IP Library Granted Patent US 9,698,607
Granted Patent B2
US 9,698,607 · App. 14/546,055 · Granted Jul 4, 2017

Secure wireless energy transfer

Inventors: Morris P. Kesler (Bedford, MA); Andre B. Kurs (Chestnut Hill, MA); Aristeidis Karalis (Boston, MA); Marin Soljacic (Belmont, MA); Katherine L. Hall (Arlington, MA); Andrew J. Campanella (Somerville, MA); Konrad J. Kulikowski (Pine, CO)
Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
H02J5/005B60L11/182B60R16/03H02J17/00H03H7/40B60L2200/26H02J7/35Y02T10/7005Y02T10/7055Y02T10/7072Y02T10/7094Y02T90/122Y02T90/14Y02T90/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,698,607
App. No.
14/546,055
Granted
Jul 4, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wireless receiver for use with a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to a power supply, the first electromagnetic resonator having a mode with a resonant frequency ω 1 , an intrinsic loss rate Γ 1 , and a first Q-factor Q 1 =ω 1 /2Γ 1 , and the wireless receiver includes a load configured to power a system using electrical power, a second electromagnetic resonator configured to be coupled to the load and having a mode with a resonant frequency ω 2 , an intrinsic loss rate Γ 2 , and a second Q-factor Q 2 =ω 2 /2Γ 2 , wherein the second electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the first electromagnetic resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator from the first electromagnetic resonator; and a communication facility to confirm compatibility of the first and second resonators and provide authorization for initiation of transfer of power.

Claims (42)

1. A wireless receiver for use with a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to a power supply, the first electromagnetic resonator having a mode with a resonant frequency ω 1 , an intrinsic loss rate Γ 1 , and a first Q-factor Q 1 =ω 1 /2Γ 1 , -the wireless receiver comprising:

a load configured to power a system using electrical power;

a second electromagnetic resonator configured to be coupled to the load, the second electromagnetic resonator having a mode with a resonant frequency ω 2 , an intrinsic loss rate Γ 2 , and a second Q-factor Q 2 =ω 2 /2Γ 2 ;

wherein the second electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the first electromagnetic resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator from the first electromagnetic resonator; and

a communication facility to confirm compatibility of the first and second electromagnetic resonators and provide authorization for initiation of transfer of power;

wherein the communication facility is configured to establish an out-of-band communication channel for information exchange; and

wherein the communication facility is configured to use an in-band communication channel to verify a wireless coupling between the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator based on the information exchanged via the out-of-band communication channel.

2. The wireless receiver of claim 1 , wherein the communication facility is configured to use a secure communication channel as the out-of-band communication channel, the information exchanged via the secure out-of-band communication channel comprises a verification code, and the verification code is signaled in response through the in-band communication channel.

3. The wireless receiver of claim 2 , wherein the communication facility is configured to use public key infrastructure for the secure communication channel.

4. The wireless receiver of claim 2 , wherein the communication facility is configured to transmit the verification code in the out-of-band communication channel and receive in return a cryptographically modified version of the verification code signaled through the in-band communication channel from the first electromagnetic resonator to the second electromagnetic resonator to authenticate a source of power transfer.

5. The wireless receiver of claim 1 , wherein the information comprises information to adjust one or more parameters of power transfer over the in-band communication channel, and verification of the wireless coupling comprises monitoring changes to the power transfer and comparing the monitored changes to expected changes based on the one or more parameters.

6. The wireless receiver of claim 1 , wherein the wireless receiver is configured to verify that the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator of the wireless coupling for transfer of power are a same two resonators exchanging information on the out-of-band communication channel.

7. The wireless receiver of claim 1 , wherein the load is configured to power a drive system of a vehicle that is driven at least in part by electrical power.

8. The wireless receiver of claim 1 , wherein the load is configured to power a medical device.

9. A power source for wirelessly providing power to a wireless receiver, the power source comprising:

a power supply, the power supply configured to supply power at a rate sufficient to charge a battery associated with the wireless receiver;

a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to the power supply and having a mode with a resonant frequency ω 1 , an intrinsic loss rate Γ 1 , and a first Q-factor Q 1 =ω 1 /2Γ 1 ;

wherein the first electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to a second electromagnetic resonator of the wireless receiver to provide non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator, the second electromagnetic resonator having a mode with a resonant frequency ω 2 , an intrinsic loss rate Γ 2 , and a second Q-factor Q 2 = 2 /2Γ 2 ; and

a communication facility to confirm compatibility of the first and second electromagnetic resonators and provide authorization for initiation of transfer of power;

wherein the communication facility is configured to establish an out-of-band communication channel for information exchange; and

wherein the communication facility is configured to use an in-band communication channel to verify a wireless coupling between the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator based on the information exchanged via the out-of-band communication channel.

10. The power source of claim 9 , wherein the communication facility is configured to use a secure communication channel as the out-of-band communication channel, the information exchanged via the secure out-of-band communication channel comprises a verification code, and the verification code is signaled in response through the in-band communication channel.

11. The power source of claim 10 , wherein the communication facility is configured to use public key infrastructure for the secure communication channel.

12. The power source of claim 10 , wherein the communication facility is configured to transmit the verification code in the out-of-band communication channel and receive in return a cryptographically modified version of the verification code signaled through the in-band communication channel from the second electromagnetic resonator to the first electromagnetic resonator to authenticate a destination of power transfer.

13. The power source of claim 9 , wherein the information comprises information to adjust one or more parameters of power transfer over the in-band communication channel, and verification of the wireless coupling comprises monitoring changes to the power transfer and comparing the monitored changes to expected changes based on the one or more parameters.

14. The power source of claim 9 , wherein the power source is configured to verify that the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator of the wireless coupling for transfer of power are a same two resonators exchanging information on the out-of-band communication channel.

15. A wireless power system, comprising:

a power supply, the power supply configured to supply power at a rate sufficient to charge a battery of the system;

a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to the power supply and having a mode with a resonant frequency ω 1 , an intrinsic loss rate Γ 1 , and a first Q-factor Q 1 =ω 1 /2Γ 1 ;

a load configured to power the system;

a second electromagnetic resonator configured to be coupled to the load, the second electromagnetic resonator having a mode with a resonant frequency ω 2 , an intrinsic loss rate Γ 2 , and a second Q-factor Q 2 =ω 2 /2Γ 2 ;

wherein the second electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the first electromagnetic resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator from the first electromagnetic resonator; and

a communication facility to confirm compatibility of the first and second electromagnetic resonators and provide authorization for initiation of transfer of power;

wherein the communication facility is configured to establish an out-of-band communication channel for information exchange; and

wherein the communication facility is configured to use an in-band communication channel to verify a wireless coupling between the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator based on the information exchanged via the out-of-band communication channel.

16. The wireless power system of claim 15 , wherein the communication facility is configured to use a secure communication channel as the out-of-band communication channel, the information exchanged via the secure out-of-band communication channel comprises a verification code, and the verification code is signaled in response through the in-band communication channel.

17. The wireless power system of claim 16 , wherein the communication facility is configured to use public key infrastructure for the secure communication channel.

18. The wireless power system of claim 16 , wherein the communication facility is configured to transmit the verification code in the out-of-band communication channel and receive in return a cryptographically modified version of the verification code signaled through the in-band communication channel from the first electromagnetic resonator or the second electromagnetic resonator to authenticate a source or a destination of power transfer.

19. The wireless power system of claim 15 , wherein the information comprises information to adjust one or more parameters of power transfer over the in-band communication channel, and verification of the wireless coupling comprises monitoring changes to the power transfer and comparing the monitored changes to expected changes based on the one or more parameters.

20. The wireless power system of claim 15 , wherein the wireless power system is configured to verify that the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator of the wireless coupling for transfer of power are a same two resonators exchanging information on the out-of-band communication channel.

21. The wireless power system of claim 15 , wherein the load is configured to power a drive system of a vehicle that is driven at least in part by electrical power.

22. The wireless power system of claim 15 , wherein the load is configured to power a medical device.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2025
From: AIR WAVES WIRELESS ELECTRICITY IV, LLC
To: WITRICITY AI TECH, LLC
Reel/Frame 074004/0929 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2025
From: WITRICITY CORPORATION
To: WITRICITY AI TECH, LLC
Reel/Frame 073982/0106 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2025
From: WITRICITY CORPORATION; WITRICITY HOLDINGS, INC.
To: AIR WAVES WIRELESS ELECTRICITY IV, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT FOR LENDERS
Reel/Frame 073860/0204 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2014
From: KESLER, MORRIS P.; KURS, ANDRE B.; KARALIS, ARISTEIDIS; SOLJACIC, MARIN; HALL, KATHERINE L.; CAMPANELLA, ANDREW J.; KULIKOWSKI, KONRAD J.
To: WITRICITY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034208/0675 →
Continuity (61)
Continuation 13288589 · Nov 3, 2011
Continuation In Part 13232868 · Sep 14, 2011
Continuation In Part 12899281 · Oct 6, 2010
Continuation In Part 12770137 · Apr 29, 2010
Continuation In Part 12721118 · Mar 10, 2010
Continuation In Part 12613686 · Nov 6, 2009
Continuation 12567716 · Sep 25, 2009
Continuation In Part 13222915 · Aug 31, 2011
Continuation In Part 13154131 · Jun 6, 2011
Continuation In Part 13090369 · Apr 20, 2011
Continuation In Part 13021965 · Feb 7, 2011
Continuation In Part 12986018 · Jan 6, 2011
Continuation In Part 12986018 · Jan 6, 2011
Continuation In Part 12789611 · May 28, 2010
Continuation In Part 12770137 · Apr 29, 2010
Continuation In Part 12767633 · Apr 26, 2010
Continuation In Part 12759047 · Apr 13, 2010
Continuation In Part 12757716 · Apr 9, 2010
Continuation In Part 12749571 · Mar 30, 2010
Continuation In Part 12639489 · Dec 16, 2009
Continuation In Part 12647705 · Dec 28, 2009
Continuation In Part 12567716 · Sep 25, 2009
Continuation In Part 12721118 · Mar 10, 2010
Continuation In Part 12705582 · Feb 13, 2010
Continuation In Part 12860375 · Aug 20, 2010
Continuation In Part 12759047 · Apr 13, 2010
Continuation In Part 12722050 · Mar 11, 2010
Continuation In Part 12612880 · Nov 5, 2009
Continuation In Part 12698523 · Feb 2, 2010
Continuation In Part 12567716 · Sep 25, 2009
Continuation In Part 12567716 · Sep 25, 2009
Provisional Application 61382806 · Sep 14, 2010
Provisional Application 61378600 · Aug 31, 2010
Provisional Application 61411490 · Nov 9, 2010
Provisional Application 61351492 · Jun 4, 2010
Provisional Application 61326051 · Apr 20, 2010
Provisional Application 61292768 · Jan 6, 2010
Provisional Application 61173747 · Apr 29, 2009
Provisional Application 61172633 · Apr 24, 2009
Provisional Application 61100721 · Sep 27, 2008
Provisional Application 61108743 · Oct 27, 2008
Provisional Application 61147386 · Jan 26, 2009
Provisional Application 61152086 · Feb 12, 2009
Provisional Application 61178508 · May 15, 2009
Provisional Application 61182768 · Jun 1, 2009
Provisional Application 61121159 · Dec 9, 2008
Provisional Application 61142977 · Jan 7, 2009
Provisional Application 61142885 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142796 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142889 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142880 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142818 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142887 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61156764 · Mar 2, 2009
Provisional Application 61143058 · Jan 7, 2009
Provisional Application 61163695 · Mar 26, 2009
Provisional Application 61169240 · Apr 14, 2009
Provisional Application 61152390 · Feb 13, 2009
Provisional Application 61523998 · Aug 16, 2011
Provisional Application 61254559 · Oct 23, 2009
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