy transmitted from said microwave energy generator, an electrical power convertor for converting microwave energy to electric power, and at least one rechargeable battery. In an another embodiment of such a system, microwave energy can be transmitted via Radio frequency.
In another system embodiment, the microwave energy convertor can convert microwave from said microwave source and electric power from said electric power source to microwave energy. In yet another embodiment of such a system, wherein at least rechargeable battery can be charged by electric power from said electric power converter. In still another embodiment of such a system, the microwave energy can be transmitted via Radio frequency and wherein said microwave energy convertor converts microwave from said microwave source and electric power from said electric power source to microwave energy. In still another system embodiment, the microwave energy convertor can convert microwave from said microwave source and electric power from said electric power source to microwave energy and wherein said at least rechargeable battery is charged by electric power from said electric power converter.
In another embodiment, a method for radio frequency transmission of energy for wirelessly recharging of a wireless device can be implemented. Such a method can include the steps of, for example, electrically connecting a microwave energy generator to a microwave source and an electric power source; providing a transmitter and a microwave energy converter; electrically connecting said transmitter to said microwave energy converter; and wirelessly transmitting microwave energy for wireless transmission to and recharging of a wireless device via said microwave energy converter, said transmitter, said microwave energy generator, said microwave source, and said electric power source.
It will be appreciated that variations of the above disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/479,462 entitled, “Radio Frequency Transmission of Energy for Recharging Wireless Devices and Tools,” which was filed on Apr. 27, 2011 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61479462 | Apr 2011 | US |
