METHODS AND DEVICES FOR HARVESTING IONIC ENERGY TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY

Abstract

A system for harvesting atmospheric ionic energy to generate electricity is provided. The present invention embodies the utilization of the electric equipotential differences in the earth's electrostatic field through providing a generator device extending vertically into the atmosphere perpendicular to ground. The generator device includes electrical collectors adapted to conduct surface charge. A ground circuit coupled to the generator device is adapted to distribute the surface charge to attract oppositely charged atmospheric ions so that the electrostatic energy is converted to a low amperage, high voltage transaction of moving electrons up though the apparatus, reciprocal in direction to the electrostatic field previously mentioned so as to be useable for conventional electrical systems.

Claims

1. A system for harvesting atmospheric ionic energy to generate useable electricity, comprising: one or more collectors positioned in a preselected portion of the earth's electrostatic field, the one or more collectors configured to conduct a surface charge; and a ground circuit electrically coupled to the one or more collectors, the ground circuit configured to distribute the surface charge so as to provide a potential difference between the one or more collectors and said preselected portion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the ground circuit her comprises an electrolytic circuit and a unidirectional circuit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more collectors are conducting surfaces,

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more collectors are positioned to optimize the collisions and/or attractions of naturally occurring ions.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the conducting surfaces are connected to a single point of high ground potential for instilling the potential difference.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an elongated member for positioning one or more collectors.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electrostatic conversion apparatus coupled to the ground circuit for converting the surface charge to an electrical charge.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrostatic conversion apparatus is a electrostatic motor or spark gap.

9. A system for harvesting atmospheric ionic energy to generate useable electricity, comprising: one or more collectors positioned in a preselected portion of the earth's electrostatic field, the one or more collectors provide a conducting surface configured to conduct a surface charge; a ground circuit electrically coupled to the one or more collectors; the ground circuit comprises an electrolytic circuit and a unidirectional circuit configured to distribute the surface charge so as to provide a potential difference between the one or more collectors and said preselected portion, wherein the conducting surfaces are connected to a single point of high ground potential for instilling the potential difference; and an electrostatic conversion apparatus coupled to the ground circuit for converting the surface charge to an electrical charge.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the electrostatic conversion apparatus is an electrostatic motor or spark gap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention may include a system for harvesting atmospheric Ionic energy to generate electricity. The atmospheric Ionic energy results from cosmic radiation in space colliding with gases in the terrestrial atmosphere, wherein a global charge differential is created between the charged ionosphere and ground. The system present invention embodies one or more conductive surfaces or collectors 20 coupled to a generator device 10 positioned or arranged to optimize the collision and/or attraction of naturally occurring ions at a subatomic level.

[0019] The collectors 20 on the generator device 10 are connected by conducting material at a single point which is connected to a high ground potential to provide a potential difference between it and the surrounding atmosphere. The generator device 10 is electrically connected to a ground circuit 50 adapted to direct the charge through electrical systems that detect and transfer the charge into useable electricity. The ground circuit 50 is adapted distribute the electrostatic charge manifested by the generator device 10 and converted to electrical charge by a spark gap, electrostatic motors, or others electro.

[0020] The ground circuit 50 includes, at minimum, an electrolytic circuit and a circuit that allows only a single direction of electron flow to or from the powerful ground potential. Although the ground circuit 50 may vary depending on the application, it usually involves a furthering of the charge at the top of the generating device 10 (however high it may be elevated), via an electrical connection into electrostatic motors, spark gaps, transformation processes such as the blocking oscillators, and boost converters, other electrical systems, and/or power storage devices, connected directly to a DC device for consumption, and/or immediately fed into a grid for consumption.

[0021] In summary, the generator device 10 embodies a utilization of the electric equipotential differences in the earth's electrostatic field, maintained by the ionosphere and generated primarily through various methods including but not limited to, cosmic cascade ion formation, solar radiation, and other upper atmospheric phenomena. The generator device 10 is presented by grounding a wire extending vertically into the atmosphere perpendicular to ground. At the end of the generator device 10, there are one or more collectors 20, tasked with using physical shape and atomic form to manipulate the conducted surface charge () and distribute the surface charge (from the generator device 10) to positively charged cations. Electrons are conducted through the generator device 10. The system may be adapted to use the opposite attracting charge to attract and neutralize both big and small ions (generated by the cosmic cascade process) by distributing electrons. This process results in the low amperage, high voltage transaction of moving electrons up though the apparatus, reciprocal in direction to the electrostatic field previously mentioned.

[0022] The sequence of the systems may always lead with the conductorsthe collectors 20followed by electrostatic conversion apparatuses (such as the ones listed above). The generator device 10 has the leniency to undergo many forms, dependent on the area, desired output, and environmental discretion. Although there is variation, the primary concept is to provide conductive materials, either metals such as aluminum and/or copper, and/or other conductors (such as graphite or graphene) in the form of collectors 20. Next, they must be fashioned into a conductive surface, taking the forms of either plates, spheres, points, or a lattice structure of intersections. Many of the potential ground circuit 50 additions beyond the electrolytic and diode component serve merely to amplify or boost the effect of the collectors 20.

[0023] A method of using the present invention may include the following. The system disclosed above may be provided. A user may elevate the generator device 10 above its attached ground potential to any height between the earth and the ionosphere. In certain embodiments, the user is attempting to maximize the generator device's 10 distance from ground. For instance, a user may start by driving a ground rod into the ground of the location desired for application, as illustrated in FIG. 6. After the ground has been installed, one must construct or install the ground circuit 50. A pole to elevate the device is not strictly necessary. It can be elevated in other ways, such as being hooked to a balloon, or any other method of elevation capable of achieving distance from ground.

[0024] A conductive wire may be placed on the bottom of the generator device 10 above and lead down to the ground where it is connected to the ground and accompanying ground circuit 50. The voltage potential between the ground circuit 50 and ground is converted into a useable wattage by manipulating the interchangeability of voltage, resistance and amperage.

[0025] Designed as an alternative for small scale solar, or an addition to a solar panel to provide 24-hour production, the present invention alleviates or reduced the need for batteries because the device produces electricity all hours of the day and night. Instead, so-called capacitor storage systems can be used which have a useful lifespan of decades. There are also no moving parts or components that must be cleaned like a solar panel. The device does not lose its efficiency over time.

[0026] For centralized power generation, groups of these devices can be installed with larger and higher tower configurations resulting in higher voltage and current output per device. These collector farms could be installed with a micro-grid configuration to power neighborhood, campuses and industrial parks.

[0027] Additionally, the technology could be used in space exploration to provide power on other planets. Planets with more charged atmospheres yield a possibility of manifesting a charge that is equal to or greater than that on earth.

[0028] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.