Series RF Power Transmission Network for Scalable Wireless Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Untethered devices face challenges with battery maintenance due to limited battery technology growth, leading to costly and disruptive scheduled replacements, and existing power transmission networks suffer from inefficiencies in series configurations.
Innovation Solution
A series RF power transmission network that includes a first RF power transmitter and power tapping components to separate and distribute power to multiple antennas, reducing transmission line requirements and allowing for scalable and efficient power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a parallel network is used for power distribution, then each antenna can receive power independently, but the amount of transmission line required increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transmission lines into a single series-connected transmission line that serves multiple antennas sequentially. Instead of having separate parallel transmission lines for each antenna, the system uses one transmission line with switches that connect different antennas in series, reducing the total amount of transmission line required while maintaining reliable power distribution to each antenna.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power distribution function by using switches to selectively connect different antennas to the transmission line in series. This segmentation allows the system to distribute power to multiple antennas using a single transmission line by activating different antenna segments at different times, reducing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If a series network is used for power distribution, then transmission line quantity is reduced, but power losses from transmission lines, switches, and connectors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using switches to sequentially connect different antennas to the transmission line in a time-division manner. Instead of all antennas being connected simultaneously (which would cause high losses), the system activates one antenna at a time in a periodic sequence, reducing the cumulative power losses while maintaining the benefit of reduced transmission line quantity.
3Weight of moving object
If battery technology capacity grows at 6% per year, then device portability is maintained, but device lifetime and maintenance requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/battery-based power storage system with an RF-powered system that harvests energy from electromagnetic waves. This substitution eliminates the need for batteries entirely, thereby removing the trade-off between portability and lifetime. The device remains portable while achieving unlimited operational lifetime as long as RF energy is available in the environment.
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 series RF power transmission network reduces the need for multiple transmission lines, allows for efficient power distribution, and enables scalable deployment by adding power tapping components, thereby reducing maintenance costs and extending device lifetimes.
Implementation Method 1
a first RF power transmitter for generating power
Implementation Method 2
at least one power tapping component electrically connected in series to the first RF power transmitter for separating the power received from the first power transmitter into at least a first portion and a second portion
Implementation Method 3
at least one antenna electrically connected to the at least one power tapping component for receiving the first portion and transmitting power
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an RF power transmission network. The network includes at least one RF power transmitter, at least one power tapping component, and at least one load. The at least one RF power transmitter, the at least one power tapping component, and the at least one load are connected in series. The RF power transmitter sends power through the network. The power is radiated from the network to be received by a device to be charged, re-charged, or directly powered by the power.