Patents Assigned to Energous Corporation
  • Patent number: 11139699
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting system includes a power amplifier comprising a plurality of measurement points and a power amplifier controller integrated circuit (IC). In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC performs synchronization of the various components of the power amplifier, conducts impedance and temperature measurements at the measurements points, determines if a foreign object is within the transmission range of the wireless power transmitter, and decides if a shutdown of the power amplifier is needed. In some embodiments, the power amplifier controller IC determines through a transmitter controller IC, the presence of a foreign object within the transmission range and adjusts the power transmission to one or more receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Sean Nicolson, Aras Pirbadian, Deepak Jain, Howard Chan, Erik Heinke, Mehdi Khanpour
  • Patent number: 11114885
    Abstract: A wireless charging system comprises (i) a transmitter structure comprising a first metallic core disposed in an opening of the transmitter structure and (ii) a receiver structure comprising a second metallic core disposed in an opening of the receiver structure. The transmitter structure is configured to carry one or more radio frequency (RF) signals to the first metallic core when the receiver structure is within a threshold distance from the transmitter structure. In addition, the receiver structure is configured to be excited by the one or more RF signals from the transmitter structure, whereby the one or more RF signals are transferred from the first metallic core to the second metallic core when the transmitter structure and the receiver structure are within the threshold distance from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Alister Hosseini, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 11063476
    Abstract: A microstrip antenna for use in a wireless power transmission system and a method for forming the microstrip antenna are described. The antenna includes a first multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB include a first electrically conductive material. The antenna includes a second multi-layer PCB that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCT include a second electrically conductive material. A first plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the first multi-layer PCB. A second plurality of vias each substantially pass through the top and bottom surfaces of the second multi-layer PCB. The antenna further comprises a dielectric slab that is configured to receive the first multi-layer PCB and the second multi-layer PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Alister Hosseini, Saman Kabiri, Evangelos Kornaros, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 11056929
    Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless power transmission based on object identification are provided. A radio frequency wireless power transmitter is in communication with a video camera for capturing image data (e.g., a series of image frames) of at least a portion of a transmission field of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter. One or more processors of the radio frequency wireless power transmitter are configured to (i) detect motion of an object towards the transmission field by applying motion tracking analysis on the series of image frames; and (ii) cause adjustments to transmission of one or more radio frequency power transmission waves by the radio frequency wireless power transmitter to a receiving electronic device based on the motion of the object. The receiving electronic device uses the one or more radio frequency power transmission waves to power or to charge a power source used by the receiving electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 11018779
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a wireless communication signal indicating that a receiver is within a wireless-power-transmission range of a transmitter. In response to the receiving, the method further includes transmitting a plurality of radio frequency (RF) test signals using at least two test phases for a respective antenna. The method further includes receiving information identifying a first amount of power delivered to the receiver by a first RF test signal transmitted at a first of the at least two test phases, receiving information identifying a second amount of power delivered to the receiver by a second RF test signal transmitted at a second of the at least two test phases, and determining, based on the first and second amounts of power, an optimal phase for the respective antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Amir Sarajedini
  • Patent number: 11011942
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for wireless power transmission. In one aspect, a wireless power transmission system includes an antenna component configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic waves, such as power waves, the antenna component having at least two conductive plates positioned on a same plane, where: (1) the at least two conductive plates form a monopole antenna configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic waves in a first frequency range, (2) the at least two conductive plates are positioned such that a gap exists between the at least two conductive plates, thereby forming a capacitor, and (3) the at least two conductive plates and the gap form a loop antenna configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic waves in a second frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yunhong Liu
  • Patent number: 10992185
    Abstract: Wireless charging systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes: sending, by a receiver, a communication signal to a transmitter, the receiver being embedded in a radio frequency (RF) transparent housing that is adapted to electrically connect the game controller with the receiver, wherein: the receiver is separated from the transmitter by a non-zero distance, the RF transparent housing supports the game controller, and the communication signal includes information that allows the transmitter to determine the receiver's location. After the sending, the method includes: (A) receiving, by the receiver, RF signals from the transmitter, wherein: the transmitter determines parameters of the RF signals based on the communication signal, and at least one RF signal from the RF signals constructively interferences with at least one other RF signal from the RF signals at the receiver's location, and (B) converting, by the receiver, the received RF signals into electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10992187
    Abstract: Wireless charging systems, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed herein. As an example, a method includes: (i) receiving, by a communications radio of a wireless power transmitter, a communication signal from a communications radio of a wireless power receiver, the communication signal including data used to determine a location of the wireless power receiver, and (ii) determining a location of the wireless power receiver based, at least in part, on the data included in the communication signal. The method further includes, in response to determining that the location of the wireless power receiver is within a wireless power transmission range defined by the transmitter, transmitting radio frequency (RF) power transmission waves towards the wireless power receiver, the RF power transmission waves converging to form controlled constructive interference patterns and destructive interference patterns in proximity to the location of the wireless power receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10985617
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an indication that a wireless-power receiver is located within one meter of a wireless-power transmission system and is authorized to receive wirelessly-delivered power from a wireless-power transmission system. The method includes, in response to receiving the indication, selecting a power level at which to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal using a power amplifier (PA). In accordance with a determination that transmitting the RF signal to the wireless-power receiver would satisfy safety thresholds, the method includes instructing the PA to amplify the RF signal using the power level to create an amplified RF signal, and providing the amplified RF signal to the one or more antennas. The one or more antennas are caused to, upon receiving the amplified RF signal, radiate RF energy that is focused within an operating area that includes the wireless-power receiver while forgoing any active beamforming control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cesar A. Johnston, Erik Heinke, Daniel P. Lawless
  • Patent number: 10965164
    Abstract: A method of wireless power transmission is provided. The method includes, at a wireless power transmitter, receiving a signal from a receiver device and determining a location of the receiver device based, at least in part, on data included in the signal. The method further includes in response to determining that the location of the receiver device is within a wireless power transmission range of the wireless power transmitter: (I) selecting at least two antennas of the wireless power transmitter's antenna array based, at least in part, on the location of the receiver device, and (II) transmitting, via the at least two antennas of the antenna array, radio frequency power transmission waves that: (i) constructively interfere at the location of the receiver device to produce a focused energy at the location and (ii) destructively interfere around the location of the receiver device to form null-spaces around the focused energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Gregory Scott Brewer
  • Patent number: 10958095
    Abstract: A wireless-power receiver is disclosed including a first antenna configured to transmit first near-field radio frequency (RF) energy, a second antenna configured to receive second near-field RF energy, and a communications component configured to provide a communication signal including data indicating a location of the first wireless-power receiver. The wireless-power receiver is configured to, in accordance with a determination that the wireless-power receiver is in direct contact with a surface of another wireless-power receiver, transmit the first near-field RF energy, via the first antenna, to the other receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Alister Hosseini
  • Patent number: 10923954
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a wireless power receiver including a synchronous rectifier using a Class-E or a Class-F amplifier. The voltage waveform generated from a power source, for example an antenna, is tapped to create a feed-forward tap-line to provide a gate voltage to the transistor of the Class-E or the Class-F amplifier. In some instances, a constant phase shift across the feed-forward tap-line may be provided using a micro-strip of a predetermined length that is selected such that the transistor switches at the zero-crossings of the voltage waveform arriving at the drain terminal of the transmitter. In other instances, a feed-forward circuit is used for controlling the phase across the feed-forward loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10879740
    Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving near-field wireless power at an electronic device. An electronic device includes a receiver with one or more receiving antenna elements formed by respective conductive lines in a meandering pattern. Each receiving antenna element is configured to receive near-field radio-frequency signals radiated from a transmitting antenna element of a near-field power transmitter. The receiving antenna elements are configured to receive the near-field radio-frequency signals radiated from the transmitting antenna element of the near-field power transmitter when the electronic device is on a surface of the near-field power transmitter, and the transmitting antenna element is formed by respective conductive lines in a meandering pattern. The transmitting antenna element is selectively activated from among a plurality of available transmitting antenna elements of the near-field transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alister Hosseini
  • Patent number: 10848853
    Abstract: The wireless power receiver includes at least one wire of a sound-producing device. The at least one wire configured for both conveying sound signals or securing at least part of the sound-producing device to a user, and receiving power waves. The wireless power receiver also includes power harvesting circuitry coupled with the at least one wire and a power source of an electronic device, like a battery. The power harvesting circuitry is configured to isolate the received power waves from the conveyed sound signals, convert the received power waves to usable energy, and provide the usable energy to the power source of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Alister Hosseini
  • Patent number: 10840743
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes: (i) a processing subsystem configured to control operation of the integrated circuit, (ii) a waveform generator, operatively coupled to the processing subsystem, configured to generate radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals using an input current, (iii) a first digital interface that couples the integrated circuit with a plurality of power amplifiers that are external to the integrated circuit, and (iv) a second digital interface, distinct from the first digital interface, that couples the integrated circuit with a wireless communication component that is external to the integrated circuit. The processing subsystem is configured to: receive, via the second digital interface, an indication that a receiver is within transmission range of a transmitting device controlled by the circuit, and in response to receiving the indication: provide, via the first digital interface, the RF power transmission signals to at least one of the plurality of power amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Brian Bosso
  • Patent number: 10790674
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring delivery systems are disclosed herein. An example method includes (i) receiving a user-configured operational parameter that includes information identifying a plurality of electronic devices authorized to receive power transmission signals from a wireless power transmitter and (ii) detecting an electronic device within wireless power transmission range of the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10778041
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may generate and transmit power waves that, as result of their physical waveform characteristics (e.g., frequency, amplitude, phase, gain, direction), converge at a predetermined location in a transmission field to generate a pocket of energy. Receivers associated with an electronic device being powered by the wireless charging system, may extract energy from these pockets of energy and then convert that energy into usable electric power for the electronic device associated with a receiver. The pockets of energy may manifest as a three-dimensional field (e.g., transmission field) where energy may be harvested by a receiver positioned within or nearby the pocket of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10734717
    Abstract: An antenna include a resonator element configured to radiate a wireless signal and a substrate embedding the resonator. The resonator element may be a 3D resonator element. The 3D resonator element may be a helical resonator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alister Hosseini
  • Patent number: 10714984
    Abstract: Methods of constructing a wireless power receiver that uses a battery as an antenna are provided. The method includes power conversion circuitry that has a connector, the first end connected to at least a part of a battery, and the part of the battery is configured to act as an antenna and receive radio frequency (RF) power signals. The second end of the connector is opposite to the first end and connected to the power conversion circuitry. The power conversion circuitry converts the RF power signals into a direct current (DC) voltage that is used to charge the battery. Additional, some methods for constructing a wireless power receiver include a different connector between the power conversion circuitry and charging circuitry. The charging circuitry is electrically coupled with at least the part of the battery via another connector and provides DC voltage to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Alister Hosseini, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10680319
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for reducing mutual coupling between antennas. In one aspect, a wireless charging system includes: (1) two antennas configured to direct electromagnetic waves toward a wireless power receiver such that the electromagnetic waves interfere constructively at the receiver; and (2) a housing structure configured to receive the antennas, including: (a) a metallic base, (b) a first set of isolating components extending upwardly and defining a first region configured to receive a first antenna, and (c) a second set of isolating components extending upwardly and defining a second region configured to receive a second antenna, the second set including at least some isolating components distinct from those in the first set. The first and second sets of isolating components configured to: (i) create a physical gap between the antennas, and (ii) reduce a mutual coupling between the antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Alister Hosseini, Michael A. Leabman