Flat-Torus Split-Phase Antenna for Compact Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless energy harvesting devices face challenges in designing antennas that balance compactness, wide bandwidth, low resonance frequency, high efficiency, and omni-directionality, particularly in receiving a broad range of electromagnetic frequencies including SLF, HF, VHF, and UHF, while traditional designs often compromise on these factors, and suffer from drawbacks such as weight and core material losses.
Innovation Solution
A novel energy harvesting antenna design featuring two overlapping coils in a flat torus shape with conductive layers separated by ferromagnetic or ferroelectric polymer materials, allowing efficient reception of EM waves across a wide bandwidth, with the ability to operate both resonantly and inductively, and exploit both phases of a wave without interference, enhancing Q and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional dipole antenna length is increased to 15 meters for HF wave reception, then low frequency reception capability is improved, but device compactness and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a folded dipole configuration where the antenna elements are nested and folded back on themselves, allowing a physically compact structure to achieve the electrical length required for HF wave resonance. The dipole is folded into a configuration that fits within portable device dimensions while maintaining the necessary resonant length through multiple segments arranged in a nested fashion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear one-dimensional antenna structure to a three-dimensional folded configuration. By arranging the dipole elements in multiple dimensions and orientations, the antenna achieves the required electrical length for low frequency reception while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for portable devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If antenna dimensions are increased to achieve wider bandwidth, then frequency bandwidth reception is improved, but device compactness and utility for mobile applications are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a folded dipole structure with multiple nested segments that allow the antenna to achieve wide bandwidth through increased electrical length while maintaining a compact physical footprint. The nested configuration enables the antenna to resonate at multiple frequencies without requiring large physical dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates variable geometry or adjustable elements in the folded dipole structure that allow the antenna to dynamically adapt its electrical characteristics. This enables bandwidth optimization across different operating conditions while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for mobile devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If loop antenna dimensions are increased for lower frequency reception, then low frequency reception capability is improved, but device compactness and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a folded loop configuration where the loop elements are nested and folded back on themselves, allowing the antenna to achieve the electrical perimeter required for low frequency resonance while maintaining a compact three-dimensional volume suitable for portable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional planar loop antenna into a three-dimensional folded structure. By utilizing multiple dimensions and spatial arrangements, the antenna achieves the necessary electrical length for low frequency reception while minimizing the physical volume occupied within the device.
4Reliability
If traditional antenna designs are used to resonate at lower frequency points, then resonance efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a folded dipole configuration that achieves resonance at lower frequencies through a nested, space-efficient structure. This design maintains resonance efficiency by preserving the electrical length requirements while simplifying the overall device architecture compared to traditional long-wire antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates ferrite materials in the folded dipole structure to enhance resonance efficiency at lower frequencies. The ferrite components work in conjunction with the folded geometry to achieve improved magnetic permeability and resonance characteristics without significantly increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The antenna achieves high power density and efficient energy harvesting across a wide frequency range, with compact dimensions, minimal radiation, and optimized AC phase angles for maximum real power, enabling effective charging of mobile devices and harvesting of both electric and magnetic field energies.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna which induces AC current from gathered ambient EM radiation
Implementation Method 2
causing the antenna to resonate at the frequency of the EM transmission
Implementation Method 3
having a split phase; wherein, the two phases start at two origin points, then largely overlap until converging in a middle grounding point
Data Source
AI summary
The invention consists of a novel energy harvesting antenna designed to receive radiation at frequencies of interest at high levels of efficiency and efficacy, and high power density. The antenna comprises what may be thought of as a flattened figure-eight (topologically a flattened-torus) comprising two or more overlapping conductive coils covered with and separated by thin, high-dielectric polymer materials. The two outputs of the device are connected to two points of the antenna that are at largely opposite points of phase, such that at any given time the voltage at these points (with respect to a ground at the center of the antenna) is of opposite polarity and of a maximal magnitude. The two coils formed by the figure-eight of the antenna will have opposite voltages impressed upon them, as well as additively summing the amperages at the output, due to the geometry of the device. Furthermore, the coils formed are also able to function inductively. Additionally, when the aforementioned overlapping conductive coils are separated by thin, ferroelectric or ferromagnetic polymer materials, Q is increased and the antenna gains further capability to harvest electrostatic and electromagnetic field energy.