Patent · US Active

Control of passive electric systems powered by energy harvesting

US11888383B2 · kind B2 · utility

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28Claims

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Assignee

Infineon Technologies AG · DE

Inventors

Qi Zhu · Shanghai, CN
Doris Keitel-Schulz · Grevesmühlen, DE
Natasha Novik · Freising, DE
Helmut Sochor · Munich, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 25, 2022
Grant date	Jan 30, 2024
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 25, 2042

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH02J7/345
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for controlling an electric load is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment the method includes collecting ambient energy using an energy harvesting circuit and using the collected ambient energy to charge a buffer capacitor. The method further includes alternatingly connecting and disconnecting an electrical load and the buffer capacitor, wherein a capacitor voltage provided by the buffer capacitor is applied to the electrical load in a discharging phase, in which the electrical load is connected to the buffer capacitor and the capacitor voltage decreases, and wherein the buffer capacitor is recharged in a charging phase, in which the electrical load is disconnected from the buffer capacitor in a charging phase in which the capacitor voltage again increases. The durations of the charging phase and the discharging phase are designed such that the capacitor voltage stays above a minimum supply voltage of the electrical load.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.