IP Library Granted Patent US 10,211,674
Granted Patent B1
US 10,211,674 · App. 14/585,432 · Granted Feb 19, 2019

Wireless charging using selected reflectors

Inventors: Michael A. Leabman (San Ramon, CA); Gregory Scott Brewer (Livermore, CA)
Assignee: Energous Corporation
H02J17/00H02J7/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,211,674
App. No.
14/585,432
Granted
Feb 19, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method of wireless power transmission is provided. The method comprises generating, by a transmitter, a plurality of wireless power waves. The method further comprises outputting, by the transmitter, the wireless power waves toward a reflector such that the wireless power waves are reflected by the reflector to form a pocket of energy in proximity of a receiver configured to interface with the pocket of energy and charge a device thereby. The receiver is coupled to the device.

Claims (25)

1. A method of wireless power transmission, the method comprising:

determining, by a far-field transmitter, a location of a wireless power receiver based on location information received from the wireless power receiver;

generating, by the far-field transmitter, a plurality of far-field wireless power waves;

selecting, by the far-field transmitter, a reflector of a plurality of reflectors to reflect the far-field wireless power waves towards the location of the wireless power receiver; and

outputting, by the far-field transmitter, the far-field wireless power waves towards the selected reflector such that the far-field wireless power waves are reflected by the selected reflector to at least partly form a controlled constructive interference pattern as a pocket of energy in proximity of the wireless power receiver, wherein the wireless power receiver is configured to extract energy from the controlled constructive interference pattern of the pocket of energy and charge a device thereby, wherein the wireless power receiver is coupled to the device,

wherein the selected reflector is separate and remote from the far-field transmitter and the wireless power receiver and the far-field wireless power waves reflected by the selected reflector partly form the controlled constructive interference pattern as the pocket of energy.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reflector comprises a flat panel.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reflector is coupled to at least one of a furniture item, a wall, a floor extending from the wall, and a ceiling extending from the wall.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reflector is configured to increase a power of at least one of the far-field wireless power waves.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reflector is automatically adjustable.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reflector comprises a pyramid.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reflector comprises at least one of an ovoid and a sphere.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reflector is positioned within a frame, wherein the reflector is positionally adjustable with respect to the frame.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the reflector is coupled to a motor, wherein the reflector is positionally adjustable with respect to the frame via the motor.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reflector is a first reflector, wherein the first reflector is positioned within a frame comprising a second reflector, wherein the first reflector and the second reflector are positionally adjustable with respect to the frame, wherein the first reflector is positionally adjustable independent of the second reflector.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first reflector and the second reflector is coupled to a motor, wherein the at least one of the first reflector and the second reflector is positionally adjustable via the motor.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reflector is positioned on a portion extending within a window, wherein the portion is at least one of transparent and translucent.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the reflector is positionally adjustable manually or automatically.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the reflector is coupled to a motor, wherein the reflector is positionally adjustable via the motor.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the reflector comprises a reflective surface defined via a paint layer.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the paint layer is at least one of transparent and translucent.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the reflector comprises a reflective surface defined via a film.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the reflector is the portion.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the reflector is configured to allow a first wave to pass through and reflect a second wave, wherein the first wave is based on a network communication signal, wherein the far-field wireless power waves comprise the second wave, wherein the first wave and the second wave approach the reflector from one defined area.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the far-field wireless power waves are reflected by the selected reflector before the controlled constructive interference pattern is partly formed as the pocket of energy in proximity of the wireless power receiver for charging the device thereby.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2017
From: BREWER, GREGORY S.
To: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044047/0729 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT APPL. NO. 14/584,634 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 039352 FRAME: 0322. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Aug 8, 2016
From: LEABMAN, MICHAEL A.; BREWER, GREGORY SCOTT
To: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039629/0603 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2016
From: LEABMAN, MICHAEL A.; BREWER, GREGORY SCOTT
To: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039352/0322 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation In Part 13916233 · Jun 12, 2013
Cited By (15)
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