Power transmission system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a wireless power transmission system and method. [Solution] The wireless power transmission system (10) comprises a power transmitter configuration (11) and a power receiver configuration (12). The power transmitter configuration (11) transmits electromagnetic pulses (W) to the power receiver configuration (12), where electrical energy is stored and / or stored. The power receiver configuration (12) generates a feedback signal (F) to control the amount of electrical energy and / or power being transmitted. The feedback signal (F) is transmitted wirelessly from the power receiver configuration (12) to the power transmitter configuration (11). In the power transmitter configuration (11), the generation of electrical pulses (P) resulting in the transmission of electromagnetic pulses (W) is controlled based on the received feedback signal (F).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power transmission system and method for wireless power transmission from a power transmitter arrangement to a power receiver arrangement. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless energy transmission is generally known. For example, inductive coupling for charging mobile devices using a magnetic field is known. While such applications operate at relatively low absolute power values, achieving wireless power transmission for high-power applications remains challenging.

[0003] In many facilities used in power transmission and distribution networks, the wiring of systems and devices results in enormous total cable lengths, and consequently, the amount of conductive materials such as copper and insulating materials such as plastics required. In addition, such wiring, including the wiring of substations or power distribution systems with different power levels, is time-consuming. [Overview of the project]

[0004] It would be desirable to reduce wiring costs and time in power distribution and transmission facilities. This objective is achieved by the power transmission system described in claim 1 and the power transmission method described in claim 12.

[0005] The power transmission system according to the present invention comprises a power transmitter arrangement and a power receiver arrangement. The power transmitter arrangement comprises a transmitter antenna array, a control device, and a feedback signal receiver. The control device is connected to the transmitter antenna array. The feedback signal receiver is connected to the control device.

[0006] The power receiver configuration comprises a receiver antenna array, an energy storage unit, a sensor unit, and a feedback signal transmitter. The sensor unit is connected to the feedback signal transmitter. The energy storage unit is connected to the receiver antenna array.

[0007] On the receiver side, a feedback signal can be generated by a sensor unit, which characterizes the electrical parameters of the power receiving arrangement, particularly the amount of power or energy required on the receiver side. A feedback signal transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit the feedback signal to a feedback signal receiver on the transmitter side. Based on the feedback signal, a control device of the power transmitter arrangement generates a sequence of electrical pulses. For example, electrical pulses may be generated by switching power on and off at a determined or preset frequency. Electrical pulses can be supplied to a transmitter antenna array, which transmits each electromagnetic pulse to a receiver antenna array.

[0008] The receiver antenna array receives electromagnetic pulses corresponding to electrical pulses generated by the power transmitter arrangement and supplies the received power to the energy storage unit. The receiver antenna array may be configured as a rectifier antenna ("rectenna"). In another embodiment, individual rectifiers may be placed between the receiver antenna array and the energy storage unit.

[0009] In this way, any cable connections can be replaced with a power transmission system. Power is transmitted wirelessly between the power transmitter and power receiver locations. The power transmission system is particularly suitable for distances of 1 meter or more (e.g., 50 meters, 100 meters, 250 meters, 500 meters, or more). The power transmission system can be used in a wide range of applications where power or energy should be transmitted. For example, it is advantageous for simplifying wiring and equipment within substations or power plants, preferably within their buildings.

[0010] It is advantageous for the control device of a power transmitter arrangement to include a switching unit and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the switching unit. This is particularly advantageous when the switching unit is configured to individually connect or disconnect each of the antenna elements of the transmitter antenna array to or from the power input from which power is supplied to the power transmitter arrangement. For example, the switching unit may have one controllable switch for each antenna element of the transmitter antenna array.

[0011] Preferably, only subgroups of antenna elements in the transmitter antenna array are connected to the power input at each point in time. Therefore, not all antenna elements are transmitted simultaneously. The subgroup of antenna elements used for simultaneous transmission may be one or more antenna elements.

[0012] Preferably, the control device determines a switching scheme for the transmitter antenna array, which includes individual switching schemes for each controllable switch and / or each antenna element. The switching scheme is: During the duration of the electrical pulse, The pause period between the two subsequent electrical pulses, and frequency f of an electrical pulse P At least one of these can be defined. frequency f of an electrical pulse P The frequency of the transmitted electromagnetic wave can be defined according to the transmission distance between the transmitter antenna array and the receiver antenna array.

[0013] The switching scheme for the transmitter antenna array (including the individual switching schemes for each controllable switch and / or each antenna element) defines, among other things, the number of electromagnetic pulses per unit time and therefore affects the radio power rating.

[0014] The control device may also be configured to determine and / or change the amplitude of each electrical pulse. Optionally, the control device may include at least one of the following: a voltage divider circuit, a converter circuit, a rectifier circuit, etc. For example, the control device may use a rectifier circuit and a DC link if necessary or advantageous.

[0015] As described above, the feedback signal favorably characterizes the electrical energy and / or power required on the receiver side. Preferably, the feedback signal is Voltage generated in the energy storage unit, Current flowing into the energy storage unit, Current flowing out from the energy storage unit, The amount of energy stored in the energy storage unit, Energy storage unit's currently available storage capacity Characterize at least one of the following.

[0016] The antenna array is configured to use a transmission frequency in the high-frequency range (particularly the MHz or GHz range), for example, at least 300 MHz or at least 1.0 GHz, or about at least 3.0 GHz, preferably up to about 10 GHz.

[0017] The maximum transmission distance between the transmitter antenna array and the receiver antenna array can be wide-ranging, for example, it can be configured for any desired transmission distance of up to 500m or more. In one embodiment, the power transmission system can be used in substations, particularly AIS substations, where the transmission distance may be approximately 3000mm. For example, the maximum transmission distance depends on the transmission frequency, which can be set as needed for each application. In addition, design parameters such as antenna design or waveguide design can be adapted as needed for each application.

[0018] To avoid adverse effects, the power transmission system can use an encryption method to protect the power transmission system. In particular, the feedback signal transmitter is configured to encrypt the feedback signal before transmitting the feedback signal to the feedback signal receiver. In this case, the feedback signal receiver is configured to decrypt the received feedback signal. Therefore, during the wireless transmission of the feedback signal, the feedback signal is encrypted and thus protected from unauthorized access.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a power transmission method for wireless power transmission from a power transmitter arrangement to a power receiver arrangement. To implement this method, any embodiment of the power transmission system described above can be used.

[0020] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention can be derived from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Hereinafter, the advantageous embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the power transmission system. [Figure 2] It is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the power transmission system. [Figure 3] It is a schematic basic diagram of an electrical pulse sequence generated on the transmitter side and provided to the transmitter antenna array. [Figure 4] It is an exemplary schematic diagram of the switching method of the control device of the power transmitter arrangement.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] In FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the power transmission system 10 is shown very schematically. The power transmission system 10 includes a power transmitter arrangement 11 and a power receiver arrangement 12. Power can be transmitted from the power transmitter arrangement 11 to the power receiver arrangement 12.

[0023] The power transmitter configuration includes a power input 13, to which power can be supplied, for example, by connecting a power supply 14 to the power input 13. The power supply 14 can provide DC or AC power.

[0024] A control device 15 is connected to a power input 13 and configured to generate an electrical pulse P. The electrical pulse P is supplied from the control device 15 to a transmitter antenna array 16. The transmitter antenna array 16 is configured to transmit electromagnetic pulses W toward a power receiver arrangement 12.

[0025] The control device 15 is configured to determine the pulse sequence PS of electrical pulses P generated and supplied to the transmitter antenna array 16 based on the feedback signal F. The feedback signal F can be received by the feedback signal receiver 17 of the power transmitter arrangement 11. The feedback signal receiver 17 may be configured to receive the feedback signal F as a radio signal according to a standard transmission protocol, such as the WiFi standard.

[0026] The power receiver configuration 12 includes a receiver antenna array 21 configured to receive electromagnetic wave pulses W transmitted from a transmitter antenna array 16. The power receiver configuration 12 further includes an energy storage unit 22, a sensor unit 23, and a feedback signal transmitter 24. The energy storage unit 22 is preferably connected to the receiver antenna array 21 via a rectifier circuit 25. The received electrical energy contained in the electromagnetic wave pulses W is stored in the storage unit 22 and thus accumulated. If necessary, the power receiver configuration 12 may also include a converter circuit 26 connecting the energy storage unit to the power output 27 of the power receiver configuration 12. For example, a load 28 can be connected to the power output 27.

[0027] The sensor unit 23 is configured to generate a feedback signal F. Preferably, the feedback signal F characterizes the power or energy required on the receiver side. The sensor unit 23 can be configured to detect one or more electrical parameters and / or determine one or more additional parameters from one or more of the detected parameters. In embodiments, the sensor unit 23 may include at least one voltage sensor and / or at least one current sensor. Figure 2 shows, as an example, a current sensor 29 that can be inductively coupled to a wire connected to the power output 27. The current sensor 29 can be configured to measure the load current IL flowing from the current output 27 to the load 28.

[0028] The feedback signal F generated by the sensor unit 23 is wirelessly supplied to the feedback signal transmitter 24 for transmission to the feedback signal receiver 17. Preferably, the feedback signal transmitter 24 is configured to encrypt the feedback signal F before transmitting it to the feedback signal receiver 17. The feedback signal receiver 17 may be configured to decrypt the received feedback signal F. In this way, the feedback signal F is protected from unauthorized access during wireless transmission.

[0029] If two or more parameters are measured and / or determined by the sensor unit 23, the respective parameter values ​​can be combined in the feedback signal F, or transmitted sequentially as a sequence of feedback signals F.

[0030] The feedback signal F is also, Voltage generated in the energy storage unit, Current flowing into the energy storage unit 22, Current flowing out from energy storage unit 22, The amount of energy currently stored in the energy storage unit 22, and Energy storage unit 22 currently available storage capacity At least one of these can be characterized.

[0031] As shown in more detail in Figure 2, the control device 15 of the power transmitter arrangement 11 may comprise a control unit 35 and a switching unit 36 ​​including one or more controllable switches 37. Each controllable switch 37 can be individually controlled by the respective signals provided by the control unit 35. The number of controllable switches 37 in the switching unit 36 ​​may correspond to the number of antenna elements 38 of the transmitter antenna array 16. Preferably, the number of antenna elements 38 of the receiver antenna array 21 corresponds to the number of antenna elements 38 of the transmitter antenna array 16. Preferably, each individual antenna element 38 of the transmitter antenna array 16 is configured to transmit an electromagnetic pulse W to one of the antenna elements 38 of the receiver antenna array 21.

[0032] Optionally, the power transmitter configuration 11 may include one or more circuits for modifying the voltage and / or current supplied at the power input 13, as schematically shown in the input circuit 39 example in Figure 2. The input circuit 39 may use known circuits such as converters, voltage dividers, and rectifiers to supply power in an appropriate form, for example, a DC voltage with an appropriate amplitude, to the switching unit 36.

[0033] As schematically illustrated in Figure 2, the transmission distance d can be configured as needed for the application in which the system is used, particularly depending on the configuration of the antenna arrays 16, 21 and / or the transmission frequency. The transmission frequency can be within the microwave range. For example, the transmission frequency can be in the MHz or GHz range.

[0034] The embodiments described so far operate as follows:

[0035] In response to the received feedback signal F, the control device 15 determines a switching scheme S for the switching unit 36 ​​for each of the controllable switches 37. The switching scheme S includes an individual switching scheme for each controllable switch 37, which generates a pulse sequence PS of electrical pulses P, as illustrated in Figure 3. Each electrical pulse P has a pulse duration T on The circuit has a voltage UP that alternates between on and off in this example. The amplitude A of the electrical pulse voltage UP can be in the range of a few millivolts to a few volts, for example, 50mV to 100V. The amplitude A can be defined as needed and appropriately for each application. Pulse period T on During this time, the duty cycle can be arbitrarily defined. In the example shown in Figure 3, the pulse period T on The duty cycle between these is 0.5, and this is just an example.

[0036] The waveform of the electrical pulse P can be a square wave, as illustrated in Figure 3. However, other waveforms such as a triangular wave, a sawtooth wave, or a sine wave are also possible.

[0037] Between two subsequent pulses P, the pulse sequence PS includes a pulse pause where the voltage UP is at least approximately zero. The pulse pause has a pause period T. off It has a hiatus period T. off The pulse duration T depends on the desired duty cycle of the sequence of multiple pulses P. on It can be longer, shorter, or equal to.

[0038] The pulse sequence PS of the plurality of pulses P can be provided to any of the antenna elements 38 of the transmitter antenna array 16. Only very schematically, as an example, a switching scheme S is shown in FIG. 4, which shows individual pulse sequences PS having pulses P for some of the antenna elements 38 (antenna element numbers 1, 2, 3, ..., n). The pulses P for two or more different antenna elements 38 may be generated in a time series that directly follows each other without delay. However, a time delay may be provided between two pulses P transmitted by two antenna elements 38 thereafter. Additionally or alternatively, the pulses P transmitted by two different antenna elements 38 may be transmitted simultaneously or at least partially temporally overlapping.

[0039] The antenna elements 38 of the transmitter antenna array 16 are numbered 1, 2, 3, ..., n in the switching scheme S of FIG. 4. In the switching scheme S, the pulse sequence of the electrical pulse P for each antenna element 38 can be repeated.

[0040] Note that one or more parameters of the pulse sequence PS of the pulses P for one or more antenna elements can change during operation in response to the feedback signal F. For example, the amplitude A and / or the frequency f of the electrical pulse P P can change as needed. Additionally or alternatively, the pulse duration T on and / or the pause duration T off can be changed as needed in response to the feedback signal F.

[0041] The pulse P provided to the antenna element 38 generates an electromagnetic wave pulse W that is transmitted from the transmitter antenna array 16 to the receiver antenna array 21. The energy of the received electromagnetic wave pulse W is stored in the energy storage unit 22 after being rectified by the rectifier circuit 25 when applicable. The energy storage unit 22 can include one or more capacitors for storing electrical energy.

[0042] From one or more measured and / or determined parameters, a feedback signal F can be generated that characterizes whether the power receiver configuration 12 requires electrical energy and / or power. For example, if the load current IL is high and the energy stored in the energy storage unit 22 is decreasing, the feedback signal F may indicate that electrical energy transmission is required. Conversely, if, for example, the energy storage unit 22 does not provide available storage capacity and the load current IL is relatively low or even zero, the feedback signal F may indicate that power transmission is not required.

[0043] The present invention relates to a wireless power transmission system 10 and method. The wireless power transmission system 10 comprises a power transmitter arrangement 11 and a power receiver arrangement 12. The power transmitter arrangement 11 is configured to transmit electromagnetic pulses W to the power receiver arrangement 12, where electrical energy can be stored and / or accumulated. The power receiver arrangement 12 is configured to generate a feedback signal F for controlling the amount of electrical energy and / or power transmitted. The feedback signal F is transmitted wirelessly from the power receiver arrangement 12 to the power transmitter arrangement 11. In the power transmitter arrangement 11, the generation of electrical pulses P resulting in the transmission of electromagnetic pulses W is controlled based on the received feedback signal F. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 Power transmission systems 11 Power Transmitter Placement 12 Power receiver arrangement 13 Power Input 14 Power supply 15 Control devices 16 Transmitter antenna array 17 Feedback signal receiver 21 Receiver antenna array 22 Energy Storage Unit 23 Sensor Unit 24 Feedback signal transmitter 25 Rectifier circuit 26 Converter Circuit 27 Power output 28 load 29 Current Sensor 35 Control Unit 36 Switching Units 37 Controllable Switches 38 Click the antenna button 39 Input Circuit A Amplitude d Transmission distance F Feedback signal f P pulse frequency IL load current P Electrical pulse PS Electrical pulse pulse sequence S-switching method T on Pulse period T off Suspension period UP Electrical pulse voltage W Electromagnetic pulse

Claims

1. A power transmission system (10) for wireless power transmission, comprising a power transmitter arrangement (11) and a power receiver arrangement (12), The power transmitter arrangement (11) comprises a transmitter antenna array (16), a control device (15), and a feedback signal receiver (17) connected to the control device (15) and configured to receive a feedback signal (F) and supply it to the control device (15). The control device (15) is configured to generate a sequence (PS) of electrical pulses (P) based on the feedback signal (F), and to provide the sequence (PS) of electrical pulses (P) to the transmitter antenna array (16) for the transmission of electromagnetic wave pulses (W) corresponding to the electrical pulses (P). The power receiver arrangement (12) comprises a receiver antenna array (21), an energy storage unit (22) connected to the receiver antenna array (21), a sensor unit (23), and a feedback signal transmitter (24) connected to the sensor unit (23). The receiver antenna array (21) is configured to receive transmitted electromagnetic wave pulses (W), and the power receiver arrangement (12) is configured to store the received power in the energy storage unit (22). The sensor unit (23) is configured to generate a feedback signal (F) that characterizes the electrical parameters of the power receiver arrangement (12), The feedback signal transmitter (24) is configured for wireless transmission of the feedback signal (F) to the feedback signal receiver (17). Power transmission system (10).

2. The power transmission system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (15) comprises a switching unit (36) and a control unit (35) configured to control the switching unit (36), so that the antenna elements (38) of the transmitter antenna array (16) are individually connected to or disconnected from the power input (13) for power supply.

3. The power transmission system (10) according to claim 2, wherein only a subgroup of the antenna elements (38) of the transmitter antenna array (16) is connected to the power input (13) at each time point.

4. The power transmission system (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the antenna elements (38) of the transmitter antenna array (16) is connected to and disconnected from the power input (13) according to a switching method (S).

5. The aforementioned switching method (S) is The duration of the aforementioned electrical pulse (T ｏｎ ), The pause period (T) between subsequent electrical pulses (P) ｏｆｆ ), The frequency (f) of an electrical pulse (P) Ｐ ) A power transmission system (10) according to claim 4, which defines at least one of the following.

6. The power transmission system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the feedback signal (F) characterizes the electrical energy and / or power requirements of the power receiver arrangement (12).

7. The aforementioned feedback signal (F) is The voltage generated in the energy storage unit (22), The current flowing into the energy storage unit (22), The current flowing out from the energy storage unit (22), The load current (IL) flowing out from the power receiver arrangement (12) toward the load (28), The amount of energy currently stored in the energy storage unit (22), The currently available storage capacity of the energy storage unit (22) A power transmission system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by at least one of the above.

8. The power transmission system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transmitter antenna array (16) and / or the receiver antenna array (21) are configured to operate at a transmission frequency in the MHz or GHz range, preferably a minimum of 300 MHz, preferably a minimum of 1.0 GHz, preferably a minimum of 3.0 GHz, and / or preferably a maximum of 10 GHz.

9. The power transmission system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transmission distance (d) between the transmitter antenna array (16) and the receiver antenna array (21) is a maximum of 500 m, a maximum of 250 m, a maximum of 100 m, or a maximum of 50 m.

10. The power transmission system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the feedback signal transmitter (24) is configured to encrypt the feedback signal (F) before wireless transmission.

11. The power transmission system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the feedback signal receiver (17) is configured to decode the received feedback signal (F).

12. A power transmission method for wireless power transmission from a power transmitter arrangement (11) to a power receiver arrangement (12), The power transmitter arrangement (11) comprises a transmitter antenna array (16), a control device (15), and a feedback signal receiver (17) connected to the control device (15). The power receiver arrangement (12) comprises a receiver antenna array (21), an energy storage unit (22) connected to the receiver antenna array (21), a sensor unit (23), and a feedback signal transmitter (24) connected to the sensor unit (23). The aforementioned method, The sensor unit (23) generates a feedback signal (F) that characterizes the electrical parameters of the power receiver arrangement (12), and wirelessly transmits the feedback signal (F) to the feedback signal receiver (17). The control device (15) generates a sequence (PS) of electrical pulses (P) based on the feedback signal (F), and provides the sequence (PS) of electrical pulses (P) to the transmitter antenna array (16) for the transmission of electromagnetic wave pulses (W) corresponding to the electrical pulses (P). The receiver antenna array (21) receives electromagnetic wave pulses (W), and the energy storage unit (22) stores the received power. including, method.

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