Waveguide Slots and Barriers for Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiative wireless power transfer systems using 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz frequencies require large sources to maintain acceptable efficiency, leading to high divergence angles and inefficient power transmission over substantial distances, while ultrasound-based systems offer smaller sources but lack mature energy conversion technology.
Innovation Solution
The development of wireless power transmission systems utilizing a conductive waveguide with a dielectric material and a series of slots and barriers to steer electromagnetic beams at higher frequencies (e.g., 30 GHz or 60 GHz), allowing for efficient power transfer with smaller sources by leveraging the benefits of smaller wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radiative wireless power transfer systems use 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz frequencies, then power transmission can be achieved, but large sources are required which lead to high divergence angles and inefficient power transmission over substantial distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from conventional 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz to higher frequencies (30 GHz or 60 GHz). This parameter change enables the use of smaller sources while maintaining acceptable efficiency because the shorter wavelengths at higher frequencies allow for more compact antenna structures with lower divergence angles, directly resolving the contradiction between source size and transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency dimensionality by operating in millimeter-wave bands (30 GHz, 60 GHz) rather than conventional microwave bands. This dimensional shift in the frequency spectrum allows for smaller source dimensions while achieving comparable or better transmission efficiency, as the higher frequency enables more focused beam patterns with reduced divergence
2Area of stationary object
If ultrasound-based systems are used for wireless power transfer, then smaller sources can be achieved, but energy conversion technology is not mature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasound-based mechanical vibration systems with electromagnetic wave-based systems operating at millimeter-wave frequencies. This substitution maintains the benefit of smaller source size (since EM waves can be focused more tightly than acoustic waves) while ensuring technology maturity, as electromagnetic energy conversion and transmission are well-established technologies with reliable converters and transmitters available
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
This approach enables efficient wireless power transmission with smaller sources and lower divergence angles by using more mature EM wave conversion technology at higher frequencies, achieving wide beam steering within a small frequency bandwidth.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna radiates radio waves from the source to a load
Implementation Method 2
The dielectric material can include low electrical loss material
Implementation Method 3
an antenna radiates radio waves from the source to a load
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless power transmission system (100) includes a conductive waveguide (110) at least partially filled with a dielectric material (115), the waveguide extending along a first direction (e.g., z-axis) from a first end (111a) to an opposing end (111b) thereof, the waveguide having a bottom face (112), a top face (114) and a pair of side faces (116a, 116b) that together form a substantially rectangular cross-section of the waveguide, the top face having a plurality of slots (118) oriented substantially orthogonal to the first direction and distributed between the first end and the opposing end, the slots separated from each other by a first distance (l1) measured along the first direction. In one illustrative embodiment, the waveguide includes a plurality of barriers (120) interleaved with the plurality of slots, the barriers separated from each other by the first distance, each of the barriers extending between the top and bottom faces and having a barrier cross-section with an area smaller than an area of the waveguide cross-section and an input port (130) coupled with the first end of the waveguide, the input port configured to receive an input waveform (101) to be guided by the waveguide.