Device for energy generation from electric field of atmosphere

FIELD: electrical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: proposed device designed for generating electrical energy of desired amount from electric field of atmosphere and for no-break power supply to off-line electrical equipment, such as computerized weather stations and space probes, has electrodes, bearing structure, and atmospheric gas ionizers. Electrodes are spaced along electric field lines of force. Electrodes surrounded by atmosphere are disposed on bearing structure. Outer surface of these electrodes is aligned with atmospheric gas analyzers. Bottom electrode functions as grounding conductor. Load is connected between electrodes spaced along lines of force of atmospheric electric field. In absence of contact between device and the Earth external surface of all electrodes surrounded by atmosphere is physically aligned with atmospheric gas analyzers. Energized current-carrying parts of device are electrically isolated from bearing surface.

EFFECT: reduced mass of device dispensing with moving parts, simplified design and easy shipment of its components.

1 cl, 2 dwg

The invention relates to electrical engineering and is intended for an uninterrupted supply of energy Autonomous electrical equipment, such as automatic weather station or space probes on Earth and other planets with atmospheric electric field.

The well-known problems associated with uninterrupted energy supply of the Autonomous electrical equipment. Internal energy sources (batteries, batteries, fuel cells) require periodic replacement, refueling or recharging, i.e. manual skilled care. External sources of energy (flowing water, wind, sunlight etc.) requires the use of massive bulky structures, transducers with movable parts and are not always available.

To solve this, we need to let low, but reliable at any time and in any place uninterrupted source of energy. Taking into account the operating conditions of the Autonomous electrical equipment it must be lightweight, structurally simple and easy to transport to any distance.

Known devices for indirect energy from the atmosphere through water wheels, turbines and other hydropower plants and also for direct production of energy from the atmosphere through wind turbines, turbines and other wind energy is stanovic. In these devices, the energy of the atmosphere is converted into heat, or electricity.

Regularity produced with their help energy you can't provide. It depends on the state of the atmosphere, climatic conditions and time of year. (Chaly, The Energy is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow. - Chisinau: Changes of Moldovanka, 1977. - 202 S., ill., pages 44-64,).

For the prototype accepted the lightning rod, which is designed to neutralize the power of the atmospheric electric field. Lightning contains a vertically oriented load-bearing structure, towering over the terrain, and spaced along the force lines of the field electrodes interconnected by the current leads. At the upper point of the design is set surrounded by an atmosphere electrode - lightning in the form of a solid metal rod. It can be combined with ionizer atmospheric gas. The lower electrode is grounding and provides electrical contact of the device with the surface of the planet (Buy and other high voltage Equipment. - M.: Energoatomizdat, a textbook for high schools, 1986. - 464 C., Il., pages 219-220). The design of the lightning rod does not include a payload. Lightning energy is almost entirely consumed outside to heat the soil surrounding the ground, heating and ionization of the atmospheric air.

The characteristics of the prototype, showpad the matter with the essential features of the claimed invention, the following. Lightning contains the electrodes, the load-bearing structure and ionizers atmospheric gas. The electrodes are spaced along the force lines of the electric field. Surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes are located on a supporting structure. The external surface of these electrodes is combined with ionizers atmospheric gas. The lower electrode is grounding.

Barriers to obtaining the required technical result of the prototype, the following. Lightning provides the flow through the atmosphere electric current only in the form of periodic spark discharge. The time of passage of this current unpredictable and random, and cannot be adjusted. Lightning does not contain a payload. It is designed to work in abnormally strong electric field and most of the time useless idle. Lightning does not work in places where there are no storm clouds. Lightning does not work in the absence of contact with the planet. The live part of the lightning arrester are not electrically insulated from the supporting structure.

The technical result is uninterrupted energy from the electric field of the atmosphere in the required quantity and creating for this purpose the inventive device.

The device favorably with ease, no moving parts, the issue is Auteuil necessary structural elements and ease of transportation. It is more reliable than all known hitherto device Autonomous energy supply, including wind generators and solar panels, because the electric field of the atmosphere is only weakly dependent on the time of year, there are available available anywhere in the world.

The technical result is achieved in the following way. Between the electrodes, spaced along the force lines of the atmospheric electric field on the load. In the absence of contact of the device with the external surface of the planet all surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes combined with ionizers atmospheric gas. Conductive parts of the device, under voltage, electrically isolated from the supporting structure.

The essential features of the claimed invention are as follows. Device for obtaining energy from the electric field of the atmosphere contains the electrodes, razreshenie along the force lines of the electric field, the lower electrode is grounding. The electrodes are surrounded by an atmosphere that is hosted on a supporting structure. Ionizers atmospheric gas is combined with the outer surface surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes.

Unlike the prototype between spaced along the force lines of the electric field by the electrodes on the load. In the absence of contact of the device with the outer planet is again all electrodes combined with ionizers atmospheric gas. Under voltage conductive parts of the device are electrically isolated from the supporting structure.

The farther from each other spaced electrodes, the higher the electric field strength near their surfaces, and more spreading rate of free charge carriers in the surrounding gas. Surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes suitable to be placed in the most remote vertical points of the supporting structure. The spreading of charge carriers in the atmosphere contributes to the free movement of gas from the electrodes and the lack around the other hub voltage.

In the presence of the contact device with the planet of the lower electrode is grounding. This provides a low electrical resistance to the passage of atmospheric electric current through the soil. In the absence of contact of the device with the planet created atmospheric electric current can only pass through the gas discharge channel. In this case, all surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes (both upper and lower) are structurally combined with ionizers atmospheric gas. This ensures smooth conversion of the energy of the atmospheric electric field in the energy flowing through the load electric current. Further useful transformation of this energy into heat, or electricity is sudestada selection of the type of load (heater, the motor or other electrical equipment).

The influence of the essential features of the claimed invention to obtain the technical effect of the following. Bearing construction ensures the correct orientation of the device in the atmospheric electric field coincides with the direction of its magnetic lines of force. She keeps spaced along the field lines of the electrodes necessary for the distance, provides mechanical strength of the device and combines the individual parts into a single whole. The electrodes should be separated from each other at the maximum technically possible distance. Proportional to the distance increases, the electric field on their outer surface, which increases the mobility of the charge carriers in the surrounding electrodes atmosphere and facilitates the flow through it of an electric current. Mutually-remote position of the electrodes to remove obstacles to the free flow of atmospheric gas.

In the presence of the contact device with the planet of the lower electrode is grounding. This is the most simple, cheap and reliable way to provide low resistance flow through it into the ground electric current. Surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes are mounted on a supporting structure. This ensures the sustainability of their spatial position outwardly in the electric field. Ionizers atmospheric gas is combined with the outer surface surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes. This ensures the constant presence of a sufficient number of free charge carriers in adjacent to the electrode space and the free movement of these charges along the lines of force of the electric field. This ensures electrical contact with a low resistance between the solid electrode and the atmospheric gas. The power passing through such contact current in a wide range does not depend on the intensity of the external electric field and is determined only by the performance of ionizers. This ensures continuity of energy, regardless of external factors, minimizes power consumption for the maintenance of the channel dependent electric discharge through the neutral atmosphere and prevents surge of current through the device in terms of storm activity.

In the absence of contact of the device with the planet ionizers atmospheric gas is combined with outer surface of all surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes on both the top and bottom. This is the only affordable way to ensure flow of electric current through the atmosphere on both sides of the deployed along the field lines of the device.

The load switch is on between spaced along the force lines of the electric field by the electrodes. This is ensured by its serial connection (with electrodes) in the circuit passing through the atmosphere current dependent electric discharge. The product of the voltage drop on the load and size through her current determines the useful power received by the device from the atmospheric electric field. The efficiency of the device is determined by the balance between load resistance and contact resistance of the electrodes with the surrounding space (the performance of ionizers). The lower the contact resistance of the electrodes, the greater the proportion of energy allocated to load.

Insulation of live parts of the device from the supporting structure provides optimum location of power lines of the electric field in the surrounding space and prevents the flow of electric current in the conductive parts of the device, unrelated to its electrical circuit.

Uninterrupted power supply is ensured by the fact that the electric field of the atmosphere does not depend on the time of year, there is round the clock in any weather, available anywhere in the troposphere. This energy resource of the atmosphere is constantly nourished by the whole power of the planetary mechanism of the separation of electric charges.

Reliability of supply the Oia energy is provided by the simplicity of the device, the absence of the most important elements of moving parts. Receive energy from the electric field of the atmosphere does not require large facilities (dams, towers of great height) and complex manufacturing techniques. Maintenance of such devices is much simpler than the counterparts.

The simple design elements of the device for obtaining energy from the electric field of the atmosphere stems from the fact that it contains only a standard electrical nodes with no moving parts, require no setup, adjustment and regular maintenance. Parts of the device and part of the structure does not require meticulous manufacturing.

Easy transportation of the device is achieved by the fact that it is made with a minimum safety margin, so as not experiencing dynamic loads and, therefore, its production does not require massive, bulky components and parts. The device is foldable or collapsible.

Figure 1 shows the General view of the device for obtaining energy from the electric field of the atmosphere in the absence of contact with the planet.

The device comprises a vertically oriented load-bearing structure, such as a balloon, 1, electrodes 2, 3, air ionizers, 4 and 5, the insulators 6 and 7, the cables 8 and 9, the voltage Converter 10 and the load, such as a radiosonde, 11. the surrounding balloon space are lines of force of the atmospheric electric field E. Electrodes, combined with ionizers, attached to the insulators. The balloon holds the electrodes at a sufficient distance from each other, and the cables connecting them to the inverter. The voltage Converter associated with the payload electrically and in a common housing.

The device operates as follows. After the device is powered ionizers 4, 5 saturate the air surrounding the electrodes 2, 3, free charge carriers. They begin to drift through the neutral air, moving along the lines of the atmospheric electric field E, additionally reinforced with spaced position of the electrodes on the balloon 1. Leakage of charge carriers from the electrodes is compensated by the constant work of the ionizers. Channels dependent gas discharge 12 and 13 from the electrodes through the atmosphere, there is a constant electric current. Between the spaced electrode potential difference appears. They put it through the insulators 6 and 7. After appearing on the electrode working potential difference (≈5 kV) is activated, the voltage Converter 10. Atmospheric electric current is closed through him to the cables 8 and 9. The Converter transforms the input current high voltage DC output voltage powering the payload 11. The process continues until su is basically the atmospheric electric field and operate the ionizer electrodes.

Determine the electric power required for stand-alone uninterruptible power supply payload. For example, for equipment of modern radiosonde, which is adhered to the balloon, enough constant electric power of 10 watts. Limit the electrical power needed to power the auxiliary devices and ionizers. For example, in an amount not exceeding 150% of the amount of useful, that is 15 watts. Taking into account the operating conditions of the equipment limit the potential difference between the exposed conductive parts of the installation. For example, it is recommended that not more than 10 kV, and really pick 5 kV. Calculate the maximum current in the discharge channel. In this case, no more than (10 W+15 W)/5 kV=5 mA. This value specifies the performance of ionizers, combined with the electrodes. Determine the density of the vertical conduction current and the electric field strength in the troposphere on the estimated height of the flight. For example, the conduction current is not more than 1.5 µa/m²the electric field strength of 2.2-3.5 V/m Calculate the distance between the electrodes, their shape and design that provides efficient flow generated by ionizers charge carriers in the atmosphere. For example, the distance of 50 m, the shape of the receiving electrodes of the ball, the area of each is not less than 0.5 m². Fixed on and what rostate and the suspension system electrodes with insulators, lay the cables are mounted in the container with equipment power voltage Converter.

In Fig. 2, shows a General view of the device for obtaining energy from the electric field of the atmosphere when the contact device with the planet.

The device comprises an electrode 1, the ionizer 2, an insulator 3, the load-bearing structure (rack) 4, a cable 5, the inverter 6, 7 grounding, connecting cable 8 and the payload (the weather station) 9. In the surrounding area are held to the surface of the ground lines of force of the atmospheric electric field E. the Electrode is combined with ionizer, fixed on the insulator. The stand holds the electrode at sufficient height, and the cable connecting it to the inverter. The voltage Converter is electrically connected with the ground through the ground and payload via a connection cable.

The device works in the following way:

After the device is powered ionizer 2 saturates the air around the electrode 1, the free charge carriers. They begin to drift through the neutral air, moving along the lines of the atmospheric electric field E is additionally reinforced by a lofty position of the electrode on the rack 4. Leakage of charge carriers with the receiving electrode is compensated by the constant operation of the ionizer. As regards the Alu dependent gas discharge 10 from the electrode through the atmosphere, there is a constant electric current. The electrode acquires an electrical potential relative to the ground surface and keeps it through the insulator 3. After appearing on the working electrode potential (≈25 kV) enables the voltage Converter 6. Atmospheric electric current is closed through it over the cable 5 on the ground 7. The Converter transforms the input current high voltage DC output voltage 27 In coming through the connecting cable 8 to power the payload 9. The process continues until there is atmospheric electric field and acts ionizer electrode.

Determine the electric power required for stand-alone uninterruptible power supply payload. For example, for a modern automatic weather station fairly constant electric power of 100 W at a nominal voltage of 27 C. limit the electrical power needed to power the auxiliary devices and ionizers. For example, in an amount not more than 50% of the useful, that is 50 watts. The climatic conditions and the particular design of the pantograph limit the potential difference between the exposed conductive parts of the installation. For example, it is recommended that not more than 30 kV, and actually choose 25 kV. Calculate the maximum current in the discharge channel. In this clucene more (100 W+50 W)/25 kV=6 mA. This value specifies the performance of the ionizer, combined with the electrode. Measure or find on the tables of the electrical activity of the atmosphere (density vertical conduction current and the field strength in this area. For example, the conduction current is not more than 0.1 µa/m²the electric field 110-250V/m Calculate the height of the electrode above the terrain, its shape and surface area sufficient for effective spreading created by the ionizer charge carriers in the surface air. For example, a height of not less than 10 m, shape - ball size not less than 1 m². When the calculations take into account the wind speed, the presence of other hubs voltage, the geological structure of the soil and other significant factors. Install the necessary height of the counter electrode on the insulator, organize ground, mounted auxiliary electrical equipment and power inverter.

This ensures an uninterrupted power supply Autonomous electrical equipment due to the gratuitous forces of the atmospheric electric field. The device differs by the absence of moving parts, ease of necessary structural elements and ease of transportation. It is more reliable than all known hitherto device autonoleggiosarzana, including wind generators and solar panels, because the electric field of the atmosphere is only weakly dependent on the time of year, there are available available in any point of the globe.

Device for obtaining energy from the electric field of the atmosphere, including the electrodes, spaced along the field lines, the bottom of which is a ground, the load-bearing structure with surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes, ionizers atmospheric gas, is combined with the external surface of these electrodes, characterized in that between the spaced along the field lines of the electrodes on the load, in the absence of contact of the device with the external surface of the planet all surrounded by an atmosphere of electrodes combined with ionizers atmospheric gas, conductive parts of the device, under voltage, electrically isolated from the supporting structure.