Integrated circuit for low-voltage thermoelectric energy harvesting with self-start
US11349482B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2020 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K5/134
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The integrated circuit (IC) described herein lowers the start-up voltage to, for example, 50 mV, compatible for starting a DC-DC converter from a thermoelectric generator (TEG), even with a small temperature gradient. The IC further improves end-to-end efficiency of the energy harvester by improving power efficiency of the DC-DC converter while ensuring maximum power transfer from the TEG at low voltages. The IC uses a low voltage integrated charge pump that can boost sub-100 mV input voltage. A startup clock is generated by a ring-oscillator that begins operation with low supply (e.g., 50 mV or less), and which allows for one inductor to be used for DC-DC converter and for startup of the converter. The IC can be configured between the TEG and any downstream sensor or communication circuits to provide an acceptable (e.g., greater than 1 V) voltage for powering the downstream circuits from a low-voltage (e.g., less than 200 mV) TEG energy source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.