Electric field potential converter for charging a battery and an electric field potential converter as battery replacement

Abstract

The present description is directed to an Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) for recharging at least one battery, replacing a battery or powering an electrical device. The EFPC comprises a casing, a converting cell for absorbing an electric field potential and converting the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy and a control module. The converting cell comprises an electrically conductive plate. The electrically conductive plate defines at least an area of conductive material. The control module controls transfer of electrical energy for the EFPC.

Description

ELECTRIC FIELD POTENTIAL CONVERTER FOR CHARGING A BATTERY AND AN ELECTRIC FIELD POTENTIAL CONVERTER AS BATTERY REPLACEMENT

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electric field potential conversion, and more particularly to an electric field potential converter adapted for charging a battery, or as a replacement thereof.

[0002] Rechargeable batteries provide much longer service than non-rechargeable batteries and are thus more environmentally friendly. But rechargeable batteries require recharging and are not particularly environmentally friendly.

[0003] Current recharging options include taking out the batteries and using a separate battery charger. This option often requires having extra batteries (rechargeable or non-rechargeable) to put into an electronic device or an electric apparatus while the batteries are being recharged (dead time and / or recharging). And often, the battery charger needs to be located and plugged in, which is not very convenient.

[0004] Another recharging option is to include a built-in battery charger directly into the electronic device or electric apparatus and use an electric wire to connect the built-in battery charger in an outlet. Although more convenient than taking out the batteries from the electronic device or the electric apparatus and using a separate battery charger, this recharging option requires locating the wire, and as different types of connectors are used, it quickly becomes a mess of power cables (power blocks, plugs, etc.,) to recharge multiple electronic devices and / or electric apparatuses.

[0005] Another recharging option relies on inductive wireless charging. The electronic device in which a battery needs to be recharged, such as for example a smartphone, must be directly aligned and posed over an inductive wireless charger. The inductive wireless charger can be incorporated in furniture, and no longer requires the use of a separate battery charger or electric wires. Although more convenient than previous battery recharging solutions, the inductive wireless charger only works with electronic devices provided with a specific battery and built-in charger. Furthermore, the inductive wireless charger recharges very slowly compared to other recharging options and generates thermal energy while recharging.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a new solution to prior art rechargeable batteries and battery chargers.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) is adapted for recharging at least one battery. The EFPC comprises a casing, a converting cell and a control module. The casing includes a battery cradle adapted for providing electrical contact with the at least one battery. The battery cradle includes a negative pole and a positive pole for electrical contact with the at least one battery. The converting cell is adapted for absorbing an electric field potential and converting the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy. The converting cell includes at least one electrically conductive plate defining at least an area of conductive material. The control module is adapted for controlling charging of the at least one battery. The control module is electrically connected to the converting cell and receives the electrical energy. The control module is further electrically connected with the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing and controls transfer of the electrical energy to the at least one battery.

[0008] In a particular aspect, the EFPC further comprises a supercapacitor, and the electrical energy is stored in the supercapacitor, and the control module controls the transfer of the electrical energy from the supercapacitor to recharge the at least one battery.

[0009] In another particular aspect, the converting cell comprises two electrically conductive plates, and the converting cell is configured to absorb and convert the absorbed electric field potential by resonant capacitive coupling.

[0010] In yet another particular aspect, the converting cell may comprise two electrically conductive plates, one of the conductive plates being adapted for absorbing electric field potential by capacitive coupling and the other conductive plate being adapted for absorbing electromagnetic energy by inductive coupling.

[0011] In another particular aspect, the conductive plate may be at least partially embedded in a dielectric layer.

[0012] In yet another particular aspect, the converting cell absorbs and converts the electrical field potential by capacitive coupling or capacitive resonant coupling.

[0013] In another particular aspect, the control module comprises at least one of: a rectifier, a charging module and a power management module.

[0014] In yet another particular aspect, the battery cradle is adapted for receiving a plurality of batteries of at least one standardized sized format.

[0015] In another particular aspect, a surface of the casing contains the electrically conductive plate.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) comprises a casing, an electric storage medium, a converting cell and a control module. The casing defines a positive pole and a negative pole. The converting cell is adapted for absorbing an electric field potential and converting the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy. The converting cell includes at least one electrically conductive plate defining at least an area of conductive material. The control module is adapted for controlling charging of the electric storage medium. The control module is electrically connected to the converting cell for receiving the electrical energy. The control module is electrically connected to the electric storage medium, and controls transfer of the electrical energy to the electric storage medium and to the positive pole and the negative pole of the casing.

[0017] In a particular aspect, the electric storage medium is at least one of: a battery and a supercapacitor.

[0018] In yet another particular aspect, the electric storage medium includes the battery and the supercapacitor, the control module controls charging of the battery and of the supercapacitor; and the control module controls transfer of the electrical energy in at least one of the following: from the supercapacitor to the battery, from the supercapacitor to the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing, from the battery to the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing.

[0019] In another particular aspect, the converting cell comprises two electrically conductive plates, where one of the conductive plates is adapted for absorbing electric field potential by capacitive coupling and the other conductive plate is adapted for absorbing electromagnetic energy by inductive coupling.

[0020] In yet another aspect, the conductive plate is at least partially embedded in a dielectric layer.

[0021] In another particular aspect, the converting cell converts electrical field potential by one of: capacitive coupling and capacitive resonant coupling.

[0022] In yet another particular aspect, the casing is shaped as one of: a standardized sized battery or a proprietary sized battery, and the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing are adapted for electrical connection with an electric device.

[0023] According to a third aspect, the Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) is adapted for powering an electrical device, and comprises a casing, a converting cell and a control module. The casing is shaped and configured to be used with an electrical device as a battery replacement. The casing defines a negative pole and a positive pole. The converting cell is adapted for absorbing an electric field potential and converts the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy, the converting cell including at least one electrically conductive plate defining at least an area of conductive material. The control module is adapted for controlling powering of the electrical device. The control module is electrically connected to the converting cell and receives the electrical energy. The control module is electrically connected with the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing and controls transfer of the electrical energy to the electrical device.

[0024] In accordance with a particular aspect, the EFPC further comprises a supercapacitor. The supercapacitor is adapted for storing electrical energy from the converting cell.

[0025] In yet another particular aspect, the EFPC further comprises another electrically conductive plate for converting electromagnetic energy into electrical energy.

[0026] In accordance with another particular aspect, the electrically conductive plate further comprises a dielectric layer.

[0027] Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.Fig. 1

[0028] is a schematic representation illustrating the concepts of electric field generation and electric field power conversion.Fig. 2

[0029] is a schematic representation of an Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) adapted for recharging a battery.Fig. 3

[0030] is a schematic representation of the EFPC of, further comprising an electrical inductive plate for additionally converting electric field induction.Fig. 4

[0031] is an alternative schematic representation of the Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) adapted for recharging a battery of.Fig. 5

[0032] is an alternative schematic representation of the Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) implemented as a rechargeable battery.Fig. 6

[0033] is a schematic representation of the Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) for powering an electrical device.Fig. 7

[0034] is an exemplary exploded perspective diagram of another alternative of the EFPC ofshaped as a standardized AA battery.Fig. 8

[0035] is an exploded perspective diagram of another alternative of the EFPC ofwith a supercapacitor, shaped as a standardized AA battery.Fig. 9

[0036] is a functional schematic representation of the control module 120.

[0037]

[0038] The foregoing and other features will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numerals represent features on the various drawings.

[0039] Various aspects of the present disclosure generally address one or more of the problems related to batteries and their recharging. More specifically, the present disclosure aims at integrating a wireless electricity receiver with a battery, allowing wireless energy transfer to the battery via wireless electricity with a corresponding wireless electricity transmitter.

[0040] Throughout the present specification, the following expressions are used as follows:

[0041] Battery: any medium, component, device or apparatus capable of storing electrical energy, including but not limited to standardized battery formats;

[0042] Capacitive plate: an area of conductive material, the conductive material may be continuous, or a structure of conductive material interspersed with non-conductive material. Throughout the present specification, the word plate is meant to refer to any shape and not solely to a polygon;

[0043] Conductive material: material with a high conductivity rating, i.e. low electrical resistivity. Examples of conductive materials include copper, iron, gold, aluminum, silver and alloys made thereof; and

[0044] Dielectric layer: a substrate with low electrical polarizability. Examples of dielectric layers include a substrate made or polyethylene material or other compounds of similar chemical composition, epoxy or other compounds of similar chemical composition; substrates comprising vacuum areas, air gaps, and / or gaps filled with polyethylene material or epoxy or other compounds of similar chemical composition, and glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material.

[0045] Electrical device: any type of electrically energized apparatus, tool or device, including electronic equipment (wireless phones, tablets, computers, headphones, earbuds, keyboards, screens, gamepads, cameras, LED lights, etc.), tools (power tools, kitchen small appliances, small appliances, fans, etc.), medical devices, specialized devices and apparatuses, etc.

[0046] Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC): electric mechanism by which a conductive material absorbs electric field potential and converts the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy. The EFPC may rely on capacitive coupling or resonant capacitive coupling alone or in combination with inductive coupling and / or inductive resonant coupling.

[0047] Capacitive coupling between an Electric Field Power Generator (EFPG) and an Electric Field Power Converter (EFPC) allows transfer of electrical energy therebetween. Although the dielectric properties of space between the EFPG and the EFPC cannot be controlled, the electric properties of the assemblies generating the electric field or absorbing the electrical potential and converting the absorbed electrical potential must be carefully selected and the assemblies manufactured to optimize the efficient transfer of electrical energy therebetween. In addition to electrical energy, the integration of the EFPC to daily used electrical devices could greatly improve their operation and convenience.

[0048] Reference is made to, which is a schematic representation illustrating the concepts of electric field generation and electric field power conversion. An Electric Field Power Generator (EPFG) 10 is connected to a source of electric power and generates therefrom an electric field. The electric field propagates in the air between the EPFG 10 and an Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) 100. The EFPC 100 absorbs the electric field potential and converts the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy. The electrical energy may be used to recharge a battery, to electrify an electrical device or a combination of both.

[0049] The present invention is thus directed at the Electric Field Potential EFPC side 100 and provides different implementations of the EFPC. Reference is now concurrently made to, which is a schematic representation of the EFPC 100 for recharging at least one battery (not shown). The EFPC 100 comprises at least one converting cell 105. Throughout the present specification, only one converting cell 105 is shown and discussed, but the present EFPC 100 is not limited to such an implementation. The implementations, mechanisms and interactions described herein for one converting cell 105 is applicable to many converting cells 105. The EFPC 100 further comprises a control module 120, a battery cradle 180 and a casing 130.

[0050] The converting cell 105 includes at least one electrically conductive plate 110. The electrically conductive plate 110 absorbs the electric field potential (not shown) surrounding at least a portion of the electrically conductive plate 110. The electrically conductive plate 110 cannot absorb an electrical field potential of an electric field that is not surrounding a portion of the electrically conductive plate 110. The converting cell 105 receives the electric field potential absorbed and converts the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy. The converting cell 105 can absorb and convert the electrical field potential by capacitive coupling, resonant capacitive coupling with or without induction coupling.

[0051] The converting cell 105 includes one electrically conductive plate 110 and could alternatively include multiple electrically conductive plates 110. The electrically conductive plates 110 could operate independently or in pairs. Furthermore, any composition or configuration of electrically conductive plate 110 could be used. Those compositions include without limitation: metallic electrically conductive plate or metal alloy electrically conductive plate. The configurations of electrically conductive plate 110 include without limitation: solid electrically conductive plate, electrically conductive plate defining apertures, mesh-like electrically conductive plate, or any other configuration of electrically conductive plate 110 suitable for absorbing electric field potential.

[0052] The converting cell 105 may further include any electrical discrete components or circuits required for rectifying, filtering, capping the electrical energy. The converting cell 105 may further be provided with electrical protections to prevent electrical surges. The converting cell 105 also includes an Alternating Current / Direct Current (AC / DC) converter or any equivalent circuit or group of discrete components to convert the electrical energy in AC form to DC for charging the at least one battery, and any storage medium 140 and supercapacitor 150 discussed later.

[0053] In operation, the EFPG 10 generates an electric field and the EFPC 100, and more particularly the electrically conductive plate 110 couples with the electric field generated by the EFPG 10. The converting cell 105 further comprises electric components and / or materials for converting the absorbed electric field potential into electric energy. The converting cell 105 may further be adapted for maintaining the EFPC 100 in resonant mode.

[0054] The control module 120 receives the electrical energy from the converting cell 105. The control module 120 may include any known electronic component(s) for controlling the flow of electrical energy in the ECFP 100. More information about the control module 120 will be provided later when discussing.

[0055] More particularly for the implementation of, the control module 120 controls the flow of electrical energy transferred to the at least one battery inserted into the battery cradle 180. The control module 120 may for example reduce the flow of electrical energy stored in the at least one battery in the battery cradle 180, stabilizing the flow of electrical energy, transforming the electrical energy (current and / or voltage, etc.).

[0056] The battery cradle 180 is thus adapted for receiving at least one battery to be recharged (not shown). As known in the art, the battery cradle 180 defines a negative pole and a positive pole for making electric connection between the control module 120 and the at least one battery. The battery cradle 180 could be a prior art battery cradle adapted for receiving at least one battery, which is electrically connected with the control module 120 instead of an electric outlet. The negative pole and positive pole are electrically connected to the control module 120.

[0057] In the schematic representation of, the converting cell 105 and the control module 120 are illustrated as separate components. Such an implementation is for illustration purposes only as the control module 120 could also be combined to the converting cell 105 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] Reference is now made towhich is a schematic representation of the EFPC 100 of, further comprising a second electrically conductive plate 110 in the converting cell 105. Althoughillustrates the two electrically conductive plates 110 as being part of the same converting cell 105, the present invention is not limited to such an implementation. For example, each electrically conductive plate 110 could be in a separate converting cell 105. Thus, one converting cell 105 may include one or several electrically conductive plates 110. Furthermore, one electrically conductive plate 110 may be configured and adapted to absorb electrical field potential, while the other electrically conductive plate 110 may be adapted for absorbing electromagnetic energy. The converting cell 105 may thus be adapted for converting the absorbed electrical field potential, or the electromagnetic energy, into electric energy, hence converting the absorbed energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy converted by the converting cell 105 is controlled by the control module 120 before being transferred to the battery cradle 180 into which at least one battery to be recharged is inserted.

[0059] Reference is now further concurrently made towhich is an alternative schematic representation of the EFPC 100 adapted for recharging a battery inserted in the battery cradle 180, and where the EFPC 100 further comprises a supercapacitor 150. On, the supercapacitor is illustrated between the converting cell 105 and the control module 120, but this positioning is for illustration purposes only. Supercapacitors are particularly interesting for quick electric energy storage and are adapted for storing temporarily larger quantities of electrical energy. Although the present specification refers to one supercapacitor 150, the present EFPC 100 is not limited to such an implementation, and multiple supercapacitors could be used concurrently.

[0060] Reference is now further concurrently made to, which is a functional schematic representation of the control module 120. The control module 120 comprises a rectifier 122, a charging module 124 and a power management module 126. The rectifier 122 receives the electrical energy from the converting cell 105. The rectifier 122 rectifies the electrical energy from an oscillating electrical energy (alternating current) into a rectified electrical energy adapted for storage in the supercapacitor 150 and / or charging the at least one battery in the battery cradle 180. The flow of rectified electrical energy is then controlled by the charging module 124 which determines whether the flow of rectified electrical energy should be used to be stored in the supercapacitor 150, shared between the supercapacitor 150 and the at least one battery in the battery cradle 180, or transferred only to the at least one battery in the cradle 180.

[0061] Reference is now made towhich is another alternative schematic representation of the EFPC 100, implemented as a rechargeable battery. In this particular alternative, the EFPC 100 does not include the battery cradle 180 and thus cannot be used to recharge at least one battery inserted in the battery cradle. In the alternative illustrated in, the EFPC 100 includes in the casing a storage medium 140. The storage medium 140 could consist of any type of storage medium 140 adapted for storing electrical energy. The storage medium 140 is further adapted for transferring stored electrical energy to an electrical device (not shown). The storage medium 140 may be based for example on the lithium-ion technology, but any technology used for storing electrical energy could be used. The storage medium 140 is further rechargeable, allowing a plurality of cycles of charging / discharging. In addition to the storage medium 140, the present EFPC 100 could further include at least one supercapacitor 150.

[0062] The converting cell 105, the control module 120 and the storage medium 140 are all inside the casing 130. In this particular alternative, the casing is shaped as a standardized sized battery or proprietary sized battery. The casing further includes a positive pole and a negative pole to transfer the electrical energy stored in the storage medium 140 to powering the electrical device (not shown) with which the positive and negative poles of the EFPC 100 are in electrical connection or contact. In this alternative, the EFPC 100 could further include a supercapacitor 150 as previously discussed.

[0063] Referring concurrently toand 9, the charging module 124 of the control module 120 in this implementation thus controls the charging of the supercapacitor 150 and of the storage medium 140. The charging module 124 could further control the rectified electrical energy in any of the following exemplary manners: the charging module 124 charges the supercapacitor 150 first and once the supercapacitor 150 is fully charged starts charging the storage medium 140, the charging module 124 charges the storage medium 140 first and only after the storage medium 140 is fully charged does the charging module 124 starts charging the supercapacitor 150, or the charging module 124 charges concurrently the supercapacitor 150 and the storage medium 140, sharing the flow of rectified electrical energy therebetween equally or using a predetermined ratio.

[0064] The control module 120 further comprises a power management module 126. The power management module 126 controls the release of the electrical energy stored in the supercapacitor 150 and in the storage medium 140. The power management module 126 may thus control the electrical energy released by both the supercapacitor 150 and the storage medium 140 in any of the following exemplary manners: the power management module 126 may release the electrical energy stored in the supercapacitor 150 to be released first, as supercapacitors are known for only storing electrical energy temporarily, than allow releasing of the electrical energy stored in the storage medium 140. As the electrical field potential may be present while the EFCP 100 is being used to power an electrical device, the power management module 126 may instruct the charging module 124 to stop charging the storage medium 140 and the supercapacitor 150 and instead directs the flow of rectified electrical energy directly to the electrical device when the electrical device is in operation, and instructs the charging module 124 to start charging the supercapacitor 150 and / or the storage medium 140 when the electrical device is not in operation. This implementation is particularly interesting for applications where the electrical devices are being used intermittently and requires large amounts of electrical energy. The possibility of charging the storage medium 140 and / or the supercapacitor 150 when the electrical device is not in operation allows considering smaller storage medium 140, which makes the electrical device lighter while providing for longer periods of intermittent operation than rechargeable batteries which must be replaced for recharging.

[0065] Reference is now made to, which is a schematic representation of another alternative of the EFPC 100 for powering an electrical device. In this particular alternative, the EFPC 100 includes the converting cell 105 and the supercapacitor 150. The supercapacitor 150 is adapted for rapidly storing large amounts of electrical energy converted by the converting cell 105 and releasing gradually or on demand the stored electrical energy to power the electrical device (not shown) to which the EFPC 100 it is electrically in contact or connected. The converting cell 105, the control module 120 and the supercapacitor 150 are in the casing 130, and the casing 130 is shaped and sized so as to replace the battery of the electrical device. The casing 130 thus further includes a positive pole and a negative pole to achieve electrical connection with corresponding positive and negative poles of the electrical device. The positive and negative poles of the casing 130 are not illustrated on the Figure as such features are well known in the art.

[0066] In this alternative of the EFPC 100, the control module 120 includes the rectifier 122 and the power management module 126, and the charging module 124 may be optional.

[0067] Reference is now made concurrently to Figures 7 and 8 which are exemplary exploded perspective diagrams of alternatives of the EFPC 100 of Figures 5 and 6, shaped as a standardized AA battery. Figures 7 and 8 further show exemplary negative pole 160 and positive pole 170. In the EFPC 100 of Figures 7 and 8, the conductive electrical plate 110 is part of the casing 130. Embedding or partially embedding the conductive electrical plate 110 in a dielectric layer forming the casing 130 could be advantageous as it reduces the overall footprint of the EFPC 100 and provides more room inside the casing 130.

[0068] Figures 7 and 8 further show a reduced storage medium 140, as the storage medium 140 can be recharged in use.

[0069] In an exemplary mode of operation, the storage medium 140 and / or the supercapacitor 150 is charged by the charging module 120 when there is an electric field where the conductive electrical plate 110 is positioned. In the charging mode, the electrical device may or may not be active.

[0070] When operating in discharging mode, the storage medium 140 and / or the supercapacitor 150 provides electrical energy to the electrical device. The conductive electrical plate 110 may be positioned in an area where there is no electric field.

[0071] In a third mode, there is an electric field where the EFPC 100 is being used to power the electrical device, and the converting cell 105 converts the electric field potential absorbed by the electrically conductive plate 110. The charging module 120 determines whether the electrical energy converted is greater than the energy required by the electrical device, and when this condition is met, the charging module 120 may concurrently power the electrical device and charge the storage medium 140 and / or the supercapacitor 150.

[0072] The aforementioned exemplary modes of operation are for illustration purposes only. The following modes of operation are examples of the modes of operation supported by the present EFPC 100: the EFPC 100 charges the storage medium 140, the EFPC 100 powers the electrical device only when the storage medium 140 is fully charged, the EFPC 100 powers the electrical device even when the storage medium 140 is not fully charged, the EFPC 100 powers the electrical device and charges the storage medium 140 simultaneously with the same priority, the EFPC 100 powers the electrical device in priority and charges the storage medium 140 with the remaining available power (if any), the EFPC 100 charges the storage medium 140 in priority and powers the electrical device with the remaining available power (if any), the EFPC 100 powers the electrical device and the storage medium 140 powers the electrical device if the EFPC 100 does not provide enough power, etc.

[0073] As mentioned previously, an advantage of the EFPC 100 is that it does not have to be removed from the electrical device for recharging. The only condition for recharging to occur is to have the electrically conductive plate 110 within range of the EFPG 10.

[0074] Additional modes of operation may be supported with the introduction of the supercapacitor 150: the EFPC 100 charges the supercapacitor 150, then the supercapacitor 150 powers the electrical device, then the supercapacitor 150 charges the storage medium 140; the EFPC 100 only charges the supercapacitor 150; if the EFPC 100 has enough capacity, the EFPC 100 simultaneously charges the supercapacitor 150 and powers the electrical device, but does not charge the storage medium 140; if the EFPC 100 has enough capacity, the EFPC 100 simultaneously charges the supercapacitor 150 and the storage medium 140; etc.

[0075] Although the Figures illustrate one converting cell 105, one electrically conductive plate 110, one storage medium 140 and one supercapacitor 150, those skilled in the art will understand that such representation is for simplicity purposes as the present EFPC 100 could equally support several converting cells 105, several electrically conductive plates 110, several electrically conductive plates 110 per converting cell 105, several storage medium 140 and / or several supercapacitors. Furthermore, the charging module 120 could be adapted to support plural converting cells 105, electrically conductive plates 110, storage medium 140 and supercapacitor 150 so as to form different configurations of charging and discharging routines to take advantage of the plurality of components.

[0076] Although not illustrated, those skilled in the art will understand that the present converting cell 105 and control module 120 could be provided with other functionalities known in the art of electric energy control, such as for example: voltage smoothing, current capping, voltage capping, multi-step rectifying, surge protection, just to name a few.

[0077] In the present specification and Figures, some of the components or modules are illustrated and described as being part or embedded into a larger component or module, but such illustration and description is for simplicity purposes only and such components or modules could alternatively be standalone components or modules or implemented differently without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the electrically conductive plate 110 is illustrated and described as being part of the converting cell 105. However, the present EFPC is not limited to such an implementation. The electrically conductive plate 110 could be a separate component from the converting cell 105, as discussed for Figures 7 and 8. The control module 120 is illustrated and discussed as being physically separated from the converting cell 105, but the control module 120 and the converting cell 105 could be implemented as a chipset. As for the control module 120, the control module 120 could be subdivided into separate modules, and the rectifier 122 could be integrated with the converting cell 105, while the charging module 124 could be integrated with the supercapacitor 150 of the storage medium 140, and the power management module 126 could be a standalone module.

[0078] Other types of Electrical Field Potential Conversion technologies could further be contemplated and adapted based on the teachings of the present specification, such technologies including magneto dynamic coupling, microwaves and light waves.

[0079] Although the present disclosure has been described hereinabove by way of non-restrictive, illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments may be modified at will within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and nature of the present disclosure.

Claims

An Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) for recharging at least one battery, the EFPC comprising: a casing including a battery cradle adapted for receiving the at least one battery and providing electrical contact with the at least one battery, the battery cradle including a negative pole and a positive pole for electrical contact with each of the at least one battery; a converting cell for absorbing an electric field potential and converting the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy, the converting cell including at least one electrically conductive plate defining at least an area of conductive material; and a control module for controlling charging of the at least one battery by the converting cell, the control module being electrically connected to the converting cell and receiving the electrical energy, the control module being electrically connected with the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing and controlling transfer of the electrical energy to the at least one battery.The EFPC of claim 1, further comprising a supercapacitor, wherein: the electrical energy is stored in the supercapacitor; and the control module controls the transfer of the electrical energy from the supercapacitor to recharge the at least one battery.The EFPC of claim 2, wherein the converting cell comprises two electrically conductive plates, the converting cell being configured to convert the absorbed electric field potential by resonant capacitive coupling.The EFPC of claim 2, wherein the converting cell comprises two electrically conductive plates, one of the conductive plates being adapted for absorbing electric field potential by capacitive coupling and the other conductive plate being adapted for absorbing electromagnetic energy by inductive coupling.The EFPC of claim 1, wherein the conductive plate is at least partially embedded in a dielectric layer.The EFPC of claim 1, wherein the converting cell converts the electrical field potential by: capacitive coupling or capacitive resonant coupling.The EFPC of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises at least one of: a rectifier, a charging module and a power management module.The EFPC of claim 1, wherein the battery cradle is adapted for receiving a plurality of batteries of at least one standardized sized format.The EFPC of claim 1, wherein a surface of the casing contains the electrically conductive plate.An Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) comprising: a casing, the casing defining a positive pole and a negative pole; an electric storage medium; a converting cell for absorbing an electric field potential and converting the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy, the converting cell including at least one electrically conductive plate defining at least an area of conductive material; and a control module for controlling charging of the electric storage medium, the control module being electrically connected to the converting cell for receiving the electrical energy, the control module being electrically connected to the electric storage medium and controlling transfer of the electrical energy to the electric storage medium and to the positive pole and the negative pole of the casing.The EFPC of claim 10, wherein the electric storage medium is at least one of: a battery and a supercapacitor.The EFPC of claim 11, wherein the: the electric storage medium includes the battery and the supercapacitor; the control module controls charging of the battery and of the supercapacitor; and the control module controls transfer of the electrical energy in at least one of the following: from the supercapacitor to the battery, from the supercapacitor to the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing, from the battery to the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing.The EFPC of claim 10, wherein the converting cell comprises two electrically conductive plates, one of the conductive plates being adapted for absorbing electric field potential by capacitive coupling and the other conductive plate being adapted for absorbing electromagnetic energy by inductive coupling.The EFPC of claim 10, wherein the conductive plate is at least partially embedded in a dielectric layer.The EFPC of claim 10, wherein the converting cell converts electrical field potential by one of: capacitive coupling and capacitive resonant coupling.The EFPC of claim 10, wherein: the casing is shaped as one of: a standardized sized battery or a proprietary sized battery, and the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing are adapted for electrical connection with an electric device.An Electric Field Potential Converter (EFPC) for powering an electrical device, the EFPC comprising: a casing shaped and configured to be used with an electrical device as a battery replacement, the casing defining a negative pole and a positive pole; a converting cell for absorbing an electric field potential and converting the absorbed electric field potential into electrical energy, the converting cell including at least one electrically conductive plate defining at least an area of conductive material; and a control module for controlling powering of the electrical device, the control module being electrically connected to the converting cell and receiving the electrical energy, the control module being electrically connected with the negative pole and the positive pole of the casing and controlling transfer of the electrical energy to the electrical device.The EFPC of claim 17, further comprising a supercapacitor, the supercapacitor storing electrical energy from the converting cell.The EFPC of claim 17, further comprising another electrically conductive plate for converting electromagnetic energy into electrical energy.The EFPC of claim 17, wherein the electrically conductive plate further comprises a dielectric layer.

Images