AN ELECTRIC POWER CONVERTER FOR EXTRACTION OF ATMOSPHERIC

ELECTRIC ENERGY by Peter Grandics

CROSS-REFERENCES

[0001] This application claims priority from United States Provisional Application Serial No. 60/818,360 by Grandics, entitled "DC to RF Converter for Capture of Atmospheric Electrostatic Energy," filed July 3, 2006, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to the generation of electrical power by drawing energy from electric charges of an atmospheric electrostatic field. The conversion of electrostatic energy into usable electrical energy by electrostatic generators is already described in the prior art as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,013,201, 4,127,804, 4,151,409, and 4,595,852. Generally, such prior art electrostatic generators utilize mechanical energy to separate charges and thus contain complex mechanics that are difficult to scale up for a high output system.

SUMMARY OF THE rNVENTION

[0003] The present invention therefore provides an electric generator in which electrical power is derived exclusively from the energy of electrostatic discharge impulses of the atmosphere that needs no input of mechanical power. When an electrostatic discharge takes place, the field breaks down and an impulse (with a size and shape) of electric current flows from a (volumetric region) in the atmosphere through an "ionized channel" to the "point of

connection" on the electric power converter device of the subject invention. This way we move large amounts of electric charge through the atmosphere into the power converter as a regular series of electrical pulses and convert the pulses into more easily used electricity, while affecting the local atmosphere to channel more and more electric charge to the converter.

[0004] An electrostatic discharge power converter according to the present invention provides a new method of extracting electrical energy from the atmosphere to provide usable electric power.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a power converter for the extraction of atmospheric electrostatic energy comprising:

(1) an antenna/charge accumulation element that is geometrically optimized to be charged by an impulse of charge derived from many charges in an electrostatic field, the charge accumulation element having a conductive surface;

(2) a primary coil wound with an insulated conductor on a conductive coil form, the coil form being attached electrically and mechanically to the conducting surface of the antenna/charge accumulation element such that the primary coil is attached near the point at which the electrostatic field contacts the charge accumulation element;

(3) an external capacitor conducted in parallel with the primary coil to provide a specific resonant frequency; and

(4) a secondary coil having a greater number of turns than the primary coil, the secondary coil being positioned coaxially with the first coil and acting as a resonant step-up transformer winding inductively coupled with the first coil; wherein the converter absorbs ESD impulses from an electrostatic field; and wherein a periodic, exponentially decaying signal with a sinusoidal waveform is generated in the secondary coil and measurable on leads of the secondary coil.

[0006] Typically, in this structure, a plume effect is produced that could induce angular momentum to the charged particles in it and draw more electric charge into a system including the converter than a structure that does not produce this effect.

[0007] Preferably, the antenna/charge accumulation element is of pyramidal shape. When the charge accumulation element is of pyramidal shape (3 or 4 sided or even multisided), preferably the primary coil is attached near the apex of the charge accumulation element.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a method of extracting atmospheric electric energy comprising the steps of:

(1) positioning a pyramidal electric power converter according to the present invention as described above, such that it is exposed to a source of atmospheric electric energy; and

(2) generating a sinusoidal AC signal derived from extraction of atmospheric electrical energy by the operation of the converter; and

(3) inducing a plume effect that could impart angular momentum to the charged particles in it in order to draw additional electric charges into a system including the converter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following invention will become better understood with reference to the specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

[0010] Figure 1 is a graph showing the voltage response of the 1-ft base length pyramidal antenna to the incoming ESD signals.

[0011] Figure 2 is a photograph showing the placement of coils inside the pyramidal antenna/charge collector with the resonance capacitor connected to the primary coil.

[0012] Figure 3 is a graph showing the signals at the secondary coil measured by an oscilloscope.

[0013] Figure 4 is a graph showing a pulse train of discharge events.

[0014] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a circuit model of a pyramidal electric power converter according to the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6 is a lumped-element resonant circuit model of a pyramidal electric power converter according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 is a diagram of the swept signal analysis setup.

[0017] Figure 8 is a graph showing swept signal analysis of coil resonances and energy transfer.

[0018] Figure 9 is a graph showing the results of a differential measurement on the secondary coil.

[0019] Figure 10 is a graph showing the results of a differential measurement on the secondary coil with one lead of the primary coil output conducted to the pyramidal charge collector.

[0020] Figure 11 is a graph showing swept signal analysis of coil resonances and energy transfer with the improved conductive coil form as in Figure 10.

[0021] Figure 12 is a graph showing swept signal analysis of coil resonances and energy transfer with the further optimized conductive coil form as in Figure 10.

[0022] Figure 13 is a diagram showing the circuit elements for incremental model of coils and coil form.

[0023] Figure 14 is a diagram depicting the dimensions of the Great Pyramid of Giza as provided in Table 1.

[0024] Figure 15 is a diagram showing key ratios of an AC voltage sine waveform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Quantity of Atmospheric Electrical Energy

[0025] Atmospheric electricity manifests as a buildup of electrostatic energy, a phenomenon that continuously electrifies our environment [I]. In the global atmospheric- electrical circuit, the Earth's surface is negatively charged while the atmosphere is positively charged [2]. The voltage gradient between the Earth's surface and the ionosphere is believed to be maintained by the electrical activity of the troposphere as well as the solar wind-coupled magnetospheric dynamo [3]. It is difficult to estimate the electric power produced by thunderstorms, as they typically maintain a steady-state electrical structure during their lifespan [4] despite charge losses from lightning, corona discharges, precipitation and turbulence. Even with this gap in our understanding of thunderstorm electrification processes, a rough estimate of the magnitude of power generated by thunderstorms may be derived as follows: Thunderstorms can be traced by monitoring lightning activity, more than 90% of which occurs over landmasses, primarily in Central Africa, the south central United States and the Amazon Basin [5], A medium-sized thunderstorm (about 200 km diameter) with intra-cloud voltages of about 100 MV [6] and a precipitation current of about 20 nA/m ² [7,8] can generate at least 6.28x10 ¹⁰ W. Assuming 2,300 active thunderstorms at any given moment [9], the estimated average total power output of thunderstorm activity is approximately 1.44x10 ¹⁴ W. A hurricane's power generation is estimated at about 10 ¹⁴ W [10]; in comparison, at present the total electrical power generation capacity of the man-made power generators in the world is 3.625x10 ¹² W, [11] a small fraction of the power generated in the troposphere by thunderstorm activity. This suggests that the density of atmospheric electrical activity may be high enough to tap, and indicates that atmospheric electricity, if harnessed, could meet a great proportion the energy needs of mankind.

This invention describes a new method, to convert atmospheric electrical energy into a useable electric voltage and current for powering conventional electric devices.

[0026] In a previous paper it was reported that a charged triangular (pyramidal)-shaped capacitor plate converts electrostatic discharge impulses (ESD) into a high-frequency signal that can be detected in an insulated coil placed in proximity of the capacitor plate [12]. The investigations have continued to reveal the physical bases behind the suitability of the pyramidal shape as a potentially optimal antenna shape for ESD impulses. We have analyzed the dimensional ratios of the Great Pyramid of Giza (GPG) (Figure 14) and found that it incorporates key ratios of an AC voltage sine waveform (Figure 15) as well as the Fibonacci number and its ratios (Table 1).

Table 1. The summary of the main mean dimensions of the Great Pyramid of Giza and an analysis of its ratios.

Dimension meter roval cubit

L (base) 230.35 440 height 146.71 280 slope 186.52 356 edge 219.21 418

D (base diagonal) 325.76 622.25

GPG dimensional ratios Key sine wave ratios

280/440=0.6363=2/π AVE/PEAK=0.6363=2/π

440/622.25=0.707 RMS/PEAK=0.707

280x622.25/440x440=0.9 AVE/RMS=Q.9

280/D/2=0.9 AVE/RMS=0.9

Fibonacci number ratios in GPG

356/172=1.618 ø 356/418=0.80905 ø/2

356/280=1.271 Ve π/4=l/Vβ

[0027] We note that the pyramidal unit cell constants are a function of π and ø. Key sine wave parameters are resonant with the base length and height of the GPG, suggesting that the pyramid may scale up volumetrically as an antenna/electric transducer. The Fibonacci number appears in association with side dimensions (shape factor). The mathematical relationship between π and ø indicates a coupling between geometrical form and electrical properties. As our pyramidal electric power converter modeled on the GPG may function as a time domain, wideband antenna, it is possible that the ratios displayed in the GPG are sufficient for the design of these types of antennas. Therefore, the GPG may demonstrate a "universal" antenna design that can be shown as follows.

[0028] A logarithmic sweep was performed on a 1 foot base length model pyramid from 500 Hz to 5 MHz at 10 msec sweep speed by using a Wavetek 185 signal generator (Figure 1). The pyramid was placed inside a cylindrical metallic emitter (52 cm diameter, 26 cm high with 0.3 mm wall thickness) to account for the fact that atmospheric ESD impulses are received omnidirectionally.

Experimental setup:

The 50ω output of the signal generator is connected to the cylindrical emitter. Channel 1 is the signal measurement (pyramid).

Channel 4 is the sweep signal control voltage (ramp waveform of 10 ms period). The oscilloscope trace (Figure 1) shows a wide bandwidth response demonstrating that the 1-foot base length pyramid indeed functions as a wideband antenna.

[0029] Here, we disclose further developments with this system including tracing energy transfer across system components. A Tektronix TSD3054 digital oscilloscope was used for signal acquisition and analysis. A laboratory Van de Graaff generator (VDG) (Science First, 400 kV voltage and 10 μA current output) was used to generate an atmospheric electrostatic field.

[0030] For the power transmission measurements we used a geometrically optimized pyramid-shaped antenna/charge accumulation element [12]. The electrostatic field in air produces ESD impulses at random or periodic time intervals onto the conductive surface of the

pyramidal antenna/charge accumulation element external surface and the power of ESD impulses are measured.

[0031] A coil wound with insulated wire on a conductive cylindrical substrate (coil form) is attached electrically and mechanically to the conducting surface of the pyramid near its apex. The coil is connected in parallel with an external capacitor to provide a specific resonant frequency. The coil has two terminals (Tl) closest to the pyramid apex and (T2) farthest from the pyramid apex. Tl is attached electrically to the pyramid near its apex.

[0032] A secondary coil of smaller diameter (coil 2), of a greater length and larger number of turns is positioned coaxially within the first coil and serves as a resonant step-up transformer winding inductively coupled with coil 1 (Figure 2). Coil 2 could also be electrically attached to the pyramid's apex through a high voltage resistor or a series of L-C-R impedances. When an ESD impulse hits the surface of the charge collector, its energy is partially transferred to coil 1 by a lumped element coupling. Ll and Cl form a tuned resonant circuit. L2 and C2 form a resonant step up transformer with Ll and Cl.

[0033] After charging the capacitor Cl by the result of the ESD strike, the signal measured on coil 2 leads is an exponentially decaying sinusoidal waveform at regular periodic intervals (Figure 3).

[0034] hi a laboratory setting, the pyramidal electric power generator is capable of absorbing ESD impulses from an electrostatic field generated by a laboratory Van de Graaff generator (Figure 4). Periodic discharge events were detected at a distance of 1 m between the pyramid and the VDG. The electrostatic field strength was found to be about 3 kV/m, much less than the field strength observed during thunderstorms at ground level (10 kV/m or more) [13].

[0035] A load may be connected to coil 2 to draw power from the system. The load may be a resistor, a rectifier and storage capacitor powering a DC load, or simply a fluorescent tube

serving as an AC load with threshold nonlinearity (Figure 5), or other types of electrical load as appropriate.

[0036] The circuit diagram of the pyramidal electric power generator is shown in Figure 5. The pyramidal antenna/charge accumulation element (P), placed on an insulating base, is coupled to the atmosphere and serves as an antenna for ESD impulses. It also forms a capacitor with the Earth ground. There are two "components" to the capacitance: (1) the "dual-plate" equivalent of the area of the pyramid; and (2) the area of the ground, the average distance, and the dielectric constant of the insulator.

[0037] The pyramid's body is attached electrically to a lumped-element resonant circuit (LEC) that converts ESD impulses into an AC voltage signal (Figures 3 and 6). The LEC is a combination of three capacitive components elements and one inductive component element (Figure 6) capable of charging as well as resonant discharging at regular intervals. The L ₂ secondary coil (coil 2) wound on a nonconductive coil form serves as a step-up transformer, and forms a resonant circuit with the C ₂ capacitance. The secondary coil output can be connected to a rectifier-capacitor-load resistance. Low voltage sine wave sweep determines frequency response of various elements of the structure in various combinations.

[0038] The energy transfer between the LEC and coil 2 was studied as shown in Figure 7. The coils were activated with a logarithmic sweep from 50 kHz to 50 MHz at 100-millisecond sweep speed. The scope trace (Figure 8) shows 1 octave per horizontal division, from left (50 kHz) to right (50 MHz). The signal is a sine wave with 5V peak amplitude. The signal is delivered across a 1 kilo-ohm resistor to the unit under test. Channel 1 is the signal measurement (coil 1). Channel 2 is a second probe (lOOMohm, 1Ox) attached to coil 2 output wires. Channel 3 is the sweep frequency marker of the Wavetek 178 signal generator. Channel 4 is the sweep signal.

[0039] With a resonance capacitor (290 pF) across coil 1, the resonance of the coil 2 peak is detected at about 9.5 MHz. The peak voltage across coil 1 also appears at about at this

frequency (Figure 8). By optimally tuning coil 1 peak and the coil 2 second peak together, the output can be optimized.

[0040] Differential measurements were carried out to investigate the energy transfer from coil 1 to coil 2 with the pyramid attached to the coil form and the signal generator output connected to the pyramid. Probe 1 is connected to one side of coil 2 and probe 2 is connected to the other. The probe 2 signal is subtracted from the probe 1 signal to reveal what is happening across coil 2; the middle trace is the difference between the sides of coil 2 (Figure 9).

[0041] An energy transfer from coil 1 to coil 2 can he seen in the spectral response of the middle trace. It reveals a first resonance at about 6.55 MHz, then zero, then a cascade of other resonances up to about 25 MHz.

[0042] Subsequently, one output lead of coil 1 was coupled to the coil form and thus to the pyramid body to make it resonant with coil 1. The differential signal is higher, indicating enhanced energy transfer (Figure 10).

[0043] It was also investigated whether the geometry of and coil winding on the coil form has an effect in the spectral response seen in coil 2 output (Figure 8). For this, a new coil form was made that covered over two -thirds of coil 2 in length, with a 1.3 mm thick, dielectric- filled space left between the coil form and coil 1. Repeating the swept signal analysis of Figure 8, it is seen that coil 2 draws power from coil 1 at a frequency of about 4.8 MHz; some absorption at a lower frequency peak is also seen (Figure 11). The modified geometry and the extra spacing between the coil 1 winding and coil form may have allowed a higher Q and less coupling to coil form. Subsequently, we developed an improved conductive coil form that completely enclosed coil 2. A Teflon heat-shrink sleeve 0.4 mm thick was placed over the entire length of the coil form. An acrylic tube was then placed over the coil form (3.1 mm wall thickness) and held in place with tabs leaving a 1-mm wide air-gap. Coil 1 was wound on the acrylic tube (27 turns) using 20A WG enamel-coated magnet wire. Repeating the swept signal analysis of Figure 8 produced very high Q peaks from both coils that were well tuned together

(Figure 12).

[0044] Electromagnetic modeling of the power transfer element is shown in Figure 13. The conductive pyramid is electrically coupled to the conductive coil form for coil 1. The coil of conductive wire surrounded by dielectric insulation is coupled to the coil form, mainly by capacitive coupling between the coil form and the individual windings of wire around it, separated by the thickness of the wire insulation. Another important factor in the modeling is the coil inter-winding capacitance, determined by the average wire diameter and distance between conductive turns. Likewise, the coil resistance is the total resistance of the wound coil, but it interacts with the coil-to-core incremental capacitance and the inter-winding capacitance.

[0045] Although the coil is a continuous system, and an exact model would be represented by a complex integral calculus expression, it is possible to create a simpler "discrete" model by treating the entire coil as a series of single-turn coils, each with its own resistance, per- turn inductance, inter-winding capacitance, and coil-to-core capacitance. The coil is then represented as a series connected set of single-turn elements.

[0046] The entire coil-core-resonance system (represented in Figure 6) indicates the total interwinding capacitance, as well as the total coil-to-core capacitance and the total inductance. An external resonance capacitor, a discrete external component, is connected across the coil to provide a resonant frequency determined by the cumulative combination of components affecting the coil properties of inductance, resistance, interwinding capacitance, coil-to-core capacitance, and external capacitance.

[0047] This provides the basis for calculating the expected performance characteristics of the coil system, comparing it with experimental results and supporting further optimization of the entire system.

Discussion

[0048] This study demonstrates a novel approach to harvest atmospheric electric energy. One intriguing aspect is the shape effect, i.e., the observation that a triangular-shaped electrode is the preferred and possibly is the optimal collector for atmospheric ESD impulses [12]. The pyramid, modeled on the GPG that incorporates ratios of the Fibonacci number as well as key ratios of an AC voltage sine waveform demonstrates a "universal" antenna design. Geometrical shapes other than the pyramidal but still incorporating the Fibonacci number and its ratios e.g., spiral (Nautilus shell) should also be usable as an ESD capture antenna shape. Also, crystals or practically any material bodies having lattice structures that embody the Fibonacci number and its ratios may also suffice. Further analysis of this phenomenon will likely advance our understanding of the physical bases of electromagnetism [14].

[0049] ESD impulses are converted into periodic, exponentially decaying sinusoidal wave trains by a novel lumped-element resonant circuit. This comprises of an insulated coil wound on a conductive cylindrical substrate that is electrically coupled to the pyramid body and is parallel to a resonance capacitor. Connecting one lead of coil 1 to the pyramid body increases energy transfer as the charge accumulation element (pyramid) resonates at the frequency of the LEC. This can have a significant bearing on the ability of the system to attract electrostatic energy. The connection of one lead of coil 2 to the pyramid's body is also suitable to increase system performance.

[0050] It is difficult to estimate the electric power of thunderstorms that typically maintain a steady-state electrical structure during their lifespan [4] despite charge losses to lightning, corona discharges, precipitation and turbulence, hi fact, precipitation current carries only a portion of the charges present inside the thundercloud. The actual magnitude of electric power generated by thunderstorm activity may thus exceed man-made global power generator capacity by as much as 3 orders of magnitude. The geographical concentration of terrestrial thunderstorm activity would allow us to tap this large pool of atmospheric energy with a relative ease.

[0051] It is also likely that commercially practical generation of electricity would be possible in the absence of thunderstorm generators. Holtzworth reported that a large fraction of the ground-ionospheric potential difference of 450 kV can be bridged at a low altitude of 1500 m [15]; at this elevation he measured a short circuit current of 30-50 μA [16] using a short wire mesh charge collector. As the energy-collecting capacity of the pyramid is directly proportional to its surface area, a sufficiently sized pyramid could potentially generate megawatts of power even under fair weather conditions. This activity would be facilitated by an observation reported from Russia.

[0052] Radar testing of the space over a 44 m tall fiberglass pyramid located near Moscow [17] found a large ionized column of air over the area of the vertical axis of the pyramid that had a width of about 500 m and reached an altitude of 2 km. It is remarkable that this effect was induced by a nonconductive pyramidal surface demonstrating a significant degree of atmospheric ionization even under fair weather conditions. Thus, a suitably sized pyramid may open a low impedance path to higher elevations of relatively conductive atmospheric domains. Such a plume effect, that could induce angular momentum to the air itself or the charged particles in it, similarly to a whirlpool could draw more electric charge into a system including the converter than a structure that does not produce this effect. In other words, the plume allows for the multiplication of available energy from a possibly impractical value to a practical value.

[0053] The plume effect will likely be amplified by the design described in this Example by coupling the first or second resonant circuit to the charge accumulation element pyramid body. Thus, its high voltage, high frequency EM output will enhance the attraction of charges to the pyramidal electric power converter by a similar ionization of the atmosphere that might reach up to miles high into the troposphere with a full-scale power generator pyramid.

[0054] The Russians also reported a reduction in the frequency of lightning in the vicinity of the pyramid [17]. This is easy to interpret in the context of the observations of this Example. As electrification of thunderclouds drive severe weather including lightning

phenomena, depleting charges from thunderclouds would reduce both lightning activity as well as atmospheric turbulence. With the increasing frequency of hurricanes and other severe weather phenomena, installation of properly sized pyramidal electric power generators in hurricane-prone heavily populated areas could become more than just vehicles of power generation by saving both lives and property.

[0055] Possibly thousands of terawatts of power are generated in the troposphere by thunderstorms. To capture this electric power and prevent its dissipation, an effective charge sink is necessary. The sub-optimal geometry of the Earth's surface terrain and its relatively low conductivity produce an ineffective sink which leads to small ground surface current densities. A pyramid, however, with its optimal geometry and construction can act as an effective charge sink.

[0056] A power generator pyramid, with an approximately 34,000 m ² base surface area, a height of 100 m and a large conductive surface would provide a far more effective charge sink than the surrounding ground surface. Charge capture would be increased by internal resonant circuits. Groups of several pyramidal electric power generators could be placed within specific geographical areas, thus combining their energy collection capacity and also by acting as a tuned antenna system.

[0057] Global warming caused by human activities is now producing clear environmental changes that threaten to upset our ecosystem with potentially catastrophic consequences [18,19]. Atmospheric electrical energy obtained by the method of this invention would be a renewable, clean energy source that could give humanity an opportunity to begin reversing this dangerous and self-destructive worldwide trend.

References

[0058] The following references are specifically applicable to the Example and are incorporated herein by reference; these references are referenced in the Example by the reference numbers assigned to them.

[I] R. V. Anderson. 1977, in Electrical Processes in Atmospheres, H. Holezalek and R. Reiter, Eds. Steinkopff, Darmstadt, pp. 87-99.

[2] R.P. Feynman. 1964, Lectures on Physics, Addison Wesley, Inc., Palo Alto, California, vol.

2. Chapter 9.

[3] R.G. Roble, and L Tzur. 1986, in The Earth's Electrical Environment, Studies in Geophysics

National Academy Press, Washington DC, pp. 206-231.

[4] M.G. Bateman, W-D. Rust, B.F. Smull, and T.C. Marshall. 1995, "Precipitation charge and size measurements in the stratiform region of two mesoscale convective systems." J Geophys.

Res. vol. 100, No. D8, pp. 16341-16356.

[5] T.L. Miller. Global lightning activity at http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/rotating/otd_oval_full.html.

[6] T.C. Marshall and M. Stolzenburg. 2001, "Voltages inside and just above thunderstorms."

J. Geophys. Res. vol. 106, pp. 4757-4768.

[7] H. Christian, CR. Holmes, J. W. Bullock, W. Gaskell, AJ. Illmgworth, and J. Latham. 1980,

"Airborne and ground based studies of thunderstorms in the vicinity of Langmuir laboratory." Q.

J. R. Meteorol. Soc. vol. 106, pp. 159-175.

[8] T.C. Marshall and W.P. Winn. 1982, "Measurements of charged precipitation in a New

Mexico thunderstorm: Lower positive charge centers." J. Geophys. Res. vol. 87, pp. 7141-7157.

[9] H.C. Rrumm. 1962, "Der weltzeitliche Tagesgang der Gewitterhaufigkeit." Z. Geophys. vol.

28, pp. 85-104.

[10] R.A. Anthes, H.A. Panofsky, J. Cahir, and A. Rango. 1978, The Atmosphere, 2 ^nd ed.,

Charles E. Merrill, Columbus, Ohio, pp. 442.

[I I] World Total Electricity Installed Capacity, January 1, 1980 - January 1, 2003, Energy Information Administration, http ://www. eia.doe. go v/iea/elec.html .

[12] P. Grandics. 2000, A method to capture atmospheric electrostatic energy, in Proceedings of

IEJ-ESA Joint Symposium on Electrostatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan, pp. 355-361.

[13] P. R. Krehbiel. 1986, in The Earth's Electrical Environment, Studies in Geophysics National

Academy Press, Washington DC, pp. 206-231.

[14] P. Grandics. 2007, "The Genesis of Fundamental Forces Acting at a Distance," Infinite

Energy, 12, 71, 13-24.; "The genesis of electromagnetic and gravitational forces." J New

Energy, vol. 6, no 3, pp. 33-45.

[15] R. Holtzworth. 1981, "Direct measurement of lower atmospheric vertical potential differences." Geophys. Res. Letters, vol. 8, pp. 783-786.

[16] R. Holtzworth. personal communication.

[17] http://www.pyramidoflife.com/eng/tests_experiments.html

[18] R.A. Kerr. 1999, "Will the Arctic Ocean lose all its ice?" Science vol. 286, pp. 1828.

[19] S. Laxon, N. Peacock, and D. Smith. 2003, "High interannual variability of sea ice thickness in the Arctic region." Nature vol. 425, pp. 947-950.

[0059] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is an electric energy converter harvesting atmospheric electric energy comprising:

(1) a geometrically optimized antenna/charge accumulation element incorporating in its dimensional ratios the Fibonacci number and its ratios as well as key ratios of an AC voltage sine waveform, the antenna/charge accumulation element having a conducting surface;

(2) a primary coil wound with an insulated conductor on a conductive coil form, the coil being spaced slightly apart from the coil form, the coil form being attached electrically and mechanically to the conducting surface of the antenna/charge accumulation element,

(3) an external capacitor connected in parallel with the primary coil to provide a specific resonant frequency; and

(4) a secondary coil having a greater number of turns than the primary coil, the secondary coil being positioned coaxially with the first coil and acting as a resonant step-up transformer winding inductively coupled with the first coil;

wherein the converter absorbs ESD impulses from an electric field; the impulses are periodic; and wherein a periodic, exponentially decaying signal with an alternating current waveform is generated in the secondary coil and measurable on leads of the secondary coil.

[0060] Typically, a terminal of the primary coil is attached near the point at which the conductive coil form contacts the charge accumulation element. Typically, a terminal of the secondary coil is attached near the point at which the conductive coil form contacts the charge accumulation element. Typically, in this alternative, a terminal of the secondary coil is attached through an R-L-C filter, resonant with coil 2 near the point at which the conductive coil form contacts the charge accumulation element. The primary coil can be connected near the apex of the antenna/charge accumulation element. The secondary coil can be connected near the apex of the antenna/charge accumulation element.

[0061] In one alternative, the antenna shape is optimal for the capture of atmospheric ESD impulses.

[0062] Typically, in this structure, a plume effect is produced that could induce angular momentum to the charged particles in it and draw more electric charge into a system including the converter than a structure that does not produce this effect.

[0063] Typically, the antenna/charge accumulation element is of pyramidal shape. The pyramidal shape can be 3-sided, 4-sided or multi-sided. Typically, the height of the pyramid is from about 10 m to about 1000 m. More typically, the height of the pyramid is about 100 m. Typically, the base surface area of the pyramid is from about 250 m ² to about 2,500,000 m ² . More typically, the base surface area of the pyramid is about 34,000 m ² .

[0064] hi an electric energy converter according to the present invention, the antenna/charge accumulation element can be electrically connected to a high frequency, resonant power transformer.

[0065] The electric energy converter can further comprise an insulated base on which the antenna/charge accumulation element is placed.

[0066] The output of the secondary coil can be connected to a load to draw power from the converter. The load can be a resistor, a rectifier, a storage capacitor powering a DC load, or a fluorescent tube serving as an AC load with threshold nonlinearity.

[0067] Typically, the external capacitor has a capacitance of from about 100 picofarads to about 400 picofarads. Preferably, the external capacitor has a capacitance of about 290 picofarads.

[0068] Typically, the antenna/charge accumulation element is resonant with the primary coil resonance. Typically, the antenna/charge accumulation element is resonant with the secondary coil resonance.

[0069] In one alternative, the antenna/charge accumulation element is positioned to harvest atmospheric electric energy.

[0070] Another aspect of the present invention is a method of harvesting atmospheric electrical energy comprising the steps of:

(1) positioning the electric energy converter of claim 1 such that it is exposed to a source of atmospheric electric energy; and

(2) generating an alternating current signal representing extracted atmospheric electrical energy by the operation of the converter; and

(3) inducing a plume effect that allows for the multiplication of available energy.

[0071] In this method, the harvested electrical energy can be fed into a power grid for distribution. This method can reduce the frequency or severity of lightning strikes and atmospheric turbulence.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0072] The present invention provides a new method of tapping the electrical activity of the atmosphere and providing usable power that can be fed into a power grid. It does so without the need for mechanical generators or the consumption of fossil fuel or the long-term risks associated with power generated by nuclear fission, including the risk of diversion of fissionable material to military or terrorist aims or the risk posed by the required long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. Devices according to the present invention can operate virtually continuously with little or no maintenance.

[0073] With respect to ranges of values, the invention encompasses each intervening value between the upper and lower limits of the range to at least a tenth of the lower limit's unit, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the invention encompasses any other stated intervening values and ranges including either or both of the upper and lower limits of the range, unless specifically excluded from the stated range.

[0074] Unless defined otherwise, the meanings of all technical and scientific terms used herein are those commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used to practice or test this invention.

[0075] The publications and patents discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

[0076] All the publications cited are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, including all published patents, patent applications, literature references, as well as those publications that have been incorporated in those published documents. However, to the extent that any publication incorporated herein by reference refers to information to be published, applicants do not admit that any such information published after the filing date of this application to be prior art.

[0077] As used in this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms include the plural forms. For example the terms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term "at least" preceding a series of elements is to be understood as referring to every element in the series. The inventions illustratively described herein can suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the future shown and described or any portion thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the inventions herein disclosed can be resorted by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. The inventions have been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the scope of the generic disclosure also form part of these inventions. This includes the generic description of each invention with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised materials specifically resided therein, hi addition, where features or aspects of an invention are described in terms of the Markush group, those schooled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or

subgroup of members of the Markush group. It is also to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments will be apparent to those of in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or will be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.