US-20260128618-A1 - Method and System for Wireless Energy Harvesting and Power Management Using Piezoelectric Components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radio frequency energy harvester module. The harvester module receives an AC input voltage from a wireless power source, rectifies it into a DC voltage, and uses a piezoelectric transformer to convert this voltage into a transformed AC signal, which is subsequently rectified to generate a stable DC output. The system includes an oscillator to generate excitation or oscillation signals, matched to the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transformer. The method includes steps for converting wireless power into usable DC output using rectification, piezoelectric transformation, and feedback-based optimization.

Inventors

• Mahmoud F. Y. Al Ahmad
• Abdulrahman Dahir Saeed Mohamed

Assignees

• UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNIVERSITY

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251219

Claims (7)

1. 1 . A radio frequency energy harvester module comprising: a first rectifying circuit operable to receive an AC input voltage and to generate a biasing signal from the received AC input voltage an oscillator operable to generate an oscillation signal from the biasing signal generated by the first rectifying circuit; a piezoelectric transformer operable to generate a transformed AC voltage from the oscillation signal generated by the oscillator; and, a second rectifying circuit operable to generate a DC output voltage from the transformed AC voltage generated by the piezoelectric transformer.
2. 2 . The radio frequency energy harvester module according to claim 1 , wherein the oscillator is operable to generate the oscillation signal with a frequency matching the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transformer.
3. 3 . The radio frequency energy harvester module according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric transformer is operable to generate an amplified and inverted AC voltage.
4. 4 . The radio frequency energy harvester module according to claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency energy harvester module comprises a wireless power receiving circuit operable to generate the AC input voltage from a wireless power electromagnetic signal.
5. 5 . The radio frequency energy harvester module according to claim 4 , wherein the wireless power receiving circuit comprises an antenna and an impedance matching circuit operable to match the impedance of AC voltage generated from the antenna to the impedance presented by the first rectifying unit.
6. 6 . A method for power conversion using an oscillator, the method comprising: receiving an AC input voltage generated from a wireless power electromagnetic signal; rectifying the AC input voltage to produce a biasing signal; converting the biasing signal to an oscillation signal using the oscillator; generating, from the oscillation signal, a transformed AC voltage using a piezoelectric transformer; rectifying the transformed AC voltage to produce a DC output voltage.
7. 7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein the AC input voltage is generated using the wireless power receiving circuit according to claim 5 .

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 18/826,904, filed on Sep. 6, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of wireless energy harvesting and power management. The invention also includes an optimization circuit for managing power storage and delivery, ensuring stable and adaptive energy supply to external devices. Additionally, it covers methods and systems for integrating the RF energy harvester and optimization circuit into devices that require efficient transition and management between multiple power sources. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of energy harvesting and power management, focusing on systems and methods that enable the efficient and sustainable capture, storage, and utilization of energy from ambient radio frequency (RF) sources. Specifically, this invention concerns an RF energy harvesting module, a battery system, and a device that integrates these components to provide a self-sustaining power solution for low-energy electronic devices. Efficient and sustainable cyclic energy harvesters are designed to continuously convert energy from renewable environmental sources into usable electrical power. These systems capture ambient energy from sources such as solar radiation, wind, thermal gradients, or mechanical vibrations and convert it into electrical energy suitable for powering various electronic devices. The cyclic nature of these harvesters ensures consistent operation over extended periods, making them highly suitable for applications such as sensors, wearable electronics, and remote monitoring systems. One of the primary objectives of these energy harvesters is to maximize energy conversion efficiency while minimizing energy losses. This is often achieved through the use of advanced materials and technologies, such as thermoelectric or photovoltaic materials, which are capable of efficiently transforming energy from one form to another. Additionally, these systems are typically integrated with energy storage solutions, such as supercapacitors or batteries, to store the harvested energy and provide a stable power supply, even when the ambient energy source is intermittent. In the realm of prior art, EP1691426A2 discloses a piezoelectric tag that utilizes a piezoelectric transformer to enhance the voltage of a received RF signal. This system comprises a dipole antenna for receiving RF signals, a rectification circuit for initial signal processing, and a piezoelectric transformer that magnifies the received signal's voltage. The amplified signal is then further rectified and used to power a transponder circuit, showcasing the application of piezoelectric technology in RF energy harvesting and power conversion. Additionally, US2014361662A1 describes an apparatus for energy conversion that integrates a piezoelectric component capable of converting vibrational energy into electrical energy. The system manages the generated electrical energy by splitting it between powering an electronic device and driving an oscillator, which, in turn, excites the piezoelectric component. This feedback loop enhances the vibrational input, thereby increasing the efficiency of energy conversion. The AC output from the piezoelectric component is rectified and stored in an energy storage unit, ensuring regulated power distribution. The development of efficient and sustainable cyclic energy harvesters is driven by the growing need for renewable energy solutions and the increasing demand for autonomous, self-powered devices across various sectors, including environmental monitoring, medical devices, and the Internet of Things (IoT). By harnessing renewable energy sources and ensuring a continuous energy supply, these systems contribute to reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels and promoting environmental sustainability. The present invention addresses these needs by providing a novel RF energy harvesting module capable of efficiently capturing and converting ambient RF energy, a battery system that utilizes an oscillator and a piezoelectric transformer for effective power conversion and storage, and an integrated device that ensures reliable, long-term operation without reliance on external power sources. This innovative approach not only enhances the efficiency of energy harvesting but also supports the development of sustainable, self-sustaining electronic devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect of the present invention there is proposed a radio frequency energy harvester module comprising the following: a first rectifying circuit operable to receive an AC input voltage and to generate a DC input voltage from a received AC input voltage;a DC to AC converter operable to generate an excitation voltage from the DC input voltage generated by the first rectifying circuit;a piezoelectric transformer