Passive RF energy harvesting scheme for wireless sensor
US8552597B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J50/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A radio frequency energy harvester harvests RF energy from the environment. The energy harvester may include a local power source. The energy harvester may have an associated crystal radio antenna that harvests AM radio waves ubiquitously. The radio frequency energy harvested may be stored via a super capacitor. The stored energy may power a self-contained processing unit directly when the level of the energy harvested remains above a threshold level. However, if the energy harvested drops below the threshold level, the processing unit, which may include a radio, may switch to the local power source and/or a low power mode of operation. The low power mode of operation may reduce the amount of processing and/or transmitting by the radio. The processing unit may be part of a network of radios. The energy harvester may supply energy for a variety of applications, including building automation, industrial automation, power generation, and healthcare.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.