Methods, systems, and apparatuses for harvesting wireless energy

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for wirelessly charging a vehicle such as an electric vehicle.

Description

METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUSES FOR HARVESTING WIRELESSENERGYCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 622,246, filed January 18, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Electric vehicle (EV) deployment has steadily increased in recent years. In 2018, the global stock of electric passenger vehicles exceeded 5 million, and the global EV forecast is for a compound annual growth rate of 29 percent over the next ten years. With EVs expected to secure approximately 32 percent of the total market share for new car sales, EV owners require easy access to a charging infrastructure. Traditional means of charging require EV owners to visit a charging station and connect their vehicle to the charger. One method of charging EVs requires the use of an adapter that couples the EV to a charging station or charging source in order to charge the EV’s battery. However, this method of charging an EV’s battery involving a wired connection requires cables or similar connects that are physically connected to a power supply and may be inconvenient or cumbersome. In addition, wireless methods have been developed for charging the batteries of the EVs. However, conventional wireless charging methods simply rely on induction by generating a current based on the magnetic field created by the electricity flowing through one or more wires. Furthermore, these conventional wireless charging methods require vehicles to remain stationary while being charged.SUMMARY

[0003] It is understood that both the following general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.

[0004] Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for wirelessly charging a vehicle (e.g., electric vehicle (EV) such as an electric car, truck, or SUV or an electric aerial vehicle). The vehicle may be include an inductive coupling device configured to generate a current for powering the vehicle or charging a battery of the vehicle based on a magnetic field produced by a transmission line, an antenna assembly configured to generate an electrical charge based on a voltage differential of the transmission line, and a charger for receiving the current generated by the inductive coupling device and the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly in order to charge the battery of the car. The vehicle may further include a computing system for determining usage information associated with an amount of energy consumed to charge the battery via the transmission line and location information associated with charging the vehicle via the transmission line. The usage information may be used to determine an amount to debit an owner of the vehicle for charging the battery of the vehicle via the transmission line.

[0005] In an embodiment, is a vehicle comprising an inductive coupling device configured to generate, based on a magnetic field produced by a transmission line, a current for powering the vehicle or charging a battery of the vehicle, an antenna assembly comprising at least two antennas, wherein the antenna assembly is configured to generate, via a voltage differential of the transmission line, an electrical charge, and a charger configured to receive the current generated by the inductive coupling device and the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly, convert the current generated by the inductive coupling device to a first voltage, generate, based on the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly and the first voltage, a second voltage, and charge, based on the current generated by the inductive coupling device and the second voltage, the battery of the vehicle.

[0006] In an embodiment, are methods comprising generating, by a vehicle, based on an magnetic field produced by a transmission line, a current for powering the vehicle or charging a battery of the vehicle, converting the current generated based on the magnetic field to a first voltage, generating, based on a voltage differential of the transmission line, an electrical charge, generating, based on the electrical charge and the first voltage, a second voltage, and charging, based on the current and the second voltage, the battery of the vehicle.

[0007] Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows or may be learned by practice. The advantages will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the present description serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems described herein. To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number may refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an example system;

[0010] Figures 2A-2B show example systems;

[0011] Figures 3A-3B show example scenarios;

[0012] Figures 4A-4B show example vehicle configurations;

[0013] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an example method; and

[0014] Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a computing device for implementing the example methods.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0016] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes- from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particul r value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0017] “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0018] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of’ and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

[0019] Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

[0020] The present methods and systems may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous and following description.

[0021] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the methods and systems may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the methods and systems may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-transitory) having processor-executable instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, the present methods and systems may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Any suitable computer- readable storage medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storagedevices, magnetic storage devices, memresistors, Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM), flash memory, or a combination thereof.

[0022] Embodiments of the methods and systems are described below with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods, systems, apparatuses and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These processorexecutable instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0023] These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readable instructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The processorexecutable instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0024] Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0025] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, the terms “user,” or “subject,” may indicate a person who uses an electronic device or a device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device) that uses an electronic device.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows an example system 100 for wirelessly charging a vehicle (e.g., electric vehicle (EV) such as an electric car, truck, or SUV or an electric aerial vehicle). For example, the vehicle may be configured to generate a current for powering the vehicle or charging a battery of the vehicle, via an inductive coupling device, based on a magnetic field produced by a transmission line, and an electrical charge, via an antenna assembly, based on a voltage differential of the transmission line. The vehicle may use the current generated via the inductive coupling device and the electrical charge generated via the anantenna assembly to charge a battery of the vehicle. The system 100 may comprise a vehicle computing device 110, and a computing device 120. In example, the devices may omit at least one of the aforementioned constitutional elements or may additionally include other constitutional elements.

[0027] The vehicle computing device 110 (e.g., a telematics device, an electronic control device, etc.) may be in communication with one or more components of the vehicle such as an electric motor of the vehicle and / or an energy storage module (e.g., battery) of the vehicle. The vehicle computing device 110 may comprise a digital computer that may include a bus 111, memory 112, one or more processors 116, one or more input / output interfaces 117, and one or more communication interfaces 118. In an example, the vehicle computing device 110 may omit at least one of the aforementioned elements or may additionally include other elements.

[0028] The bus 111 may include a circuit for connecting the memory 112, the one or more processors 116, the one or more input / output interfaces 117, and one or more communication interfaces 118 to each other and for delivering communication (e.g., a control message and / or data) between the bus 110 may include a circuit for connecting the memory 112, the one or more processors 116, the one or more input / output interfaces 117, and the one or more communication interfaces 118. The bus 110 may comprise a plurality of buses or other wired or wireless connection. The bus 111 may comprise additional elements, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the local interface may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components.

[0029] The memory 112 may include one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, DVDROM, etc ). Moreover, the memory 112 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. The memory 112 may have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remote from one another, but may be accessed by the one or more processors 116.

[0030] The memory 112 may include one or more software programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. The software in the memory 112 may include an operating system 113, vehicle systems and components (VSC) unit 114, and charging control module 115. The operating system 113 may control the execution of other computer programs and provides scheduling, inputoutput control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control, and related services.

[0031] The VSC module 114 may communicate with systems and components of the vehicle, such as the electric motor and the energy storage module. The VSC unit 114 may determine a state (e.g., e.g., an operational state, a communication state, etc.), an operation, a mode, a configuration, and / or the like associated with the systems and components of the vehicle, such as the electric motor and the energy storage module of the vehicle. The VSCunit 114 may communicate and / or exchange data / information with the charging control module 115. The charging control module 115 may communicate and / or exchange information with the computing device 116 (e.g., server, cloud device, billing system / network, utility management device, etc.). For example, the charging control module 115 may communicate and / or exchange information with the vehicle, such as usage information. The usage information may comprise information indicative of an amount of energy used to charge a battery of the vehicle via a transmission line (e.g., a utility power line) and location information associated with charging the vehicle via the transmission line. The charging control module 115 may determine and / or store usage information, for example, whenever the vehicle charges (e.g., electricity, power, energy, etc.) its battery via a transmission line. The charging control module 115 may determine and / or store usage information to facilitate time-varying electricity rates and / or pricing, such as Time of Use (TOU), Critical Peak Pricing (CPP), Real-Time Pricing (RTP), and / or the like for locations associated with charging the battery via a transmission line. The usage information may be used, for example, by a utility service provider, to determine the cost and / or charge for electrical usage (consumption) dependent upon the time of use to incentivize off-peak vehicle charging behavior. For example, a user account associated with the vehicle owner may be debited based on the usage information.|00321 The usage information may further include, for example, data / information related to the systems and components of the vehicle such as the electric motor of the vehicle, as well as data / information related to the recharging of an energy storage module (e.g., battery) of the vehicle via the transmission line. The usage information may further include, for example, ignition status (e.g., ON / OFF), location information (e g., GPS coordinates, an address associated with an EV and / or charging station, etc.), temporal charging information (e.g., a charge start time / date, a charge end time / date), a time of use (TOU) rate, a charging energy source information (e.g., charging station manufacture details, communication protocols associated with a charging station, data format and / or encryption / decryption information associated with a charging station, etc.), a charge amount, a current state-of- charge (SOC), a SOC at the charge start time, a SOC at the charge end time, a utility area / region, a battery type, a charger type, charger timer usage, an ignition ON time, an ignition OFF time, and / or the like. The usage information may be sent to a computing device 116, wherein the computing device 116 may store the usage information in a database 124.

[0033] The one or more processors 116 may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application Processor (AP), or a Communication Processor (CP). The one or more processors 116 may control, for example, at least one of the bus 111, the memory 112, the VSC module 114, the charging control module 115, the one or more input / output interfaces 117, and / or the one more communication interfaces 118 of the charging adapter 110 and / or may execute an arithmetic operation or data processing for communication. The processing (or controlling) operation of the one or more processors 116 according to various embodiments is described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0034] The one or more processors 116 may facilitate vehicle charging analysis, for example, to determine vehicle electricity consumption and related electricity consumption rates. When the vehicle computing device 110 is in operation, the one or more processors 116 may execute software stored within the memory 112, to communicate data to and from the memory 112, and to generally control operations of the vehicle computing device 110 pursuant to the software. For example, the one or more processors 116 may be configured to facilitate a charging process of the vehicle based on a magnetic field produced by a transmission line and a voltage differential of the transmission line. For example, the vehicle computing device 110 may include one or more input / output(I / O) interfaces 117. The one or more input / output(I / O) interfaces 117 may be configured to communicate with a charger (e.g., charger assembly) of the vehicle configured to charge the battery of the vehicle and to determine usage information associated with charging the battery of the vehicle. The vehicle may further include an inductive coupling device and an antenna assembly. The inductive coupling device may be configured to generate (e g., produce), based on a magnetic field produced by a transmission line (e.g., utility power line), a current for powering the vehicle or charging the battery of the vehicle. The antenna assembly may be configured to generate, based on a voltage differential of the transmission line, an electrical charge. The charger may be configured to receive the current generated by the inductive coupling device and the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly. The charger may convert the current generated by the inductive coupling device to a steady state DC voltage. The charger may then use the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly to increase the voltage of the steady state DC voltage. The charger may then charge the battery of the vehicle based on the current generated by the inductive coupling device and the increased steady state DC voltage. The vehicle computing device 110 may determine the usage information based on charging the battery. For example, the usage information may comprise an amount of energy consumed to charge the battery of the vehicle via the transmission line and location information associated with charging the vehicle via the transmission line. The one or more processors may provide the usage information to the computing device 120 for further analysis. For example, the usage information may be used to determine an amount to debit the account of the owner of the vehicle based on the amount of energy consumed to charge the battery and the location information associated with charging the battery via the transmission line.

[0035] The one or more I / O interfaces 117 may be further configured to receive user input from, and / or for providing system output to, one or more devices or components. Input may be provided via, for example, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a voice-activated control, and / or the like. Output may be provided via one or more audio units (e.g., speakers, etc.) and / or a display (e.g., a head unit, a display stack, a heads-up display). The I / O interfaces 117 may include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), an infrared (IR) interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, and / or a universal serial bus (USB) interface.

[0036] The one or more communication interfaces 118 may be used to transmit and receive data / information from the vehicle computing device 110 and / or the computing device 120. The one or more communication interfaces 118 may include, for example, a lOBaseT Ethernet Adaptor, a l OBaseT Ethernet Adaptor, a LAN PHY Ethernet Adaptor, a Token Ring Adaptor, a wireless network adapter (e.g., WiFi, cellular, satellite), or any other suitable network interface device. The one or more communication interfaces 118 may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable appropriate communications on the network 130 (e.g., a wireless network, a cellular network, a packet-switched network, etc.). The one or more communication interfaces 118 may include one or more of the inductive coupling device and / or the antenna assemble for generating the current based on the magnetic field of the transmission line and generating the electrical charge based on the voltage differential of the transmission line in order to charge the vehicle’s battery. The communication interfaces 118 may further include charging links for optionally connecting the vehicle via a charging adapter to an outlet in order to charge the vehicle’s battery. The one or more charging links may support single-phase vehicle couplers, single-phase and three-phase vehicle couplers, single-phase and three-phase vehicle couplers equipped with safety shutters, fast charge couplers, and / or the like.

[0037] The computing device 120 may comprise one or more devices associated with a utility provider and / or billing system / network. For example, the computing device 120 may comprise one or more of one or more servers, one or more cloud devices, a utility management device, and the like. The computing device 120 may include a bus 121, memory 122, one or more processors 126, one or more input / output (I / O) interfaces 127, and a network interface 128. In an example, the device 120 may omit at least one of the aforementioned elements or may additionally include other elements.

[0038] The bus 121 may include a circuit for connecting the memory 122, the one or more processors 126, the one or more input / output interfaces 127, and network interface 128 to each other and for delivering communication (e.g., a control message and / or data) between the bus 121 may include a circuit for connecting the memory 122, the one or more processors 126, the one or more input / output interfaces 127, and the network interface 128. The bus 121 may comprise a plurality of buses or other wired or wireless connection. The bus 121 may comprise additional elements, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the local interface may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components.

[0039] The memory 121 may include one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, DVDROM, etc ). Moreover, the memory 121 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. The memory 121 may have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remote from one another, but may be accessed by the one or more processors 126.

[0040] The memory 121 may include one or more software programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. For example, the software in the memory 121 may include an operating system 123, a database 124, and a charging analysis module 161. The operating system 123 may control the execution of other computer programs and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control, and related services.

[0041] The computing device 120 may be configured to receive the usage information from the vehicle computing device 110. The computing device 120 may store the usage information, in addition to data / information associated with the service owner (e.g., service provider) of the transmission line, such as data / information associated with utility services associated with the service owner in the database 124. The service owner information may be stored and / or associated with an account associated with the service owner. The one or more processors 126 may facilitate vehicle charging analysis, for example, to determine vehicle electricity consumption and related electricity consumption rates. When the vehicle computing device 110 is in operation, the one or more processors 126 may execute software stored within the memory 122, to communicate data to and from the memory 122, and to generally control operations of the computing device 120 pursuant to the software. For example, the one or more processors 126 may implement the charging analysis module 161 to analyze the usage information and the service owner information and determine an amount to debit an account of an owner of the vehicle and an amount to credit an account of the service owner based on the amount of energy consumed to charge the battery of the vehicle and the location information associated with charging the battery. For example, the vehicle may charge its battery via different transmission lines at different locations. Each location may be associated with a different service owner. The computing device 120 may determine which service owner accounts to credit based on the location information associate with charging the vehicle’s battery at the different transmission lines at the different locations. For example, the location information may indicate that the vehicle charged its battery at a first location associated with a first service owner, a second location associated with a second service owner, and a third location associated with a third service owner. The computing device 120 may determine an amount to credit the first service owner based on the usage information at the first location, the second service owner based on the usage information at the second location, and the third service owner based on the usage information at the third location.

[0042] The one or more processors 126 may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application Processor (AP), or a Communication Processor (CP). The one or more processors 126 may control, for example, at least one of the bus 121, the memory 122, the one or more input / output interfaces 127, and / or the network interface 128 of the device 120 and / or may execute an arithmetic operation or data processing for communication. The processing (or controlling) operation of the one or more processors126 according to various embodiments is described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0043] The device 120 may include one or more I / O interfaces 127. The one or more I / O interfaces 127 may be used to receive user input from, and / or for providing system output to, one or more devices or components. Input may be provided via, for example, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a voice-activated control, and / or the like. Output may be provided via one or more audio units (e.g., speakers, etc.) and / or a display. The one or more I / O interfaces 127 may include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), an infrared (IR) interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, and / or a universal serial bus (USB) interface.

[0044] A network interface 128 may be used to transmit and receive data / information from the charging adapter 110 and / or the computing device 160. The network interface 128 may include, for example, a l OBaseT Ethernet Adaptor, a lOBaseT Ethernet Adaptor, a LAN PHY Ethernet Adaptor, a Token Ring Adaptor, a wireless network adapter (e.g., WiFi, cellular, satellite), or any other suitable network interface device. The network interface 128 may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable appropriate communications on the network 130.

[0045] Network 130 may comprise a wireless communication network or a wired communication network. For example, as a cellular communication protocol, the wireless communication may use at least one of Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advance (LTE- A), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and the like. In addition, the wireless communication network may include a smart grid mesh network. Further, the wireless communication may include, for example, a near-distance communication. The near-distance communications may include, for example, at least one of Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and the like.According to a usage region or a bandwidth or the like, the GNSS may include, for example, at least one of Global Positioning System (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (Glonass), Beidou Navigation Satellite System (hereinafter, “Beidou”), Galileo, the European global satellite-based navigation system, and the like. Hereinafter, the “GPS” and the “GNSS” may be used interchangeably in the present document. The wired communication may include, for example, at least one of Universal Serial Bus (USB), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Recommended Standard-232 (RS-232), powerline communication, Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), and the like. The network 130 may include, for example, at least one of a telecommunications network, a computer network (e.g., LAN, WAN, WiFi, etc.), the internet, and a telephone network.

[0046] FIG. 2A shows an example system 200 for charging the battery of the vehicle (e.g., electric vehicle (EV) such as an electric car, truck, or SUV, or an electric aerial vehicle). The vehicle may include an inductive coupling device 202, an antenna assembly 210, a charger assembly 220, a GPS unit 230, a battery 240, and a vehicle computing device 110.The inductive coupling device 202 may be configured to generate, based on a magnetic field 208 produced by a transmission line 206 (e.g., utility power line), a current for powering the vehicle or charging a battery 240 of the vehicle. For example, the transmission lines may generate / produce a magnetic field (e g., magnetic field 208) around each line based on the current passing through each line. The inductive coupling device 202 may be configured to generate a current from the magnetic field 208. The inductive coupling device 202 may comprise an induction coil for generating the current based on the magnetic field 208. The induction coil may comprise loops of wire comprising one or more of a determined number of loops, a determined number of turns of the loops, and / or a determined number of loops in series and / or in parallel. As shown in FIG. 2A, a plane of the loops may be perpendicular to the magnetic field 208. The inductive coupling device 202 may provide the generated current to the charger assembly 220.

[0047] The antenna assembly 210 may be configured to generate, based on a voltage differential of the transmission line 206, an electrical charge. The antenna assembly 210 may comprise at least two antennas. As shown in FIG. 2A, a first antenna 212 of the at least two antennas may be configured to point toward the transmission line 206 and a second antenna 214 of the at least two antennas may be configured to point in an opposite direction of the first antenna 212 away from the transmission line 206. In an example, the antenna assembly 210 may be fixed (e.g., fixed angle) in a direction toward the transmission line 206. In an example, the antenna assembly 210 may be oriented toward a direction of travel (e.g., flight path of an aerial vehicle or a driving direction of an EV). As an example, the antenna assembly 210 may be coupled to the vehicle via a gimbal assembly, wherein the orientation of the antenna assembly 210 may be controlled to dynamically adjust based on the direction of travel of the vehicle. In an example, the first antenna 212 and the second antenna 214 may each be coupled to the vehicle via separate gimbal assemblies. The orientations of the first antenna 212 and the second antenna 214 may each separately be controlled. The antenna assembly 210 may provide the generated electrical charge to the charger assembly 220.

[0048] The charger assembly 220 may comprise a converter 222, a capacitor unit 224, and a charging unit 226. As shown in FIG. 2A, the charger assembly 220 may receive the current generated by the inductive coupling device 202 and the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly 210 via the converter 222. The converter 222 may be configured to convert the current to a steady state DC voltage. For example, high voltage transmission lines may vary between multiple voltages such as 128 kV, 345 kV, 765 kV, etc. based on the location of the transmission lines. A vehicle harvesting the magnetic field to generate a current would need to be configured to handle multiple inputs based on the multiple voltages. The converter 222 may be configured to receive multiple current inputs and generate a steady state DC voltage.

[0049] The capacitor unit 224 may be configured to provide the capacitance required to drive a sufficient current to charge the battery. For example, the charger assembly 220 may not generate an adequate capacitance to drive a sustainable current to charge the battery240. The capacitor unit 224, based on the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly 210, may provide a sufficient capacitance to charge the current generated by the inductive coupling device 202. For example, the capacitor unit 224 may increase the steady state DC voltage (e.g., charge the electrons of the charger assembly 220 to a higher voltage) based on the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly 210. The charging unit 226 may be configured to charge the battery 240 based on the current generated by the inductive coupling device 202 and the increased steady state DC voltage.

[0050] In addition, the charging unit 226 may be in communication with the vehicle computing device 110. The charging unit 222 may provide the vehicle computing device 110 usage information associated with the amount energy consumed to charge the battery 240 of the vehicle. The vehicle computing device 110 may be in further communication with a GPS unit 230. For example, the vehicle computing device 110 may receive location information associated with charging the battery 240 via the transmission line 206. For example, the GPS unit 230 may provide location information to the vehicle computing device 110. The vehicle computing device 110 may associate location information with the times the vehicle charged the battery 240 via the transmission line 206. For example, the vehicle computing device 110 may determine that the vehicle charged its battery 240 at a first location at a first time point, a second location at a second time point, and a third location at a third time point. The vehicle computing device 110 may associate the different locations with each time the vehicle charged its battery 240. The usage information may comprise the amount of energy consumed to charge the battery 240 via the transmission line 206 and the location information associated with charging the battery 240 via the transmission line 206. The vehicle computing device 110 may send the usage information, wherein the usage information (e g., the amount of energy consumed and the location information) may be used to determine the amount to debit the account of the owner of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle computing device 110 may send the usage information to a computing device (e.g., computing device 120), wherein the computing device may determine the amount to debit the account of the owner of the vehicle based on the usage information.

[0051] As an example, as shown in FIG. 2B, an additional inductive coupling device 250 and a secondary resonance circuit 260 may be included in order to increase a yield of the inductive coupling device 202. In an example, the inductive coupling device 250 may comprise a similar design as the inductive coupling device 202. For example, the inductive coupling device 250 may comprise an induction coil for generating a current based on a magnetic field (e.g., the magnetic field 208). The induction coil may comprise loops of wire comprising one or more of a determined number of loops, a determined number of turns of the loops, and / or a determined number of loops in series and / or in parallel. For example, the inductive coupling device 250 may be tuned to frequencies and harmonics of an electric grid. In an example, a plane of the loops of the inductive coupling device 250 may be perpendicular to the magnetic field 208. The inductive coupling device 250 mayprovide the generated current to the secondary resonance circuit 260 which may provide the current to the battery 240.

[0052] FIGS. 3A-3B show example scenarios wherein an aerial vehicle 302 (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle, electric aerial vehicle, etc.) and an electric vehicle (EV) 312, respectively, may be configured to wirelessly charge their respective batteries via one or more transmission lines 306 / 316 (e.g., utility power lines). As shown in FIG. 3A, the aerial vehicle 302 may be configured to wirelessly charge its battery via a magnetic field 304 produced by above-ground transmission lines 306 and a voltage differential of the transmission lines 306. For example, the aerial vehicle 302 may be configured to generate a current based on the magnetic field 304 of the transmission lines 306 and generate an electrical charge based on the voltage differential of the transmission lines 306 in order to charge its battery. In an example, the aerial vehicle 302 may charge its battery via the transmission lines 306 while in motion or while the aerial vehicle 302 is stationary. As shown in FIG. 3B, the EV 312 may be configured to wirelessly charge its battery via a magnetic field 314 produced by below-ground transmission lines 316 and a voltage differential of the transmission lines 316. For example, transmission lines 316, or energy sources (e.g., other wiring configurations), may be located below-ground underneath a road (e.g., highway, freeway, street, parking lot, etc.). The EV 312 may be configured to generate a current based on the magnetic field 314 of the transmission lines 316 and generate an electrical charge based on the voltage differential of the transmission lines 316 in order to charge the battery. In an example, the EV 312 may charge its battery via the transmission lines 316 while in motion or while the EV 312 is stationary.

[0053] FIGS. 4A-4B show example vehicle configurations based on the example scenarios of FIGS. 3A-3B. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the aerial vehicle 302 and the EV 312 may each comprise an inductive coupling device 202, an antenna assembly 210, a charger assembly 220, a GPS unit 230, a battery 240, and a computing device 110. The inductive coupling device 202 of each vehicle may comprise an induction coil comprising loops of wire. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B a plane of the loops may be perpendicular to the magnetic field 304 / 314. In addition, the antenna assembly 210 may comprise at least two antennas. A first antenna 212 of the at least two antennas may be configured to point toward the transmission lines 306 / 316 and a second antenna 214 of the at least two antennas may be configured to point in an opposite direction of the first antenna 212 away from the transmission lines 306 / 316.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of an example method 500. The method 500 may be implemented in whole or in part by a computing device (e.g., computing device 110). At step 510, a current for powering a vehicle or charging a battery of the vehicle may be generated based on a magnetic field produced by a transmission line. For example, the current may be generated by the vehicle based on the magnetic field. As an example, the vehicle may comprise an inductive coupling device. The inductive coupling device may generate the current based on the magnetic field produced by the transmission line. For example, the transmission line may comprise a utility power line. For example,transmission lines may generate / produce a magnetic field around each line based on the current passing through each line. The inductive coupling device may harvest the magnetic field to generate a current. For example, the inductive coupling device may comprise an induction coil configured to generate the current based on the magnetic field. The induction coil may comprise loops of wire comprising a predetermined number of loops, wherein a plane of the loops of wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field.

[0055] At step 520, the current generated based on the magnetic field may be converted to a first voltage. For example, the vehicle may convert the current to the first voltage. As an example, the vehicle may further comprise a charger or charger assembly comprising a converter. The converter may be configured to convert the current to the first voltage. The first voltage may comprise a first steady state DC voltage. For example, high voltage transmission lines may vary between multiple voltages such as 128 kV, 345 kV, and 765 kV based on the location of the transmission lines. A vehicle harvesting the magnetic field to generate a current would need to be configured to handle multiple inputs based on the multiple voltages. The converter may be configured to receive multiple current inputs and generate a steady state DC voltage.

[0056] At step 540, a second voltage may be generated based on the electrical charge and the first voltage. For example, the vehicle may generate the second voltage based on the electrical charge and the first voltage. The second voltage may comprise a second steady state DC voltage. For example, the vehicle may increase the first voltage to the second voltage based on the electrical charge. As an example, the charger or charger assembly may further comprise a capacitor. Based on the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly, the capacitor may not provide sufficient capacitance to charge the current generated by the inductive coupling device. The capacitor may be configured to increase the steady state DC voltage (e.g., charge the electrons of the charger assembly to a higher voltage) based on the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly.

[0057] At step 560, the battery of the vehicle may be charged based on the current and the second voltage. For example, the charger or charger assembly may charge the battery based on the current and the second voltage. In an example, usage information associated with charging the battery may be determined. For example, the charger may be in communication with a computing device of the vehicle. The charger may provide the usage information to the computing device. The computing device may be in further communication with a GPS unit / device. For example, the computing device may receive location information associated with charging the battery via the transmission line. For example, the GPS unit / device may provide location information to the computing device. The computing device may associate location information with the times the vehicle charged the battery via the transmission line. For example, the computing device may determine that the vehicle charged its battery at a first location at a first time point, a second location at a second time point, and a third location at a third time point. The computing device may associate the different locations with each time the vehicle charged its battery. The usage information may comprise the amount of energy consumed to charge the batteryvia the transmission line and the location information associated with charging the battery via the transmission line. The computing device may send the usage information, wherein the usage information (e.g., the amount of energy consumed and the location information) may be used to determine an amount to debit an account of an owner of the vehicle. For example, the computing device may send the usage information to a second computing device (e.g., server, service provider computing device, etc.), wherein the second computing device may determine the amount to debit the account of the owner of the vehicle based on the usage information.

[0058] The methods and systems can be implemented on a computer 601 as illustrated in FIG. 6 and described below. By way of example, the vehicle computing device 110 and / or the computing device 120 of FIG. 1 can be a computer 601 as illustrated in FIG. 6.Similarly, the methods and systems disclosed can utilize one or more computers to perform one or more functions in one or more locations. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example operating environment 600 for performing the disclosed methods. This example operating environment 600 is only an example of an operating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of operating environment architecture. Neither should the operating environment 600 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the example operating environment 600.

[0059] The present methods and systems can be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and / or configurations that can be suitable for use with the systems and methods comprise, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, laptop devices, and multiprocessor systems. Additional examples comprise set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that comprise any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

[0060] The processing of the disclosed methods and systems can be performed by software components. The disclosed systems and methods can be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules comprise computer code, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and / or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The disclosed methods can also be practiced in grid-based and distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in local and / or remote computer storage media such as memory storage devices.

[0061] Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented via a general-purpose computing device in the form of a computer 601. The computer 601 can comprise one or more components, such as one or more processors 603, a system memory 612, and a bus 613 that couples various componentsof the computer 601 comprising the one or more processors 603 to the system memory 612. The system can utilize parallel computing.

[0062] The bus 613 can comprise one or more of several possible types of bus structures, such as a memory bus, memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, such architectures can comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI), a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The bus 613, and all buses specified in this description can also be implemented over a wired or wireless network connection and one or more of the components of the computer 601, such as the one or more processors 603, a mass storage device 604, an operating system 605, battery charging software 606, energy usage data 607, a network adapter 608, the system memory 612, an Input / Output Interface 610, a display adapter 609, a display device 611, and a human machine interface 602, can be contained within one or more remote computing devices 614A-614C at physically separate locations, connected through buses of this form, in effect implementing a fully distributed system.

[0063] The computer 601 typically comprises a variety of computer readable media. Examples of readable media can be any available media that is accessible by the computer 601 and comprises, for example and not meant to be limiting, both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. The system memory 612 can comprise computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). The system memory 612 typically can comprise data such as the energy usage data 607 and / or program modules such as the operating system 605 and the battery charging software 606 that are accessible to and / or are operated on by the one or more processors 603.

[0064] In another aspect, the computer 601 can also comprise other removable / non- removable, volatile / non-volatile computer storage media. The mass storage device 604 can provide non-volatile storage of computer code, computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computer 601. For example, the mass storage device 604 can be a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a removable optical disk, magnetic cassettes or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, random access memories (RAM), read only memories (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like.

[0065] Optionally, any number of program modules can be stored on the mass storage device 604, such as, by way of example, the operating system 605 and the battery charging software 606. One or more of the operating system 605 and the battery charging software 606 (or some combination thereof) can comprise elements of the programming and the battery charging software 606. The energy usage data 607 can also be stored on the massstorage device 604. The energy usage data 607 can be stored in any of one or more databases known in the art. Examples of such databases comprise, DB2®, Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle®, mySQL, PostgreSQL, and the like. The databases can be centralized or distributed across multiple locations within the network 615.

[0066] In another aspect, the user can enter commands and information into the computer 1201 via an input device (not shown). Examples of such input devices comprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device (e.g., a computer mouse, remote control), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile input devices such as gloves, and other body coverings, motion sensor, and the like These and other input devices can be connected to the one or more processors 603 via the human machine interface 602 that is coupled to the bus 613, but can be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, an IEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewire port), a serial port, a network adapter 608, and / or a universal serial bus (USB).

[0067] In yet another aspect, the display device 611 can also be connected to the bus 613 via an interface, such as the display adapter 609. It is contemplated that the computer 601 can have more than one display adapter 609 and the computer 601 can have more than one display device 611. For example, the display device 611 can be a monitor, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), light emitting diode (LED) display, television, smart lens, smart glass, and / or a projector. In addition to the display device 611, other output peripheral devices can comprise components such as speakers (not shown) and a printer (not shown) which can be connected to the computer 601 via an Input / Output Interface 610. Any step and / or result of the methods can be output in any form to an output device. Such output can be any form of visual representation, comprising, but not limited to, textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like. The display device 611 and the computer 601 can be part of one device, or separate devices.

[0068] The computer 601 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computing devices 614A-614C. By way of example, a remote computing device 614A-614C can be a personal computer, computing station (e g., workstation), portable computer (e.g., laptop, mobile phone, tablet device), smart device (e.g., smartphone, smart watch, activity tracker, smart apparel, smart accessory), security and / or monitoring device, a server, a router, a network computer, a peer device, edge device or other common network node, and so on. Logical connections between the computer 601 and a remote computing device 614A-614C can be made via a network 615, such as a local area network (LAN) and / or a general wide area network (WAN). Such network connections can be through the network adapter 608. The network adapter 608 can be implemented in both wired and wireless environments. Such networking environments are conventional and commonplace in dwellings, offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

[0069] For purposes of illustration, application programs and other executable program components such as the operating system 605 are illustrated herein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programs and components can reside at various times indifferent storage components of the computing device 601, and are executed by the one or more processors 603 of the computer 601. An implementation of the battery charging software 606 can be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Any of the disclosed methods can be performed by computer readable instructions embodied on computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not meant to be limiting, computer readable media can comprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.” “Computer storage media” can comprise volatile and non-volatile, removable and nonremovable media implemented in any methods or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Example computer storage media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer.

[0070] The methods and systems can employ artificial intelligence (Al) techniques such as machine learning and iterative learning. Examples of such techniques comprise, but are not limited to, expert systems, case based reasoning, Bayesian networks, behavior based Al, neural networks, fuzzy systems, evolutionary computation (e.g. genetic algorithms), swarm intelligence (e.g. ant algorithms), and hybrid intelligent systems (e.g. Expert inference rules generated through a neural network or production rules from statistical learning).

[0071] While the methods and systems have been described in connection with preferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that the scope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as the embodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0072] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order.Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, such as: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0073] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope or spirit. Other configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice described herein. It is intended that the specification and described configurations be considered as examples only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A vehicle comprising: an inductive coupling device configured to generate, based on a magnetic field produced by a transmission line, a current for powering the vehicle or charging a battery of the vehicle; an antenna assembly comprising at least two antennas, wherein the antenna assembly is configured to generate, based on a voltage differential of the transmission line, an electrical charge; and a charger configured to: receive the current generated by the inductive coupling device and the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly; convert the current generated by the inductive coupling device to a first voltage; generate, based on the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly and the first voltage, a second voltage; and charge, based on the current generated by the inductive coupling device and the second voltage, the battery of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the inductive coupling device comprises an induction coil.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the induction coil comprises loops of wire comprising a determined number of loops, wherein a plane of the loops of wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a power line.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a first antenna of the at least two antennas is configured to point toward the transmission line and a second antenna of the at least two antennas is configured to point in an opposite direction of the first antenna away from the transmission line.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first voltage or the second voltage comprises a steady state DC voltage.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is configured to generate, based on the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly and the first voltage, the second voltage, the vehicle is configured to cause, based on the electrical charge generated by the antenna assembly, the first voltage to increase to the second voltage.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further comprises a computing device configured to determine usage information associated with charging the battery of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the usage information comprises an amount of energy consumed to charge the battery of the vehicle via the transmission line and location information associated with charging the vehicle via the transmission line.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the computing device is further configured to send the usage information, wherein an account associated with an owner of the vehicle is debited based on the usage information.

11. A method comprising: generating, by a vehicle, based on a magnetic field produced by a transmission line, a current for powering the vehicle or charging a battery of the vehicle; converting the current generated based on the magnetic field to a first voltage; generating, based on a voltage differential of the transmission line, an electrical charge; generating, based on the electrical charge and the first voltage, a second voltage; and charging, based on the current and the second voltage, the battery of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle generates the current via an inductive coupling device of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the inductive coupling device comprises an induction coil.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the induction coil comprises loops of wire comprising a predetermined number of loops, wherein a plane of the loops of wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the transmission line comprises a utility power line.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more of the first voltage or the second voltage comprises a steady state DC voltage.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle generates the electrical charge via an antenna assembly of the vehicle, wherein the antenna assembly comprises at least two antennas.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a first antenna of the at least two antennas is configured to point toward the transmission line and a second antenna of the at least two antennas is configured to point in an opposite direction of the first antenna away from the transmission line.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein generating, based on the electrical charge and the first voltage, the second voltage comprises causing, based on the electrical charge, the first voltage to increase to the second voltage.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining usage information associated with charging the battery of the vehicle.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the usage information comprises an amount of energy consumed to charge the battery of the vehicle via the transmission line and location information associated with charging the vehicle via the transmission line.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising sending the usage information, wherein an account associated with an owner of the vehicle is debited based on the usage information.

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