HYBRID ANTENNA FOR EFFICIENT ENERGY TRANSFER IN WIRELESS POWER SYSTEMS

Abstract

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology has become crucial for enabling efficient energy transfer in a variety of applications, ranging from IoT devices to electric vehicles. This paper explores the development and optimization of a hybrid antenna system tailored for enhancing energy transfer efficiency in WPT systems. By combining resonant and directive antenna structures, the hybrid antenna is designed to maximize power transfer efficiency across different operational ranges and environmental conditions. Key parameters such as impedance matching, frequency selectivity, and spatial alignment are optimized, resulting in reduced power losses and improved energy transfer rates. Through simulations and experimental validation, the proposed hybrid antenna demonstrates superior performance compared to conventional antennas in terms of both efficiency and reliability in WPT systems. This research contributes to advancing sustainable energy solutions by offering a highly efficient and versatile hybrid antenna for modern wireless power applications.

Specification

Description:HYBRID ANTENNA FOR EFFICIENT ENERGY TRANSFER IN WIRELESS POWER SYSTEMS

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention belongs to the field of wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, with a focus on developing advanced antenna technology to optimize energy transfer efficiency. Specifically, it introduces a hybrid antenna system that combines both resonant and directive antenna elements to enhance power transfer performance across a wide range of operating distances and environmental conditions.
The innovation in this field addresses key challenges in WPT, such as power losses due to misalignment, impedance mismatches, limited operational range, and sensitivity to physical barriers or varying environmental factors. By integrating resonant and directive antenna elements, the hybrid antenna is able to achieve both high efficiency at close range (through resonance) and greater spatial coverage (through directivity), reducing power losses and making it ideal for dynamic or mobile applications where alignment can vary.
This invention is relevant to multiple application areas, including
1. Internet of Things (IoT): Efficient WPT solutions are critical for IoT networks with power-hungry devices deployed in inaccessible or remote areas, where frequent battery replacement or wired connections are impractical. The hybrid antenna can improve energy transfer to IoT sensors, actuators, and other low-power devices, ensuring longer operational lifetimes and more robust performance.
2. Consumer Electronics: Wireless charging for mobile phones, wearables, and other personal devices demands efficient, safe, and compact antenna systems. The hybrid antenna's design is scalable, making it suitable for both small consumer electronics and higher-power devices, offering faster charging times and reduced dependency on precise device positioning.
3. Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Autonomous Systems: For EV charging and powering autonomous mobile robots, the hybrid antenna facilitates more reliable energy transfer over larger distances, potentially reducing downtime and infrastructure requirements. Its ability to maintain high transfer efficiency despite minor misalignments or varying environmental conditions is particularly beneficial in these high-power applications.
4. Industrial Automation and Robotics: WPT systems are essential for powering robotic systems in industrial environments where traditional wired connections can restrict movement or introduce safety risks. The hybrid antenna design supports efficient energy transfer across complex industrial setups, accommodating a variety of alignments and distances in dynamic and demanding environments.
5. Medical Devices and Implants: In biomedical applications, such as powering implantable medical devices, a highly efficient, compact, and safe antenna system is crucial. The hybrid antenna's ability to maintain efficiency at various ranges and through biological tissues could enhance the performance and longevity of medical implants.
This invention provides a universal solution for wireless power transfer across these applications by reducing energy losses, increasing alignment tolerance, and enabling scalability, thus pushing the boundaries of current WPT systems toward more sustainable and practical solutions.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Wireless power transfer (WPT) has seen significant advancements in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for convenient and reliable methods of powering and recharging devices without physical connectors. Traditional WPT systems commonly rely on inductive coupling or resonant coupling to transfer energy between a transmitter and receiver. However, these systems often face efficiency challenges, especially when the transmitter and receiver are misaligned, operate over extended distances, or function within environments with variable conditions. This background sets the stage for the development of hybrid antenna systems that aim to address these limitations.
Challenges in Existing WPT Systems
1. Power Losses Due to Misalignment: In many WPT applications, precise alignment between the transmitting and receiving antennas is required for optimal energy transfer. Misalignment can lead to significant reductions in efficiency, limiting the effectiveness of these systems in real-world scenarios where maintaining alignment is challenging or impractical, such as in moving devices or wearables.
2. Limited Operational Range: Most traditional WPT systems are designed to operate efficiently over very short distances, typically just a few centimetres. As the distance between the transmitter and receiver increases, the efficiency drops dramatically, making these systems unsuitable for applications that require more flexibility in spacing, such as EV charging or industrial automation.
3. Environmental Sensitivity: Environmental factors, such as the presence of physical obstructions, changes in ambient conditions, or interference from other devices, can negatively impact WPT performance. These external factors can alter the impedance matching between the transmitter and receiver, reducing the energy transfer efficiency.
4. Scalability Issues: Traditional antennas in WPT systems are typically optimized for a single application and power level, limiting their adaptability to different types of devices and power requirements. This lack of scalability poses challenges in designing universal WPT systems that can power everything from low-power IoT devices to high-power electric vehicles.
Need for a Hybrid Antenna Solution
The hybrid antenna concept emerges as a solution to the limitations of traditional WPT systems by combining resonant and directive antenna characteristics. Resonant antennas are effective in short-range energy transfer, providing high efficiency through resonance coupling. Directive antennas, on the other hand, excel in longer-range energy transfer, guiding energy towards a targeted area and reducing power dispersion.
By integrating these two antenna types, a hybrid antenna can achieve both short-range efficiency and long-range reliability, providing a versatile and efficient WPT solution. This approach mitigates alignment sensitivity, extends the effective operational range, and reduces the impact of environmental variability. Additionally, hybrid antennas offer greater flexibility in terms of design, enabling scalability for different applications and power levels.
Application Scope
The demand for enhanced WPT systems is evident across various fields. IoT networks require reliable, long-lasting power solutions for distributed sensors and devices; consumer electronics benefit from improved convenience and flexibility in wireless charging; and electric vehicles and robotics need efficient, alignment-tolerant charging solutions to support dynamic operation. Medical applications, such as powering implants or wearables, also stand to benefit from a system that provides consistent power delivery with minimal energy loss, even though biological tissues.
Contributions of the Invention
This invention contributes to the field of WPT by offering an innovative hybrid antenna design that addresses the limitations of existing systems. It improves efficiency across different ranges, provides robust performance in varying environments, and enhances scalability, setting a new standard for practical and sustainable WPT solutions in diverse application areas. This advancement will enable wireless power systems that are both reliable and versatile, meeting the evolving needs of modern technology and energy requirements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
This invention introduces a hybrid antenna system designed to significantly improve wireless power transfer (WPT) efficiency, particularly for applications with varying operational distances and environmental conditions. By integrating resonant and directive antenna elements into a single hybrid structure, this system achieves high energy transfer efficiency across different ranges and addresses common WPT challenges such as alignment sensitivity, environmental interference, and scalability.
1. Hybrid Antenna Structure and Composition
The hybrid antenna is composed of two core elements integrated into a unified structure.
• Resonant Antenna Element: This element is designed to operate at a specific resonant frequency, enabling efficient near-field energy transfer. The resonant element is responsible for high-efficiency, short-range power transfer, ideal for distances within a few centimetres. It uses a coil or loop configuration that forms a strong inductive coupling with the receiver, allowing optimal power transfer in applications such as IoT sensors, small electronics, and biomedical implants. This element is finely tuned to maximize power transfer at close range and minimize energy losses.
• Directive Antenna Element: The directive component is engineered for longer-range power transfer. It consists of an array of radiating elements, such as patch antennas or a Yagi-Uda array, to create a focused electromagnetic field that directs energy toward the receiver. This element employs beamforming techniques or phased arrays to achieve greater range and spatial coverage, enabling the antenna to maintain efficient energy transfer even as the distance between transmitter and receiver increases. This element is particularly suited for applications requiring a flexible range, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging and robotics.
The integration of these two elements into a single hybrid structure allows for both close-range, high-efficiency transfer through the resonant element and long-range, focused transfer through the directive element, making the system adaptable to a wide range of WPT scenarios.
2. Adaptive Impedance Matching Networks
To maximize energy transfer efficiency, the hybrid antenna system incorporates adaptive impedance matching networks for both resonant and directive elements. This adaptive matching mechanism is crucial for minimizing power losses that commonly occur due to distance variations, misalignment, or environmental changes.
• Dynamic Impedance Matching: The impedance matching networks are designed to automatically adjust based on real-time feedback regarding the distance, orientation, and alignment between transmitter and receiver. By dynamically adjusting the impedance, the system ensures minimal power loss during energy transfer, even in suboptimal conditions. This feature is essential for achieving high efficiency over a broader operational range.

• Frequency Modulation for Multi-Band Support: In certain configurations, the hybrid antenna operates across multiple frequency bands, with each frequency optimized for different distances. For example, a low-frequency band can be assigned for close-range, high-efficiency coupling (resonant mode), while a higher-frequency band is used for long-range, focused energy transfer (directive mode). This frequency modulation approach expands the operational range and enables the system to adapt to specific WPT needs.
3. Alignment Tolerance and Spatial Coverage Enhancement
The hybrid antenna system is designed to minimize the sensitivity to alignment and orientation differences between the transmitter and receiver, addressing a critical limitation in conventional WPT systems.
• Beam Steering for Dynamic Alignment: For applications where the receiver is mobile or the position varies (e.g., autonomous robots, wearables), the directive element includes electronic beam steering capabilities. Using phased array technology, the system can adjust the direction of the electromagnetic field in real time to track the receiver's position. This feature reduces the need for precise manual alignment and enhances system flexibility.
• Omnidirectional and Directional Patterns: The hybrid antenna can switch between omnidirectional and directional energy transfer patterns, depending on the range and specific application requirements. In omnidirectional mode, the system provides coverage over a broad area, suitable for close-range, multi-device charging. In directional mode, the system focuses energy on a targeted receiver, enhancing power transfer efficiency over longer distances and improving alignment tolerance.
4. Scalability and Modularity for Diverse Applications
The hybrid antenna design is modular and scalable, allowing for customization according to the power requirements of different applications. This modularity supports flexible WPT configurations, from low-power setups to high-power systems, providing a universal solution for diverse power needs.
• Modular Array Configurations: For high-power applications, such as EV charging stations or industrial machinery, multiple hybrid antennas can be configured in a phased array or tiled array to amplify the energy output. These arrays enhance overall system power output and coverage area while preserving efficiency across extended distances. This configuration allows for a seamless scale-up of power output based on the specific application.
• Miniaturized Designs for Low-Power Devices: The system can be miniaturized for low-power applications such as IoT devices and medical implants. Compact and lightweight configurations are ideal for space-constrained devices, where energy efficiency and minimal weight are priorities. This adaptability makes the hybrid antenna system applicable in both consumer and industrial contexts.
5. Environmental Adaptability and Real-Time Adjustments
The hybrid antenna system is designed to function efficiently in a variety of environmental conditions, such as varying temperatures, physical obstructions, or interference from other devices.
• Environmental Sensors: Integrated sensors continuously monitor the surrounding environment for changes such as temperature fluctuations, obstacles, and interference sources. Based on the sensor feedback, the adaptive impedance matching networks can make real-time adjustments to maintain optimal power transfer efficiency. For instance, if an obstacle temporarily obstructs the receiver, the system can adjust the directive element's angle or frequency to redirect energy around the obstacle.
• EMI and Noise Reduction Techniques: To mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) and maintain stable power transfer, the hybrid antenna includes filtering circuits and shielding around sensitive components. These EMI management techniques ensure reliable WPT operation, even in environments with high electromagnetic noise, such as industrial sites or urban settings with multiple wireless devices.
6. Safety and Thermal Management
The hybrid antenna system integrates safety features to ensure safe power transfer, particularly in high-power or consumer-facing applications where electromagnetic exposure limits are a concern.
• Proximity-Based Power Limiting: Proximity sensors detect the receiver's distance from the transmitter and adjust the power output accordingly. This feature reduces the risk of overexposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) when the receiver is in close proximity, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
• Thermal Management System: For high-power WPT applications, such as EV charging, the hybrid antenna includes thermal management mechanisms to prevent overheating. This system consists of heat sinks, ventilation, and temperature sensors that monitor and dissipate heat generated during extended operation, protecting both the device and the user.
7. Advantages and Summary
The hybrid antenna system described in this invention offers the following unique advantages:
• High efficiency across varying distances: The combined use of resonant and directive elements enables effective power transfer at both short and long distances, making it adaptable to a variety of applications.
• Alignment tolerance and spatial coverage: Beam steering and dual-pattern capabilities reduce the need for precise alignment and allow for better spatial coverage.
• Scalability and modular design: The system can be scaled for different power levels, from low-power IoT devices to high-power EV charging, by adjusting the number and configuration of antenna elements.
• Environmental adaptability and real-time tuning: Integrated sensors and adaptive matching networks allow the system to maintain high efficiency despite environmental changes or interference.
• Safety and reliability: Proximity-based power limiting and thermal management ensure safe, consistent power transfer in both high-power and consumer applications.
In summary, this invention presents a versatile and efficient solution to common WPT challenges, achieving reliable energy transfer across distances while maintaining high adaptability and safety. The hybrid antenna system is suitable for a broad spectrum of applications, setting a new standard for wireless power transfer technology in modern, dynamic environments.








HYBRID ANTENNA FOR EFFICIENT ENERGY TRANSFER IN WIRELESS POWER SYSTEMS

We Claim
1. The proposed hybrid antenna achieves significantly higher energy transfer efficiency compared to conventional antennas, making it ideal for applications that require optimized wireless power delivery.
2. The hybrid antenna system is designed to function efficiently across a wider range of distances and environmental conditions, providing a versatile solution for varied wireless power transfer needs.
3. The design reduces the need for precise alignment between transmitter and receiver, ensuring reliable power transfer even in scenarios where physical alignment is challenging or variable.
4. The hybrid antenna design can be scaled and modified to suit various power levels, making it adaptable for IoT devices, consumer electronics, and larger systems like electric vehicle charging.
5. The hybrid antenna design can be integrated into existing wireless power transfer setups with minimal modifications, allowing for easy adoption in current systems.

, C , Claims:1. The proposed hybrid antenna achieves significantly higher energy transfer efficiency compared to conventional antennas, making it ideal for applications that require optimized wireless power delivery.
2. The hybrid antenna system is designed to function efficiently across a wider range of distances and environmental conditions, providing a versatile solution for varied wireless power transfer needs.
3. The design reduces the need for precise alignment between transmitter and receiver, ensuring reliable power transfer even in scenarios where physical alignment is challenging or variable.
4. The hybrid antenna design can be scaled and modified to suit various power levels, making it adaptable for IoT devices, consumer electronics, and larger systems like electric vehicle charging.
5. The hybrid antenna design can be integrated into existing wireless power transfer setups with minimal modifications, allowing for easy adoption in current systems.

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