Electrostatic generator

Abstract

A generator system may comprise a first collector (1) configured to collect ions having a given positive or negative charge, and an ion generator (3) configured to generate ions in the vicinity of the first collector (1). The generator system may further comprise a charge collection circuit (55) connected to the first collector (1) to collect power flowing along the first collector (1) and means for creating a static field (2) positioned to direct ions of a given charge towards the collector (1). The generator system may comprise: a second collector (7) configured to collect ions of the opposite charge to the first collector (1), a second collection circuit (55) connected to the second collector (7) to collect power flowing along the second collector (7), and a second device connected to the second collector (7) to collect ions of the opposite charge to the first collector (1), the second device is used to create a static field (2) having a charge opposite to that of the first device creating the static field (2).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 444,975, filed February 12, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 454,085, filed March 23, 2023. The entire disclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present technology includes processes and articles related to the field of electrostatic generators, and more particularly, to the field of electrostatic generators that use electrostatic fields to move electric charges. Background Art

[0004] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0005] The present invention is a method for generating energy from electrodes or antennas, electromagnetic fields, and ions. There are three primary ways that charged particles move. Charged particles move along the lines of force of an electromagnetic field. Electrons move from the negative side to the positive side of a conductor. Charged particles can also be moved by mechanical forces, like wind. A changing electrostatic field can also generate an electric current.

[0006] The Earth can act as both a sink and a source of electrons. When a conductor carrying electrons is connected to the Earth, electrons flow toward the Earth. When a conductor carrying a positive charge is connected to the Earth, electrons flow upward from the Earth to neutralize the positive charge.

[0007] Experiments have shown that an electric field surrounds the Earth. The Earth's surface and the ionosphere form a large capacitor. On a 'clear day,' when climbing against the gradient of the electric field, the potential (also called 'voltage') increases with altitude by about 30 volts per foot (100 V / m). This electric field gradient continues into the atmosphere until the point where the voltage reaches its maximum (around 400,000 volts). This occurs approximately 30-50 km above the Earth's surface.

[0008] When two plates of dissimilar metals are stacked and separated by an air gap, an electric field equal to the work function difference between the two metals will appear between the two surfaces. Ions in the region in between will move toward one of the two plates due to the electrostatic field.

[0009] Typical prior art implementations of electrostatic generators use a wire running vertically or horizontally. The wire is hooked to the ground. Electrons from the ground neutralize positive ions in the air that come into contact with the wire. The ions are driven toward the wire by the Earth's static field (as noted above) and wind. The system voltage is determined by how far above the ground the wire is.

[0010] To create a static electricity generator, you need a static field, ions, and a collector or capacitor grounded to the earth. The earth or capacitor acts as a sink for charged particles. As a sink, the earth or capacitor can generate electrons to neutralize positive ions or collect electrons. A simple static electricity generator of this nature would be a wire connected to the earth via a capacitor. Positive ions in the air will be attracted to the wire, and electrons from the earth will neutralize the positive ions that come into contact with the wire.

[0011] Due to the conservation of charge, any source that produces ions must produce equal numbers of positively and negatively charged ions. Therefore, the electrostatic generator must be able to neutralize both positive and negative ions through the sink.

[0012] There are many known ways to create static fields in the art. The most common are electrets or charged plates. Ions can also be produced in many ways. Some common ways to produce ions in the dielectric medium around air, vacuum, or collectors are radiation, electron impact ionization, corona, plasma discharge, flame, cold cathode, thermionic emission, electrospray, strong external electric field emission, fast atom bombardment, electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, etc. Ions can also be produced in the collector. The most common ways are radiation, thermionic emission, and the photoelectric effect.

[0013] One important way to produce ions is through radiation. Radiation can produce ions in two ways: collisional and thermal. Radiation can produce ions far from its source. For example, the sun, far from Earth, produces radiation that can produce ions on Earth through the photoelectric effect or collisions. Solar radiation can also heat objects and produce ions through the thermionic effect. Cosmic rays from outer space can produce ions through collisions with air molecules.

[0014] The static field of the electret or charged plate is designed to move ions toward the collector. Because the ion source produces both positive and negative ions, special care must be taken in positioning the ion source, electret or charged plate, and collector so that ions of opposite charge to the electret or charged plate do not accumulate in large quantities on the electret or charged plate, thereby hindering the system and reducing efficiency.

[0015] Therefore, there is a need to improve the efficiency of electrostatic generators. Summary of the Invention

[0016] Consistent with the present disclosure, a method for improving the efficiency of an electrostatic generator has surprisingly been discovered.

[0017] In some embodiments, the generator system can include four components. The first component is a first collector configured to collect ions of a given charge, either positive or negative. The second component is an ion generator configured to generate ions near the first collector. The next component is a charge collection circuit connected to the first collector and configured to collect electricity flowing along the first collector. The final component is a device for creating a static field positioned to direct ions of a given charge toward the first collector.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the generator system may include a second collector configured to collect ions of charge opposite to the ions collected by the first collector, and a second collection circuit connected to the second collector and configured to collect power flowing along the second collector. The generator system may also include a second device for generating a static field having a charge opposite to the charge of the first device for creating the static field.

[0019] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment comprising an electrode wherein the ion source is external to the electrode.

[0022] Figure 1A is a side view of an embodiment comprising an electrode wherein the ion source is part of the electrode.

[0023] Figure 2 is a side view of an embodiment comprising two electrodes, wherein the ion source is external to the electrodes.

[0024] Figure 2A is a side view of an embodiment comprising two electrodes, wherein the ion source is part of the top electrode.

[0025] Figure 2B is a side view of an embodiment comprising two electrodes, wherein the ion generator is part of the bottom electrode.

[0026] Figure 2C Is included in Figure 2 Side views of embodiments of two electrodes in different configurations.

[0027] Figure 2D Is included in Figure 2CSide view of an embodiment of two electrodes of the same configuration, where the ion generator is part of the bottom electrode.

[0028] Figure 3 is a side view of an embodiment surrounded by a solid dielectric, where the device creating the static field is an electret.

[0029] Figure 3A is a side view of an embodiment surrounded by a solid dielectric, where the device creating the ion source is a charged plate.

[0030] Figure 3B is a side view of an embodiment surrounded by a gas dielectric.

[0031] Figure 3C is a side view of an embodiment surrounded by a liquid dielectric.

[0032] Figure 4 is a side view of an embodiment comprising an electrode array wherein the ion generator is external to the electrodes.

[0033] Figure 4A is a side view of an embodiment comprising an electrode array in which the ion generator is part of the electrode.

[0034] Figure 5 is a top view of an embodiment including a wire electrode array.

[0035] Figure 5A is a top view of an embodiment including a plate electrode array.

[0036] Figure 6 is a side view of an embodiment comprising two electrode arrays, wherein the ion generator is external to the electrodes.

[0037] Figure 6A is a side view of an embodiment comprising two electrode arrays, wherein the ion generator is part of the top electrode.

[0038] Figure 7 is a side view of an embodiment surrounded by a solid dielectric, where the device creating the static field is an electret, and ions are generated within the dielectric by a radiation source external to the dielectric.

[0039] Figure 7A is a side view of an embodiment surrounded by a solid dielectric, where the device creating the static field is a charged plate, and ions are generated within the dielectric by a radiation source external to the dielectric.

[0040] Figure 8 is an embodiment of the present invention for accelerating charged droplets of liquid using a static field, wherein the inductor is an electret.

[0041] Figure 8Ais an embodiment of the present invention for accelerating charged droplets of liquid using a static field, wherein the inductor is a charged plate.

[0042] Figure 9 It is a figure which shows the shape of the electrode 1.

[0043] Figure 9A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another shape of the electrode 1 .

[0044] Figure 9B FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another shape of the electrode 1 .

[0045] Figure 9C FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another shape of the electrode 1 .

[0046] Figure 10 It is a figure which shows the shape of the electrode 7.

[0047] Figure 10A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another shape of the electrode 7 .

[0048] Figure 10B FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another shape of the electrode 7 .

[0049] Figure 10C FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another shape of the electrode 7 .

[0050] Figure 11 is a diagram of a capacitor load 55 .

[0051] Figure 12 is a diagram of another embodiment of the capacitor load 55.

[0052] Figure 13 is a diagram of an electrostatic motor that may be attached across the output of some embodiments.

[0053] Figure 13A is a diagram of a heater that may be attached across the output of some embodiments.

[0054] Figure 14 is a diagram of the grounding capacitor load 57.

[0055] Figure 15 is a diagram of another embodiment of the grounding capacitor load 57.

[0056] Figure 16 is a diagram of a circuit of a collector load 14, 54 consisting of an electrostatic motor.

[0057] Figure 16A is a diagram of a circuit of a collector load 14, 54 consisting of a heater. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The following description of the technology is merely exemplary in nature in terms of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions and is not intended to limit the scope, application or use of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications that may be filed to claim priority for this application or in patents published therefrom. With respect to the disclosed method, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and therefore, the order of the steps may be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps may be performed simultaneously, unless otherwise explicitly stated. As used herein, "a" and "an" indicate that there is "at least one" item; when possible, there may be multiple such items. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, all numerical quantities in this specification should be understood to be modified by the word "about", and all geometric and spatial descriptors should be understood to be modified by the word "roughly" to describe the broadest range of the present technology. When applied to a numerical value, "about" indicates that calculation or measurement allows some slight imprecision of the value (some close accuracy of the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; almost). If for some reason the imprecision provided by "about" and / or "approximately" is not understood in this ordinary sense in the art, then "about" and / or "approximately" as used herein at least indicates that variations may result from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

[0059] Unless otherwise expressly stated, all documents cited in this detailed description (including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature) are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any conflict or ambiguity between the documents incorporated by reference and this detailed description, the detailed description will prevail.

[0060] Although the open-ended term "comprising" is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology as a synonym for non-limiting terms such as including, comprising, or having, the embodiments may alternatively be described using more restrictive terms such as "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of." Thus, for any given embodiment that lists materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of or consisting essentially of such materials, components, or process steps to the exclusion of additional materials, components, or processes (used to consist of) and to the exclusion of additional materials, components, or processes that affect the significant properties of the embodiment (consisting essentially of), even if such additional materials, components, or processes are not explicitly listed in this application. For example, a description of a composition or method reciting elements A, B, and C specifically contemplates embodiments consisting of or consisting essentially of A, B, and C, to the exclusion of element D, which may be described in the art, even if element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

[0061] As mentioned herein, unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure of a range includes endpoints and includes all different values ​​and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, the range of "from A to B" or "from about A to about B" includes A and B. The disclosure of the value and value range of a specific parameter (such as amount, weight percent, etc.) does not exclude other values ​​and value ranges useful herein. It is contemplated that two or more specific example values ​​for a given parameter can define the endpoints of the value range that can be claimed for the parameter. For example, if parameter X is illustrated herein as having value A and also illustrated as having value Z, it is contemplated that parameter X can have the range of values ​​from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is contemplated that two or more ranges (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping, or different) disclosed for the value of a parameter include all possible combinations of the ranges for value that may be claimed using the endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if parameter X is illustrated herein as having a value in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also contemplated that parameter X can have other ranges of values, including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, etc.

[0062] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0063] Although the terms first, second, third etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts in this article, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply sequence or order when used in this article, unless the context clearly indicates. Therefore, without departing from the teaching of exemplary embodiments, the first element, first component, first area, first layer or first portion discussed below can be referred to as second element, second component, second area, second layer or second portion.

[0064] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "inside," "outside," "under," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of an element or feature to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as "below" or "under" other elements or features will be oriented as "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" may include both above and below. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0065] Figure 1 and Figure 1A An electrostatic generator according to certain embodiments is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 1A There is shown a collector 1, a device 2 for creating a static field 2, an ion generator 3 and a collector load 14 which is electrically attached to a sink (typically ground 12). Figure 1 and Figure 1A In the preferred embodiment, the collector 1 is an electrode 10. The electrode 10 is a wire. In all embodiments, the collector 1 can have other shapes. The collector 1 can be a point, a plurality of points oriented in any direction, a plate oriented in any direction, a plurality of plates oriented in any direction, a metallized gas capsule, or a plurality of gas capsules. Figure 9 、 Figure 9A 、 Figure 9B as well as Figure 9C Four further shapes that the collector 1 can take are shown. Figure 9 A collector 1 configuration with four tips is shown. Figure 9A A collector 1 configuration with one pointed end is shown. Figure 9B A collector 1 configured as a metallized sphere is shown. Figure 9C The collector 1 is shown as a plate.

[0066] Electrode 10 is attached to ground 12 via collector load 14. The device that creates static field 2 is usually composed of Figure 1 The electret 22 or Figure 1A The charged plates 24 in the .

[0067] exist Figure 1 In FIG, the ion generator 3 is located outside the collecting electrode 1. Figure 1AIn the figure, the ion generator 3 is located on the collector 1. The ion generator can generate ions itself or generate radiation, with radiation generating ions. Common methods for generating ions in air, vacuum, or the dielectric surrounding the collector include radiation, electron impact ionization, corona, plasma discharge, flame, cold cathode, thermionic emission, electrospray, strong external electric field emission, fast atom bombardment, electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization. Ions can also be generated within the collector. The most common methods are radiation, thermionic emission, and the photoelectric effect.

[0068] Ions can be generated by radiation (such as electromagnetic waves, etc.) or accelerated particles (such as alpha particles or beta particles, etc.). Radiation can generate these ions by colliding with or heating the dielectric of the cell. Radiation can generate ions far away from the radiation source. The ions are generated by the ion generator 3, the collector 1 and the device for creating the static field 2 must be placed so that the static field will drive the ions generated by the ion generator 3 to the collector 1, and the collector 1 and the device for creating the static field 2 must be designed to move electrons from or toward the ground to neutralize the charge generated by the ions on the collector 1. Figure 1 and Figure 1A In , the device for creating the static field 2 is placed at the bottom of the collector 1. However, the device for creating the static field 2 can be placed anywhere around the collector 1. Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the ion generator 3 is above the device for creating the static field 2, and the ions fall through the device for creating the static field 2, and the collector 1 is below the device for creating the static field 2. There are many configurations in which the collector 1, the device for creating the static field 2, the ion generator 3, and the place where the ions are generated can be placed. However, the location where the ions are generated by the ion generator 3, the collector 1, and the location of the device for creating the static field 2 must be placed so that the static field drives the ions from the location where the ions are generated by the ion generator 3 to the collector 1, and the collector 1 and the static field 2 must be designed so that electrons move from the ground or toward the ground to neutralize the charge generated by the ions on the collector 1. The electrostatic fields of the conductor, the electret, and the ions can be calculated using Poisson and Laplace equations. Therefore, the location of the ion generator 3 (collector 1) can be designed so that the ions from the ion generator 3 will move to the collector 1 and further move to the sink, which is usually the ground 12. As described above, the ion generator 3 generates positive ions and negative ions. When placing the ion generator 3, the electret 22 or the charged plate 24 and the collecting electrode 1, special care must be taken so that ions of opposite charge to the electret 22 or the charged plate 24 do not accumulate in large quantities on the electret 22 or the charged plate 24, thereby hindering the system and reducing efficiency.

[0069] exist Figure 1AIn this embodiment, ion generator 3 is a beta emitter 26 attached to electrode 10. Beta emitter 26 is attached to the top of electrode 10. Surrounding electrode 10 near the bottom is a charged plate 24. In these embodiments, electret 22 or charged plate 24 has a negative charge. When beta emitter 26 radiates electrons, it becomes more positive, drawing electrons from ground 25. Electrons from ground 12 move through collector load 14 and upper electrode 10 to neutralize the positive charge.

[0070] if Figure 1 and Figure 1A Surrounded by air, some of the released ions can gain enough energy to collide with air molecules and produce ion pairs. Figure 1A In the preferred embodiment shown, negatively charged ions will be repelled by the negatively charged electret 22 or charged plate 24, and positively charged ions will be attracted to the electrode 10 due to the electrostatic field generated by the negatively charged electret 22 or charged plate 24 and the electrode 10. Some of the ions generated by the collisions can gain enough energy from the static field and collide with air molecules, thereby creating more ion pairs. When the positively charged ions of the ion pairs come into contact with the electrode 10, they make the electrode more positive and draw electrons from the ground 12. The electrons from the ground 25 move through the collector load 14 and the upper electrode 10 to neutralize the positive charge.

[0071] In the above configuration, the ions repelled by the collector 1 are not collected by the generator and dissipate into the air. However, these can be collected and converted into energy. There are many ways to achieve this. Figure 2 and Figure 2A An embodiment of the invention is shown which collects these ions. Instead of having only one collector electrode 1, Figure 2 and Figure 2A There are two collectors 1 and 7. Figure 2 and Figure 2A In the preferred embodiment, collector 1 is electrode 10. Collector 7 is electrode 40. Electrodes 10 and 40 are wires. As in the previous embodiments, collectors 1 and 7 can be pointed, several pointed tips oriented in any direction, plates oriented in any direction, several plates oriented in any direction, metallized balloons, or several balloons. Figure 10 、 Figure 10A 、 Figure 10B as well as Figure 10C Four further shapes that the collector 7 can take are shown.

[0072] Electrode 40 is located above electrode 10. In the above preferred embodiment, electrode 40 is located Figure 2A The charged plate 42 or Figure 2 The bottom of the electret 44 is shown. Figure 2A The charged plates 42 and Figure 2 The electret 44 has the same Figure 2 The electret 22 and Figure 2A The charged plate 24 in the electrode 10 is oppositely charged. Figure 2A The charged plates 42 and Figure 2 The electret 44 has a charge opposite to that of the electrode 10 and attracts ions that are repelled by the electrode 10. In a preferred embodiment, Figure 2 The electret 22 and Figure 2A The charged plate 24 is located below the electrode 10. Figure 2 The electret 40 and Figure 2A The charged plate 44 is above the electrode 40. The ion generator 3 is between the electrode 10 and the electrode 40, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, or at the tip of electrode 10 or electrode 40, as Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown. However, the electrodes 10 and 40, the electrets 22 and 44, the charged plates 42 and 24, and the ions from the ion generator 3 can take a variety of configurations. The ions form the ion generator 3, and the collector electrodes 10 and 40 must be positioned so that the static field generated by the electrets 22 and 44 or the charged plates 24 and 42 drives the ions from the ion generator 3 to the electrodes 10 and 40. The electrodes 10 and 40 must be positioned so that the ions in contact with the electrodes 10 and 40 will attract or conduct electrons to or from the ground. The electrodes 10 and 40 must be positioned to attract ions with opposite charges. The electrode 10 is attached to the ground 12 via the collector load 14. The electrode 40 is attached to the ground 12 via the collector load 54.

[0073] Figure 2 、 Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B The embodiment is surrounded by air. Some ions generated by the ion generator can obtain sufficient energy and collide with air molecules, and produce ion pairs. The ions in the generated ion pairs can also obtain sufficient energy from the static field and collide with other molecules in the air, and produce more ion pairs. Figure 2 、 Figure 2A as well as Figure 2BIn the preferred embodiment shown, negatively charged ions will be repelled by the negatively charged electret 22 or charged plate 24 and attracted to electrode 40 due to the static field created by the positively charged electret 44 or charged plate 42 and electrode 40. Positively charged ions will be attracted to electrode 10 due to the static field created by the negatively charged electret 22 or charged plate 24 and electrode 10. When the positively charged ions contact electrode 10, they make the electrode 10 more positive and draw electrons from ground 12. When the negatively charged ions contact electrode 40, they make the electrode more negative and conduct electrons to ground 12.

[0074] Figure 2C and Figure 2D Another embodiment of the invention is shown which collects ions repelled by the collector electrode 1. Instead of having only one collector electrode 1, Figure 2 and Figure 2A There are two collectors 1 and 19. Figure 2C and Figure 2D In the preferred embodiment, the collector electrode 1 is electrode 10. The collector electrode 19 is electrode 15. Electrodes 10 and 15 can be plates or wires. Electrode 15 is located above electrode 10. The ion source 3, collector electrode 10, and collector electrode 15 must be positioned so that the static field generated by the electret 22 or charged plate 24 drives ions from the ion source 3 to the electrodes 10 and 15. The electrodes 10 and 15 must be positioned so that ions in contact with the electrodes 10 and 15 will attract or conduct electrons to or from the ground. The electrodes 10 and 15 must be positioned to attract ions with opposite charges. Electrode 10 is attached to ground 12 via collector load 14. Electrode 15 is attached to ground 12 via collector load 54.

[0075] Figure 3 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B as well as Figure 3C Similar to Figure 2 and Figure 2A , except that the generator is contained in a dielectric medium 30 other than air. The dielectric medium can be a gas, liquid or solid. Figure 3 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B as well as Figure 3C The embodiment is located within the defined area 70. If the dielectric is a gas or liquid, the defined area will be box 72, as shown Figure 3B and Figure 3C The dielectric can also be a solid 73 that fills the space between the two electrets 22 and 44 (as shown in FIG. Figure 3 ), or two charged plates (as Figure 3A and Figure 3B). The common dielectric used to fill the defined region 70 may be a semiconductor such as silicone resin. Figure 3 A solid dielectric 73 is shown filling the defined region 70 . Figure 3C The dielectric is shown as a liquid dielectric 71 within a frame 72 . Figure 3B The dielectric is shown as a gas dielectric 75 within the frame 72. Figure 3 and Figure 3A In the embodiment described above, the electrode 40 is above the electrode 10. Figure 3A The positively charged plate 42 shown, or Figure 3 The positive electret 44 is shown. In a preferred embodiment, Figure 3 The negative electret 22 and Figure 3A The negatively charged plate 24 is located below the electrode 10. Figure 3 The positive electret 42 and Figure 3A The positively charged plate 44 is located above the electrode 40. Figure 3 、 Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B In the embodiment, the ion generator is located outside the electrodes 10 and 40. Figure 3C In FIG, the ion generator is at the tip of the electrode 40. However, the electrodes 10 and 40, the electrets 22 and 44, the charged plates 42 and 24, and the ion generator 3 can be arranged in a variety of configurations. The ion generator 3, the collector electrodes 10 and 40 must be positioned so that the static field generated by the electrets 22 and 44 or the charged plates 24 and 42 drives ions from the ion generator 3 to the electrodes 10 and 40. The electrodes 10 and 40 must be positioned so that ions in contact with the electrodes 10 and 40 will cause electrons to flow toward or upward from the ground. The electrodes 10 and 40 must be positioned so as to attract ions with opposite charges. The electrode 10 is attached to the ground 12 via the collector load 14. The electrode 40 is attached to the ground 12 via the collector load 54.

[0076] Figure 3 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B as well as Figure 3C The embodiment is surrounded by a dielectric. Some ions in the static field can gain enough energy to collide with molecules of the dielectric and produce ion pairs. The ions in the produced ion pairs can also gain enough energy from the static field to collide with other dielectric molecules and produce more ion pairs. Figure 3 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B as well as Figure 3CIn the preferred embodiment shown, negatively charged ions will be repelled by the negatively charged electret 22 or charged plate 24 and attracted to electrode 40 due to the static field created by the positively charged electret 44 or charged plate 42 and electrode 40. Positively charged ions will be attracted to electrode 10 due to the static field created by the negatively charged electret 22 or charged plate 24 and electrode 10. When the positively charged ions come into contact with electrode 10, they make the electrode more positive and draw electrons from ground 12. When the negatively charged ions come into contact with electrode 40, they make the electrode more negative and conduct electrons to ground 12.

[0077] Figure 4 、 Figure 4A 、 Figure 5 as well as Figure 5A Another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 、 Figure 4A 、 Figure 5 as well as Figure 5A The collector 1 is shown as an array of electrodes 32 rather than having one electrode. Figure 4 、 Figure 4A 、 Figure 5 as well as Figure 5A In FIG, the array of electrodes 32 is an array of wires. Figure 5A The array of electrodes 32 is shown as an array of plates. As in the previous embodiments, the array of electrodes 32 can be other shapes. The electrodes of the electrode array 32 can be pointed, several pointed tips oriented in any direction, a plate oriented in any direction, several plates oriented in any direction, a metallized balloon, or several balloons. Figure 9 、 Figure 9A 、 Figure 9B as well as Figure 9C Four more shapes that the electrodes of the electrode 32 array can take are shown.

[0078] Beneath the array of electrodes 32 is an electret 22 or charge plate 24 . Figure 4 Each electrode 10 in the array of electrodes 32 is also shown attached to the ground 12 . Figure 4 Also shown is the ion generator 3 above the array of electrodes 32. Figure 4A , the ion generator 3 is at the tip of an electrode in the electrode array 3. The ion generator 3 is positioned so that most of the ions produced by the ion generator 3 will be attracted by the electret 22 or the charge plate 24. The ion generator 3, the array of electrodes 32, and the electret 22 or the charge plate 24 must be placed so that the static field drives ions from the ion generator 3 to the collector array of electrodes 32, and the array of electrodes 32 must be positioned so that ions contacting the array of electrodes 32 will cause electrons to flow toward or upward from the ground.

[0079] Figure 4 Also shown is that each electrode 10 in the array of electrodes 32 is attached to ground 12 via a collector load 14 . Figure 4 Each electrode in the array of electrodes 32 is shown attached to a separate collector load 14 and ground 12 . Figure 4A All electrodes in the array of electrodes 32 are shown attached to ground 12 through one collector load 14 .

[0080] Figure 6 and Figure 6A Another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 and Figure 6A Instead of having just one array, a second array of electrodes 40 is shown. Collector 1 has an array of electrodes 32, while collector 7 has an array of electrodes 43. As in the previous embodiment, the array of electrodes 32 is an array of wires, and the array of electrodes 43 is an array of wires. As in the previous embodiment, the arrays of electrodes 32 and 43 can be other shapes. The electrodes in the arrays of electrodes 32 and 43 can be pointed, several pointed tips oriented in any direction, plates oriented in any direction, several plates oriented in any direction, metallized balloons, or several balloons. Figure 9 、 Figure 9A 、 Figure 9B 、 Figure 9C 、 Figure 10 、 Figure 10A 、 Figure 10B as well as Figure 10C Four more shapes that the electrodes of the electrode 32 and electrode 43 arrays can take are shown.

[0081] As in the previous embodiment, below the electrode array 32 is the electret 22 or charge plate 24. Above the electrode array 32 is the electrode array 43. In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes 43 are Figure 6A The charged plate 42 or Figure 6 The electret 44 in the array. The charged plate 42 and the electret 44 have an opposite charge to the electret 22 and the charged plate 24 below the array of electrodes 32. The charged plate 42 and the electret 44 have an opposite charge to the array of electrodes 32 and attract ions that are repelled by the array of electrodes 32. In a preferred embodiment, the electret 22 and the charged plate 24 are located below the array of electrodes 32, and the electret 44 and the charged plate 42 are located above the array of electrodes 43, and the ion generator 3 is located as shown in FIG. Figure 6 between the arrays of electrodes 32 and 43 as shown or as Figure 6A and Figure 6B is at the end of the electrode 10 or electrode 40 shown in FIG. However, the arrays of electrodes 32 and 43, electrets 22 and 44, charged plates 42 and 24, and ion generator 3 can adopt a variety of configurations. The ion source 3 (array of electrodes 32 and 43) must be placed so that the static field generated by the electrets 22 and 44 or charged plates 24 and 42 drives ions from the ion generator 3 to the array of electrodes 32 and 43, and the array of electrodes 32 and 43 must be positioned so that ions in contact with the array of electrodes 32 and 43 will flow to the ground 12. The array of electrodes 32 and 43 must be placed so as to attract ions with opposite charges.

[0082] Figure 6 Also shown is an array of electrodes 32 attached to ground 12 via a collector load 14 . Figure 6 Each electrode in the electrode 32 array is shown, as is each electrode in the electrode 43 array, with each electrode in the electrode 32 array attached to a separate collector load 14 for each electrode in the electrode 32 array and to ground 12, and each electrode in the electrode 43 array is attached to a separate collector load 54 for each electrode in the electrode 43 array and to ground 12. Figure 6A All electrodes in the array of electrodes 32 attached to one collector load 14 and ground 12 and all electrodes in the array of electrodes 43 attached to ground 12 through one collector load 54 are shown.

[0083] Figure 6 Also shown is an ion source 3. In this embodiment, the ion source 3 produces ion pairs. An ion pair is two ions with different charges. One ion is positive and one is negative. The ion source 3 is positioned so that most of the ions produced by the ion generator 3 will be pushed by the apparatus that creates the static field 2, the electrets 22 and 44, and the charged plates 24 and 42. The ion generator 3, the array of electrodes 32 and 43, the electrets 22 and 44, or the charged plates 24 and 42 must be positioned so that the static field drives ions from the ion generator 3 to the collector array of electrodes 32 and 43, and the array of electrodes 32 and 43 must be positioned so that ions in contact with the array of electrodes 32 and 43 will cause electrons to flow toward or upward from the ground.

[0084] Ions can be produced by radiation (such as electromagnetic waves) or accelerated particles (such as alpha particles or beta particles). Radiation can produce these ions by colliding or heating the dielectric of the cell. Radiation can produce ions far away from the radiation source. Figure 7 An embodiment is shown in which radiation from outside the electrostatic generator generates ions within the electrostatic generator. Figure 7 Similar to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In another embodiment, the ions are generated in the dielectric by a radiation source external to the dielectric. The dielectric may be a gas, liquid or solid. If the dielectric is a gas or liquid dielectric 77, the area defined will be box 72, as shown in FIG. Figure 7A shown. Figure 7 and Figure 7A The embodiment is placed in a defined area 70 and filled with a dielectric. The common dielectric used to fill the defined area 70 can be a semiconductor such as silicone. In semiconductors such as silicone, the generated charged particle pairs are generally not called ion pairs, but electrons and holes. Figure 7 A solid dielectric 74 is shown filling the defined area 70. Waves or particles 78 from a radiation source 76 outside the defined area 70 penetrate the defined area and create ion pairs within the defined area 70. In the preferred embodiment, positive ions are attracted to the electrode 10 and negative ions are attracted to the electrode 40. The electrode 40 is located above the electrode 10. In the preferred embodiment described above, the electrode 40 is located Figure 7A The positively charged plate 42 or Figure 7 In the preferred embodiment, Figure 7 The negative electret 22 and Figure 7A The negatively charged plate 24 is located below the electrode 10. Figure 7 The positive electret 42 and Figure 7A The positively charged plate 44 in the is located above the electrode 40. However, the electrodes 10 and 40, the electrets 22 and 44, and the charged plates 42 and 24 can take a variety of configurations. The electrodes 10 and 40 must be placed so that the static field generated by the electrets 22 and 44 or the charged plates 24 and 42 will drive the ions generated by the waves and particles 78 to the electrodes 10 and 40. The electrodes 10 and 40 must be positioned so that the ions in contact with the electrodes 10 and 40 will flow toward the ground 12. The electrodes 10 and 40 must be placed to attract ions with opposite charges. The electrode 10 is attached to the ground 12 through the collector load 14. The electrode 40 is attached to the ground 12 through the collector load 54. For Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 4 as well as Figure 6 In other configurations shown in , radiation from outside the cell can also generate ions within the cell.

[0085] Droplets can also be charged. Many methods for charging droplets are known in the art. Electrospraying is a method for electrostatically charging droplets, used in many scientific and industrial processes. Once these droplets are charged, a static field can accelerate the droplets.

[0086] Figure 8 An embodiment of this principle is shown. Figure 8 An electrostatic generator based on charged droplets is shown. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the liquid may be water. Figure 8 The liquid container 100 is shown at the top of the embodiment. A small opening in the bottom of the liquid container 100 allows a liquid stream 104 to flow from the liquid container 100. The liquid stream 104 changes from a stream to a group of individual droplets 106. At the point where the liquid stream 104 changes to a group of individual droplets 106, an inductor tube 108 is placed. The inner surface of the inductor tube 108 is charged. This can be achieved by making the inner surface an electret or a charged plate. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the inner surface of the inductor tube 108 is the electret 118, and in the embodiment Figure 8A In the case of the inductor, the inner surface is the charged plate 122. A short distance below the inductor tube 108 is the device used to create the static field 3. Figure 8 In FIG. 1 , the device for creating static field 3 is an electret 118. The charge on the inner surface of inductor tube 108 must be opposite to the charge on the device for creating static field 3. Below the device for creating static field 3 is a collector 130 for collecting liquid droplets 106. Collector 110 is connected to ground 12 via collector load 14. The liquid in liquid container 100 is grounded via wire 124. Wire 124 extends from the liquid to ground 12. Wire 124 is connected to ground 12 via collector load 54.

[0087] Liquid in liquid container 100 flows through a small opening at the bottom of liquid container 100. The liquid falls into inductor tube 108. Inductor tube 108 has a charge on its inner surface, which repels ions of the same charge in liquid stream 104, thereby trapping ions of the opposite charge at the end of liquid stream 104. The end of liquid stream 104 breaks up into droplets 106, each having a charge opposite to that of the inner wall of inductor tube 108. The droplets fall through an opening in electret 118. The bottom side of electret 118 has the same charge as the individual droplets 106. Therefore, the static field of electret 118 accelerates the individual droplets 106 toward collector 110.

[0088] Ions in the liquid stream 104 that are pushed upward toward the liquid container 100 will charge the liquid in the liquid container 100 more and thus will reduce the efficiency of the inductor tube 108 in charging the individual droplets 106. To reduce this inefficiency, a wire 124 is placed in the liquid in the liquid container 100 and extends to the ground 12.

[0089] The electrostatic generator of the present invention can be designed without the need for a ground. Figure 2 、 Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 6、 Figure 6A 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 7A 、 Figure 8 as well as Figure 8A , the wires extending to the collector load 14 and the collector load 54 may be attached to the capacitor load 55 . Figure 11 The capacitor load 55 shown in FIG is a capacitor 150 and a circuit 152 that discharges the capacitor 150 at a specific voltage and passes the released energy through a load 154. Circuit 152 can be created from many circuits known in the art. These include high-voltage relay circuits, spark gap circuits, thyristor circuits, high-voltage switching tube circuits, and many other circuits.

[0090] Figure 12 6 represents a capacitor load 55 configured to collect power flowing along collector 1 and collector 7. Capacitor load 55 can be a charge collection circuit characterized by capacitance 631, inductance 632, and resistance 633. Power can be collected by charging a capacitor associated with capacitance 631. In the figure, battery 610 represents the voltage gradient between the wires extending to capacitor load 55. For the purpose of analyzing and optimizing the charge collection process, collector 1 and collector 7 can be considered as electromagnetic transmission lines characterized by their effective capacitance, inductance, and resistance per unit length. Thus, the parameters of the charge collection circuit and the effective transmission line representing collector 1 and collector 7 are optimized to maximize the net charge and energy collected.

[0091] exist Figure 2 、 Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 3A 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 6A 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 7A 、 Figure 8 as well as Figure 8A , the wires extending to the collector load 14 and the collector load 54 may be attached to a load such as an electrostatic motor 200 or a heater 210, as shown in FIG. Figure 13 and Figure 13A shown.

[0092] The circuit of the collector load 14 and the collector load 54 may be a grounded capacitor load 57 . Figure 14The illustrated grounded capacitor load 57 is similar to the capacitor load 56, except that it is attached to ground 12. The grounded capacitor load 57 is a capacitor 150 and a circuit 152 that discharges the capacitor 150 at a specific voltage and causes the released energy to pass through a load 154 and into ground 12. The circuit 152 can be created from many circuits known in the art. These include high-voltage relay circuits, spark gap circuits, thyristor circuits, high-voltage switching tube circuits, and many other circuits.

[0093] Figure 15 A grounded capacitor load 57 is shown that collects power flowing along collector 1 or collector 7. Grounded capacitor load 57 can be a charge collection circuit characterized by capacitance 631, inductance 632, and load or resistance 633. The power collected by charging the capacitor is associated with capacitance 631 from the charge on collector 1 or collector 7. For the purposes of analyzing and optimizing the charge collection process, collector 1 or collector 7 can be considered an electromagnetic transmission line characterized by its effective capacitance, inductance, and resistance per unit length. Thus, the parameters of the charge collection circuit and the effective transmission line representing collector 1 or collector 7 are optimized to maximize the net charge and energy collected.

[0094] The foregoing description enables those skilled in the art to practice the various configurations described herein. Although the present technology has been described in detail with reference to various drawings and configurations, it should be understood that these are only for illustrative purposes and should not be considered to limit the scope of the present technology.

[0095] There can be many other ways to implement the subject technology. Without departing from the scope of the subject technology, the various functions and elements described herein can be divided differently from the functions and elements shown. Different modifications to these configurations will be clear to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other configurations. Therefore, without departing from the scope of the subject technology, those of ordinary skill in the art can make many changes and modifications to the subject technology.

[0096] Phrases such as "an embodiment" do not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples of the disclosure. Phrases such as "an embodiment" may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. Phrases such as "configuration" do not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples of the disclosure. Phrases such as "configuration" may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

[0097] Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” The term “some” refers to one or more.

[0098] All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of different configurations described throughout this disclosure that are known or that later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. In addition, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly stated in the above description.

[0099] Exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Many specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications, and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions, and methods may be made within the scope of the present technology with substantially similar results.

Claims

1. A generator system comprising: a first collecting electrode configured to collect ions having a given charge, positive or negative; an ion generator configured to generate ions near the first collecting electrode; a first charge collection circuit connected to the first collector and configured to collect power flowing along the first collector; as well as A first means for creating a static field, and said first means for creating said static field are positioned to direct ions of said given charge towards said first collecting electrode.

2. The generator system of claim 1 , further comprising: a second collector configured to collect charges opposite to those of the first collector; as well as A second charge collection circuit is connected to the second collector and is configured to collect power flowing along the second collector.

3. The generator system of claim 1 , wherein: The first means for creating a static field is positioned below the first collector.

4. The generator system of claim 2, wherein: The first means for creating a static field is positioned below the first collector.

5. The generator system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein The ion generator is attached to the first collecting electrode.

6. The generator system according to claims 2 and 4, wherein The ion generator is attached to the second collecting electrode.

7. The generator system of claim 2, further comprising a dielectric surrounding the first and second collecting electrodes.

8. The generator system of claim 4, further comprising a dielectric surrounding the first and second collecting electrodes.

9. The generator system according to claims 7 and 8, wherein The dielectric is solid.

10. The generator system according to claims 7 and 8, wherein The first current collector and the second current collector are enclosed in a box.

11. The generator system of claim 4, wherein: The first current collector and the second current collector are enclosed in a box.

12. The generator system of claim 11, wherein: The box is sealed under vacuum.

13. The generator system of claim 11, wherein: The tank is filled with a dielectric which is either a gas or a liquid.

14. The generator system of claim 2 further comprising a second device for creating a static field, wherein the second device has an opposite charge to the first device for creating the static field, and the second device is positioned to direct ions of a charge opposite to the given charge toward the second collector.

15. The generator system of claim 4 further comprising a second device for creating a static field, wherein the second device has an opposite charge to the first device for creating the static field, and the second device is positioned to direct ions of a charge opposite to the given charge toward the second collector.

16. The generator system of claim 7 further comprising a second device for creating a static field, wherein the second device has an opposite charge to the first device for creating the static field, and the second device is positioned to direct ions of a charge opposite to the given charge toward the second collector.

17. The generator system of claim 8 further comprising a second device for creating a static field, wherein the second device has an opposite charge to the first device for creating the static field, and the second device is positioned to direct ions of a charge opposite to the given charge toward the second collector.

18. The generator system of claims 2, 4, 7 and 8, wherein The first means for creating a static field is an electret of a given charge opposite to the given charge of the ions collected by the first collecting electrode.

19. The generator system of claims 2, 4, 7 and 8, wherein The first means for creating a static field is a charged plate of a given charge opposite to the given charge of the ions collected by the first collecting electrode.

20. The generator system of claims 15, 16, 17, and 18, wherein: said first means for creating a static field being a charged plate of a given charge opposite to the given charge of said ions collected by said first collecting electrode; as well as The second means for creating a static field is an electret of a given charge, the given charge being the same as the given charge of the ions collected by the first collecting electrode.

21. The generator system of claims 15, 16, 17, and 18, wherein: said first means for creating a static field being a charged plate of a given charge opposite to the given charge of said ions collected by said first collecting electrode; as well as The second means for creating a static field is a charged plate of a given charge, the given charge being the same as the given charge of the ions collected by the first collecting electrode.

22. A generator system comprising: a first collector array, and each collector of said first collector array is configured to collect ions having the same given charge, positive or negative; an ion generator configured to generate ions near the first collector array; a first charge collection circuit connected to the first collector array and configured to collect power flowing along each collector of the first collector array; as well as First means for creating a static field, and said first means for creating said static field are positioned to direct ions of said given charge towards said first collector array.

23. The generator system of claim 22, further comprising: a second collector array, and each collector in the second collector array is configured to collect ions having an opposite charge to the ions collected by the first collector array; as well as A second charge collection circuit is connected to the second collector array and is configured to collect power flowing along each of the collectors of the second collector array.

24. The generator system of claim 22, wherein: The first means for creating a static field is positioned below the first collector array.

25. The generator system of claim 23, wherein: The first means for creating a static field is positioned below the first collector array.

26. The generator system of claims 22, 23, 24 and 25, wherein The ion generator is attached to some of the collectors in the first collector array.

27. The generator system according to claims 23 and 25, wherein The ion generator is attached to some of the collectors in the second collector array.

28. The generator system of claim 23, further comprising a dielectric surrounding the first and second collector arrays.

29. The generator system of claim 25, further comprising a dielectric surrounding the first collector array and the second collector array.

30. The generator system according to claims 28 and 29, wherein The dielectric is solid.

31. The generator system according to claims 28 and 29, wherein The first collector array and the second collector array are enclosed in a box.

32. The generator system of claim 25, wherein: The first collector array and the second collector array are enclosed in a box.

33. The generator system of claim 32, wherein: The box is sealed under vacuum.

34. The generator system of claim 32, wherein: The tank is filled with a dielectric which is either a gas or a liquid.

35. The generator system of claim 23 further comprising a second device for creating a static field, wherein the second device has an opposite charge to the first device for generating the static field, and the second device is positioned to direct ions of a charge opposite to the given charge toward the second collector array.

36. The generator system of claim 25 further comprising a second device for creating a static field, and the second device having an opposite charge to the first device for creating the static field, and the second device being positioned to direct ions of a charge opposite to the given charge toward the second collector array.

37. The generator system of claim 28, further comprising a second device for creating a static field, and wherein the second device has an opposite charge to the first device for creating the static field, and wherein the second device is positioned to direct ions of a charge opposite to the given charge toward the second collector array.

38. The generator system of claim 29 further comprising a second device for creating a static field, wherein the second device has an opposite charge to the first device for creating the static field, and the second device is positioned to direct ions of a charge opposite to the given charge toward the second collector array.

39. The generator system of claims 24, 25, 28, and 29, wherein The first means for creating a static field is an electret of a given charge opposite to the given charge of the ions collected by the first collector array.

40. The generator system of claims 24, 25, 28 and 29, wherein The first means for creating a static field is a charged plate of a given charge opposite to the given charge of the ions collected by the first collector array.

41. The generator system of claims 35, 36, 37, and 38, wherein: The first means for creating a static field is an electret having a given charge opposite to the given charge of the ions collected by the first collector array; as well as The second device for creating a static field is an electret having a given charge, the given charge being the same as the given charge of the ions collected by the first collector array.

42. The generator system of claims 35, 36, 37, and 38, wherein: said first means for creating a static field being a charged plate having a given charge opposite to the given charge of said ions collected by said first collector array; as well as The second means for creating a static field is a charged plate having a given charge, the given charge being the same as the given charge of the ions collected by the first collector array.

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