Wireless power distribution system and method

Abstract

A wireless power distribution system and method for power tools and other battery-powered devices. The system includes a power transmitter configured to transmit a power signal within a first power distribution volume and a plurality receivers configured to receive the power signal. The receivers include power harvesters, batteries, light sources and light sensors. The receivers determine whether the received power signal is greater than a power threshold value and convert the RF power signals into direct current. The direct current is used to charge a battery, power the light source, etc. The light source selectively receives power from the battery when the ambient light, detected by the light sensor, is below a light threshold value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wireless power distribution system comprising:
 at least one power transmitter configured to transmit a power signal within a first power distribution volume; and   at least one receiver configured to receive the power signal,   wherein the at least one receiver includes a power harvester, at least one battery, a light source, and a light sensor, the receiver configured to determine whether the received power signal is greater than a power threshold value, the at least one battery configured to be in electrical communication with the at least one power harvester and receive power from the at least one power harvester when the received power signal is greater than the power threshold value, the light sensor configured to detect an amount of ambient light,   wherein the light source selectively receives power from the battery when the amount of ambient light is below a light threshold value.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a relay module configured to receive a power signal from the power transmitter and transmit power within a second power distribution volume 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second power harvester and a battery charger, the second power harvester configured to receive the power signal. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second power harvester is connected to the battery charger, and the battery charger includes a plurality of charging ports. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the power signal received by the second power harvester is provided to the battery charger, and the battery charger is configured to selectively provide power to the plurality of charging ports. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the battery is a lithium-based battery. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power harvester includes an antenna, the antenna being positioned within the at least one receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is configured to be in electrical communication with the at least one power harvester and receive power from the at least one power harvester. 
     
     
         9 . A method of wirelessly distributing power, the method comprising:
 generating a power signal at a power transmitter;   transmitting the power signal within a power distribution volume;   receiving the power signal at a power harvester;   providing the received power signal to power a light source;   detecting an amount of ambient light using a light sensor;   comparing the amount of ambient light to a light threshold value; and   selectively powering the light source using a battery when the amount of ambient light is below the light threshold value.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving the power signal from the power transmitter at a relay module; and   transmitting power from the relay module within a second power distribution volume.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the battery is one of an AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V battery. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the battery is a lithium-based battery. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the power harvester is positioned within a housing of the battery. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving the power signal at a second power harvester;   comparing the received power signal to a power threshold value;   providing the received power signal to the battery when the received power signal is greater than the power threshold value; and   charging the battery using the received power signal.