WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER

Abstract

An apparatus comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of a supply source, a receiving component, and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wireless energy transfer, particularly, but not exclusively, to wireless energy transfer between a supply source and a receiving component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common practice for a portable electronic device, for example a mobile telephone or a laptop computer, to be powered by a rechargeable chemical battery. Generally speaking, such a battery is releasably connected to the body of a portable device.

The use of a battery for supplying power to a portable electronic device is not ideal because the energy storage capacity of a chemical battery is limited. As such, it is necessary for the chemical battery to be recharged at regular intervals.

In order to provide a means for recharging the battery, the portable device is normally supplied with a charging means for allowing electrical energy to flow from a mains power supply to the rechargeable battery. The charging means is usually in the form of a charger unit, which conventionally comprises an electrical plug for connecting to a mains power supply socket and an electrical cable for connecting the electrical plug to the portable device.

This is disadvantageous because, if there is no convenient mains power supply socket, as is the case in most outdoor and public environments, the rechargeable battery will run out of power and the portable device will need to be switched off.

The use of such a charger unit is further disadvantageous in that it requires a physical connection between the portable device and a mains power supply socket. This severely restricts the movement of the portable device during charging, thereby negating the portability of the device.

Another type of charger unit makes use of the principle of conventional, short-range inductive coupling, which involves the transfer of energy from a primary inductor in a charger unit to a secondary inductor in the portable device. Such charger units are commonly used, for example, for charging rechargeable batteries in electric toothbrushes.

Chargers utilising this type of conventional inductive coupling are able to transfer power wirelessly and hence do not require a physical connection between the mains supply and the portable device. However, the maximum distance over which effective power transfer can be achieved is limited to distances of the same order of magnitude as the physical dimensions of the inductors. For portable electronic devices, the dimensions of the inductor are limited by the size of the portable electronic device. Accordingly, in general, at distances of anything greater than a few centimetres, the efficiency of energy transfer between primary and secondary inductors is too small for this type of power transfer to be viable.

Therefore, as with the electrical cable discussed above, power transfer using conventional inductive coupling requires the charger unit and the portable device to be in very close proximity, meaning that the movement of the portable device is severely restricted.

In addition to the above problems associated with recharging, the use of a chemical battery as a power supply presents a number of further disadvantages. For example, rechargeable chemical batteries have a limited lifespan and tend to experience a decrease in their maximum storage capacity as they get older. Furthermore, chemical batteries are relatively heavy, meaning that the inclusion of a chemical battery in a portable device generally adds a significant percentage to the device's overall weight. If the device's reliance on the chemical battery could be reduced, then it would be possible for portable electronic devices such as mobile telephones to become significantly lighter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first example of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of a supply source, a receiving component, and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source

The receiving component of the apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may be adapted to receive energy wirelessly from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.

The receiving component of the apparatus described in either of the immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency.

The apparatus described in any of the three immediately preceding paragraphs may be configured to match the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.

A voltage may be induced in the receiving component of the apparatus described in any of the four immediately preceding paragraphs by a magnetic field generated by the supply source, and the control unit may be configured to vary the resonant frequency of the receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.

The apparatus described in any of the four immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise a plurality of electrical components, and the apparatus may be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one of these electrical components.

The apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.

The apparatus described in any of the preceding paragraphs may comprise a portable electronic device.

The apparatus described in any of the preceding paragraphs may comprise a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or laptop computer.

According to a second example of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for detecting a presence of a supply source, means for monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source, and means for varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.

According to a third example of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a receiving component having variable resonance characteristics for receiving energy wirelessly from a supply source, wherein the resonance characteristics of the receiving component may be varied to match resonance characteristics of the supply source to increase the efficiency at which energy is received from the supply source.

The apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise monitoring circuitry for detecting and monitoring the resonance characteristics of the supply source.

The receiving component of the apparatus described in either of the two immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise an adaptive receiving component having variable resonance characteristics and the apparatus may further comprise a control unit configured to automatically vary the resonance characteristics of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonance characteristics of the supply source.

The apparatus described in any of the three immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise one or more electrical components and the receiving component may be coupled to power supply circuitry to supply power to at least one of these electrical components.

The apparatus described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.

The apparatus described in any of the five immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise a portable electronic device.

The apparatus described in any of the six immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or laptop computer.

According to a fourth example of the invention, there is provided a system comprising a supply source, and an apparatus comprising monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of the supply source, a receiving component, and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.

According to a fifth example of the invention, there is provided a method comprising detecting a presence of a supply source, monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source, and varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.

The method described in the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise matching the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.

The method described in either of the two immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise receiving energy wirelessly at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.

The receiving component of the method described in any of the three immediately preceding paragraphs may comprise an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency and the method may further comprise inducing a voltage in the adaptive receiving component using a magnetic field generated by the supply source, and varying the resonant frequency of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.

The method described in any of the four immediately preceding paragraphs may further comprise supplying electrical energy to an electrical apparatus.

The method of the immediately preceding paragraph may further comprise supplying energy to at least one component of an electrical device from a battery when energy is not being received at the receiving component from the supply source.

The method of the paragraph six paragraphs above this one may further comprise receiving energy at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling, and supplying energy received by resonant inductive coupling to at least one component of an electrical device.

According to a sixth example of the invention, there is provided a computer program stored on a storage-medium which, when executed by a processor, is arranged to perform a method comprising detecting a presence of a supply source, monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source, and varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments thereof will now be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flow of energy from a feeding device to a portable electronic device.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of primary and secondary RLC resonator circuits with coupling coefficient K.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent transformer circuit for the first and second RLC resonator circuits shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a reduced circuit of the equivalent transformer circuit shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the impedances of the individual components of the equivalent transformer circuit shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a graphical illustration of the relationship between the efficiency of power transfer between two resonators and the difference between the resonators' resonant frequencies.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a wireless transfer of energy from a feeding device to a portable electronic device at mid-range using conventional inductive coupling.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a wireless transfer of energy from a feeding device to a portable electronic device at mid-range using resonant inductive coupling.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a portable electronic device, including a reactance and monitoring circuitry.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing components of a wireless power transfer apparatus in a portable electronic device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an adaptive receiving component in a wireless power transfer apparatus of a portable electronic device.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing steps associated with the initiation of wireless power transfer by resonant inductive coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a feeding device 100 comprises a supply source 110 for supplying power wirelessly to a portable electronic device 200. The supply source 110 comprises a primary reactance, for example comprising a primary inductor 111, adapted to receive an electrical current from an electrical circuit 112. The electrical circuit 112 may be optionally connected to a power supply, for example comprising a mains power supply 300, for supplying electrical current to the electrical circuit 112. The primary inductor 111 has an inductance L₁₁₁, Q-factor Q₁₁₁ and resonant frequency f₀₍₁₁₁₎.

As will be understood by a skilled person, a flow of electrical current through the primary inductor 111 causes a magnetic field 400 to be created around the primary inductor 111. As is shown by FIG. 1, the magnetic field 400 created around the inductor 111 penetrates the exterior of the feeding device 100, meaning that the effects of the magnetic field 400 may be experienced in the surrounding environment. For instance, the magnetic field 400 may be used to induce a voltage in a receiving component comprising a secondary reactance, such as a secondary inductor in an electrical device. This is the principle upon which wireless energy transfer through conventional short-range inductive coupling is based. However, efficient wireless energy transfer by such conventional short-range inductive coupling is limited to distances of the same order of magnitude as the physical dimensions of the inductors involved in the energy transfer.

As is fully described below, the portable electronic device 200 is adapted to receive energy wirelessly by an alternative type of inductive coupling. This alternative type of inductive coupling will be referred to as resonant inductive coupling.

Using resonant inductive coupling, is it possible to efficiently transfer energy over longer distances than over those possible with conventional inductive coupling. This means that resonant inductive coupling provides a greater degree of freedom and flexibility than conventional inductive coupling when used for the transfer of energy. As is described in more detail below, resonant inductive coupling is based on inductive coupling in which the resonant frequency f₀ of a supply source and the resonant frequency f₀ of a receiving component are equal to one another.

More specifically, if the resonant frequency f₀ associated with a primary reactance, for example the resonant frequency f₀₍₁₁₁₎ associated with the inductor 111 in the feeding device 100, is equal to the resonant frequency f₀ associated with a secondary reactance, for example a receiving component comprising a secondary inductor in a portable electronic device 200, placed in a magnetic field generated by the primary reactance, efficient wireless energy transfer between the primary and secondary reactances can be achieved at longer ranges than is possible with conventional inductive coupling.

For example, wireless energy transfer with an efficiency of tens of percent may be achieved by resonant inductive coupling over distances at least one order of magnitude greater than the physical dimensions of the inductors being used for the transfer.

A general example of wireless energy transfer between two inductors by resonant inductive coupling is given below.

Referring to FIG. 2, there are shown primary and secondary RLC resonator circuits 500, 600. The primary RLC circuit 500 comprises a first inductor (L₁) 510, a first capacitor (C₁) 520 and a first resistor (R₁) 530. The secondary RLC circuit 600 comprises a second inductor (L₂) 610, a second capacitor (C₂) 620 and a second resistor (R₂) 630. In this example, L₁=L₂ and C₁=C₂.

The primary RLC circuit 500 is connected to a power source, comprising a time-dependent current source (i_SUPPLY(t)) 540. The time-dependency of the current source 540 is such that the current may take the form of a sine wave, tuned to the resonant frequency

$f_0=\frac{1}{2\pi \sqrt{L_1C_1}}=\frac{1}{2\pi \sqrt{L_2C_2}}$

of both the first and second RLC circuits 500, 600.

The second RLC circuit 600 is connected to a load, represented in FIG. 2 as a DC current source (i_LOAD) 640. The current from the DC current source 640 is zero when energy is not being transferred between the first and second RLC circuits 500, 600.

The Q-values associated with the first and second resonator circuits 500, 600 are represented by the first and second resistors 530, 630. As is explained in more detail below, the magnitude of the Q-values of the resonator circuits 500, 600 is proportional to the efficiency of energy transfer between the circuits 500, 600.

In this general example, the inductors 510, 610 are separated by a distance approximately one order of magnitude greater than the physical dimensions of the inductors 510, 610 themselves. At this range, the coupling coefficient K between the inductors 510, 610 is small, for example 0.001 or less, meaning that any attempt to transfer energy between the resonator circuits 500, 600 by conventional inductive coupling would be extremely inefficient.

FIG. 3 shows an equivalent transformer circuit for the first and second RLC resonator circuits 500, 600. When the frequency of the time-dependent current source 540 is not equal to the resonant frequency f₀ of the second RLC resonator circuit 600, the second resonator circuit is bypassed due to negligible inductance LK. As such, very little or no power is transferred to the load. However, when the conditions for resonant inductive coupling are met, this situation is reversed as is explained below.

A first condition for energy transfer by resonant inductive coupling is that the Q-values (represented by the resistors 530, 630) of the resonator circuits 500, 600 are very high, for example one hundred or more. A second condition for energy transfer by resonant inductive coupling is that the resonant frequencies f₀ of the circuits 500, 600 are equal to one another. When these conditions are met, and current is supplied by the current source 540 at

$f_0=\frac{1}{2\pi \sqrt{L_1C_1}},$

current in the first inductor 510 is routed via the second inductor 610. Under these conditions, the inductance LK in the equivalent transformer circuit shown in FIG. 3 is tuned with the secondary resonator circuit. As such, the equivalent transformer circuit shown in FIG. 3 can be reduced to the circuit of a single electrical resonator, as shown by FIG. 4. There is no limit on the number of secondary resonator circuits which could receive current from a primary resonator circuit in this way.

The impedances of the individual components of the equivalent transformer circuit shown in FIG. 3 are shown in FIG. 5. The impedance Z of the reduced circuit can thus be calculated as follows:

$Z=\frac{\mathrm{j\omega }LK·Z_{\mathrm{secondary}}}{\mathrm{j\omega }LK+Z_{\mathrm{secondary}}}$

Assuming the Q-value of the secondary resonator circuit 600 is high, Z_secondary may be written as:

$Z_{\mathrm{secondary}}=\mathrm{j\omega }L\left(1-K\right)+1/\mathrm{j\omega }C\therefore \begin{array}{c}Z=\frac{j\omega LK·\left(\mathrm{j\omega }L\left(1-K\right)+1/\mathrm{j\omega }C\right)}{\mathrm{j\omega }LK+\left(\mathrm{j\omega }L\left(1-K\right)+1/\mathrm{j\omega }C\right)}\\ =\frac{\mathrm{j\omega }LK·\left(\mathrm{j\omega }L\left(1-K\right)-\mathrm{j\omega }L\right)}{\mathrm{j\omega }LK+\left(\mathrm{j\omega }L\left(1-K\right)-\mathrm{j\omega }L\right)}\\ =\frac{\mathrm{j\omega }LK·\left(-\mathrm{j\omega }LK\right)}{\mathrm{j\omega }LK-\mathrm{j\omega }LK}\end{array}$

∴|Z|→∞ as the conditions for resonant inductive coupling are reached.

In this way, a secondary resonator circuit may be tuned so as to receive energy by resonant inductive coupling from any primary resonator circuit.

FIG. 6 illustrates a general relationship between the efficiency of wireless energy transfer η through inductive coupling between primary and secondary reactances separated by a distance one order of magnitude larger than the physical dimensions of the reactances. The efficiency of wireless energy transfer η is plotted on the vertical axis using a logarithmic scale, and the difference in resonant frequency f₀ between the reactances is plotted on the horizontal axis. This relationship is applicable to, for example, wireless energy transfer between the primary inductor 111 of the feeding device 100 and a secondary inductor 211 of a portable device 200 shown in FIG. 7.

As can be seen, the efficiency of wireless energy transfer η between the reactances is at a maximum when the resonant frequencies f₀ associated with the reactances are equal to one another. Moreover, the efficiency of wireless energy transfer η between the reactances decreases markedly as the difference between the resonant frequencies f₀ associated with the reactances increases. Accordingly, as discussed above, in order to transfer energy at the maximum possible efficiency it is preferable for the reactances to have resonant frequencies f₀ which are as close to each other as possible. Ideally, the resonant frequencies f₀ should be identical.

In addition, as previously discussed, the efficiency of energy transfer between primary and secondary reactances is proportional to the magnitude of the Q-values associated with the reactances; for a high efficiency of energy transfer, the magnitude of the Q-values should be large. For example, in the case of the primary and secondary inductors 111, 211 discussed above in relation to the transfer of energy from the feeding device 100 to the portable device 200, efficient energy transfer may be achieved with Q-values Q₁₁₁, Q₂₁₁ in the order of 100. Furthermore, the relative difference between the resonant frequencies f₀₍₁₁₁₎, f₀₍₂₁₁₎ associated with the inductors 111, 211 should be less that the reciprocal of their associated Q-values. At relative differences greater than the reciprocal of the Q-values, the efficiency of energy transfer decreases by 1/Q².

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the difference between conventional inductive coupling and resonant inductive coupling when the distance between reactances, for example the primary and secondary inductors 111, 211, is one order of magnitude greater than the reactances' physical dimensions. Referring to FIG. 7, with conventional inductive coupling, i.e. when the difference between the resonant frequencies associated with the inductors 111, 211 is outside of the limits discussed above, only a negligible amount of energy in the magnetic field 400 is passed from the primary inductor 111 to the secondary inductor 211 in the portable device 200. In contrast, referring to FIG. 8, when the resonant frequencies f₀ associated with the inductors 111, 211 are matched, energy is able to tunnel by resonant inductive coupling from the primary inductor 111 in the feeding device 100 to the secondary inductor 211 in the portable electronic device 200 via the magnetic field 400.

For the purposes of simplicity and clarity, the above example discusses the transfer of energy from a primary inductor 111 to a single secondary inductor 211. However, alternatively, energy can be transferred from the primary inductor 111 to a plurality of secondary inductors 211 all being associated with the same resonant frequency f₀, potentially enabling multiple portable devices 200 to receive energy wirelessly from a single feeding device 100.

In this way, feeding devices 100 are able to supply energy to portable electronic devices 200 over mid-ranges, for example several metres, in environments in which it is not convenient to install mains power sockets. As an example, in a similar manner to the installation of wireless LANS in cafés and restaurants, a network 700 of feeding devices 100 could be installed throughout a public space to provide members of the public with a power supply for their portable electronic devices 200. Such a public space could be, for example, a café, restaurant, bar, shopping mall or library. Alternatively, feeding devices may be installed in private spaces such as, for example, the interior of a person's car or home.

In order to maximise the potential of such a network 700 of feeding devices 100, it is preferable that the feeding devices 100 have the capacity to supply energy to as many portable devices 200 as possible. One way in which this could be achieved is to implement a degree of standardization in the properties of the reactances, for example the primary and secondary inductors 111, 211, used in the feeding devices 100 and portable electronic devices 200. In particular, it would be preferable if the resonant frequency f₀ associated with the primary reactance in each feeding device 100 of the network 700 was the same. This would enable manufacturers of portable devices 200 and other electrical devices to equip their devices with secondary reactances associated with the same standardized resonant frequency f₀.

A skilled person will appreciate, however, that due to manufacturing tolerances, the mass production of inductors to a degree of accuracy in which all the inductors are associated with exactly the same resonant frequency f₀ may be difficult to achieve. This will lead to variations in both the resonant frequencies f₀ of feeding devices 100, and to variations in the resonant frequencies f₀ of portable devices 200. Furthermore, even if feeding devices 100 and portable devices 200 can be manufactured with identical resonant frequencies f₀ in free space, the resonant frequencies f₀ of each individual unit will be affected when in use by other inductors in the unit's surrounding environment. The amount by which the resonant frequency of each unit is altered will depend on the number and proximity of other inductors.

Thus, even when attempts have made to standardize the resonant frequencies f₀ of feeding devices and portable devices, manufacturing intolerances and environmental conditions still have the potential to cause problems for energy transfer by resonant inductive coupling.

One way to alleviate this problem is to provide portable electronic devices 200 with a wireless energy transfer apparatus 210 for altering the resonant frequency f₀ associated with their secondary inductors 211 post-manufacture in dependence of the properties of a nearby feeding device 100. This provides portable electronic devices 200 with the ability to tune their inductor's resonant frequency f₀ to match that associated with the primary inductor 111 in a nearby feeding device 100 and thus receive energy wirelessly by resonant inductive coupling.

An exemplary embodiment of a portable electronic device 200 adapted to receive energy wirelessly by resonant inductive coupling is given below. Referring to FIG. 9, the portable electronic device 200 comprises a wireless energy transfer apparatus 210, comprising a power supply unit (PSU), for receiving energy from a magnetic field and supplying electrical energy to electrical components 240 of the portable device 200. Alternatively, as discussed below, electrical energy may be supplied to a rechargeable chemical battery 250 of the portable electronic device 200.

In the example discussed below, the magnetic field will be referred to in the context of the magnetic field 400 created by current flowing through the primary inductor 111 in a feeding device 100. However, a skilled person will appreciate that the magnetic field could alternatively correspond to a magnetic field created by another feeding device, or any other suitable magnetic field source.

The wireless energy transfer apparatus 210 is controlled by a microcontroller 220 and comprises a receiving component 211a, comprising at least one reactance, for receiving energy wirelessly from the magnetic field 400 by resonant inductive coupling. In this example, the receiving component 211a comprises a secondary inductor 211. The inductor 211 is associated with an inductance L₂₁₁, Q-factor Q₂₁₁ and resonant frequency f₀₍₂₁₁₎. The microcontroller 220 may be integrated into the energy transfer apparatus 210.

The wireless energy transfer apparatus 210 further comprises monitoring circuitry 230 configured to detect a magnetic field 400 created by the primary inductor 111 in the feeding device 100, as is described in more detail below. Upon detecting the magnetic field 400, the monitoring circuitry 230 and microcontroller 220 are further configured to detect and monitor the resonant frequency f₀₍₁₁₁₎ associated with the primary inductor 111.

The features of the monitoring circuitry 230 allow the portable device 200 to wirelessly receive energy over mid-range distances, for example distances at least one order of magnitude greater than the physical dimensions of the primary and secondary inductors 111, 211.

Referring to FIG. 10 in combination with FIG. 9, the secondary inductor 211 of the wireless energy transfer apparatus 210 has a parasitic capacitance C and is connected to a plurality of switched-mode power supplies (SMPSs) 212 via a diode-bridge 213 and LC filter 214. The purpose of the LC filter 214 is to ensure that a constant reactive load is introduced to the secondary inductor 211. If the inductor 211 were to be loaded resistively, there would be a significant decrease in the Q-value Q₍₂₁₁₎ associated with the inductor 211, which would in turn significantly reduce the efficiency of the transfer of energy from the feeding device 100, as previously discussed.

The diode-bridge 213 and LC filter 214 also protect the inductor 211 from direct exposure to the strongly time-varying load presented by the SMPSs 212, which are configured to supply power received from the magnetic field 400 to various circuits of the portable electronic device 200. The SMPSs 212 may be configured, for example, to supply power to a rechargeable chemical battery 250 of the portable electronic device 200, as shown in FIG. 9, for recharging.

Alternatively the SMPSs 212 may be configured to supply power directly to electrical components 240 of the portable electronic device 200, with the chemical battery 250 acting as a reserve power source. For example, the chemical battery 250 may be configured only to supply power to electrical components 240 of the portable electronic device 200 when the wireless energy transfer apparatus 210 is not receiving power by resonant inductive coupling. If feeding devices 100 were to become widespread, the inclusion of the rechargeable battery 250 in the portable device 200 could become unnecessary.

Referring to FIG. 11, in this example of the portable electronic device 200, the receiving component 211a is adaptive. This allows the resonance characteristics associated with the secondary inductor 211 to be tuned to match the resonance characteristics associated with the primary inductor 111 in the feeding device 100. This provides the degree of tuneability necessary for the resonant frequency f₀₍₂₁₁₎ associated with the secondary inductor 211 to be varied, should the resonant frequency f₀₍₂₁₁₎ not be identical to that associated with the primary inductor 111 in the feeding device 100.

In more detail, as is shown by FIG. 11, the receiving component 211a comprises the secondary inductor 211 optionally coupled to an array of capacitors 215, each capacitor 215 having a different capacitance to each of the others. For example, as shown by FIG. 11, the capacitors 215 may comprise N capacitors with capacitances C₀, C₀/2, . . . C₀/2^N−1. Each of the capacitors 215 may be optionally coupled to the secondary inductor 211 to affect the capacitance C₂₁₁ of the receiving component 211a, thereby varying the resonant frequency f₀₍₂₁₁₎ associated with the inductor 211 and providing a mechanism for the portable device 200 to match the resonant frequency f₀₍₂₁₁₎ associated with the secondary inductor 211 with the resonant frequency f₀₍₁₁₁₎ associated with the primary inductor 111 in the feeding device 100. It will be appreciated that the resonant frequency f₀₍₂₁₁₎ associated with the secondary inductor 211 could alternatively be varied by altering the inductance of the receiving component 211a.

In this implementation, as is shown by FIG. 11, the array of capacitors 215 is coupled to a control unit 216 in the microcontroller 220 for automatically controlling the capacitance C₂₁₁ of the receiving component 211a in dependence of a control signal from the monitoring circuitry 230. The microcontroller 220 may comprise a memory and signal processing means 217, for example including a microprocessor 218, configured to implement a computer program for detecting and monitoring the resonant frequency associated with the primary inductor 111 through the monitoring circuitry 230 and analysing the control signal from the monitoring circuitry 230 to vary the resonant frequency associated with the secondary inductor 211 by connecting and disconnecting the individual capacitors 215.

In this way, the control unit 216 is able to adapt the resonant frequency f₀₍₂₁₁₎ associated with the secondary inductor 211 to make it equal to the resonant frequency f₀₍₁₁₁₎ associated with the primary inductor 111, thereby initiating resonant inductive coupling between the primary inductor 111 and the secondary inductor 211.

The monitoring circuitry 230 may be coupled to an output from the LC filter 214 to detect signals from the secondary inductor 211 and thus to detect when the portable electronic device 200 is in the presence of a magnetic field 400. For example, the output of the LC filter 214 may be coupled to an input of an AD converter 231, which may be integrated into the microcontroller 220, for sensing a voltage induced in the secondary inductor 211 and for supplying corresponding signals to the microcontroller 220 for calculating the resonant frequency associated with the primary inductor 111. The resonant frequency associated with the secondary inductor 211 may then be varied to match the calculated resonant frequency of the primary inductor 111.

Alternatively, as shown by FIG. 9, the monitoring circuitry 230 may comprise a separate coil 232 for supplying induced voltage signals to the AD converter 231.

The monitoring circuitry 230 is sensitive to very small induced voltages, for example of the order of microvolts, and thus is configured such that it is able to detect a magnetic field 400 even when the secondary inductor 211 is in a detuned state. The monitoring circuitry 220 is thus able to detect the presence of a primary inductor 111 even when then the resonant frequency f₀₍₁₁₁₎ associated with the primary inductor 111 is not equal to the resonant frequency f₀₍₂₁₁₎ set for the secondary inductor 211 in the portable electronic device 200.

As shown by FIG. 11, the wireless energy transfer apparatus 210 may include a memory 219 for storing frequency values corresponding to resonant frequencies f₀ in different environments, such that the resonant frequency associated with the secondary inductor 211 can be automatically adjusted upon the portable electronic device 200 entering a particular environment. For example, such automatic adjustment could be prompted by a control signal, received through an aerial of the portable device 200, indicating that the device 200 has entered a familiar environment. The memory 219 may also be suitable for storing tuning values between various life cycle states. The memory 219 may comprise non-volatile memory in order that the various resonant frequency values f₀ stored in the memory 219 are not lost when the device 200 is switched-off.

Steps associated with the initiation of a wireless energy transfer between a supply source 110, for example comprising a primary inductor 111, and the portable electronic device 200 in the manner described above are shown in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 12, as described above, the first step S1 is to detect the presence of the supply source 110 by detecting the presence of its associated magnetic field 400 from an induced voltage at the monitoring circuitry 230. The supply source 110 may comprise a primary inductor 111 in a feeding device 100. The second step S2 is to calculate and monitor the resonant frequency of the supply source 110, and the third step S3 is vary the resonant frequency of the receiving component 211a, comprising the secondary inductor 211, in dependence of the resonant frequency of the supply source 110. In order to initiate wireless energy transfer with the highest possible efficiency, the third step S3 involves matching the resonant frequency of the receiving component 211a with the resonant frequency of the supply source 110. Upon completing these steps, the fourth step S4 is to receive energy wirelessly from the supply source 110 at the receiving component 211a by resonant inductive coupling, and the fifth step S5 is to supply the energy to one or more components 240 of the portable device 200.

If wireless energy transfer between the supply source 110 and portable device 200 stops, for example because the portable device 200 moves out of range, then, as described above, the chemical battery 250 may be configured to supply electrical energy to the components 240 of the portable device 200 in step S6. As shown by FIG. 12, in step S7, the supply of electrical energy from the battery 250 is ceased when wireless energy transfer by resonant inductive coupling is reinitiated.

The above example discusses the use of an adaptive receiving component 211a to vary the resonant frequency associated with the secondary inductor 211 in a portable electronic device 200 so as to match the resonant frequency associated with the secondary inductor 211 to a detected resonant frequency associated with a primary inductor 111 in a feeding device 100. However, it will be appreciated that an adaptive component could alternatively be employed in a feeding device 100 so as match the resonant frequency associated with a primary inductor in the feeding device 100 to that of a secondary inductor in a portable electronic device.

For example, a portable electronic device 200 may be configured to supply a control signal to a feeding device 100 in order to supply the feeding device 100 with the resonance characteristics of the secondary inductor in the portable electronic device. The feeding device 100 would then be able to match the resonant frequency associated with its primary inductor to the resonant frequency associated with the secondary inductor in the portable device 200, thereby initiating wireless energy transfer by resonant inductive coupling.

In another alternative, the supply source of a feeding device may comprise a primary inductor driven by an amplifier, and the microcontroller of the portable electronic device may be configured to match a resonant frequency of the adaptive receiving component to a detected frequency of a magnetic field associated with the supply source.

In the example discussed above, the portable device 200 comprises a mobile telephone or PDA. However, it will be appreciated that the portable device may alternatively comprise any number of other devices, for example a laptop computer or digital music player. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the supply of power to portable electronic devices, but may be used for powering a wide variety of other electrical devices. For example, a network of feeding devices may be installed in the home for supplying power to electric lamps and other household appliances. The above-described embodiments and alternatives may be used either singly or in combination to achieve the effects provided by the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of a supply source;

a receiving component; and

a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving component is adapted to receive energy Tirelessly from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of electrical components, and the apparatus is configured to supply electrical energy to at least one of these electrical components.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving component comprises an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to match the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a voltage is induced in the receiving component by a magnetic field generated by the supply source, and the control unit is configured to vary the resonant frequency of the receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a portable electronic device.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a mobile telephone.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a laptop computer.

12. An apparatus comprising:

means for detecting a presence of a supply source;

means for monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source; and

means for varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.

13. An apparatus comprising a receiving component having variable resonance characteristics for receiving energy wirelessly from a supply source, wherein the resonance characteristics of the receiving component may be varied to match resonance characteristics of the supply source to increase the efficiency at which energy is received from the supply source.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising monitoring circuitry for detecting and monitoring the resonance characteristics of the supply source.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the receiving component comprises an adaptive receiving component having variable resonance characteristics and the apparatus further comprises:

a control unit configured to automatically vary the resonance characteristics of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonance characteristics of the supply source.

16. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more electrical components and the receiving component is coupled to power supply circuitry to supply power to at least one of these electrical components.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least one of the electrical components when energy is not being received from the supply source.

18. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a portable electronic device.

19. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a mobile telephone.

20. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

21. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a laptop computer.

22. A system comprising:

a supply source; and

an apparatus comprising: monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a resonant frequency of the supply source; a receiving component; and a control unit configured to vary a resonant frequency of said receiving component, wherein the apparatus is configured to vary the resonant frequency of said receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.

23. A method comprising:

detecting a presence of a supply source;

monitoring a resonant frequency of said supply source; and

varying a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.

24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:

matching the resonant frequency of said receiving component with the resonant frequency of said supply source.

25. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:

receiving energy wirelessly at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling.

26. A method according to claim 23, wherein said receiving component comprises an adaptive receiving component having a variable resonant frequency and the method further comprises:

inducing a voltage in the adaptive receiving component using a magnetic field generated by the supply source; and

varying the resonant frequency of the adaptive receiving component to match the resonant frequency of the supply source.

27. A method according to claim 23, further comprising supplying electrical energy to an electrical apparatus.

28. A method according to claim 23, further comprising:

receiving energy at the receiving component from the supply source by resonant inductive coupling;

supplying energy received by resonant inductive coupling to at least one component of an electrical device; and

supplying energy to at least one component of an electrical device from a battery when energy is not being received at the receiving component from the supply source.

29. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having computer-readable program code embodied in said medium, comprising:

a computer-readable program code configured to detect a presence of a supply source;

a computer-readable program code configured to monitor a resonant frequency of said supply source; and

a computer-readable program code configured to vary a resonant frequency of a receiving component in dependence of the resonant frequency of said supply source.