Atmospheric electrical generator

• US 7,855,476 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2008
• Issued: 12/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sefe, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sefe, Inc.
• Inventors: Ogram, Mark Ellery
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Fritz M
• Application Number:
  US12/218,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20100007218A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 307/149, 307/145, 244/30, 244/31, 174/2, 361/212, 361215-218, 361/230, 361/231
• US Class Current: 307/145
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/50 Captive balloons
• CPC Class Codes: H05F 7/00 Use of naturally-occurring electricity, e.g. lightning or static electricity

Abstract

A mechanism to tap an electrical source which uses an aircraft (preferably a lighter than air balloon) tethered by a conductive line. The conductive line is extended/withdrawn by a winch motor to adjust the altitude of the aircraft. The conductive line is isolated from the ground and an electrical conductor is connected to the conductive line and to an electrical load. In this manner, static electricity generated in the atmosphere is gathered for use.

Claims

1. A mechanism to tap an electrical source comprising:

a) a lighter than air balloon suspended in the atmosphere;

b) a base unit having a spool of conductive line on a winch motor, one end of said conductive line secured to said lighter than air balloon, a portion of said conductive line collecting electricity in the atmosphere, said winch motor capable of selectively extending or withdrawing said conductive line from said spool;

c) an insulator electrically isolating said conductive line from ground;

d) a conductor having a first end electrically connected to said conductive line and a second end electrically connected to a load being powered by collected electricity from said conductive line;

e) an electrical flow sensor monitoring electrical flow through said conductor and generating an electrical flow indicia indicative of said electrical flow in said conductor; and

,

f) a controller receiving said electrical flow indicia and selectively operating said winch motor such that said electrical flow indicia remains within a selected operating range.

2. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 1, wherein said selected operating range is established by an operator.

3. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 2, further including a warning light activated when said electrical flow indicia is non-zero.

4. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 1,

a) further including a lightning sensor generating a lightning presence indicia indicative of lightning within a prescribed range, said presence indicia being communicated to said controller;

and,

b) wherein said control mechanism, in response to said lightning presence indicia, operates said winch motor to withdraw substantially all of said conductive line onto said spool.

5. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 4, wherein said prescribed range is established by an operator.

6. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 1, further including an electrical collection enhancement lead in electrical contact with a first end of said conductive material, said electrical collection enhancement lead configured to attract static electricity.

7. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 6, wherein said electrical collection enhancement lead is positioned proximate to said lighter than air balloon.

8. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 7, wherein said electrical collection enhancement lead includes at least two pointed electrical conductors.

9. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 1, wherein said insulator electrically isolates said conductive line from said winch motor.

10. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 1, wherein said insulator electrically isolates said base unit from ground.

11. A mechanism comprising:

a) an airborne aircraft having a conductive line secured to a winch capable of extending or withdrawing said conductive line from a spool, when said airborne aircraft is aloft, said conductive line collecting electricity from the atmosphere;

b) a conductor having a first end electrically connected to said conductive line and a second end electrically connected to a load such that collected electricity from said conductive line powers said load;

c) an electrical flow sensor monitoring electrical flow through said conductor and generating an electrical flow indicia indicative of said electrical flow in said conductor; and

,

d) a controller receiving said electrical flow indicia adjusting an altitude of said airborne aircraft via said winch such that said electrical flow indicia remains within a selected operating range.

12. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 11,

a) further including a lightning sensor communicating with said controller;

and,

b) wherein said controller, in response to selected signals from said lightning sensor withdraws substantially all of said conductive line.

13. A mechanism to tap an electrical source comprising:

a) a lighter than air balloon suspended in the atmosphere;

b) a base unit having a spool of conductive line on a winch motor, one end of said conductive line suspended by said balloon, a portion of said conductive line collecting electricity from the atmosphere, said winch motor capable of adjusting an altitude of said lighter than air balloon by selectively extending or withdrawing said conductive line from said spool;

c) a conductor having a first end electrically connected to said conductive line and a second end electrically connected to a load being powered by said collected electricity from said conductive line;

d) a sensor array having,

1) an electrical flow sensor monitoring electrical flow through said conductor and generating an electrical flow indicia indicative of said electrical flow in said conductor, and,

2) a lightning sensor monitoring existence of proximate lightning; and

,

e) a controller responsive to said electrical flow indicia from said sensor array to selectively operate said winch motor.

14. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 13,

a) further including a warning light;

and,

b) wherein said controller activates said warning light when said electrical flow in said conductor is non-zero.

15. The mechanism to tap an electrical source according to claim 14, further including an electrical collection enhancement lead in electrical contact with said conductive material, said electrical collection enhancement lead configured to attract static electricity and positioned proximate to said lighter than air balloon.