U.S. patent application number 13/960560 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-12 for wireless electrical temperature regulator for food and beverages.
This patent application is currently assigned to DvineWave Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is DvineWave Inc.. Invention is credited to Gregory Scott Brewer, Michael A. Leabman.
Application Number | 20150041459 13/960560 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52447732 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150041459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leabman; Michael A. ; et
al. |
February 12, 2015 |
WIRELESS ELECTRICAL TEMPERATURE REGULATOR FOR FOOD AND
BEVERAGES
Abstract
A cup or plate for heating food or beverages is disclosed. The
cup/plate contains a heating component, which may keep consumable
goods, such as food and beverages at a desired temperature. An
insulated external layer may be placed between the heating
component and the external portion of the cup/plate. A wireless
power receiver may be coupled to the heater component to receive an
electrical power source and transfer it to the heater component. A
transmitter element may form pockets of energy at the location of
the different receivers to be used as power sources.
Inventors: |
Leabman; Michael A.; (San
Ramon, CA) ; Brewer; Gregory Scott; (Livermore,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DvineWave Inc. |
San Ramon |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DvineWave Inc.
San Ramon
CA
|
Family ID: |
52447732 |
Appl. No.: |
13/960560 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/730 ; 62/3.1;
62/3.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20130101;
F25B 2600/07 20130101; B65D 81/3446 20130101; B65D 81/3476
20130101; F25B 21/04 20130101; H05B 6/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/730 ; 62/3.2;
62/3.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/34 20060101
B65D081/34; F25B 21/02 20060101 F25B021/02 |
Claims
1. A method for wireless electrical temperature regulation,
comprising the steps of: Emitting power RF waves from a transmitter
generating pockets of energy through pocket-forming to converge in
3-d space; coupling receivers to a food or beverage receptacle;
capturing the pockets of energy at the receivers; and powering or
charging a heating or cooling regulating component connected to the
receiver within the receptacle.
2. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 1, wherein the heating regulating component is an electrical
resistance to dissipate electrical energy as heat within the
receptacle.
3. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 1, wherein the receptacle is a cup for heating a
beverage.
4. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 1, wherein the container is a plate for heating the food.
5. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 1, wherein the cooling regulating component is a
thermoelectric cooler within the receptacle operated by the Peltier
effect.
6. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 1, wherein the receiver communicates to the transmitter
through short RF signals sent through antenna elements within the
receiver to regulate heating or cooling power.
7. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 6, wherein the short RF signals are standard wireless
communication protocols including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee or FM
radio.
8. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 1, further includes the step of utilizing adaptive
pocket-forming to regulate the pockets of energy to power the
receiver for heating or cooling the receptacle.
9. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 1, further including the step of regulating the temperature
of the receptacle with an electrical switch on a housing of the
receptacle for turning heat or cooling on or off.
10. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 3, wherein the cup includes an external layer to serve as a
thermal insulator.
11. The method for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 1, wherein the temperature regulating component uses gas
expansion or magnetic cooling.
12. A wireless electrical temperature regulator, comprising: a
transmitter for pocket-forming to send controlled radio frequency
waves to converge into pockets of energy in 3-d space; and a
receiver for capturing the pockets of energy to charge or power the
temperature regulator within a receptacle housing to heat or cool a
food or a beverage.
13. The wireless electrical temperature regulator of claim 12,
wherein the receiver is embedding in the housing with an electric
switch to turn on and off the power.
14. The wireless electrical temperature regulator of claim 12,
wherein the temperature regulator includes an electrical resistance
to dissipate electrical energy as heat.
15. The wireless electrical temperature regulator of claim 12,
wherein the temperature regulator includes a thermoelectric
cooler.
16. The wireless electrical temperature regulator of claim 12,
wherein the temperature regulator uses the Peltier effect to heat
or cool the receptacle.
17. The wireless electrical temperature regulator of claim 15,
wherein the temperature regulator utilizes gas expansion or
magnetic cooling to regulate the temperature of the receptacle.
18. An apparatus for wireless electrical temperature regulation,
comprising: a pocket-forming transmitter for transmitting power RF
waves to form pockets of energy to power the apparatus; a receiver
connected to a receptacle for capturing the pockets of energy; and
a temperature regulating component connected to the receiver for
heating or cooling the receptacle, containing a food or
beverage.
19. The apparatus for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 18, further including an electrical switch connected to the
receiver for turning on or off the power to the temperature
regulating component.
20. The apparatus for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 18, wherein the receptacle includes a sensor to determine and
to set the temperature for the food or beverage.
21. The apparatus for wireless electrical temperature regulation of
claim 18, wherein the temperature regulating component utilizes the
Peltier effect, gas expansion or magnetic cooling to regulate the
temperature of the receptacle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure is related to U.S. Non-Provisional
patent application Ser. Nos. 13/891,430 filed May 10, 2013,
entitled "Methodology For Pocket-forming"; Ser. No. 13/925,469
filed Jun. 24, 2013, entitled "Methodology for Multiple
Pocket-Forming"; Ser. No. 13/946,082 filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled
"Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-forming"; Ser. No. 13/891,399
filed Jul. 22, 2013, entitled "Receivers for Wireless Power
Transmission"; and Ser. No. 13/891,445 filed Jul. 22, 2013,
entitled "Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission" the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by these references.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an accessory for managing
desired temperatures for consumable goods, such as beverages and
food, and more particularly to an electric accessory using wireless
power transmission to manage temperature in beverages and food.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Some foods or beverages when consumed are generally
preferred hot. These foods and beverages may not be desirable once
they have cooled off. The use of devices for heating and
maintaining food and beverages at a desired temperature is known in
the art. These devices typically include insulating elements to
limit the rate of heat loss from heated food or liquids. However,
some of these devices are generally not able to keep food or
beverages hot for an extended period of time. Other devices may be
able to keep food or beverages hot by applying a heat source;
however, these devices may require a constant electric power source
or a controlled flame in order to keep consumables at a desired
temperature. Such devices may be tedious and may represent a burden
to consumers. For example, a consumer may need to find available
power sources, such as a power outlet in a wall to connect the
device to. In another example, a flame may use to heat food or
beverages, but may be inconvenient, uncomfortable or hard to
manage. Therefore, a need exists for a convenient and easy to
implement device for maintaining food or beverages at desirable
temperatures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Disclosed here is a cup system whereby liquids, such as
beverages, may be controllably heated to, or maintained at, a
desired temperature using wireless power transmission. The system
includes a cup coupled with a heating component that may induce
heat into beverages. The heating component may receive electrical
energy from a transmitter through a wireless receiver.
[0005] In another embodiment a plate system is disclosed whereby
foods may be controllably heated to or maintained at a desired
temperature using wireless power transmission. The system includes
a plate coupled with a heating component that may induce heat into
food. The heating component may receive electrical energy from a
transmitter through a wireless receiver.
[0006] A method for wireless electrical temperature regulation,
comprising the steps of: emitting power RF waves from a transmitter
generating pockets of energy through pocket-forming to converge in
3-d space; coupling receivers to a food or beverage receptacle;
capturing the pockets of energy at the receivers; and powering or
charging a heating or cooling regulating component connected to the
receiver within the receptacle.
[0007] Numerous other aspects, features and benefits of the present
disclosure may be made apparent from the following detailed
description taken together with the drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way
of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are
schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. Unless
indicated as representing prior art, the figures represent aspects
of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates wireless power transmission using
pocket-forming, according to an embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a component level embodiment for a
transmitter, according to an embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a component level embodiment for a
receiver, according to an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an example component of a temperature
control cup adapted to a wireless power source receiver, according
to an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates an example component of a temperature
control plate adapted to a wireless power source receiver,
according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Definitions
[0014] "Pocket-forming" may refer to generating two or more RF
waves which converge in 3-d space, forming controlled constructive
and destructive interference patterns.
[0015] "Pockets of energy" may refer to areas or regions of space
Where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructive
interference patterns of RF waves.
[0016] "Null-space" may refer to areas or regions of space where
pockets of energy do not form because of destructive interference
patterns of RE waves.
[0017] "Transmitter" may refer to a device, including a chip which
may generate two or more RE signals, at least one RF signal being
phase shifted and gain adjusted with respect to other RF signals,
substantially all of which pass through one or more RF antenna such
that focused RE signals are directed to a target.
[0018] "Receiver" may refer to a device which may include at least
one antenna, at least one rectifying circuit and at least one power
converter for powering or charging an electronic device using RE
waves.
[0019] "Adaptive pocket-forming" may refer to dynamically adjusting
pocket-forming to regulate power on one or more targeted
receivers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the
drawings, which may not be to scale or to proportion, similar
symbols typically identify similar components, unless context
dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the
detailed description, drawings and claims, are not meant to be
limiting. Other embodiments may be used and/or and other changes
may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the
present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates wireless power transmission 100 using
pocket-forming. A transmitter 102 may transmit controlled Radio
Frequency (RF) waves 104 which may converge in 3-d space. These RE
waves may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude
adjustments to form constructive and destructive interference
patterns (pocket-forming). Pockets of energy 106 may form at
constructive interference patterns and can be 3-dimensional in
shape whereas null-spaces may be generated at destructive
interference patterns. A receiver 108 may then utilize pockets of
energy produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an
electronic device, for example a laptop computer 110 and thus
effectively providing wireless power transmission 100, In some
embodiments, there can be multiple transmitters 102 and/or multiple
receivers 108 for powering various electronic devices, for example
smartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same
time. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to
regulate power on electronic devices.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a component level embodiment for a
transmitter 200 which may be utilized to provide wireless power
transmission 100 as described in FIG. 1. Transmitter 200 may
include a housing 202 where at least two or more antenna elements
204, at least one RF integrated circuit (RFIC) 206, at least one
digital signal processor (DSP) or micro-controller 208, and one
optional communications component 210 may be included. Housing 202
can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or
wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard
rubber. Antenna elements 204 may include suitable antenna types for
operating in frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as
these frequency bands conform to Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) regulations part 18 (Industrial, Scientific and Medical
equipment). Antenna elements 204 may include vertical or horizontal
polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical
polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable
polarization combinations. Suitable antenna types may include, for
example, patch antennas with heights from about 1/8 inches to about
6 inch and widths from about 1/8 inches to about 6 inch. Other
antenna elements 204 types can be used, for example meta-materials,
dipole antennas among others. RFIC 206 may include as proprietary
chip for adjusting phases and/or relative magnitudes of RF signals
which may serve as inputs for antenna elements 204 for controlling
pocket-forming. These RF signals may be produced using an external
power supply 212 and a local oscillator chip (not shown) using a
suitable piezoelectric material. Micro-controller 208 may then
process information send by a receiver through its own antenna
elements for determining optimum times and locations for
pocket-forming. In some embodiments, the foregoing may he achieved
through communications component 210. Communications component 210
may be based on standard wireless communication protocols which may
include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. In addition, communications
component 210 may be used to transfer other information such as an
identifier for the device or user, battery level, location or other
such information. Other communications component 210 may be
possible which may include radar, infrared cameras or sound devices
for sonic triangulation for determining the device's position.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a component level embodiment for a
receiver 300 which can be used for powering or charging an
electronic device as exemplified in wireless power transmission
100. Receiver 300 may include a housing 302 where at least one
antenna element 304, one rectifier 306, one power converter 308 and
an optional communications component 310 may be included. Housing
302 can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal
or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard
rubber. Housing 302 may be an external hardware that may be added
to different electronic equipment, for example in the form of
cases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well.
Antenna element 304 may include suitable antenna types for
operating in frequency bands similar to the bands described for
transmitter 200 from FIG. 2. Antenna element 304 may include
vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand
polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable
polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Using
multiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may
not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation
may vary continuously through time, for example a smartphone or
portable gaming system. On the contrary, for devices with
well-defined orientations, for example a two-handed video game
controller, there might be a preferred polarization for antennas
which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given
polarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas
with heights from about 1/8 inches to about 6 inch and widths from
about 1/8 inches to about 6 inch. Patch antennas may have the
advantage that polarization may depend on connectivity, i.e.
depending on which side the patch is fed, the polarization may
change. This may further prove advantageous as a receiver, such as
receiver 300, may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to
optimize wireless power transmission. Rectifier 306 may include
diodes or resistors, inductors or capacitors to rectify the
alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna element 304
to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifier 306 may be placed as
close as is technically possible to antenna element 304 to minimize
losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated
using power converter 308. Power converter 308 can be a DC-DC
converter which may help provide a constant voltage output,
regardless of input, to an electronic device, or as in this
embodiment to a battery 312. Typical voltage outputs can be from
about 5 volts to about 10 volts. Lastly, communications component
310, similar to that of transmitter 200 from FIG. 2, may be
included in receiver 300 to communicate with a transmitter or to
other electronic equipment.
[0024] FIG. 4 is an example embodiment of a receiver 300 coupled
with a cup 400. Cup 400 may include a temperature regulating
component 402. For a cup 400 intended to keep a hot beverage warm,
temperature regulating component 402 may include an electrical
resistance which may dissipate electrical energy as heat which can
then be induced into a hot beverage in order to maintain the
beverage at a desired temperature. For a cup 400 intended to keep a
beverage cold, temperature regulating component 402 may be a
thermoelectric cooler which may operate by the Peltier effect.
Other methods, such as gas expansion or magnetic cooling may be
used as well. A receiver 300 may be used to provide electrical
energy to temperature regulating component 402. Cup 400 may include
an external layer 404 which may serve as an thermal insulator. Cup
400 may also contain additional control components such as an
electrical switch for turning heat on and off or for regulating
temperature. Cup 400 may include at least one or more receiver 300
components.
[0025] Cup 400 may also include a sensor that may determine the
temperature of a beverage. Sensor information may then be sent by
communications component 310 from receiver 300 to a transmitter
200. The information may then be analyzed by micro-controller 208
in order to adjust accordingly and transmit the appropriate amount
of energy to the electrical resistor and subsequently transfer the
energy as heat to temperature regulating component 402.
[0026] FIG. 5 is another example embodiment of a receiver 300
coupled with a plate 500. Plate 500 may include a temperature
regulating component 402. For a plate 500 intended to keep food
warm temperature regulating component 402 may include an electrical
resistance which may dissipate electrical energy as heat which can
then be induced into a food in order to maintain the food at a
desired temperature. For a plate 500 intended to keep food cold,
temperature regulating component 402 may be a thermoelectric cooler
which may operate by the Peltier effect. Other methods, such as gas
expansion or magnetic cooling may be used as well. A receiver 300
may be used to provide electrical energy to an electrical resistor
(not shown in FIG. 5), which may in turn transfer it as heat to
temperature regulating component 402. Plate 500 may include an
external layer 404 which may serve as an thermal insulator. Plate
500 may also contain additional control components such as an
electrical switch for turning heat on and off or for regulating
temperature. Plate 500 may include at least one or more receiver
300 components.
[0027] Plate 500 may also include a sensors that may determine the
temperature of food. Sensor information may then be sent by
communications component 210 to a transmitter 200. The information
may then be analyzed by micro-controller 208 in order to adjust
accordingly and transmit the appropriate amount of energy to the
electrical resistor and subsequently transferred as heat to
temperature regulating component 402.
[0028] In another embodiment, small rechargeable batteries such as
those used in small watches may be included in electrical heaters
as those described in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Batteries may be charged
from pockets of energy 106 and may serve to power temperature
regulating component 402 when out of range from a transmitter
200.
EXAMPLES
Example #1
[0029] is a coffee shop in which hot beverages are served using
cups 400 described in FIG. 4. The cups 400 may be made of cheap
materials, such as cardboard, for discardable purposes or made of
more sophisticated materials like plastic or metal for reusable
purposes. The coffee shop may have a wireless transmitter 200.
Pockets of energy 106 may be formed by transmitter 200 and sent to
receivers 300 in cups 400 that are within the scope of the wireless
power transmission. Cups 400 may then apply heat to the beverages
in order to keep them hot depending on the customers
preferences.
Example #2
[0030] is a restaurant in which food is served using plates 500
described in FIG. 5. Plates 500 may be made of cheap materials,
such as cardboard, for discardable purposes or made of more
sophisticated materials like plastic or metal for reusable
purposes. The restaurant may have a wireless transmitter 200.
Pockets of energy 106 may be formed by transmitter 200 and sent to
receivers 300 in plates 500 that are within the scope of the
wireless power transmission. Plates 500 may then apply heat in
order to keep the food hot depending on the customers
preferences.
Example #3
[0031] is a Bar in which cold drinks are served using cups 400
described in FIG. 4. Cups 400 may be made of cheap materials, such
as cardboard, for discardable purposes or made of more
sophisticated materials like plastic, glass or metal for reusable
purposes. The bar may have a wireless transmitter 200. Pockets of
energy 106 may be formed by transmitter 200 and sent to receivers
300 in cups 400 that are within the scope of the wireless power
transmission. Cups 400 may then cool drinks depending on the
customers preferences.
* * * * *