System and method for powering a vehicle using radio frequency generators
AssigneeRearden, LLC
InventorStephen G. Perlman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method are described for powering a vehicle using radio frequency (“RF”) signals. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: positioning a plurality of RF generators beneath the road surface of a roadway, the RF generators configured to transmit RF signals in the direction of vehicles traveling over the roadway; coupling a rectenna on a vehicle, the rectenna configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generators and to generate power from the RF signals; and using the power generated by the rectenna to power the vehicle.
Claims17
A method comprising:
- positioning a plurality of RF generators beneath the road surface of a roadway, the RF generators configured to transmit RF signals in a fixed, upward direction towards vehicles traveling over the roadway;
- identifying a particular driver and/or vehicle driving over the roadway;
- determining whether the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals;
- selectively transmitting the RF signals only if the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals;
- coupling a rectenna to the underside of a vehicle, the rectenna configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generators and to generate power from the RF signals;
- and
- using the power generated by the rectenna to power the vehicle.
A system for powering a vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of RF generators positioned beneath a road surface of a roadway, the RF generators configured to transmit RF signals in a fixed, upward direction towards vehicles traveling over the roadway,
- a plurality of authorization/control modules positioned beneath the road surface, the authorization/control modules configured to identify a particular driver and/or vehicle driving over the roadway, to further determine whether the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals, and to cause the RF generators to selectively transmit the RF signals only if the driver and/or vehicle are authorized to receive the RF signals;
- a rectenna coupled to the underside of a vehicle, the rectenna configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generators and to generate power from the RF signals;
- and
- a rechargeable power source within the vehicle, the rechargeable power source capable of being recharged by the power generated by the rectenna.
A system comprising:
- RF generator means positioned beneath a road surface of a roadway, the generator means configured to transmit RF signals in a fixed, upward direction towards vehicles traveling over the roadways,
- authorization/control means positioned beneath the road surface, the authorization/control means configured to identify a particular driver and/or vehicle driving over the roadway, to further determine whether the driver and/or vehicle is authorized to receive the RF signals, and to cause the RF generators to selectively transmit the RF signals only if the driver and/or vehicle are authorized to receive the RF signals;
- rectenna means coupled to the underside of a vehicle, the rectenna means configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generator means and to generate power from the RF signals;
- and
- rechargeable power source means within the vehicle, the rechargeable power source means capable of being recharged by the power generated by the rectenna.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.