公开(公告)号：US09871298B2

公开(公告)日：2018-01-16

申请号：US14582002

申请日：2014-12-23

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： George Daniel ,  Bernard D. Casse ,  Armin R. Volkel ,  Victor Liu

IPC: H02J17/00 ,  H01Q9/16 ,  H01Q9/26 ,  H02J50/27 ,  H01Q1/24 ,  H02J50/20

CPC classification number: H01Q9/16 ,  H01Q1/248 ,  H01Q9/26 ,  H02J50/20 ,  H02J50/27

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting device (rectenna) includes an antenna structure configured to resonate at RF frequencies, and a rectifying circuit that facilitates harvesting multiband RF signals having low energy levels (i.e., tens of mW and below) by utilizing two Zero Bias Schottky diodes having different forward voltage and peak inverse voltage values. Positive voltage pulses from a captured RF signal generated on a first antenna end point are passed by the first diode to a first internal node where they are summed with a second RF signal generated on the second antenna end point (i.e., after being passed through a capacitor), thereby producing a first intermediate voltage having a substantially higher voltage level. Positive voltage pulses are then passed from the first internal node through the second diode to an output control circuit for conversion into a usable DC output voltage.

公开(公告)号：US09972877B2

公开(公告)日：2018-05-15

申请号：US14330977

申请日：2014-07-14

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： Bernard D. Casse ,  Armin R. Volkel ,  Victor Liu ,  Alexander S. Tuganov

IPC: H01P1/18 ,  H01Q3/36 ,  H01Q3/46 ,  H01Q21/06 ,  H01Q21/08

CPC classification number: H01P1/184 ,  H01Q3/36 ,  H01Q3/46 ,  H01Q21/065 ,  H01Q21/08

Abstract: A metamaterial-based phase shifting element utilizes a variable capacitor (varicap) to control the effective capacitance of a metamaterial structure in order to control the phase of a radio frequency output signal generated by the metamaterial structure. The metamaterial structure is configured to resonate at the same radio wave frequency as an incident input signal (radiation), whereby the metamaterial structure emits the output signal by way of controlled scattering the input signal. A variable capacitance applied on metamaterial structure by the varicap is adjustable by way of a control voltage, whereby the output phase is adjusted by way of adjusting the control voltage. The metamaterial structure is constructed using inexpensive metal film or PCB fabrication technology including an upper metal “island” structure, a lower metal backplane layer, and a dielectric layer sandwiched therebetween. The varicap is connected between the island structure and a base metal structure that surrounds the island structure.

公开(公告)号：US09935370B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-03

申请号：US14582033

申请日：2014-12-23

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： Bernard D. Casse ,  George Daniel ,  Armin R. Volkel ,  Victor Liu

IPC: H01F27/42 ,  H01Q5/25 ,  H01Q1/24 ,  H01Q9/26 ,  H02J50/27

CPC classification number: H01Q5/25 ,  H01Q1/248 ,  H01Q9/26 ,  H02J50/27

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting device including a scalable metamaterial resonator antenna and a rectifying circuit formed on a flexible plastic substrate. The metamaterial resonator antenna includes a metal (e.g., silver) structure that is conformally fixedly disposed (i.e., either printed or deposited/etched) on the flexible substrate and configured to resonate at RF frequencies using primary and secondary antenna segments connected by linking segments such that captured RF signals are generated at two antenna end points that are 180° out-of-phase with each other. The rectifying circuit including additional metal structures that are also printed or otherwise formed on the flexible substrate, and one or more circuit elements that are configured to pass positive voltage pulses from the captured RF signals to an output node. Various metamaterial resonator antenna configurations are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20160299038A1

公开(公告)日：2016-10-13

申请号：US14682666

申请日：2015-04-09

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： Victor Liu ,  Sylvia Joan Smullin

IPC: G01M99/00 ,  F25D29/00 ,  G01R21/133

CPC classification number: F25D29/00 ,  F25B2700/15

Abstract: A system for monitoring and analyzing the power consumption of a thermostat-controlled cycling appliance includes a detector configured to sample power consumption to obtain a power consumption time series having resolution sufficient to extract power cycle information for one or more individual components of a thermostat-controlled cycling appliance such as a refrigerator. An analyzer extracts the power cycle information from the sampled power consumption time series, compares the power cycle information to stored information of known power cycle characteristics and classifies the technology of one or more thermostat-controlled cycling appliance components based on comparison of the power cycle information to the stored information. The analyzer is further configured to generate an output that indicates the technology.

Abstract translation: 用于监测和分析恒温控制循环设备的功率消耗的系统包括检测器，其被配置为对功率消耗进行采样以获得具有足够的分辨率的功率消耗时间序列以提取用于恒温器控制的循环设备的一个或多个单独部件的功率循环信息 自行车用具如冰箱。 分析仪从采样功率消耗时间序列中提取功率循环信息，将​​功率循环信息与已知功率循环特性的存储信息进行比较，并根据功率周期信息的比较对一个或多个恒温控制循环设备组件的技术进行分类 到存储的信息。 分析器还被配置为生成指示技术的输出。

公开(公告)号：US10062951B2

公开(公告)日：2018-08-28

申请号：US15066593

申请日：2016-03-10

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： George Daniel ,  Victor Liu ,  Armin R. Volkel ,  Bernard D. Casse

IPC: H01Q1/08 ,  H01Q3/00 ,  H01Q1/36 ,  H01Q23/00

CPC classification number: H01Q1/08 ,  H01Q1/362 ,  H01Q3/00 ,  H01Q11/086 ,  H01Q19/32 ,  H01Q23/00

Abstract: A lightweight deployable antenna assembly for, e.g., microsatellites including multifilar (e.g., quadrifilar) antenna (MHA) structures rigidly maintained in an array pattern by a lightweight linkage and collectively controlled by a central antenna feed circuit and local antenna feed circuits to perform phased array antenna operations. The linkage is preferably an expandable (e.g., flexural-scissor-grid) linkage capable of collapsing into a retracted/stowage state in which the MHA elements are maintained in a closely-spaced (e.g., hexagonal lattice close-packed) configuration optimized for payload storage. To deploy the antenna for operation, the linkage unfolds (expands) such that the MHA elements are moved away from each other and into an evenly spaced (e.g., wide-spaced hexagonal) pattern optimized for phased array operations. The MHA structures utilize modified helical filar elements including metal plated/printed on polymer/plastic beams/ribbons, or thin-walled metal tubes. The helical filar elements are radially offset (e.g., by 90°) and wound around a central axis.

公开(公告)号：US09927188B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-27

申请号：US14740009

申请日：2015-06-15

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： Victor Liu ,  Bernard D. Casse ,  Armin R. Volkel

IPC: F28F13/18 ,  F28F3/00 ,  F28B1/06 ,  F28F13/00

CPC classification number: F28F13/18 ,  F28B1/06 ,  F28F3/00 ,  F28F2013/001 ,  F28F2245/06

Abstract: A low-cost passive radiative cooling panel includes an emitter layer disposed under an upper reflective layer, where the emitter layer includes metamaterial nanostructures (e.g., tapered nanopores) configured to dissipate heat in the form of radiant energy that is transmitted through the reflective layer into cold near-space. In an embodiment the emitter layer includes ultra-black material configured to emit, with an emissivity close to unity, radiant energy having wavelengths/frequencies that fall within known atmospheric transparency windows (e.g., 8-13 μm or 16-28 μm). In a practical embodiment the emitter layer is formed using a modified Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) self-assembly technique followed by electroless plating that forms metal-plated tapered nanopores. The reflective layer includes a distributed Bragg reflector configured to reflect at least 94% of incident solar light while passing the emitted radiant energy, and in some embodiments is implemented using a low-cost, commercially available solar mirror film.

公开(公告)号：US20170284720A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-05

申请号：US15087367

申请日：2016-03-31

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： Victor Liu ,  Sylvia Joan Smullin

IPC: F25B49/02 ,  F24F11/00 ,  G08B21/18 ,  G06N5/04

CPC classification number: F25B49/027 ,  F24F11/46 ,  F24F11/52 ,  F24F11/62 ,  F24F11/63 ,  F24F2130/10 ,  F24F2140/60 ,  F25B2700/15 ,  G06N5/04 ,  G08B21/18

Abstract: A system is configured to remotely determine characteristics of a local operating environment of an outdoor condenser unit. The system includes a detector configured to sample power consumption of the condenser unit to obtain a sampled power consumption time series. An analyzer receives the sampled time series of the detector and determines characteristics of a local operating environment of the condenser unit from the power consumption time series. The analyzer generates an output that includes information about the local operating environment.

公开(公告)号：US20160363394A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-15

申请号：US14740051

申请日：2015-06-15

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： Victor Liu ,  Bernard D. Casse ,  Armin R. Volkel

IPC: F28F9/22

CPC classification number: F28F9/22 ,  F28B1/06 ,  F28F3/00 ,  F28F13/18 ,  F28F2013/001 ,  F28F2245/06

Abstract: A passive radiative cooling system in which an ultra-black emitter includes metamaterial nanostructures disposed on the top surface of a metal sheet, and a conduit structure channels the flow of coolant against a bottom surface of the metal sheet. The metamaterial nanostructures (e.g., tapered nanopores) are configured to dissipate heat from the coolant in the form of emitted radiant energy having wavelengths/frequencies that fall within known atmospheric transparency windows (e.g., 8-13 μm or 16-28 μm), the emitted radiant energy being transmitted through a reflective layer into cold near-space. The ultra-black emitter is formed using a modified Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) self-assembly technique followed by electroless plating that forms metal-plated tapered nanopores, and the reflective layer includes a distributed Bragg reflector. The cooling system is made scalable by way of modular cooling units (modules) that are configured for connection in series and parallel to form dry cooling systems suitable for large power plants.

Abstract translation: 一种被动辐射冷却系统，其中超黑色发射器包括设置在金属片的顶表面上的超材料纳米结构，并且导管结构将冷却剂流引导通过金属片的底表面。 超材料纳米结构（例如，锥形纳米孔）被配置为以具有落入已知的大气透明度窗口（例如，8-13μm或16-28μm）内的波长/频率的发射辐射能的形式从冷却剂中散热， 发射的辐射能量通过反射层传输到冷空间。 超黑色发射体使用改进的阳极氧化铝（AAO）自组装技术形成，接着是化学镀，其形成金属镀层的锥形纳米孔，并且反射层包括分布式布拉格反射器。 冷却系统可通过模块化冷却单元（模块）进行扩展，模块化冷却单元（模块）配置为串联和并联连接，形成适用于大型发电厂的干式冷却系统。

公开(公告)号：US20160362807A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-15

申请号：US14740032

申请日：2015-06-15

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： Bernard D. Casse ,  Victor Liu ,  Armin R. Volkel

IPC: C25D11/04 ,  C25D11/24 ,  C25D11/18 ,  C25D5/48 ,  C25D3/38 ,  C25D3/48 ,  C25D5/44 ,  C25D11/20 ,  C25D3/12

CPC classification number: C25D11/045 ,  C23C18/1848 ,  C23C18/1896 ,  C23C18/36 ,  C25D5/02 ,  C25D11/024 ,  C25D11/18 ,  C25D11/20 ,  C25D11/24 ,  F28F13/185 ,  F28F2245/06

Abstract: Passive radiative cooling panels are produced by anodizing an aluminum foil sheet to form metamaterial nanostructures and then forming a plated metal over the metamaterial nanostructures to produce an ultra-black emitter, and then securing a reflective layer (e.g., a solar mirror film) onto the ultra-black emitter. The process is implementable in a roll-to-roll-type fabricating system in which a continuous aluminum foil ribbon extends from a feed roll through an anodization station to a reflector mounting station such that a first ribbon section undergoes anodization while a second ribbon section undergoes plating and a reflective layer is mounted onto a third ribbon section. A modified Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) self-assembly technique is utilized to generate tapered nanopores that are then plated to generate an ultra-black emitter capable of generating broadband radiant energy with an emissivity close to unity. Modules are produced by mounting the panels onto conduit structures.

Abstract translation: 被动辐射冷却板通过阳极氧化铝箔片以形成超材料纳米结构，然后在超材料纳米结构上形成电镀金属以产生超黑色发射体，然后将反射层（例如，太阳镜膜）固定到 超黑色发射器。 该方法可以在卷对卷型制造系统中实现，其中连续铝箔带从进料辊延伸穿过阳极氧化站到反射器安装台，使得第一带部分进行阳极氧化，而第二带部分经历 电镀和反射层安装在第三带状部分上。 改进的阳极氧化铝（AAO）自组装技术用于产生锥形纳米孔，然后电镀以产生能够产生接近于单位的发射率的宽带辐射能的超黑色发射体。 模块通过将面板安装到导管结构上来生产。

公开(公告)号：US20160166843A1

公开(公告)日：2016-06-16

申请号：US14567604

申请日：2014-12-11

Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated

Inventor： Bernard D. Casse ,  Victor Liu ,  Armin R. Volkel ,  George Daniel

IPC: A61N1/40

CPC classification number: A61N1/403 ,  A61N5/025 ,  A61N5/04 ,  A61N2005/027 ,  H01Q3/36 ,  H01Q3/46 ,  H01Q15/0086 ,  H01Q21/065 ,  H01Q21/08

Abstract: A device includes a phase shifting element array comprising a plurality of metamaterial structures that resonate in response to an input electromagnetic (EM) signal. The phase shifting element array generates an output EM signal that is a sum of component output electromagnetic signals generated respectively by the metamaterial structures and is configured to propagate wirelessly through at least a portion of a patient's body. A control circuit controls one or both of phases and amplitudes of the component electromagnetic output signals so that at least one of constructive and destructive interference between the component output electromagnetic signals causes the output signal to have a higher intensity EM radiation at a target region interior to the body and to have a zero or low intensity radiation at a non-target region interior to the body.

Abstract translation: 一种装置包括：相移元件阵列，包括响应于输入电磁（EM）信号而谐振的多个超材料结构。 相移元件阵列产生输出EM信号，该输出EM信号是由超材料结构分别产生的分量输出电磁信号的总和，并被配置为无线地传播通过患者身体的至少一部分。 控制电路控制分量电磁输出信号的相位和幅度中的一个或两个，使得分量输出电磁信号之间的建构性和相消干涉中的至少一个导致输出信号在目标区域内部具有更高强度的EM辐射 身体并且在身体内部的非目标区域具有零或低强度辐射。