U.S. patent application number 12/637724 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for energy collection.
This patent application is currently assigned to McCowen Power Co., LLC. Invention is credited to Clint McCowen.
Application Number | 20100090563 12/637724 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38427952 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100090563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCowen; Clint |
April 15, 2010 |
Energy Collection
Abstract
An energy collection system may collect and use the energy
generated by an electric field. Collection fibers are suspended
from a support wire system supported by poles. The support wire
system is electrically connected to a load by a connecting wire.
The collection fibers may be made of any conducting material, but
carbon and graphite are preferred. Diodes may be used to restrict
the backflow or loss of energy.
Inventors: |
McCowen; Clint; (Navarre,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Balser & Grell IP Law LLC
4307 Jones Bridge Circle
Norcross
GA
30092
US
|
Assignee: |
McCowen Power Co., LLC
|
Family ID: |
38427952 |
Appl. No.: |
12/637724 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12255130 |
Oct 21, 2008 |
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12637724 |
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|
11358264 |
Feb 21, 2006 |
7439712 |
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12255130 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
310/309 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02N 3/00 20130101; H01M
8/00 20130101; H01M 16/003 20130101; H02N 11/002 20130101; H02N
1/10 20130101; Y02E 60/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
310/309 |
International
Class: |
H02N 1/00 20060101
H02N001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of collecting energy comprising: suspending at least
one collection device with a high density of points per area of the
device from a support structure, the at least one collection device
electrically connected to the support structure; and providing a
load with an electrical connection to the at least one collection
device to draw current.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection device comprises a
diode.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection device comprises a
collection fiber.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection device comprises a
diode and a collection fiber and the diode is electrically
connected between the collection fiber and the load.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing energy
provided to the load.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein storing energy provided to the
load comprises storing energy in a capacitor or an inductor.
7. The method of claim 3, wherein the collection fiber comprises
carbon fiber or graphite fiber.
8. A system of energy collection comprising: a support structure;
at least one collection device with a high density of points per
area of the device electrically connected to the support structure;
and a load electrically connected to the at least one collection
device.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the collection device comprises a
diode.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the collection device comprises
a collection fiber.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the collection device comprises
a collection fiber and a diode electrically connected between the
load and the collection fiber.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the diode is elevated relative
to the ground level.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the collection fiber comprises
a carbon fiber or a graphite fiber.
14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a diode electrically
connected between the at least one collection device and the
support structure.
15. The system of claim 8, further comprising: a switch connected
in series between the at least one collection device and the load;
and a capacitor connected in parallel with the switch and the
load.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the switch comprises an
interrupter connected between the plurality at least one collection
device, and wherein the interrupter comprises at least one of a
fluorescent tube, a neon bulb, an AC light, or a spark gap.
17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a transformer
connected between the interrupter and the load.
18. The system of claim 8, further comprising: a motor for
providing power, the motor connected between the at least one
collection device and the load; and a generator powered by the
motor.
19. The system of claim 8, further comprising a fuel cell between
the support structure and the load.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the fuel cell produces hydrogen
and oxygen.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/255,130, filed on Oct. 21, 2008,
which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/358,264, filed on Feb. 21, 2006, and issued under U.S. Pat.
No. 7,439,712 on Oct. 21, 2008, which is incorporated by reference
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to energy and,
more particularly, is related to systems and methods for collecting
energy.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The concept of fair weather electricity deals with the
electric field and the electric current in the atmosphere
propagated by the conductivity of the air. Clear, calm air carries
an electrical current, which is the return path for thousands of
lightening storms simultaneously occurring at any given moment
around the earth. For simplicity, this energy may be referred to as
static electricity or static energy. FIG. 1 illustrates a weather
circuit for returning the current from lightning, for example, back
to ground 10. Weather currents 20, 30 return the cloud to ground
current 40.
[0004] In a lightening storm, an electrical charge is built up, and
electrons arc across a gas, ionizing it and producing the
lightening flash. As one of ordinary skill in the art understands,
the complete circuit requires a return path for the lightening
flash. The atmosphere is the return path for the circuit. The
electric field due to the atmospheric return path is relatively
weak at any given point because the energy of thousands of
electrical storms across the planet are diffused over the
atmosphere of the entire Earth during both fair and stormy weather.
Other contributing factors to electric current being present in the
atmosphere may include cosmic rays penetrating and interacting with
the earth's atmosphere, and also the migration of ions, as well as
other effects yet to be fully studied.
[0005] Some of the ionization in the lower atmosphere is caused by
airborne radioactive substances, primarily radon. In most places of
the world, ions are formed at a rate of 5-10 pairs per cubic
centimeter per second at sea level. With increasing altitude,
cosmic radiation causes the ion production rate to increase. In
areas with high radon exhalation from the soil (or building
materials), the rate may be much higher.
[0006] Alpha-active materials are primarily responsible for the
atmospheric ionization. Each alpha particle (for instance, from a
decaying radon atom) will, over its range of some centimeters,
create approximately 150,000-200,000 ion pairs.
[0007] While there is a large amount of usable energy available in
the atmosphere, a method or apparatus for efficiently collecting
that energy has not been forthcoming. Therefore, a heretofore
unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the
aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
SUMMARY
[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and
methods for collecting energy. Briefly described in architecture,
one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented by a
support structure wire elevated above a ground level, at least one
collection fiber electrically connected to the support structure
wire; a load electrically connected to the support structure wire;
and a diode electrically connected between the load and at least
one collection fiber.
[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be viewed as
providing methods for collecting energy. In this regard, one
embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly
summarized by the following steps: suspending at least one
collection fiber from a support structure wire elevated above
ground level, the fiber electrically connected to the support
structure wire; providing a load with an electrical connection to
the support structure wire to draw current; and providing a diode
electrically connected between the collection fiber and the
load.
[0010] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in
the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features, and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be
protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.
Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a weather energy circuit.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
many energy collectors elevated above ground by a structure.
[0014] FIG. 2A is a side view of an energy collection fiber
suspended from a support wire.
[0015] FIG. 2B is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an
energy collection fiber suspended from a support wire and with an
additional support member.
[0016] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a support structure for
multiple energy collection fibers.
[0017] FIG. 2D is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a
support structure for multiple energy collection fibers.
[0018] FIG. 2E is a side view of a support structure for an energy
collection fiber.
[0019] FIG. 2F is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a
support structure for an energy collection fiber.
[0020] FIG. 2G is a side view of a support structure for multiple
energy collection fibers.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
circuit for the collection of energy.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
circuit for the collection of energy.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an
energy collection circuit for powering a generator and motor.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
circuit for collecting energy and using it for the production of
hydrogen and oxygen.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
circuit for collecting energy, and using it for driving a fuel
cell.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a
circuit for collecting energy.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
collecting energy with a collection fiber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Electric charges on conductors reside entirely on the
external surface of the conductors, and tend to concentrate more
around sharp points and edges than on flat surfaces. Therefore, an
electric field received by a sharp conductive point may be much
stronger than a field received by the same charge residing on a
large smooth conductive shell. An exemplary embodiment of this
disclosure takes advantage of this property, among others, to
collect and use the energy generated by an electric field in the
atmosphere. Referring to collection system 100 presented in FIG. 2,
at least one collection device 130 may be suspended from a support
wire system 120 supported by poles 110. Collection device 130 may
comprise a diode or a collection fiber individually, or the
combination of a diode and a collection fiber. Support wire system
120 may be electrically connected to load 150 by connecting wire
140. Supporting wire system 120 may be any shape or pattern. Also,
conducting wire 140 may be one wire or multiple wires. The
collection device 130 in the form of a fiber may comprise any
conducting or non-conducting material, including carbon, graphite,
Teflon, and metal. An exemplary embodiment utilizes carbon or
graphite fibers for static electricity collection. Support wire
system 120 and connecting wire 140 can be made of any conducting
material, including aluminum or steel, but most notably, copper.
Teflon may be added to said conductor as well, such as non-limiting
examples of a Teflon impregnated wire, a wire with a Teflon
coating, or Teflon strips hanging from a wire. Conducting wire 120,
140, and 200 may be bare wire, or coated with insulation as a
non-limiting example. Wires 120 and 140 are a means of transporting
the energy collected by collection device 130.
[0029] An exemplary embodiment of the collection fibers as
collection device 130 includes graphite or carbon fibers. Graphite
and carbon fibers, at a microscopic level, can have hundreds of
thousands of points. Atmospheric electricity may be attracted to
these points. If atmospheric electricity can follow two paths where
one is a flat surface and the other is a pointy, conductive
surface, the electrical charge will be attracted to the pointy,
conductive surface. Generally, the more points that are present,
the higher energy that can be gathered. Therefore, carbon, or
graphite fibers are examples that demonstrate exemplary collection
ability.
[0030] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the height of support
wire 120 may be an important factor. The higher that collection
device 130 is from ground, the larger the voltage potential between
collection device 130 and electrical ground. The electric field may
be more than 100 volts per meter under some conditions. When
support wire 120 is suspended in the air at a particular altitude,
wire 120 will itself collect a very small charge from ambient
voltage. When collection device 130 is connected to support wire
120, collection device 130 becomes energized and transfers the
energy to support wire 120.
[0031] A diode, not shown in FIG. 2, may be connected in several
positions in collection system 100. A diode is a component that
restricts the direction of movement of charge carriers. It allows
an electric current to flow in one direction, but essentially
blocks it in the opposite direction. A diode can be thought of as
the electrical version of a check valve. The diode may be used to
prevent the collected energy from discharging into the atmosphere
through the collection fiber embodiment of collection device 130.
An exemplary embodiment of the collection device comprises the
diode with no collection fiber. A preferred embodiment, however,
includes a diode at the connection point of a collection fiber to
support system 120 such that the diode is elevated above ground.
Multiple diodes may be used between collection device 130 and load
150. Additionally, in an embodiment with multiple fibers, the
diodes restricts energy that may be collected through one fiber
from escaping through another fiber.
[0032] Collection device 130 may be connected and arranged in
relation to support wire system 120 by many means. Some
non-limiting examples are provided in FIGS. 2A-2G using a
collection fiber embodiment. FIG. 2A presents support wire 200 with
connecting member 210 for collection device 130. Connection member
210 may be any conducting material allowing for the flow of
electricity from connection device 130 to support wire 200. Then,
as shown in FIG. 2, the support wire 200 of support system 120 may
be electrically connected through conducting wire 140 to load 150.
A plurality of diodes may be placed at any position on the support
structure wire. A preferred embodiment places a diode at an
elevated position at the connection point between a collection
fiber embodiment of collection device 130 and connection member
210.
[0033] Likewise, FIG. 2B shows collection fiber 130 electrically
connected to support wire 200 and also connected to support member
230. Support member 230 may be connected to collection fiber 130 on
either side. Support member 230 holds the fiber steady on both ends
instead of letting it move freely. Support member 230 may be
conducting or non-conducting. A plurality of diodes may be placed
at any position on the support structure wire. A preferred
embodiment places a diode at elevated position at the connection
point between collection fiber 130 and support wire 200 or between
fiber 130, support member 230, and support wire 200.
[0034] FIG. 2C presents multiple collection fibers in a squirrel
cage arrangement with top and bottom support members. Support
structure 250 may be connected to support structure wire 200 by
support member 240. Structure 250 has a top 260 and a bottom 270
and each of the multiple collection fibers 130 are connected on one
end to top 260 and on the other end to bottom 270. A plurality of
diodes may be placed at any position on support structure 250. A
preferred embodiment places a diode at an elevated position at the
connection point between collection fiber 130 and support structure
wire 200.
[0035] FIG. 2D presents another exemplary embodiment of a support
structure with support members 275 in an x-shape connected to
support structure wire 200 at intersection 278 with collection
fibers 130 connected between ends of support members 275. A
plurality of diodes may be placed at any position on the support
structure. A preferred embodiment places a diode at an elevated
position at the connection point between collection fiber 130 and
support wire 200.
[0036] FIG. 2E provides another exemplary embodiment for supporting
collection fiber 130. Collection fiber 130 may be connected on one
side to support member 285, which may be connected to support
structure wire 200 in a first location and on the other side to
support member 280, which may be connected to support structure
wire 200 in a second location on support structure wire 200. The
first and second locations may be the same location, or they may be
different locations, even on different support wires. A plurality
of diodes may be placed at any position on the support structure. A
preferred embodiment places one or more diodes at elevated
positions at the connection point(s) between collection fiber 130
and support wire 200.
[0037] FIG. 2F presents another exemplary embodiment of a support
for a collection fiber. Two support members 290 may support either
side of a collection fiber and are connected to support wire 200 in
a single point. A plurality of diodes may be placed at any position
on the support structure. A preferred embodiment places a diode at
an elevated position at the connection point between collection
fiber 130 and support wire 200.
[0038] FIG. 2G provides two supports as provided in FIG. 2F such
that at least two support members 292, 294 may be connected to
support structure wire 200 in multiple locations and collection
fibers 130 may be connected between each end of the support
structures. Collection fibers 130 may be connected between each end
of a single support structure and between multiple support
structures. A plurality of diodes may be placed at any position on
the support structure. A preferred embodiment places one or more
diodes at elevated positions at the connection point(s) between
collection fiber 130 and support structure wire 200.
[0039] FIG. 3 provides a schematic diagram of storing circuit 300
for storing energy collected by one or more collection devices (130
from FIG. 2). Load 150 induces current flow. Diode 310 may be
electrically connected in series between one or more collection
devices (130 from FIG. 2) and load 150. A plurality of diodes may
be placed at any position in the circuit. Switch 330 may be
electrically connected between load 150 and at least one collection
device (130 from FIG. 2) to connect and disconnect the load.
Capacitor 320 maybe connected in parallel to the switch 330 and
load 150 to store energy when switch 330 is open for delivery to
load 150 when switch 330 is closed. Rectifier 340 may be
electrically connected in parallel to load 150, between the
receiving end of switch 330 and ground. Rectifier 340 may be a
full-wave or a half-wave rectifier. Rectifier 340 may include a
diode electrically connected in parallel to load 150, between the
receiving end of switch 330 and ground. The direction of the diode
of rectifier 340 is optional.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment provided in FIG. 4, storage
circuit 400 stores energy from one or more collection devices (130
from FIG. 2) by charging capacitor 410. If charging capacitor 410
is not used, then the connection to ground shown at capacitor 410
is eliminated. A plurality of diodes may be placed at any position
in the circuit. Diode 310 may be electrically connected in series
between one or more collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) and load
150. Diode 440 may be placed in series with load 150. The voltage
from capacitor 410 can be used to charge spark gap 420 when it
reaches sufficient voltage. Spark gap 420 may comprise one or more
spark gaps in parallel. Non-limiting examples of spark gap 420
include mercury-reed switches and mercury-wetted reed switches.
When spark gap 420 arcs, energy will arc from one end of the spark
gap 420 to the receiving end of the spark gap 420. The output of
spark gap 420 may be electrically connected in series to rectifier
450. Rectifier 450 may be a full-wave or a half-wave rectifier.
Rectifier 450 may include a diode electrically connected in
parallel to transformer 430 and load 150, between the receiving end
of spark gap 420 and ground. The direction of the diode of
rectifier 450 is optional. The output of rectifier 450 is connected
to transformer 430 to drive load 150.
[0041] FIG. 5 presents motor driver circuit 500. One or more
collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) are electrically connected to
static electricity motor 510, which powers generator 520 to drive
load 150. A plurality of diodes may be placed at any position in
the circuit. Motor 510 may also be directly connected to load 150
to drive it directly.
[0042] FIG. 6 demonstrates a circuit 600 for producing hydrogen. A
plurality of diodes maybe placed at any position in the circuit.
One or more collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) are electrically
connected to primary spark gap 610, which may be connected to
secondary spark gap 640. Non-limiting examples of spark gaps 610,
640 include mercury-reed switches and mercury-wetted reed switches.
Secondary spark gap 640 may be immersed in water 630 within
container 620. When secondary spark gap 640 immersed in water 630
is energized, spark gap 640 may produce bubbles of hydrogen and
oxygen, which may be collected to be used as fuel.
[0043] FIG. 7 presents circuit 700 for driving a fuel cell. A
plurality of diodes may be placed at any position in the circuit.
Collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) provide energy to fuel cell
720 which drives load 150. Fuel cell 720 may produce hydrogen and
oxygen.
[0044] FIG. 8 presents exemplary circuit 800 for the collection of
energy. Storage circuit 800 stores energy from one or more
collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) by charging capacitor 810. If
charging capacitor 810 is not used, then the connection to ground
shown at capacitor 810 is eliminated. A plurality of diodes may be
placed at any position in the circuit. The voltage from capacitor
810 can be used to charge spark gap 820 when it reaches sufficient
voltage. Spark gap 820 may comprise one or more spark gaps in
parallel or in series. Non-limiting examples of spark gap 820
include mercury-reed switches and mercury-wetted reed switches.
When spark gap 820 arcs, energy will arc from one end of spark gap
820 to the receiving end of spark gap 820. The output of spark gap
820 may be electrically connected in series to rectifier 825.
Rectifier 825 may be a full-wave or a half-wave rectifier.
Rectifier 825 may include a diode electrically connected in
parallel to inductor 830 and load 150, between the receiving end of
spark gap 820 and ground. The direction of the diode of rectifier
825 is optional. The output of rectifier 825 is connected to
inductor 830. Inductor 830 may be a fixed value inductor or a
variable inductor. Capacitor 870 may be placed in parallel with
load 150.
[0045] FIG. 9 presents a flow diagram of a method for collecting
energy. In block 910, one or more collection devices may be
suspended from a support structure wire. In block 920, a load may
be electrically connected to the support structure wire to draw
current. In block 930 a diode may be electrically connected between
the support structure wire and the electrical connection to the
load. In block 940, energy provided to the load may be stored or
otherwise utilized.
[0046] Any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be
understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code
which include one or more executable instructions for implementing
specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate
implementations are included within the scope of the preferred
embodiment of the present disclosure in which functions may be
executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including
substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the
functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably
skilled in the art of the present disclosure.
[0047] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments
of the present disclosure, particularly, any "preferred"
embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations,
merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the
disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the
above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing
substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All
such modifications and variations are intended to be included
herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present
disclosure and protected by the following claims.
* * * * *