Applications of wireless energy transfer using coupled antennas

Abstract

Described herein are embodiments of transmitting power wirelessly that include driving a high-Q non-radiative resonator at a value near its resonant frequency to produce a magnetic field output, said non-radiative-resonator formed of a combination of resonant parts, including at least an inductive part formed by a wire loop, and a capacitor part that is separate from a material forming the inductive part, and maintaining at least one characteristic of said resonator such that its usable range has a usable distance over which power can be received, which-distance is set by a detuning effect when a-second resonator gets too close to said resonator.

1 . A method of transmitting power wirelessly, comprising:
 driving a high-Q non-radiative resonator at a value near its resonant frequency to produce a magnetic field output, said non-radiative-resonator formed of a combination of resonant parts, including at least an inductive part formed by a wire loop, and a capacitor part that is separate from a material forming the inductive part; and maintaining at least one characteristic of said resonator such that its usable range has a usable distance over which power can be received, which-distance is set by a detuning effect when a-second resonator gets too close to said resonator.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the magnetic field in a second resonator, said second resonator also having a series resonant part, and producing usable power from said second resonator, and coupling said usable power to a load. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said useable distance is between 6 and 8 inches. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said usable distance is between 2 and 4 inches. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising setting the resonant frequency to a value of approximately 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said non-radiative resonator has a Q value of approximately 1400. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising using a capacitor part which is capable of withstanding at least 1000 V. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising using a signal generator to produce said driving, and matching a characteristic of the signal generator to a characteristic of the resonator at resonance. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said resonator has a substantially round outer form factor. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said resonator has a substantially rectangular outer form factor. 
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said resonator is a dipole that includes a first inductive part, coupled to receive said driving, and a second high-Q part, which is physically separated from said inductive part, said second part formed of at least one loop of wire in series with said capacitor. 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said an inductive part and said second part have different outer form factors. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said inductive part and said second part have substantially the same outer form factors. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said second part is electrically connected to said capacitor part. 
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein said capacitor part is a variable capacitor. 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said effect is a detuning of said resonant frequency of said resonator. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 generating a magnetic field using a first high-Q resonator;   receiving said magnetic field in a second high-Q resonator; and   in said second high-Q resonator, using power from the magnetic field.   
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17 , further comprising using said power in said second high-Q resonator to drive a load. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 17 , further comprising detuning at least one of said generating or said receiving when said second high-Q resonator gets closer than a predetermined amount to said first high-Q resonator. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein said generating comprises using a capacitively loaded resonator for generating the magnetic field. 
     
     
         21 . A method, comprising:
 forming a magnetic field using a first high-Q part;   coupling said magnetic field to a second high-Q part using near-field coupling with said first part, where said second part is further than 6 inches from said first part; and   in said second part, recovering power from the coupled magnetic field.   
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 21 , further comprising using said power in said high-Q second part to drive a load. 
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 21 , further comprising detuning at least one of said first or second high-Q part when said second high-Q part gets closer than a predetermined amount to said first high-Q part. 
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 21 , wherein said forming comprises using a capacitively loaded resonator for forming the magnetic field. 
     
     
         25 . A system comprising:
 a high-Q resonator; a driving part for said resonator, driving said resonator at a value near its resonant frequency to produce a magnetic field output, said resonator formed of a combination of series resonant parts, including at least an inductive part formed by a wire loop, and a capacitor part that is separate from a material forming the inductive part, and wherein said resonator has at least one characteristic such that its usable range has a usable distance over which power can be received, which distance is set by a detuning effect when a second resonator gets too close to said resonator.   
     
     
         26 . A system as in  claim 25 , further comprising a second resonator, also having a series resonant part that has a corresponding resonance to said resonant frequency of said resonator, and has a connection outputting usable power to a load. 
     
     
         27 . A system as in  claim 26 , wherein said useable distance is between 6 and 8 inches. 
     
     
         28 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein said usable distance is between 2 and 4 inches. 
     
     
         29 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein the resonant frequency is set to a value of approximately 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
         30 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein said resonator has a Q value of approximately 1400. 
     
     
         31 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein said capacitor part is capable of withstanding at least 1000V. 
     
     
         32 . A system as in  claim 25 , further comprising signal generator that drives said resonator, said signal generator having a characteristic of the signal generator that is matched to a characteristic of the resonator at resonance. 
     
     
         33 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein said resonator has a substantially round outer form factor. 
     
     
         34 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein said resonator has a substantially rectangular outer form factor. 
     
     
         35 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein said resonator includes a first inductive part, coupled to receive said driving, and a second high-Q part, which is physically separated from said inductive part, said second part formed of at least one loop of plural coils of wire in series with said capacitor. 
     
     
         36 . A system as in  claim 35 , wherein said an inductive part and said second part have different outer form factors. 
     
     
         37 . A system as in  claim 35 , wherein said inductive part and said second part have substantially the same outer form factors. 
     
     
         38 . A system as in  claim 35 , wherein said second part is electrically connected to said capacitor part. 
     
     
         39 . A system as in  claim 38 , wherein said capacitor part is a variable capacitor. 
     
     
         40 . A system, comprising: a first high-Q resonator part formed of a capacitively loaded resonator; a second high-Q resonator part, tuned to have similar resonant characteristics to said first resonator part, receiving a magnetic field therefrom, and producing a power output from the magnetic field. 
     
     
         41 . A system, comprising:
 a first high-Q LC circuit, connected to receive a signal that forms a magnetic field; and   a second high-Q LC circuit that forms near-field coupling with said first high-Q LC circuit, where said second part is further than 6 inches from said first part, and has a connection for recovering power from the coupled magnetic field.   
     
     
         42 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein said first LC circuit includes a capacitively loaded resonator for generating the magnetic field. 
     
     
         43 . A method of transmitting power wirelessly, comprising:
 driving a high-Q resonator at a value near a resonant frequency of said resonator to produce a magnetic field output, said resonator defining a distance between a second resonator and said resonator, and formed of a combination of resonant parts, including at least an inductive part formed by a wire loop, and a capacitor part that is separate from a material forming the inductive part; and maintaining at least one characteristic of said resonator such that its usable range has a usable distance over which power can be received, which distance is set by an effect when a second resonator gets too close to said resonator.   
     
     
         44 . A method as in  claim 43 , further comprising receiving the magnetic field in a second resonator, said second resonator producing usable power from said second resonator, and coupling said usable power to a load. 
     
     
         45 . A method as in  claim 43 , wherein said useable distance is between 6 and 8 inches. 
     
     
         46 . A method as in  claim 43 , wherein said usable distance is between 2 and 4 inches. 
     
     
         47 . A method as in  claim 43 , further comprising setting the resonant frequency to a value of approximately 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
         48 . A method as in  claim 43 , wherein said resonator has a Q value of approximately 1400. 
     
     
         49 . A method as in  claim 43 , further comprising using a capacitor part which is capable of withstanding at least 1000 V. 
     
     
         50 . A method as in  claim 43 , further comprising using a signal generator to produce said driving, and matching a characteristic of the signal generator to a characteristic of the resonator at resonance. 
     
     
         51 . A method as in  claim 43 , wherein said resonator has a substantially round outer form factor. 
     
     
         52 . A method as in  claim 43 , wherein said resonator has a substantially rectangular outer form factor. 
     
     
         53 . A method as in  claim 43 , wherein said resonator includes a first inductive part, coupled to receive said driving, and a second high-Q part, which is physically separated from said inductive part, said second high-Q part formed of at least one loop of wire in series with said capacitor. 
     
     
         54 . A method as in  claim 53 , wherein said an inductive part and said second part have different outer form factors. 
     
     
         55 . A method as in  claim 53 , wherein said inductive part and said second part have substantially the same outer form factors. 
     
     
         56 . A method as in  claim 53 , wherein said second part is electrically connected to said capacitor part. 
     
     
         57 . A method as in  claim 55 , wherein said capacitor part is a variable capacitor. 
     
     
         58 . A method, comprising:
 generating a magnetic field using a first high-Q resonator;   receiving said magnetic field in a second high-Q resonator; and   in said second high-Q resonator, using power from the magnetic field.   
     
     
         59 . A method as in  claim 58 , further comprising using said power in said second high-Q resonator to drive a load. 
     
     
         60 . A method as in  claim 58 , further comprising detuning at least one of said generating or said receiving when said second high-Q resonator gets closer than a predetermined amount to said first high-Q resonator. 
     
     
         61 . A method as in  claim 58 , wherein said generating comprises using a capacitively loaded resonator for generating the magnetic field. 
     
     
         62 . A method, comprising:
 forming a magnetic field using a high-Q first part;   coupling said magnetic field to a second high-Q part using near-field coupling with said first part, where said second part is further than 6 inches from said first part; and   in said second part, recovering power from the coupled magnetic field.   
     
     
         63 . A method as in  claim 62 , further comprising using said power in said high-Q second part to drive a load. 
     
     
         64 . A method as in  claim 62 , further comprising detuning at least one of said high-Q first or second part when said second high-Q part gets closer than a predetermined amount to said first high-Q part. 
     
     
         65 . A method as in  claim 62 , wherein said forming comprises using a capacitively loaded resonator for forming the magnetic field. 
     
     
         66 . A system comprising:
 a high-Q resonator;   a driving part for said resonator, driving said resonator at a value near a resonant frequency of said resonator to produce a magnetic field output, said resonator formed of a combination of parts, including at least an inductive part formed by a wire loop, and a capacitor part that is separate from a material forming the inductive part, and wherein said resonator has at least one characteristic such that its usable range has a usable distance over which power can be received, which distance is set by a detuning effect that changes said resonant frequency when a second resonator gets too close to said resonator.   
     
     
         67 . A system as in  claim 66 , further comprising a second resonator, also having part that has a corresponding resonance to said resonant frequency of said resonator, and has a connection outputting usable power to a load. 
     
     
         68 . A system as in  claim 67 , wherein said useable distance is between 6 and 8 inches. 
     
     
         69 . A system as in  claim 66 , wherein said usable distance is between 2 and 4 inches. 
     
     
         70 . A system as in  claim 66 , wherein the resonant frequency is set to a value of approximately 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
         71 . A system as in  claim 66 , wherein said resonator has a Q value of approximately 1400. 
     
     
         72 . A system as in  claim 66 , wherein said capacitor part is capable of withstanding at least 1000V. 
     
     
         73 . A system as in  claim 66 , further comprising a signal generator that drives said resonator, said signal generator having a characteristic of the signal generator that is matched to a characteristic of the resonator at resonance. 
     
     
         74 . A system as in  claim 66 , wherein said resonator has a substantially round outer form factor. 
     
     
         75 . A system as in  claim 66 , wherein said resonator has a substantially rectangular outer form factor. 
     
     
         76 . A system as in  claim 66 , wherein said resonator includes a first inductive part, coupled to receive said driving, and a second high-Q part, which is physically separated from said first inductive part, said second high-Q part, formed of at least one loop of plural coils of wire in series with said capacitor. 
     
     
         77 . A system as in  claim 76 , wherein said first inductive part and said second high-Q part have different outer form factors. 
     
     
         78 . A system as in  claim 76 , wherein said first inductive part and said second high-Q part have substantially the same outer form factors. 
     
     
         79 . A system as in  claim 76 , wherein said second high-Q part is electrically connected to said capacitor part. 
     
     
         80 . A system as in  claim 79 , wherein said capacitor part is a variable capacitor. 
     
     
         81 . A system, comprising:
 a first high-Q resonator part formed of a capacitively loaded resonator; and a second high-Q resonator part, tuned to have similar resonant characteristics to said first resonator part, receiving a magnetic field therefrom, and producing a power output from the magnetic field.   
     
     
         82 . A system, comprising:
 a first high-Q LC circuit, connected to receive a signal that forms a magnetic field; and a second high-Q LC circuit that forms near-field coupling with said first high-Q LC circuit, where said second part is further than 6 inches from said first part, and has a connection for recovering power from the coupled magnetic field.   
     
     
         83 . A transmitting system comprising:
 a high-Q resonator;   a driving part for said high-Q resonator, driving said high-Q resonator at a value near its resonant frequency to produce a magnetic field output,   said resonator formed of a combination of parts, including at least an inductive part and a capacitance, said inductive part formed by a wire loop, that includes a first inductive part, coupled to receive said driving, and a second high-Q part, which is physically separated from said first inductive part, said second part formed of at least one loop of plural coils of wire in series with said capacitance.   
     
     
         84 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein said capacitor part is formed of a material that is separate from a material forming the inductive part. 
     
     
         85 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein said first inductive part and said second high-Q part have different outer form factors. 
     
     
         86 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein said first inductive part and said second high-Q part have different outer sizes. 
     
     
         87 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein said first inductive part and said second high-Q part have substantially the same outer form factors. 
     
     
         88 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein said second high-Q part is electrically connected to said capacitor part. 
     
     
         89 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein said high-Q resonator has at least one characteristic such that its usable range has a usable distance over which power can be received, which distance is set by a detuning effect which changes said resonant frequency when a second resonator gets too close to said high-Q resonator. 
     
     
         90 . A system as in  claim 83 , further comprising a second high-Q resonator, also having a series resonant part that has a corresponding resonance to said resonant frequency of said resonator, and has a connection outputting usable power to a load. 
     
     
         91 . A system as in  claim 90 , wherein said useable distance is between 6 and 8 inches. 
     
     
         92 . A system as in  claim 90 , wherein said usable distance is between 2 and 4 inches. 
     
     
         93 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein the resonant frequency is set to a value of approximately 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
         94 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein said capacitor part is capable of withstanding at least 1000V. 
     
     
         95 . A system as in  claim 83 , further comprising a signal generator that drives said resonator, said signal generator having a characteristic of the signal generator that is matched to a characteristic of the resonator at resonance. 
     
     
         96 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein said resonator has a substantially round outer form factor. 
     
     
         97 . A system as in  claim 83 , wherein said resonator has a substantially rectangular outer form factor. 
     
     
         98 . A receiving system comprising;
 a high-Q resonator;   a circuit for receiving power from said resonator, interacting with said resonator at a value near its resonant frequency to produce a power output from a received magnetic field,   said resonator formed of a combination of parts, including at least an inductive part and a capacitance, said inductive part formed by a wire loop, that includes a first inductive part, coupled to said circuit, and a second high-Q part, which is physically separated from said first inductive part, said second part formed of at least one loop of plural coils of wire in series with said capacitance.   
     
     
         99 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein said capacitor part is formed of a material that is separate from a material forming the inductive part. 
     
     
         100 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein said first inductive part and said second part have different outer form factors. 
     
     
         101 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein said first inductive part and said second part have different outer sizes. 
     
     
         102 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein said first inductive part and said second part have substantially the same outer form factors. 
     
     
         103 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein said second part is electrically connected to said capacitor part. 
     
     
         104 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein said resonator has at least one characteristic such that its usable range has a usable distance over which power can be received, which distance is set by a detuning effect when a resonator gets too close to said resonator. 
     
     
         105 . A system as in  claim 98 , further comprising a second resonator, also having a part that has a corresponding resonant frequency to said resonant frequency of said resonator, and has a connection outputting usable power to a load. 
     
     
         106 . A system as in  claim 104 , wherein said useable distance is between 6 and 8 inches. 
     
     
         107 . A system as in  claim 104 , wherein said usable distance is between 2 and 4 inches. 
     
     
         108 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein the resonant frequency is set to a value of approximately 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
         109 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein said capacitor part is capable of withstanding at least 1000V. 
     
     
         110 . A system as in  claim 98 , further comprising a signal generator that drives said resonator, said signal generator having a characteristic of the signal generator that is matched to a characteristic of the resonator at resonance. 
     
     
         111 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein said resonator has a substantially round outer form factor. 
     
     
         112 . A system as in  claim 98 , wherein said resonator has a substantially rectangular outer form factor. 
     
     
         113 . A method of wirelessly receiving power, comprising:
 receiving power from a high-Q resonator, by interacting with said resonator at a value near its resonant frequency to produce a power output from a received magnetic field,   said receiving comprising connecting a receiving circuit directly to a first high-Q resonator, and also receiving wireless power in a second high-Q resonator loop formed of a combination of resonant parts, including at least an inductive part and a capacitance, where said second resonator loop is physically separated from said first high-Q resonator.   
     
     
         114 . A method as in  claim 113 , wherein said resonator has at least one characteristic such that its usable range has a usable distance over which power can be received, which distance is set by a detuning effect that changes a resonant frequency when the second resonator gets too close to said resonator. 
     
     
         115 . A method as in  claim 114 , wherein said useable distance is between 6 and 8 inches. 
     
     
         116 . A method as in  claim 114 , wherein said usable distance is between 2 and 4 inches. 
     
     
         117 . A method as in  claim 113 , wherein the resonant frequency is set to a value of approximately 13.56 MHz. 
     
     
         118 . A method of wirelessly transmitting power, comprising:
 producing a magnetic power signal at a first frequency;   coupling said power signal to a first high-Q inductive loop by connecting to said first inductive loop; and   inducing said power signal into a second high-Q inductive loop from the first inductive loop, said second inductive loop having a resonant frequency substantially matched to said first frequency.   
     
     
         119 . A method as in  claim 118 , where said second high-Q inductive loop is physically separated from said first high-Q inductive loop. 
     
     
         120 . A method of  claim 118 , wherein said high-Q inductive loop has at least one characteristic such that its usable range has a usable distance over which power can be received, which distance is set by a detuning effect when a second high-Q resonator gets too close to said high-Q inductive loop. 
     
     
         121 . A method as in  claim 120 , wherein said useable distance is between 6 and 8 inches. 
     
     
         122 . A method as in  claim 120 , wherein said useable distance is between 2 and 4 inches. 
     
     
         123 . A method as in  claim 43 , wherein said effect is a detuning of said resonant frequency of said resonator.