ENERGOUS CORPORATION

An encapsulated radio frequency (RF) wireless power circuit and method to produce said encapsulated RF wireless power circuits, including transmitter and receiver circuits. In an example, the circuits are used in industrial sensor applications. The encapsulation discussed herein provides benefits including that in some embodiments, it is low cost, low profile, and waterproof, amongst other benefits. The method is used to produce radio frequency (RF) wireless power transfer systems, antennas, and integrated circuits, among other devices, and is achieved via different approaches (e.g., single or multi stage over-molding or vacuum sealing), and using various types of encapsulation materials (e.g., resin or thin-film packaging) as will be discussed herein.

A near-field charging system for wirelessly charging electronic devices using electromagnetic energy having a low frequency is provided. The near-field charging system comprises: (A) a transmitting antenna comprising: a first substrate; and a first antenna, coupled to the first substrate, that follows a first meandering pattern having a first length, wherein the transmitting antenna has a first port impedance, and (B) a receiving antenna comprising: a second substrate; and a second antenna, coupled to the second substrate, that follows a second meandering pattern having a second length, wherein: (i) the second length is less than the first length, and (ii) the receiving antenna has a second port impedance that is less than the first port impedance. The transmitting antenna is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy having a frequency at or below 60 MHz to the receiving antenna at an efficiency above 90%.

A near-field charging system for wirelessly charging electronic devices using electromagnetic energy having a low frequency is provided. The near-field charging system comprises: (A) a transmitting antenna comprising: a first substrate; and a first antenna, coupled to the first substrate, that follows a first meandering pattern having a first length, wherein the transmitting antenna has a first port impedance, and (B) a receiving antenna comprising: a second substrate; and a second antenna, coupled to the second substrate, that follows a second meandering pattern having a second length, wherein: (i) the second length is less than the first length, and (ii) the receiving antenna has a second port impedance that is less than the first port impedance. The transmitting antenna is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy having a frequency at or below 60 MHz to the receiving antenna at an efficiency above 90%.

A near-field charging system for wirelessly charging electronic devices using electromagnetic energy having a low frequency is provided. The near-field charging system comprises: (A) a transmitting antenna comprising: a first substrate; and a first antenna, coupled to the first substrate, that follows a first meandering pattern having a first length, wherein the transmitting antenna has a first port impedance, and (B) a receiving antenna comprising: a second substrate; and a second antenna, coupled to the second substrate, that follows a second meandering pattern having a second length, wherein: (i) the second length is less than the first length, and (ii) the receiving antenna has a second port impedance that is less than the first port impedance. The transmitting antenna is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy having a frequency at or below 60 MHz to the receiving antenna at an efficiency above 90%.

An example method is provided for detecting and classifying foreign objects. The method includes after a predetermined period of time, for a zone of a plurality of zones, enabling a beacon signal, obtaining a set of electrical measurements, and disabling the beacon signal. The method also includes determining, based on the set of electrical measurements and a trained classifier, a status of the zone. The status of the zone indicates whether there is a presence of foreign objects within the zone of the plurality of zones. The method further includes in accordance with an indication that there is the presence of the foreign objects, forgo transmitting wireless power to one or more wireless power receivers. The method further includes in accordance with an indication that there is an absence of the foreign objects, transmitting wireless power to the one or more wireless power receivers.

A wireless-power harvester integrated in a small device, comprising a stamped metal harvesting antenna. The stamped metal antenna is formed into a meandering shape. A first end of the meandering shape is a free end positioned within free space of a housing of a small device, and a second end of the meandering shape is coupled to a PCB that includes electrical components for operating and powering the small device. The PCB is configured to operate as a ground plane for the stamped metal antenna. An intermediate portion, disposed between the first end and the second end of the meandering shape, is coupled to power-conversion circuitry that is separate from the PCB. The power-conversion circuitry is configured to convert the one or more RF power waves harvested by the stamped metal harvesting antenna into usable energy for charging a battery of the small device or for powering the small device.

An example method is performed at a near-field charging pad with a processor, a power-transferring element, a signature-signal-receiving circuit, and the processor of the near-field charging pad is in communication with a data source that includes predefined signature signals that each identify one of (i) a wireless power receiver, (ii) an object other than a wireless power receiver, and (iii) a combination of a wireless power receiver and an object other than a wireless power receiver. The method includes: after sending a plurality of test radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals, detecting, using the signature-signal-receiving circuit, respective amounts of reflected power; generating, based on variations in the respective amounts of reflected power, a signature signal; and determining whether (i) an authorized wireless power receiver is present on the near-field charging pad and/or (ii) an object other than a wireless power receiver is present on the near-field charging pad.

An example near-field charging system includes a housing that includes a charging surface and at least one other surface, a radiating antenna, and a non-radiating element positioned above the radiating antenna within the housing such that the non-radiating element is closer to the charging surface than the radiating antenna. The radiating antenna produces a first electromagnetic-field distribution that is received by a receiver, the first electromagnetic-field provides usable power when the receiver is placed at any position on a first portion of the charging surface. The non-radiating element changes a distribution characteristic of the first electromagnetic-field distribution to produce a second electromagnetic-field distribution, the second electromagnetic-field distribution providing usable power to the receiver when the receiver is placed at any position across a second portion of the charging surface of the housing, and the second portion is at least 10% percent greater than the first portion.

A wireless-power transmission system (WPTS) includes sensors, antennas, a power amplifier (PA), and integrated circuits (ICs). The antennas, upon receiving an amplified signal for the PA, are configured to radiate energy within a transmission field (TF) of the WPTS. The ICs are configured to receive sensor data indicating presence of an object within a keep-out zone (KOZ). The ICs are configured to classify using the sensor data the object as a sensitive object. While detecting presence of the sensitive object, the ICs are configured to forgo providing an instruction to the PA to amplify the signal. In accordance with a determination that the sensitive object is no longer detected the ICs are configured to determine whether an electronic device is within the TF and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is within the TF the ICs are configured to instruct the PA to amplify the signal.

An exemplary embodiment includes a method of communication between a wireless power receiver to a wireless power transmitter. The method includes receiving, by an antenna of the wireless power receiver, radio frequency (RF) signals from the wireless power transmitter, wherein the wireless power receiver substantially matches an impedance of the wireless power transmitter. The method further includes, while receiving the RF signals from the wireless power transmitter: (a) determining whether a communication criterion is satisfied, and (b) in accordance with a determination that the communication criterion is satisfied, introducing an impedance mismatch between the wireless power receiver and the wireless power transmitter that causes a portion of the RF signals to be reflected by the antenna as a modulated signal, wherein the wireless power transmitter is configured to receive and interpret the modulated signal without using a separate communication radio.