Wireless electric field power transmission system, transmitter and receiver therefor and method of wirelessly transferring power

Abstract

A wireless electric field power transmission system comprises a transmitter comprising a transmit resonator and a transmit capacitive balun, and at least one receiver comprising a receive resonator and a receive capacitive balun. The transmit capacitive balun is configured to transfer power to the transmitter resonator, the transmit resonator is configured to transfer the power to the receive resonator, and the receive resonator is configured to extract the power to the receive capacitive balun via electric field coupling.

Claims

1. A wireless electric field power transmission system comprising: a transmitter comprising a transmit resonator and a transmit capacitive balun; and at least one receiver comprising a receive resonator and a receive capacitive balun, wherein, via resonant electric field coupling: the transmit capacitive balun is configured to transfer power to the transmit resonator, in response, the transmit resonator is configured to transfer power to the receive resonator, and the receive capacitive balun is configured to extract power from the receive resonator.

2. A method of wirelessly transferring power, the method comprising: delivering power from a source to a transmit resonator via a transmit capacitive balun via electric field coupling; in response, transferring power from the transmit resonator to a receive resonator via electric field coupling; and extracting power from the receive resonator via a receive capacitive balun via electric field coupling.

3. A transmitter for wirelessly transferring power, the transmitter comprising: a capacitive balun configured to receive an alternating signal and in response generate an electric field; and a transmit resonator, responsive to the electric field generated by the capacitive balun, configured to resonate with the capacitive balun and generate an electric field, wherein the capacitive balun and the transmit resonator are configured to transfer power to a receiver via resonant electric field coupling.

4. The transmitter of claim 3, wherein the transmit resonator comprises laterally spaced electrodes interconnected by a series inductor.

5. The transmitter of claim 4, wherein said capacitive balun comprises laterally spaced conductive elements, each conductive element being proximate to and spaced from at least one respective electrode.

6. The transmitter of claim 5, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes are in substantial alignment so that major faces of the conductive elements and electrodes face one another.

7. The transmitter of claim 5, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes are generally planar.

8. The transmitter of claim 5, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes are curved, angled and/or textured.

9. The transmitter of claim 5, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes have substantially similar dimensions.

10. The transmitter of claim 5, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes are of different dimensions and/or different geometries.

11. The transmitter of claim 3, further comprising a power inverter connected across the capacitive balun, said power inverter configured to output the alternating signal that excites the capacitive balun.

12. The transmitter of claim 3, further comprising a source configured to generate the alternating signal that excites the capacitive balun.

13. The transmitter of claim 3, wherein the alternating signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal.

14. A receiver for wirelessly receiving power, the receiver comprising: a receive resonator; and a capacitive balun capacitively coupled to the receive resonator, wherein the receive resonator and the capacitive balun are configured to resonate in response to a generated electric field, and wherein the capacitive balun is configured to extract power via resonant electric field coupling and to output an alternating signal in response to resonance of the receive resonator and the capacitive balun.

15. The receiver of claim 14, wherein the receive resonator comprises laterally spaced electrodes interconnected by a series inductor.

16. The receiver of claim 15, wherein said capacitive balun comprises laterally spaced conductive elements, each capacitive element being proximate to and spaced from at least one respective electrode.

17. The receiver of claim 16, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes are in substantial alignment so that major faces of the conductive elements and electrodes face one another.

18. The receiver of claim 16, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes are generally planar.

19. The receiver of claim 16, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes are curved, angled and/or textured.

20. The receiver of claim 16, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes have substantially similar dimensions.

21. The receiver of claim 16, wherein the conductive elements and electrodes are of different dimensions and/or different geometries.

22. The receiver of claim 14, further comprising a rectifier configured to convert the alternating signal to a direct current signal.

23. The receiver of claim 22, further comprising a regulator configured to regulate the direct current signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic layout view of a wireless electric field power transmission system;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic layout view of another wireless electric field power transmission system;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transmit balun, transmit resonator, receive balun and receive resonator arrangement forming part of the wireless electric field power transmission system of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4a is a top plan view of a series transmit inductor forming part of the wireless electric field power transmission system of FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 4b is a perspective view of another embodiment of a series transmit inductor;

(7) FIG. 4c is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a series transmit inductor;

(8) FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram equivalent of the wireless electric field power transmission system of FIG. 2;

(9) FIG. 6 is a Smith chart showing wireless electric field power transmission system impedance characteristics;

(10) FIG. 7 is a graph of wireless electric field power transmission system power efficiency vs. frequency;

(11) FIG. 8 is another Smith chart showing wireless electric field power transmission system impedance characteristics;

(12) FIG. 9 is another graph of wireless electric field power transmission system power efficiency vs. frequency;

(13) FIG. 10 is a graph of wireless electric field power transmission system efficiency vs. frequency of an exemplary system;

(14) FIG. 11 is a Smith chart showing transmitter impedance characteristics of a test wireless electric field power transmission system;

(15) FIG. 12 is a Smith chart showing receiver impedance characteristics of the exemplary system;

(16) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative transmit balun, transmit resonator, receive balun and receive resonator arrangement;

(17) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of yet another transmit balun, transmit resonator, receive balun and receive resonator arrangement;

(18) FIG. 15 is a schematic layout of another embodiment of a wireless electric field power transmission system;

(19) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a transmit balun, transmit resonator, receive balun and receive resonator arrangement forming part of the wireless electric field power transmission system of FIG. 15;

(20) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a receiver forming part of the wireless field power transmission system of FIG. 2; and

(21) FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing various configurations for conductive elements for use in capacitive transmit and receive baluns.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(22) Turning now to FIG. 1, a wireless electric field power transmission system is shown and is generally identified by reference numeral 20. As can be seen, wireless electric field power transmission system 20 comprises a transmitter 22 and a receiver 40 spaced apart from the transmitter 22. The transmitter 22 comprises a power source 24 electrically connected to a power inverter 26, which in turn is electrically connected across an inductive transmit balun 28. The transmitter 22 further comprises capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 30, each of which is electrically connected to the inductive transmit balun 28 by a respective series inductor (L.sub.TX) 32. The capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 30 are resonated with the series inductors (L.sub.TX) 32 at a particular operating frequency (f.sub.s) to form a transmit resonator generally identified by reference numeral 34. The power inverter 26 outputs a radio frequency (RF) signal at operating frequency (f.sub.s) that excites the transmit resonator 34 via the inductive transmit balun 28 causing the transmit resonator 34 to generate a resonant electric field. The inductive transmit balun 28 interconnects unbalanced and balanced systems and performs impedance transformation.

(23) The receiver 40 comprises a load 42 electrically connected to a regulator 44, which in turn is electrically connected to a radio-frequency to direct current (RF-DC) rectifier 46. The RF-DC rectifier 46 is electrically connected across an inductive receive balun 48. Similar to the inductive transmit balun 28, the inductive receive balun 48 interconnects unbalanced and balanced systems and performs impedance transformation. In this embodiment, the RF-DC rectifier 46 employs ultra-fast diodes that have a low junction capacitance, a high reverse breakdown voltage and a low forward voltage drop. The RF-DC rectifier 46 may also employ synchronous MOSFETs (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors).

(24) The load 42 may take many forms such as those identified in above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,474. Further exemplary loads 42 include, but are not limited to: batteries (e.g. AA, 9V and non-traditional or custom rechargeable battery formats), radio communication devices, computer batteries (e.g. desktop, laptop and tablet), phones (e.g. cordless, mobile and cellular), television sets or display panels (e.g. Plasma, LCD, LED and OLED) and home electronics (e.g. DVD players, Blu-ray players, receivers, amplifiers, all-in-one home theatre, speakers, sub-woofers, video game consoles, video game controllers, remote control devices, televisions, computers or other monitors, digital cameras, video cameras, digital photo frames, video or image projectors and media streaming devices).

(25) The receiver 40 further comprises capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 50, each of which is electrically connected to the inductive receive balun 48 by a respective series inductor (L.sub.RX) 52. When the capacitive receive electrodes 50 are exposed to the resonant electric field generated by the transmit resonator 34, the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 50 are resonated with the series inductor (L.sub.RX) 52 at the same operating frequency (f.sub.s) as the transmit resonator 34 to form a receive resonator generally identified by reference numeral 54.

(26) In this embodiment, the inductive transmit and receive baluns 28 and 48, respectively, comprise a ferrite core and have a turn ratio of slightly higher than 1:1 for impedance matching purposes. Although these baluns perform well, they disadvantageously require significant physical space. Furthermore, these baluns are intrinsically limited in operating frequency and power levels. In addition, at higher power levels, these baluns heat up increasing the risk of damage to the baluns or other components of the wireless electric field power transmission system.

(27) Turning now to FIG. 2, an alternative wireless electric field power transmission system 120 is shown. As can be seen, wireless electric field power transmission system 120 comprises a transmitter 122 and a receiver 140 spaced apart from the transmitter 122. The transmitter 122 comprises a power source 124 electrically connected to a power inverter 126, which in turn is electrically connected across a capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128. Collectively, the power source 124 and power inverter 126 form an RF source 127. The transmitter 122 further comprises capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130 that are electrically connected by a series transmit inductor (L.sub.TX) 132 and that are capacitively coupled to the capacitive transmit balun 128. The capacitive transmit electrodes 130 are resonated with the series transmit inductor 132 at a particular operating frequency (f.sub.s) to form a transmit resonator generally identified by reference numeral 134.

(28) The receiver 140 comprises a load 142 electrically connected to a regulator 144, which in turn is electrically connected to an RF-DC rectifier 146. The RF-DC rectifier 146 is electrically connected across a capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148. Similar to the previous embodiment, the RF-DC rectifier 146 employs ultra-fast diodes that have a low junction capacitance, a high reverse breakdown voltage and a low forward voltage drop. The RF-DC rectifier 146 may also employ synchronous MOSFETs (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors). The load 142 may take many forms such as those identified in above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,474. Further exemplary loads 142 include, but are not limited to: batteries (e.g. AA, 9V and non-traditional or custom rechargeable battery formats), radio communication devices, computer batteries (e.g. desktop, laptop and tablet), phones (e.g. cordless, mobile and cellular), television sets or display panels (e.g. Plasma, LCD, LED and OLED) and home electronics (e.g. DVD players, Blu-ray players, receivers, amplifiers, all-in-one home theatre, speakers, sub-woofers, video game consoles, video game controllers, remote control devices, televisions, computers or other monitors, digital cameras, video cameras, digital photo frames, video or image projectors and media streaming devices).

(29) The receiver 140 further comprises capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 150 that are electrically connected by a series receive inductor (L.sub.RX) 152 and that are capacitively coupled to the capacitive receive balun 148. The capacitive receive electrodes 150 are resonated with the series receive inductor 152 at the particular operating frequency (f.sub.s) to form a receive resonator generally identified by reference numeral 154.

(30) Turning now to FIG. 3, the capacitive transmit balun 128, transmit resonator 134, capacitive receive balun 148 and receive resonator 154 are better illustrated. The transmitter 122 and receiver 140 are spaced apart by a distance d.sub.TR. In this embodiment, the capacitive transmit balun 128 comprises a pair of laterally spaced, elongate elements formed of electrically conductive material. The conductive elements are in the form of generally rectangular, planar plates. The capacitive transmit electrodes 130 of the transmit resonator 134 are also in the form of elongate generally rectangular, planar plates formed of electrically conductive material. Each plate of the capacitive transmit balun 128 is proximate to and aligned with a respective capacitive transmit electrode 130 so that major surfaces 136 and 138 of the plates and capacitive transmit electrodes 130 face one another and are separated by a distance d.sub.1. In this embodiment, the areas of the major surfaces 136 and 138 are equal or near-equal, that is the dimensions of the plates of the capacitive transmit balun 128 and the capacitive transmit electrodes 130 are basically the same.

(31) The capacitive receive balun 148 comprises a pair of laterally spaced, elongate elements formed of electrically conductive material. The conductive elements are in the form of generally rectangular, planar plates. The capacitive receive electrodes 150 of receive resonator 154 are also in the form of elongate generally rectangular, planar plates formed of electrically conductive material. Each plate of the capacitive receive balun 148 is proximate to and aligned with a respective capacitive receive electrode 150 so that major surfaces 156 and 158 of the plates and capacitive receive electrodes 150 face one another and are separated by a distance d.sub.2. In this embodiment, the areas of the major surfaces 156 and 158 are equal or near-equal, that is the dimensions of the plates of the capacitive receive balun 148 and the capacitive receive electrodes 150 are basically the same.

(32) Turning now to FIG. 4a, the series transmit inductor (L.sub.TX) 132 is better illustrated. As can be seen, in this embodiment, the series transmit inductor (L.sub.TX) 132 is a flat spiral or pancake coil. The series transmit inductor (L.sub.TX) 132 has a high quality factor (Q-factor) and is configured to create a high Q-factor resonance with the capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130 at the operating frequency (f.sub.s). A high Q-factor means that the amount of energy stored is greater than the amount of energy dissipated. High Q-factor resonance increases the voltage on the capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130 compared to the applied voltage. In this embodiment, the series receive inductor (L.sub.RX) 152 is similarly a flat spiral or pancake coil. The series receive inductor (L.sub.RX) 152 also has a high Q-factor and is configured to create a high Q-factor resonance with the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 150 at the operating frequency (f.sub.s).

(33) The series transmit inductor (L.sub.TX) 132 and the series receive inductor (L.sub.RX) 152 may however, take different forms as shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c. In FIG. 4b, the series transmit inductor (L.sub.TX) 132 is in the form of a toroidal transmit inductor (L.sub.TX) 132a and in FIG. 4c, the series transmit inductor is in the form of a cylindrical spiral transmit inductor (L.sub.TX) 132b. Similar to the series transmit inductor (L.sub.TX) 132, the series receive inductor (L.sub.RX) 152 may also be in the form of a toroidal receive inductor (L.sub.RX) or a cylindrical spiral receive inductor (L.sub.RX).

(34) The operation of the wireless electric field power transmission system 120 will now be described. During operation, the RF power source 127 comprises power source 124 and power inverter 126, and outputs an RF signal at operating frequency (f.sub.s), and this RF signal is then applied across the plates of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 thereby to excite the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128. The excited capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 in turn generates an electric field in a volume that surrounds the plates of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128. When the capacitive transmit resonator 134 is within the generated electric field, the capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130 and the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 resonate with the series inductor (L.sub.TX) 132 at the operating frequency (f.sub.s) thereby generating a resonant electric field that extends to the receive resonator 154.

(35) With the receive resonator 154 in the generated resonant electric field, the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 150 begin to resonate with the series receive inductor (L.sub.RX) 152 resulting in the generation of a resonant electric field in a volume that surrounds the plates of the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148. When the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148 is within the generated resonant electric field, the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148 and the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 150 resonate with the series inductor (L.sub.RX) 152 at the operating frequency (f.sub.s) resulting in the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148 outputting an RF signal that is conveyed to the RF-DC rectifier 146.

(36) The RF-DC rectifier 146 in turn converts the RF signal to a DC signal which is then regulated at the regulator 144 and conveyed to the load 142.

(37) A circuit diagram equivalent of the wireless electric field power transmission system 120 is depicted in FIG. 5. As described above, the RF signal, at operating frequency (f.sub.s), that is output by RF source 127 is used to excite the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 and this excitation results in the generation of an electric field that surrounds the plates of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 and the capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130. The coupling coefficient between the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 and the capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130 is represented by k.sub.12 and is given by:

(38) $k_{12}=\frac{M_{12}}{\sqrt{C_{\mathrm{drive}}{C}_{\mathrm{TX}}}}$

(39) where M.sub.12 is the mutual capacitance between the capacitive transmit balun 128 and the capacitive transmit electrodes 130.

(40) The coupling coefficient between the capacitive transmit electrodes 130 and the capacitive receive electrodes 150 is represented by k.sub.23 and is given by:

(41) $k_{23}=\frac{M_{23}}{\sqrt{C_{\mathrm{TX}}{C}_{\mathrm{RX}}}}$

(42) where M.sub.23 is the mutual capacitance between the capacitive transmit electrodes 130 and the capacitive receive electrodes 150.

(43) The coupling coefficient between the capacitive receive electrodes 150 and the capacitive receive balun 148 is represented by k.sub.34 and is given by:

(44) $k_{34}=\frac{M_{34}}{\sqrt{C_{\mathrm{RX}}{C}_{\mathrm{load}}}}$

(45) where M.sub.34 is the mutual capacitance between the capacitive receive electrodes 150 and the capacitive receive balun 148.

(46) As will be appreciated, varying the separation distances d.sub.1 and d.sub.2, varies the coupling coefficients by altering the mutual capacitance. Also, since the receiver 140 is in the near field of the transmitter 122, the impedance seen by the transmitter 122 varies as the separation distance d.sub.TR between the transmitter 122 and receiver 140 varies, resulting in a change in the resonant frequency of the wireless electric field power transmission system 120. This impedance can be adjusted to the impedance R.sub.S of the RF source 127 by varying the separation distance d.sub.1 or by increasing the length of the plates of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128.

(47) Similarly, the impedance seen by the receiver 140 also varies as the separation distance d.sub.TR between the transmitter 122 and receiver 140 varies. This impedance can be adjusted to the impedance of the load 142 by varying the separation distance d.sub.2 or by increasing the length of the plates of the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148.

(48) Turning back to FIG. 3, the length overlap (L.sub.ol) of the transmitter 122 is defined as the amount of overlap between the major surfaces 136 of the plates of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 and the major surfaces 138 of the capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130 along the lengths of those major surfaces. The width overlap (W.sub.ol) of the transmitter 122 is defined as the amount of overlap between the major surfaces 136 of the plates of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 and the major surfaces 138 of the capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130 along the widths of those major surfaces.

(49) Similarly, the length overlap (L.sub.ol) of the receiver 140 is defined as the amount of overlap between the major surfaces 156 of the plates of the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148 and the major surfaces 158 of the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 150 along the lengths of those major surfaces. The width overlap (W.sub.ol) of the receiver 140 is defined as the amount of overlap between the major surfaces 156 of the plates of the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148 and the major surfaces 158 of the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 150 along the widths of those major surfaces. In this embodiment, the length overlaps (L.sub.ol) and the width overlaps (W.sub.ol) of the transmitter 122 and receiver 140 are the same.

(50) According to coupled mode theory, when the transmitter 122 and receiver 140 are resonating at their fundamental frequencies, the resulting operating frequency depends on the coupling between the transmitter 122 and receiver 140. If there is strong coupling then there are two modes of operation at two different frequencies. This phenomenon is referred to as frequency splitting. If the coupling is weak, then these two modes converge to a single mode of operation at a single frequency. Frequency splitting is present in simulations described below.

(51) Electromagnetic field simulations using CST Microwave Studio software were performed to determine the impedance requirements of the wireless electric field power transmission system 120 at a particular operating frequency (f.sub.s). FIGS. 6 to 9 show the results of the electromagnetic field simulations for determining the impedance requirements of the wireless electric field power transmission system 120 at an operating frequency (f.sub.s) of 7 MHz. As shown in the Smith chart of FIG. 6, a frequency sweep from 5 to 8 MHz yields matched impedance between the transmitter 122 and receiver 140 at the points marked 1 and 2. The efficiency of the wireless electric field power transmission system 120 at these points is depicted in FIG. 7 in which the frequency at point 2 is shown to be approximately 7 MHz. The corresponding impedance requirement from the Smith chart of FIG. 6 at point 2 is approximately 99 Ohms. This impedance was achieved with separation distances d.sub.1 and d.sub.2 equal to 1.57 mm and length overlaps (L.sub.ol) equal to 120 mm.

(52) As shown in the Smith chart of FIG. 8, a frequency sweep from 1 to 12 MHz yields matched impedance between the transmitter 122 and the receiver 140 at the points marked 1 and 2. The efficiency of the wireless electric field power transmission system 120 at these points is depicted in FIG. 9 in which the frequency at point 1 is shown to be approximately 7 MHz. The corresponding impedance requirement from the Smith chart of FIG. 8 at point 1 is approximately 62 Ohms. This impedance was achieved with separation distances d.sub.1 and d.sub.2 equal to 0.867 mm and length overlaps (L.sub.ol) equal to 60 mm.

(53) In the above simulations, the widths of the plates of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128, the widths of the capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130, the widths of the plates of the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148 and the widths of the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 150 were equal. Those of skill in the art will however appreciate that these widths can be varied.

(54) As will be appreciated from the results of the simulations, it is clear that both the resonant frequency (f.sub.s) of the wireless electric field power transmission system 120 and the impedance of the transmitter 122 and receiver 140 can be matched by changing the distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2 and the lengths of the major surfaces 136 and 156 of the plates of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 and the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148, respectively.

(55) The use of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 and the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148 allows the sizes of capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130 and the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 150 to be reduced compared to inductive baluns since the capacitive transmit and receive baluns (C.sub.drive) 128 and (C.sub.load) 148 are capacitive rather than inductive and require less capacitance to reach a resonant state. The use of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 and the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 148 also eliminates the need for inductive baluns and reduces the number of inductors required at the transmit resonator 134 and the receive resonator 154. The results in a transmitter 122 and a receiver 140 that are smaller, cheaper and simpler to design.

(56) An exemplary wireless electric field power transmission system in accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3 was constructed with the following parameters: an operating frequency of approximately 27 MHz and a distance d.sub.TR of approximately 10 cm. With regard to the transmitter, the following parameters were used: a distance of approximately 15 cm between the capacitive transmit electrodes, an electrode length of approximately 33 cm for each electrode of the capacitive transmit electrodes, a length overlap L.sub.ol of approximately 1.7 cm, a width overlap W.sub.ol of approximately 5 cm, a distance d.sub.1 of approximately 0.24 cm, a series transmit inductor L.sub.TX having an inductance of approximately 5.9 H, and a quality factor of approximately 300. With regard to the receiver, the following parameters were used: a distance of approximately 15 cm between the capacitive receive electrodes, an electrode length of approximately 33 cm for each electrode of the capacitive receive electrodes, a length L.sub.ol of approximately 2.6 cm, a width overlap W.sub.ol of approximately 5 cm, a distance d.sub.2 of approximately 0.54 cm, a series receive inductor L.sub.RX having an inductance of approximately 5.1 H, and a quality factor of approximately 250. Experimental data was collected using a Copper Mountain Technologies PLANAR 808/1 four port Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). The frequency was swept from 20 MHz to 30 MHz to measure the system impedances and efficiencies at various operating frequencies. As shown in FIG. 10, the frequency sweep from 20 to 30 MHz yields matched maximum efficiency between the transmitter and receiver at approximately 26.85 MHz, point 1. The corresponding impedance requirement from the Smith chart of FIG. 11 for the transmitter at point 1 is approximately 63 Ohms. The corresponding impedance requirement from the Smith chart of FIG. 12 for the receiver at point 1 is approximately 56 Ohms.

(57) In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the plates of the capacitive transmit balun 128 and the capacitive transmit electrodes 130 have the same dimensions and are arranged so that their facing major surfaces 136 and 138 are in substantially perfect alignment. Similarly, the plates of the capacitive receive balun 148 and the capacitive receive electrodes 150 have the same dimensions and are arranged so that their facing major surfaces 156 and 158 are in substantially perfect alignment. Those of skill in the art will however appreciate that variations are possible.

(58) For example, another embodiment of a capacitive transmit balun, capacitive transmit electrodes, capacitive receive electrodes and capacitive receive balun arrangement is shown in FIG. 13. The embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and as such like components are referred to with the same reference numerals with 100 added for clarity. In this embodiment, the plates of the capacitive transmit balun 228 are shorter or smaller in dimension than the capacitive transmit electrodes 230 and the plates of the capacitive receive balun 248 are shorter or smaller in dimension than the capacitive receive electrodes 250. The change in impedance caused by the change in the lengths of the plates of the capacitive transmit balun 228 and the plates of the capacitive receive balun 248 can be offset by changing the separation distances d.sub.1 and d.sub.2. As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the width overlaps W.sub.ol, length overlaps L.sub.ol, distances d.sub.1 and d.sub.2 and distance d.sub.TR may be adjusted as needed.

(59) Still other arrangements are possible. As shown in FIG. 14, rather than using a capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 128 to excite the capacitive transmit electrodes 130, an inductive transmit balun may be employed generally identified by reference numeral 360. The embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and as such like components are referred to with the same reference numerals with 200 added for clarity. Each capacitive transmit electrode 330 is connected to the inductive transmit balun 360 via a respective series inductor 362. This makes placing the transmitter 322 on a non-flat surface more difficult since the transmit inductors 362 suffer from a loss of inductance and a reduction in quality factor (Q) if they are bent to conform to non-flat surfaces.

(60) Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the plates of the capacitive receive balun 348 are shorter or smaller in dimension than the capacitive receive electrodes 350. Those of skill in the art will however appreciate that the plates of the capacitive receive balun 348 may be similar in dimension to the capacitive receive electrodes 350. Also, rather than replacing the capacitive transmit balun 128 with an inductive transmit balun 360, a capacitive transmit balun may be employed and the capacitive receive balun 348 may be replaced with an inductive receive balun.

(61) Turning now to FIGS. 15 and 16, another embodiment of a wireless electric field power transmission system is shown that is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and as such like components are referred to with the same reference numerals with 300 added for clarity. In this embodiment, the transmitter 422 and receiver 440 further comprise series inductors (L.sub.s) for additional impedance and resonance control. As can be seen, in the transmitter 422, the power inverter 426 is connected directly to one plate of the capacitive transmit balun 428 (C.sub.drive) and is connected to the other plate of the capacitive transmit balun 428 (C.sub.drive) via a series inductor (L.sub.s) 464.

(62) In the receiver 440, the RF-DC rectifier 446 is connected directly to one plate of the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 448 and is connected to the other plate of the capacitive receive balun 448 via a series inductor (Ls) 466. The configurations of the plates of the capacitive transmit balun and capacitive transmit electrodes and the plates of the capacitive receive baluns and capacitive receive electrodes as shown are similar to the arrangement of FIG. 13. Those of skill in the art will however appreciate that the configurations of the plates of the capacitive transmit balun and capacitive transmit electrodes and the plates of the capacitive receive baluns and capacitive receive electrodes may vary and for example, take the form similar to the arrangement of FIG. 3. The various dimensions comprising width overlaps W.sub.ol, length overlaps L.sub.ol, distances d.sub.1 and d.sub.2 and distance d.sub.TR may be adjusted as needed.

(63) During operation, the power inverter 426 when driven by the power source 424 outputs an RF signal at operating frequency (f.sub.s), and this RF signal is then applied across the plates of the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 428 thereby to excite the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 428. The excited capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 428 resonates with the series inductor (L.sub.s) 464 at the operating frequency (f.sub.s) thereby generating a resonant electric field. When the capacitive transmit resonator 434 is within the generated resonant electric field, the capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 430 and the capacitive transmit balun (C.sub.drive) 428 resonate with the series inductor (L.sub.TX) 432 and (L.sub.s) 464 at the operating frequency (f.sub.s) thereby generating a resonant electric field that extends to the receive resonator 454.

(64) With the receive resonator 454 in the generated resonant electric field, the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 450 begin to resonate with the series receive inductor (L.sub.RX) 452 resulting in the generation of a resonant electric field in a volume that surrounds the plates of the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 448. When the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 448 is within the generated resonant electric field, the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 448 and the capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 450 resonate with the series inductor (L.sub.RX) 152 at the operating frequency (f.sub.s) resulting in the capacitive receive balun (C.sub.load) 448 outputting an RF signal that is conveyed to the RF-DC rectifier 446.

(65) FIG. 17 depicts an alternative capacitive receive electrode and capacitive receive balun arrangement. This embodiment is similar to the receiver 140 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and as such like components are referred to with the same reference numerals with 400 added for clarity. Similar to the arrangement of FIG. 13, the plates of the capacitive receive balun 548 are shorter or smaller in dimension than the capacitive receive electrodes 550 although if desired the plates of the capacitive receive balun 548 and the capacitive receive electrodes 550 may be of the same dimension. In this embodiment however, rather than being planar, the plates of the capacitive receive balun 548 and the capacitive receive electrodes 550 are curved.

(66) Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the curved plate and electrode arrangement can be applied to the transmitter.

(67) While the conductive elements of the capacitive transmit and receive baluns and the capacitive transmit and receive electrodes have been shown and described as taking the form of generally rectangular parallel plates, those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternatives are possible. The conductive elements of the capacitive transmit and receive baluns and the capacitive transmit and receive electrodes may take various forms. For example, FIG. 18 depicts various geometrical shapes for the conductive elements of the capacitive transmit and receive baluns and the capacitive transmit and receive electrodes. As can be seen, the conductive elements of the capacitive transmit and receive baluns and electrodes can have a square shape, an arrow shape, a convex circular shape, a rhombus shape with curved sides, a circular shape or a triangular shape. As will be appreciated, the conductive elements of the capacitive transmit and receive baluns and the capacitive transmit and receive electrodes may be angled, curved and/or textured in various configurations.

(68) Although the wireless electric field power transmission system is shown as comprising a pair of capacitive transmit electrodes and a pair of capacitive receive electrodes, those of skill in the art will appreciate that more than two capacitive transmit electrodes and more than two capacitive receive electrodes may be employed. Increasing the number of capacitive transmit electrodes (C.sub.TX) 130 and increasing the number of capacitive receive electrodes (C.sub.RX) 150 reduces Eddy current loss.

(69) Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the wireless power transmission system can be used in a variety of applications including those identified in above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,474. Further, applications include, but are not limited to, integrating parts or all of the wireless power transmission system into: a backpack, a vehicle (e.g. fire truck, bus, military vehicles, Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles (UAVs) electric car and hybrid car), a radio communication device, a military base camp, an airplane, a table, a computer (e.g. laptop, desktop and tablet computer), a container, a flat surface (e.g. tables, desks, counters, shelves, walls, floors, ceilings and doors), a phone (e.g. cordless, mobile and cellular), a television set or display panel (e.g. Plasma, LCD, LED and OLED), home electronics (e.g. DVD players, Blu-ray players, receivers, amplifiers, all-in-one home theatre, speakers, sub-woofers, video game consoles, video game controllers, remote control devices, televisions, computers or other monitors, digital cameras, video cameras, digital photo frames, video or image projectors and media streaming devices), and a public space or common area.

(70) Although wireless electric field power transmission systems are shown as comprising a power source connected to a power inverter with the power inverter outputting an RF signal that excites the capacitive balun, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible. For example, the power inverter may be omitted and a power source that outputs an alternating or RF signal to excite the capacitive balun may be employed.

(71) Although embodiments have been described above with reference to the figures, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.