Phase Detection System for Wireless Power Directional Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transmission systems face limitations in efficiently delivering power over larger distances due to the need for close proximity between the transmitter and receiver, and the inefficiency of existing methods such as magnetic or RF transmission, which restricts power delivery to low levels and requires advanced mechanisms for directional focusing.
Innovation Solution
A phase detection system that includes a phase shifting element and a phase detector element, capable of rapidly determining the phase of incoming signals by comparing them to multiple phases of a reference signal, allowing for efficient directional focusing and power delivery by adjusting the transmission phase, thereby improving system performance and enabling more efficient power transfer in multipath environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic or inductive charging is used, then wireless power transmission is achieved, but the transmitter and receiver must be in relatively close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RF signals as an intermediary carrier to transmit power wirelessly over longer distances. Instead of direct magnetic coupling requiring close proximity, the system modulates power onto RF carriers that can propagate through space, with the RF signals serving as the mediating substance between transmitter and receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/close-proximity magnetic coupling system with an electromagnetic wave-based RF transmission system. This substitution allows power to be transmitted through electromagnetic fields rather than requiring direct physical proximity between transmitter and receiver components.
2Length of moving object
If RF transmission is used for larger distances, then transmission distance is improved, but power delivery is constrained to relatively low power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from isotropic omnidirectional radiation to directional beamforming by introducing spatial dimensionality control. By using antenna arrays with phase control, the system focuses energy in specific directions rather than radiating uniformly in all directions, effectively adding directional control as a new dimension to the transmission system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different phase characteristics to different elements of the antenna array to create localized high-power regions in specific directions. Each antenna element contributes with a specific phase shift, and their constructive interference creates focused high-power zones where the receiver is located, while other regions receive minimal power.
3Area of stationary object
If omnidirectional radiation is used, then coverage area is improved, but power density at specific receiver location is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds directional control as a new dimension to the transmission system, transitioning from isotropic radiation to anisotropic beamforming. By controlling the phase of individual antenna elements, the system creates directional lobes that concentrate power in specific spatial directions while maintaining extended coverage through the array geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the omnidirectional radiation function into multiple segmented antenna elements, each contributing a specific phase-shifted component. This segmentation allows independent control of each element's contribution, enabling the system to synthesize directional patterns that concentrate power where needed while maintaining overall coverage.
4Power
If phase detection is performed rapidly and efficiently, then directional focusing is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic phase detection cycles where the system rapidly switches through different phase states and measures signal strength at each phase. This periodic sampling approach allows efficient determination of the optimal phase for directional focusing by comparing results across multiple cycles, reducing the computational burden compared to continuous measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a limited set of discrete phase steps (e.g., 4 or 8 predetermined phase values) rather than continuous phase adjustment. This partial action approach provides sufficient directional focusing capability with reduced complexity, as the system only needs to evaluate a finite number of phase options rather than continuously varying phase across the full 360-degree range.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for improvement in transmission antenna design and, more particularly, for rapid determine phase determination of incoming signals are described herein. In some embodiments, a phase detection system is described. The phase detection system includes a phase detection apparatus and a control system. The phase detection apparatus includes a phase shifting element and a phase detector element. The phase shifting element is configured to phase-shift a reference signal multiple times per detection cycle. The phase detector element is configured to compare an incoming signal to multiple phases of the phase-shifted reference signal during the detection cycle, and generate an output indicating a relative phase difference between the incoming signal and the phase-shifted reference signal for each of the multiple phases. The control system is configured to determine a relative phase of the incoming signal based, at least in part, on the outputs.