Wireless energy transfer using variable size resonators and system monitoring

1. A variable effective size magnetic resonator comprising:

an array of resonators each being one of at least two different characteristic sizes; and

a mechanism for detuning at least one of the resonators from a resonant frequency of the variable effective size magnetic resonator.

2. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the array of resonators is a tunable resonator.

3. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for detuning at least one of the resonators from the resonant frequency comprises a transistor configured to selectively open an electrical path.

4. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for detuning at least one of the resonators from the resonant frequency comprises a transistor configured to selectively close an electrical path.

5. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for detuning at least one of the resonators from the resonant frequency comprises a switch configured to selectively open an electrical path.

6. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for detuning at least one of the resonators from the resonant frequency comprises a switch configured to selectively close an electrical path.

7. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for detuning at least one of the resonators from the resonant frequency comprises a relay configured to selectively open an electrical path.

8. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for detuning at least one of the resonators from the resonant frequency comprises a relay configured to selectively close an electrical path.

9. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for detuning at least one of the resonators from the resonant frequency is configured to detune the resonator by adding or removing capacitance from the resonator circuit.

10. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for detuning at least one of the resonators from the resonant frequency is configured to detune the resonator by adding or removing inductance from the resonator circuit.

11. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the array of resonators is supplied power via an inductive coupling.

12. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the array of resonators is supplied power through an additional network of electronic components.

13. A method for varying an effective size of magnetic resonators comprising:

selecting at least one magnetic resonator from an array of resonators each being one of at least two different characteristic sizes;

driving the at least one magnetic resonator at a resonant frequency;

monitoring at least one parameter of at least one of the magnetic resonators; and

adjusting the driving of at least one other magnetic resonator from the array of resonators based on the monitoring of at least one parameter.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the adjusting the driving utilizes an algorithm running on a microprocessor associated with the magnetic resonator.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least one parameter comprises an efficiency of a wireless power transfer to at least one other magnetic resonator.

16. The method of claim 15 , comprising adjusting the driving of the at least one other magnetic resonator so that the efficiency of the wireless power transfer is greater than 10%.

17. The method of claim 15 , comprising adjusting the driving of the at least one other magnetic resonator so that the efficiency of the wireless power transfer is greater than 80%.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the adjusting of the driving utilizes information obtained via a wireless communication link.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the adjusting of at least one other magnetic resonator comprises detuning the at least one other magnetic resonator.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the detuning comprises open-circuiting a conductor of the at least one other magnetic resonator.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the detuning comprises grounding a conductor of the at least one other magnetic resonator.

22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the detuning comprises adding or removing capacitance from the at least one other magnetic resonator.

23. The method of claim 19 , wherein the detuning comprises adding or removing inductance from the at least one other magnetic resonator.

24. A variable effective size magnetic resonator comprising:

a plurality of magnetic resonators comprising at least two resonators with different characteristic sizes,

wherein at least one of the at least two resonators is detuned from a resonant frequency of the variable effective size magnetic resonator.

25. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 24 , wherein at least one of the at least two resonators comprises magnetic material.

26. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 24 , wherein at least one of the at least two resonators comprises a conductor to shape a field of the resonator.

27. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 24 , wherein the at least one of the at least two resonators is tunable.

28. A variable effective size magnetic resonator, comprising:

at least a first resonator with a first characteristic size;

at least a second resonator with a second characteristic size;

at least a third resonator with a third characteristic size; and

a power and control circuit connected to the first, second, and third resonators, and configured to selectively energize the first, second, and third resonators to generate magnetic fields for wireless power transfer, thereby implementing a power distribution protocol,

wherein the variable effective magnetic resonator is a source resonator or a device resonator.

29. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 28 , wherein the variable effective size magnetic resonator is tunable.

30. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 28 , wherein at least the second and third resonators are tunable.

31. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 28 , wherein the power distribution protocol achieves a target wireless power transfer efficiency to a resonator that is moving.

32. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 28 , wherein the power distribution protocol achieves a target wireless power transfer efficiency to a resonator at a different location from a location of the variable effective size magnetic resonator.

33. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 28 , wherein the power distribution protocol achieves a target wireless power transfer efficiency to a resonator in an orientation that differs from an orientation of the variable effective size magnetic resonator.

34. A variable effective size magnetic resonator comprising:

a first resonator with a first characteristic size;

a second resonator with a second characteristic size; and

a third resonator with a third characteristic size,

wherein a sum of a surface area circumscribed by an inductive element of the second resonator and a surface area circumscribed by an inductive element of the third resonator is less than a surface area circumscribed by an inductive element of the first resonator; and

wherein the variable effective size magnetic resonator is a source resonator or a device resonator.

35. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 34 , wherein the variable effective size magnetic resonator is tunable.

36. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 34 , wherein at least the second and third resonators are tunable.

37. The variable effective size magnetic resonator of claim 34 , wherein at least one of the second and third resonators is detuned from a resonant frequency of the variable effective size magnetic resonator to implement a power distribution protocol.