US6570541B2 — Systems and methods for wirelessly projecting pow…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 186 words

A system for wirelessly projecting power to wirelessly power microelectronic devices, the system comprising: a first array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a first surface and to define a first virtual current loop at a periphery of the first surface that produces a same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, the first surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the first surface and the center define a plane and an axial direction that is normal to the plane; and a second array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a second surface and to define a second virtual current loop at a periphery of the second surface that produces a same second direction virtual current that is opposite the same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 186 words

A system for wirelessly projecting power to wirelessly power microelectronic devices, the system comprising: a first array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a first surface and to define a first virtual current loop at a periphery of the first surface that produces a same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, the first surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the first surface and the center define a plane and an axial direction that is normal to the plane; and a second array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a second surface and to define a second virtual current loop at a periphery of the second surface that produces a same second direction virtual current that is opposite the same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 77 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of at least two wedge-shaped current loops, each having an outer portion and a pair of sides, the at least two wedge-shaped current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a surface such that currents in the outer portions are in-phase and current in adjacent sides of adjacent current loops are out-of-phase.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 87 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of at least two polygonal current loops, each having a plurality of sides, the at least two polygonal current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a surface, such that currents in the sides of the at least two polygonal loops that are adjacent the periphery of the surface are in-phase and current in adjacent sides of adjacent current loops are out-of-phase.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of spiral current loops.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein each of the in-phase current loops is less than a quarter wavelength long.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of concentric current loops.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein least one of the first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of stacked current loops.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system according to claim 1 further comprising a driver that drives the first and second arrays of current loops at 13.56 MHz to thereby wirelessly project power.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 55 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second arrays of in-phase current loops are arranged to provide at least some reinforcement of an electromagnetic near field that is produced by the current loops while producing at least some cancellation of a far field electromagnetic wave that is produced by the current loops.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second arrays of in-phase current loops are of same size.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and completely overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system according to claim 10 wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and completely overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system according to claim 1 further comprising a receive antenna between overlapping portions of the first and second surfaces.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system according to claim 13 wherein the receive antenna is midway between the overlapping portions of the first and second surfaces.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system according to claim 14 wherein the receive antenna extends parallel to the overlapping portion of the first surface.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 91 words

The system according to claim 1 further comprising: a third array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a third surface and to define a third virtual current loop at a periphery of the third surface that produces a same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, wherein the third surface is spaced apart from the second surface, is opposite the first surface and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 212 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the plane is a first plane and wherein the axial direction is a first axial direction, the system further comprising: a third array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a third surface and to define a third virtual current loop at a periphery of the third surface that produces a same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, the third surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the third surface and the center define a second plane and a second axial direction that is normal to the second plane and that is different from the first axial direction; and a fourth array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a fourth surface and to define a fourth virtual current loop at a periphery of the fourth surface that produces a same second direction virtual current that is opposite the same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, wherein the fourth surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the third surface in the second axial direction.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 271 words

A system for wirelessly projecting power to wirelessly power microelectronic devices, the system comprising: a plurality of first arrays of in-phase current loops, the first arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a first surface, each first array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent first arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each first array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the first surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a first array flows in opposite directions, the first surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the first surface and the center define a plane and an axial direction that is normal to the plane; and a plurality of second arrays of in-phase current loops, the second arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a second surface, each second array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent second arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each second array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the second surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a second array flows in opposite directions, wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 271 words

A system for wirelessly projecting power to wirelessly power microelectronic devices, the system comprising: a plurality of first arrays of in-phase current loops, the first arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a first surface, each first array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent first arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each first array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the first surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a first array flows in opposite directions, the first surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the first surface and the center define a plane and an axial direction that is normal to the plane; and a plurality of second arrays of in-phase current loops, the second arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a second surface, each second array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent second arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each second array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the second surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a second array flows in opposite directions, wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein the virtual currents of adjacent arrays of in-phase current loops are of opposite phase from one another.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 52 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops each comprises four arrays of current loops that are arranged in two rows and two columns, such that the virtual currents in the arrays in each row and each column are of opposite phase.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 54 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops each comprises four arrays of current loops that are arranged in two rows and two columns, such that the virtual currents in the arrays in each row and each column are 90° out-of-phase from one another.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system according to claim 20 wherein the two rows and two columns are two oblique rows and two oblique columns.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system according to claim 21 wherein the two rows and two columns are two oblique rows and two oblique columns.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 48 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops each comprises a plurality of arrays of current loops that are arranged in a circle, such that the virtual currents in adjacent arrays in the circle are of opposite phase.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 57 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein each array of in-phase loops is arranged to provide at least some reinforcement of an electromagnetic near field that is produced by the current loops in an array while producing at least some cancellation of a far field electromagnetic wave that is produced by the current loops in the array.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 60 words

The system according to claim 25 wherein the plurality of arrays of in-phase current loops are arranged provide at least some further reinforcement of the electromagnetic near fields that are produced by the arrays of in-phase current loops and at least some further cancellation of the far field electromagnetic waves that are produced by the arrays of in-phase current loops.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 79 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of at least two wedge-shaped current loops, each having an outer portion and a pair of sides, the at least two wedge-shaped current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a surface such that currents in the outer portions are in-phase and current in adjacent sides of adjacent current loops are out-of-phase.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 89 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of at least two polygonal current loops, each having a plurality of sides, the at least two polygonal current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a surface, such that currents in the sides of the at least two polygonal loops that are adjacent the periphery of the surface are in-phase and current in adjacent sides of adjacent current loops are out-of-phase.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of spiral current loops.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein each of the in-phase current loops is less than a quarter wavelength long.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of concentric current loops.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein least one of the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops comprises an array of stacked current loops.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system according to claim 18 further comprising a driver that drives the plurality of first and second arrays of current loops at 13.56 MHz to thereby wirelessly project power.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 57 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops is arranged to provide at least some reinforcement of an electromagnetic near field that is produced by the current loops while producing at least some cancellation of a far field electromagnetic wave that is produced by the current loops.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein the plurality of first and second arrays of in-phase current loops are of same size.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and completely overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system according to claim 35 wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and completely overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system according to claim 18 further comprising a receive antenna between overlapping portions of the first and second surfaces.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system according to claim 38 wherein the receive antenna is midway between the overlapping portions of the first and second surfaces.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system according to claim 39 wherein the receive antenna extends parallel to the overlapping portion of the first surface.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 138 words

The system according to claim 18 further comprising: a plurality of third arrays of in-phase current loops, the third arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a third surface, each third array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent third arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each third array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the third surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a third array flows in opposite directions, wherein the third surface is spaced apart from the second surface, is opposite the first surface and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 297 words

The system according to claim 18 wherein the plane is a first plane and wherein the axial direction is a first axial direction, the system further comprising: a plurality of third arrays of in-phase current loops, the third arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a third surface, each third array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent third arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each third array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the third surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a third array flows in opposite directions, the third surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the third surface and the center define a second plane and a second axial direction that is normal to the second plane and that is different from the first axial direction; and a plurality of fourth arrays of in-phase current loops, the fourth arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a fourth surface, each fourth array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent fourth arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each fourth array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the fourth surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a fourth array flows in opposite directions, wherein the third surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the fourth surface in the second axial direction.

Claim 45

Independent Claim 195 words

A method for wirelessly projecting power to wirelessly power microelectronic devices, the method comprising the steps of: applying current to a first array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a first surface and to define a first virtual current loop at a periphery of the first surface that produces a same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, the first surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the first surface and the center define a plane and an axial direction that is normal to the plane; and applying current to a second array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a second surface and to define a second virtual current loop at a periphery of the second surface that produces a same second direction virtual current that is opposite the same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 195 words

A method for wirelessly projecting power to wirelessly power microelectronic devices, the method comprising the steps of: applying current to a first array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a first surface and to define a first virtual current loop at a periphery of the first surface that produces a same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, the first surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the first surface and the center define a plane and an axial direction that is normal to the plane; and applying current to a second array of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another to define a second surface and to define a second virtual current loop at a periphery of the second surface that produces a same second direction virtual current that is opposite the same first direction virtual current while current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops flows in opposite directions, wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 47

Independent Claim 280 words

A method for wirelessly projecting power to wirelessly power microelectronic devices, the method comprising the steps of: applying current to a plurality of first arrays of in-phase current loops, the first arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a first surface, each first array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent first arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each first array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the first surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a first array flows in opposite directions, the first surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the first surface and the center define a plane and an axial direction that is normal to the plane; and applying current to a plurality of second arrays of in-phase current loops, the second arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a second surface, each second array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent second arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each second array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the second surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a second array flows in opposite directions, wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Claim 48

Independent Claim 280 words

A method for wirelessly projecting power to wirelessly power microelectronic devices, the method comprising the steps of: applying current to a plurality of first arrays of in-phase current loops, the first arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a first surface, each first array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent first arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each first array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the first surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a first array flows in opposite directions, the first surface including a center, wherein two points on the periphery of the first surface and the center define a plane and an axial direction that is normal to the plane; and applying current to a plurality of second arrays of in-phase current loops, the second arrays of in-phase current loops being disposed adjacent to one another to define a second surface, each second array of in-phase current loops defining a virtual current such that virtual currents of at least some adjacent second arrays of in-phase current loops are not in-phase with one another, each second array of in-phase current loops comprising a plurality of in-phase current loops that are disposed adjacent to one another in the second surface, such that current in adjacent portions of adjacent current loops in a second array flows in opposite directions, wherein the first surface is spaced apart from and at least partially overlaps the second surface in the axial direction.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-05-26	2006-11-25	2007-05-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-05-26	2010-11-25	2011-05-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-05-26	2014-11-25	2015-05-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Systems and methods for wirelessly projecting power using multiple in-phase current loops

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag