Ion current generator for generating electrical energy from current induction

The ion current generator addresses the inefficiencies and reliability issues of conventional power generation by using an ion source and electric field to induce current in coils, enabling efficient and reliable energy production regardless of environmental conditions.

DE102023129463A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-04-30KONRAD CLAUDIA +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102023129463
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-10-25
Publication Date
2025-04-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional power generation systems face efficiency losses and environmental impacts, and the availability of renewable energy sources like wind and solar depends on weather conditions, making them unreliable.

Method used

An ion current generator that uses an ion source to ionize a fill gas, which is then accelerated through an electric field to induce a current in coils, generating electrical energy through current induction.

Benefits of technology

The ion current generator provides reliable and efficient electrical energy generation independently of environmental conditions, with the potential for self-sustaining operation and reduced environmental impact.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to an ion current generator (1000) for generating electrical energy from current induction by an ion current (1020a, 1020b, 1060i) of positively (1011a) and negatively charged particles (1011b), which, after electrical acceleration in an acceleration section (1020), passes through an induction section (1060), wherein an ion source (1010) generates the ion current (1020a, 1020b) by ionizing a filling gas (G) in the ion current generator (1000). The invention further relates to an electrically operated device (2000) with such an ion current generator (1000), a use of such an ion current generator (1000) for supplying electrical power to one or more electrically operated devices (2000), and a method (3000) for generating electrical energy using such an ion current generator (1000).
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Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an ion current generator for generating electrical energy from current induction by an ion current of positively and negatively charged particles, an electrically operated device comprising such an ion current generator, a use of such an ion current generator for the electrical supply of one or more electrically operated devices and a method for generating electrical energy with the aid of such an ion current generator. Background of the invention

[0002] Conventional power generation systems often use mechanical motion or chemical processes to generate electrical energy, for example, in the form of conventional turbine power plants (nuclear / coal / gas) or batteries. However, these approaches are often associated with efficiency losses and environmental impacts. The state of the art in power generation technology still has some limitations, particularly with regard to efficiency. While environmental impacts are minimized in renewable energy systems such as wind turbines or photovoltaic systems, the availability of electricity from such systems depends on weather conditions and the time of day and is therefore not reliably available at all times.

[0003] It would therefore be desirable to have a technology that can generate electrical energy reliably and efficiently regardless of environmental conditions. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a technology that can generate electrical energy reliably and efficiently regardless of environmental conditions.

[0005] The task is solved by an ion current generator for generating electrical energy from current induction by an ion current of positively and negatively charged particles comprising - an ion source with which a filling gas in the ion current generator can be at least partially ionized or supplied with ions, - an electrical acceleration path defined by a positive pole and a negative pole located at a distance from the positive pole, wherein the ions of the filling gas generated by the ion source are accelerated along the acceleration path and thus also serve to increase the number of ions by impact ionization of the filling gas as a cascade effect due to the acceleration of the ions in the filling gas, wherein a voltage source between the positive and negative pole generates a predefined constant voltage difference to accelerate the ions, - one or more coils arranged along respective induction paths outside the acceleration path for current induction by the ion current passing through the induction paths, wherein the negatively charged particles of the ion current leave the acceleration path in the direction of the positive pole and the positively charged particles of the ion current leave the acceleration path in the direction of the negative pole to enter and pass through the respective induction paths adjacent to the acceleration path on both sides, and - a current collector suitably connected to the one or more coils to make the electrical energy generated by current induction available to external consumers or consumers via an interface.

[0006] The ion current generator according to the invention serves as a power source for external consumers, such as other electrically operated devices that are connected to the ion current generator for their electrical supply. Alternatively, the power generated by the ion current generator could be fed into a consumer, such as a power grid for local, regional, or supra-regional supply. Power generation by the ion current generator occurs due to current induction in coils through which the ion current of positively and negatively charged particles flows.

[0007] The term "ion source" refers to a material or device that can generate or provide ions. In the case of a filament as the ion source, this emits electrons that are accelerated as negatively charged ions in the accelerating field to ionize individual atoms or molecules of the filling gas. In the case of a radioactive radiation source as the ion source, this serves to ionize individual atoms or molecules of the filling gas using radioactive radiation to generate ions in the acceleration section, which are then accelerated along the electric field in the acceleration section. The energy required for the ionization of the filling gas is provided by the radioactive source and therefore does not require an external power supply for the ion current generator. In this respect, the ion current generator is operated in an energy-efficient and CO2-neutral manner.

[0008] The acceleration section extends from a positive pole to a negative pole, with both poles being designed to allow the accelerated ions to escape from the electric acceleration field and thus from the acceleration section with as little deceleration as possible. The poles can, for example, be designed as electrically conductive grids with gaps for the ions to fly through. If no impact ionization were to occur in the fill gas, the ions generated or provided by the ion source would be accelerated and, after leaving the acceleration sections, would then pass through the induction section to induce an electrical voltage. To ensure that the ion source can generate as many ions as possible, the ionization rate is optimized by selecting the appropriate ion source, for example the radioactive radiation source, or the operating parameters of the filament, the fill gas, and the pressure of the fill gas in the acceleration section.An alpha emitter, for example, can be used as a radioactive radiation source. The preferred material for the radioactive radiation source is polonium-210. Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei, which have a short range in air and can be shielded by paper or cardboard of a suitable thickness. Therefore, alpha emitters are easy to handle and pose no risk to the environment around the ion current generator. Since the range of radioactive radiation from polonium-210 is only a few centimeters in air, the dimensions of the ion current generator, particularly the acceleration section and its diameter, must be adapted so that the filling gas in the area around the radiation source can be effectively ionized. Diameters of the acceleration sections in the range of 1 cm or smaller are preferred here.In one embodiment, the radioactive radiation source can be designed so that its radiation intensity can be regulated. Shields of varying thicknesses can be used here to adjust the radiation intensity in the acceleration section. Movable or rotatable control plates can also be arranged between the radiation source and the filler gas. These control plates can be positioned in front of the radiation source, removed, or replaced to regulate the radiation intensity. This allows the radioactive radiation entering the acceleration section to be partially shielded by the control plates and thus its resulting intensity to be adjusted. In the case of alpha emitters, corresponding control plates could be made of thin paper films or other materials. The filler gas can be a noble gas, preferably xenon, for example. The filler gas can be present in the ion current generator under normal pressure.Depending on the type of radiation, radiation intensity and radiation energy, the filling gas may also have a pressure that differs from normal pressure.

[0009] Moving charges, i.e., negative ions (electrons) and positive ions (ionized atoms or molecules of the filling gas), generate a magnetic field around them through their movement. The energy of the magnetic field is proportional to the square of their velocity. To induce a current in a coil, for example, the ion must move through the coil's interior. The magnitude of the induced current depends on the coil diameter, the number of charges (for electrons = 1; for ionized atoms or molecules ≥1), and the velocity of the ions. A single ion can induce a current in the coils, but it is far too small to be usefully utilized.Therefore, the initial number of ions is further increased by maximizing radiation ionization. The generated ions are accelerated in the acceleration section and collide with other neutral atoms or molecules in the fill gas, which are also ionized by impact ionization and then accelerated in the electric field in the acceleration section. The higher the resulting number of ions, the higher the electrical power that the ion current generator can provide. The number of ions in the acceleration section is greatly increased by continuous impact ionization of the fill gas as a cascade effect.Ideally, the number of charge carriers in the filling gas increases exponentially, with the ionization energy of the filling gas, the pressure of the filling gas, and the acceleration voltage in the acceleration section, and thus the collision energy when an ion impacts a neutral filling gas atom or molecule, all influencing the number of ions. The acceleration voltage is a predefined constant voltage difference between the poles at each end of the acceleration section, for example, 100 V. No induced voltage is yet tapped in the acceleration section. The generated ions have reached their maximum velocity at the end of the acceleration section, i.e., upon passing into the space outside the acceleration section. This velocity, however, corresponds to a velocity distribution across all ions, with a maximum of ions at an average velocity.

[0010] The one or more coils required to tap the induced current are arranged outside the acceleration section. Here, the ions fly in a more or less linear direction through the coils wound around the induction section without further linear acceleration. The coils are preferably arranged in a circle around a cylindrical induction section, for example, wound with one or more turns. The coil turns are preferably made of copper wire.

[0011] The voltage indicated in the coils is tapped via a current collector, which is connected to one or more coils in a suitable manner.

[0012] The specialist is able to connect such a current collector to the coils.

[0013] Due to the radioactive radiation, the power generator no longer relies on a hot cathode or filament as an electron (ion) source. The charge carriers (ions) created by the radiation are accelerated, with the magnetic energy provided by the ions being proportional to the square of their velocity. This magnetic energy is partially converted back into electrical energy by induction in the coils.

[0014] The ion current generator according to the invention thus represents a device with which electrical energy can be generated reliably and efficiently regardless of the environmental conditions.

[0015] In one embodiment, two separate magnetic deflection fields with field directions perpendicular to the ion stream are arranged outside the acceleration and induction section to guide the positive and negative particles of the ion stream in a circular path back to the acceleration section so that the positive and negative particles can recombine to form neutral fill gas. Thus, the fill gas is not consumed in the acceleration section, but is replenished via the recombined ions for subsequent radiation ionization. The circulation of fill gas, ionized fill gas, and recombination thus represents a gas cycle. This cycle functions until the radiation source ceases to emit energy in the form of radioactivity. A further advantage is that pollutants that may arise during ionization of the air can be contained within the closed system.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the induction paths are surrounded by a respective ion flow steering unit to keep at least a majority of the charged positive and negative particles close to the center axis of the respective induction paths. A defined particle flow in the center of the induction path prevents the ions from colliding with the wall of the induction path and thus preventing the ions from being lost for current induction.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the respective steering unit comprises a metallic casing in the direction of the ion flow around the respective induction section, wherein the metallic casing is a negatively charged casing for negative particles and a positively charged casing for positive particles, in order to keep the charged particles close to the central axis of the respective induction sections by means of electrical repulsion. The closer the ions come to the correspondingly oppositely charged casing, the greater the resulting repulsion from the casing in the direction of the central axis. Only along the central axis is there no resulting repulsion, since the repulsive forces from all points of the casing cancel each other out. This applies in particular to cylindrical induction sections in the form of metallic tubes, the cylinder shell of which is charged in such a way that it has a repulsive effect on the respective ions.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the acceleration section and the induction sections adjacent to both sides of the acceleration section are formed by a plurality of parallel tubes, with the tubes of the acceleration section continuing in the direction of the ion current from the tubes in the induction sections. Dividing the acceleration and induction sections into a plurality of parallel acceleration and induction sections and reducing the diameter of these individual acceleration and induction sections as tubes enables more precise beam guidance of the ion current and the design of the positive and negative poles of the acceleration section.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the tubes in the acceleration section are made of a material that does not shield the radiation from the radioactive radiation source, so that the ionization rate is not reduced by the radioactive radiation.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the tubes in the induction paths are made of a non-metallic material that also provides little or no shielding of electric fields. This allows the ion beam to continue to be guided smoothly along the central axis of the tubes with minimal or no collisions with the tube walls, as the repulsive fields for ion beam guidance can penetrate the tubes unhindered.

[0021] In a further embodiment, a space between the tubes at the respective ends of the acceleration section and / or the induction sections is filled with a conductive material to provide the negative and positive poles of the acceleration section.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the ion current generator comprises an inlet device for the filling gas. Thus, the ion current generator can be filled with filling gas before operation or refilled with filling gas as needed during operation. Such an inlet device can be, for example, a valve to which a gas cylinder containing filling gas can be connected.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the ion current generator is at least partially enclosed by a shield to prevent ions, for example, radioactive radiation in the case of a radioactive radiation source as the ion source, from escaping from the ion current generator to an extent that is unacceptable for people to be permanently present in the vicinity of the ion current generator. With such a shield, other radioactive emitters than pure alpha emitters can potentially be used, or the shield serves as additional radiation protection to improve user acceptance of the ion current generator according to the invention.

[0024] The invention further relates to an electrically operated device comprising at least one ion current generator according to the present invention and an electrical load, wherein the ion current generator is provided and configured to supply electrical energy to the load of the electrically operated device for its operation. The ion current generator according to the invention represents a compact and durable power supply for the device and helps to save batteries and thus protect the environment.

[0025] The electrically operated device according to the invention thus represents a device with which electrical energy can be generated reliably and efficiently regardless of the environmental conditions.

[0026] The invention further relates to the use of an ion current generator according to the invention for supplying electrical power to one or more electrically operated devices. Depending on the amount of current generated, the ion current generator can supply power not only to one device but also to multiple devices.

[0027] The inventive use of an ion current generator according to the invention for the electrical supply of one or more electrically operated devices enables electrical energy to be generated reliably and efficiently regardless of the environmental conditions.

[0028] The invention further relates to a method for generating electrical energy from current induction by an ion current of positively and negatively charged particles, comprising the following steps: - at least partially ionising a filling gas in an ion current generator by means of an ion source; - Accelerating the ions of the filling gas generated or provided by the ion source along an electrical acceleration path defined by a positive pole and a negative pole arranged at a distance from the positive pole, in the direction of the positive and negative poles, wherein a voltage source between the positive and negative poles generates a predefined constant voltage difference for accelerating the ions and wherein the acceleration of the ions in the filling gas also serves to increase the number of ions by means of impact ionization of the filling gas as a cascade effect; - inducing a current in one or more coils arranged along respective induction paths outside the acceleration path by the ion current passing through the induction paths, whereby the negatively charged particles of the ion current leave the acceleration path in the direction of the positive pole and the positively charged particles of the ion current leave the acceleration path in the direction of the negative pole and pass through the respective induction paths adjacent to the acceleration path on both sides; and - Providing the electrical energy generated by current induction via an interface to external consumers or users by means of a current collector suitably connected to the one or more coils.

[0029] The method according to the invention thus enables electrical energy to be generated reliably and efficiently regardless of the environmental conditions.

[0030] In the present invention, the term "a," "an," or "an" does not refer to a specific number of the respective components designated thereby, but explicitly includes the possibility that the claimed subject matter may comprise one or more additional components in addition to the one component. Thus, the term should also be understood as "one or more." However, if the number of specified components is equal to 1, this is referred to as "exactly one."

[0031] The embodiments described above can be combined with one another as desired by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the teaching of the invention, even deviating from the claims. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1: Schematic representation of an embodiment of an ion current generator according to the present invention; Fig. 2: Schematic representation of an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the acceleration section according to the present invention; Fig. 3: Schematic representation of an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the two induction sections according to the present invention in addition to the acceleration section of Fig. 2; Fig. 4: Schematic representation of an embodiment of an electrically operated device with ion current generator according to the present invention; and Fig. 5 An embodiment of a method for generating electrical energy from current induction according to the present invention. Detailed description of the drawings

[0032] The embodiments shown here are merely examples of the present invention and should therefore not be considered limiting. Alternative embodiments contemplated by those skilled in the art are equally encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an ion current generator 1000 according to the present invention for generating electrical energy from current induction by an ion current 1011a, 1011b of positively charged particles 1011a and negatively charged particles 1011b, comprising a radioactive radiation source 1010 as the ion source, with which a filling gas G in the ion current generator 1000 can be at least partially ionized by means of the radioactive radiation. Furthermore, an electrical acceleration path 1020, which is defined by a positive pole 1030a and a negative pole 1030b arranged at a distance from the positive pole 1030a, is arranged centrally in the ion current generator. Here, the radioactive radiation generates ions 1011a, 1011b from the filling gas G, which are then accelerated along the acceleration path 1020.This also serves to increase the number of ions in parallel by means of impact ionization of the filling gas G as a cascade effect due to the acceleration of the ions 1011a, 1011b in the filling gas G, whereby a voltage source 1040 between the positive 1030a and negative pole 1030b generates a predefined constant voltage difference for the acceleration of the ions 1011a, 1011b. One or more coils 1050 are arranged along respective induction paths 1060 outside the acceleration path 1020 for current induction by the ion current passing through the induction paths 1060, wherein the negatively charged particles 1011b of the ion current leave the acceleration path 1020 in the direction of the positive pole 1030a and the positively charged particles 1011a of the ion current leave the acceleration path 1020 in order to enter and pass through the respective induction paths 1060 adjacent to the acceleration path 1020 on both sides.A current collector (1090) is also suitably connected to the one or more coils 1050 in order to make the electrical energy generated by current induction available via an interface to external consumers or consumers 1091. In addition, two separate magnetic deflection fields M1, M2 with field directions perpendicular to the ion current 1011a, 1011b are arranged outside the acceleration 1020 and induction sections 1060 in order to guide the positive and negative particles 1011a, 1011b of the ion current in a circular path 1100 back to the acceleration section 1020 so that the positive and negative particles 1011a, 1011b can recombine to form neutral filling gas G, see the "pretzel-shaped" trajectory of the ions in . Fig. 1. The radioactive radiation source 1010 can be an alpha emitter; the material of the radioactive radiation source is preferably polonium-210. Polonium-210 has a physical half-life of 138 days. It emits alpha particles during radioactive decay, producing lead-206. It has an activity of 1.5 * 10 14 Bq, releasing an energy of 5.3 MeV during the decay, corresponding to a power of 127 watts per second. The radioactive radiation source 1010 can be designed so that its radiation intensity can be controlled. Possible shielding plates or plates for control are not explicitly shown here. The fill gas G can be a noble gas, preferably xenon. The fill gas G can be present at atmospheric pressure in the ion current generator 1000.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an acceleration section 1020 according to the present invention, which is formed here by a plurality of parallel tubes 1080. The tubes 1080 in the acceleration section 1020 are made of a material that provides little or no shielding for the radiation of the radioactive radiation source 1010 as an ion source. A material that allows the desired ionization rate due to the radioactive radiation for a given radioactive radiation is referred to as low-shielding. For a strong radioactive source 1010, the material can therefore be somewhat more shielding than for a weak radioactive source. The strength of the radioactive source is referred to as the number of decay events per unit of time. In this embodiment, the radiation source 1010 is an α-emitter.Depending on the embodiment, other radioactive emitters can also be used. The radioactive radiation source 1010 can be arranged as a single radiation source or as a plurality of separate radiation sources, for example, as shown here, two radiation sources 1010 arranged opposite each other in the acceleration section 1020 (perpendicular to the acceleration direction 1060a, 1060b). With multiple radioactive radiation sources in or on the acceleration section 1020, the ionization rate can be increased due to the radioactive radiation. The radioactive radiation splits the atoms and / or molecules of the filling gas G into positive and negative ions 1011b, 1011a.The space between the tubes 1080 at the respective ends of the acceleration section 1020 is filled with a conductive material to provide the negative and positive poles 1030a, 1030b of the acceleration section 1020. This creates an electric field between these poles, in which the ions 1011a, 1011b are accelerated according to their charge. The positive ions are accelerated toward 1060b of the negative pole 1030b, while the negative ions are accelerated toward 1060a of the positive pole 1030a.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the two induction paths 1060 according to the present invention in addition to the already shown in Fig. 2 explained acceleration section 1020. For details on the acceleration section, please refer to Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the induction sections 1060 adjacent to the acceleration section 1020 on both sides also have a plurality of parallel tubes 1080, with the tubes 1080 of the acceleration section 1020 being continued in the ion flow direction by the tubes 1080 in the induction sections 1060. Here, the induction sections 1060 are surrounded by a respective steering unit 1070 for the ion flow in order to keep at least a majority of the charged positive and negative particles 1011a, 1011b close to the central axis X,Y of the respective induction sections 1060. This applies both to the embodiment shown with the plurality of tubes 1080 and to a cylindrical induction section 1060.The respective steering unit 1070 can be enclosed by a metallic sheath 1071, 1072 of the ion current 1011a, 1011b in the direction 1060i of the ion current around the respective induction path 1060, wherein the metallic sheath is a negatively charged sheath 1072 for negative particles 1011b and a positively charged sheath 1071 for positive particles 1011a, in order to keep the charged particles 1011a, 1011b close to the central axis X,Y of the respective induction paths 1060 by means of electrical repulsion.The space between the tubes 1080 at the ends of the induction paths facing the acceleration path can be filled at this end with a conductive material, which provides the negative and positive poles 1030a, 1030b of the acceleration path 1020, unless it has already been provided by corresponding conductive filling material between the tubes 1080 at the end of the acceleration path 1020. In one embodiment, the conductive material at the respective mutually facing ends of the acceleration and induction paths 1020, 1060 can jointly form the negative and positive poles 1030a, 1030b of the acceleration path 1020.Along the respective induction sections 1060, two coils 1050 are exemplary for current induction by the ion current 1060i passing through the induction sections 1060. The negatively charged particles (1011b) leave the acceleration section 1020 in the direction of the positive pole 1030a of the acceleration section 1020, and the positively charged particles 1011a leave the acceleration section 1020 in the direction of the negative pole 1030b of the acceleration section 1020, in order to enter the respective induction sections 1060 adjacent to the acceleration section 1020 on both sides as the respective ion current 1060i and pass through them. A current collector (1090) is suitably connected to the coils 1050 in order to make the electrical energy generated by current induction in the coils 1050 available to external consumers or consumers 1091 via an interface. .

[0036] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an electrically operated device 2000 with an ion current generator 1000 according to the present invention and an electrical load 1091, wherein the ion current generator 1000 is provided and configured to supply electrical energy to the load 1091 of the electrically operated device 2000 for its operation. When using an ion current generator according to the present invention, it can also be connected to several electrically operated devices or loads for electrical supply. The ion current generator 1000 can additionally comprise an inlet device 1120 for the filling gas G and can be at least partially enclosed by a shield 1120 to prevent radioactive radiation from escaping from the ion current generator 1000 to an extent that is not permissible for people to be permanently present in the vicinity of the ion current generator 1000.

[0037] Fig.5 shows an embodiment of a method 3000 for generating electrical energy from current induction according to the present invention by an ion current 1011a, 1011b of positively 1011a and negatively charged particles 1011b, comprising the following steps of at least partially ionizing 3100 a filling gas G in an ion current generator 1000 by means of a radioactive radiation source 1010 as ion source;accelerating 3200 the ions 1011a, 1011b of the filling gas G generated by means of the radioactive radiation along an electrical acceleration path 1020, which is defined by a positive pole 1030a and a negative pole 1030b arranged at a distance from the positive pole 1030a, in the direction 1020a, 1020b of the positive and negative poles 1030a, 1030b, wherein a voltage source 1040 between the positive and negative poles 1030a, 1030b generates a predefined constant voltage difference for accelerating the ions 1011a, 1011b and wherein the acceleration of the ions 1011a, 1011b in the filling gas G also serves to increase the number of ions by means of impact ionization of the filling gas G as a cascade effect;inducing 3300 a current in one or more coils 1050 arranged along respective induction paths 1060 outside the acceleration path 1020 by the ion current 1011a, 1011b passing through the induction paths 1060, wherein the negatively charged particles 1011b of the ion current leave the acceleration path 1020 in the direction of the positive pole 1030a and the positively charged particles 1011a of the ion current leave the acceleration path 1020 in the direction of the negative pole 1030b and pass through the respective induction paths 1060 adjacent to the acceleration path 1020 on both sides; and providing 3400 the electrical energy generated by current induction via an interface to external consumers or loads 1091 using a current collector 1090 suitably connected to the one or more coils 1050. List of reference symbols 1000 Ion current generator according to the invention 1010 ion source, for example a radioactive radiation source 1011a positively charged particles, ion current 1011b negatively charged particles, ion current 1020 Electric acceleration track 1020a ion current towards the positive pole of the acceleration section 1020b Ion current towards the negative pole of the acceleration section 1030a positive pole 1030b negative pole 1040 voltage source 1050 spools 1060 induction section 1060i Direction of the ion current in the induction section or outside the acceleration section 1070 steering part 1071 positively charged metallic sheath 1072 negatively charged metallic sheath 1080 tubes 1090 pantographs 1091 External consumers or users 1100 Circular track 1110 Inlet device 1120 Shielding around the ion current generator 2000 Electrically operated device according to the invention 3000 Inventive method for generating electrical energy 3100 Ionization of a filling gas 3200 Acceleration of the generated ions 3300 Inducing a current 3400 Provision of the generated electrical energy to external consumers or users G Filling gas M1, M2 magnetic deflection fields X, Y center axes of the respective induction sections α α-particles

Claims

[1] An ion current generator (1000) for generating electrical energy from current induction by an ion current (1020a, 1020b, 1060i) of positively (1011a) and negatively charged particles (1011b) comprising - an ion source (1010) with which a filling gas (G) in the ion current generator (1000) can be at least partially ionized or supplied with ions, - an electrical acceleration path (1020) defined by a positive pole (1030a) and a negative pole (1030b) arranged at a distance from the positive pole (1030a), wherein the ions (1011a, 1011b) of the filling gas (G) generated by the ion source are accelerated along the acceleration path (1020) and thus also serve to increase the number of ions by means of impact ionization of the filling gas (G) as a cascade effect due to the acceleration of the ions (1011a, 1011b) in the filling gas (G), wherein a voltage source (1040) between the positive (1030a) and negative pole (1030b) generates a predefined constant voltage difference for accelerating the ions (1011a, 1011b), - one or more coils (1050) arranged along respective induction paths (1060) outside the acceleration path (1020) for current induction by the ion current (1060i) passing through the induction paths (1060), wherein the negatively charged particles (1011b) of the ion current (1020a, 1020b) leave the acceleration path (1020) in the direction of the positive pole (1030a) and positively charged particles (1011a) of the ion current in the direction of the negative pole (1030b) to enter and pass through the respective induction paths (1060) adjacent to the acceleration path (1020) on both sides, and - a current collector (1090) which is suitably connected to the one or more coils (1050) in order to make the electrical energy generated by current induction available to external consumers or consumers (1091) via an interface. [2] The ion current generator (1000) according to claim 1, characterized bythat two separate magnetic deflection fields (M1, M2) with field direction perpendicular to the ion current (1060i) are arranged outside the acceleration (1020) and induction section (1060) in order to guide the positive and negative particles (1011a,1011b) of the ion current (1060i) in a circular path (1100) back to the acceleration section (1020) so that the positive and negative particles (1011a,1011b) can recombine again to form neutral filling gas (G). [3] The ion current generator (1000) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the induction paths (1060) are surrounded by a respective steering unit (1070) for the ion current (1060i) in order to keep at least a majority of the charged positive and negative particles (1011a,1011b) close to the central axis (X,Y) of the respective induction paths (1060). [4] The ion current generator (1000) according to claim 3, characterized byin that the respective steering unit (1070) comprises a metallic sheath (1071, 1072) in the direction of the ion current (1060i) around the respective induction path (1060), wherein the metallic sheath is a negatively charged sheath (1072) for negative particles (1011b) and a positively charged sheath (1071) for positive particles (1011a) in order to hold the charged particles (1011a, 1011b) close to the central axis (X, Y) of the respective induction paths (1060) by means of electrical repulsion. [5] The ion current generator (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the ion source (1010) is a radioactive radiation source. [6] The ion current generator (1000) according to claim 5, characterized by that the radioactive radiation source (1010) is an α-emitter, preferably the material of the radioactive radiation source is polonium-210. [7] The ion current generator (1000) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized bythat the radioactive radiation source (1010) is designed in such a way that its radiation intensity can be regulated. [8] The ion current generator (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the filling gas (G) is a noble gas, preferably xenon. [9] The ion current generator (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the filling gas (G) is present under normal pressure in the ion current generator (1000). [10] The ion current generator (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the acceleration section (1020) and the induction sections (1060) adjacent to the acceleration section (1020) on both sides are formed by a plurality of parallel tubes (1080), wherein the tubes (1080) of the acceleration section (1020) are continued in the ion current direction (1020a, 1020b, 1060i) by the tubes (1080) in the induction sections (1060). [11] The ion current generator (1000) according to claim 10, characterized by that the tubes (1080) in the acceleration section (1020) are made of a material which does not shield the ions of the ion source (1010). [12] The ion current generator (1000) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that the tubes (1080) in the induction paths (1060) are made of a non-metallic material which also does not shield electric fields or does so only insignificantly. [13] The ion current generator (1000) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that a space between the tubes (1080) at the respective ends of the acceleration section (1020) and / or the induction sections is filled with a conductive material in order to provide the negative and positive poles (1030a,1030b) of the acceleration section (1020). [14] The ion current generator (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the ion current generator (1000) comprises an inlet device (1120) for the filling gas (G). [15] The ion current generator (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the ion current generator (1000) is at least partially enclosed by a shield (1120) in order to prevent ions from escaping from the ion current generator (1000) to an extent that is not permissible for people to be permanently present in the vicinity of the ion current generator (1000). [16] An electrically operated device (2000) comprising at least one ion current generator (1000) according to one of the preceding claims and an electrical load (1091), wherein the ion current generator (1000) is provided and designed to deliver electrical energy to the load (1091) of the electrically operated device (2000) for its operation. [17] A use of an ion current generator (1000) according to any one of claims 1-15 for the electrical supply of one or more electrically operated devices (2000). [18] A method (3000) for generating electrical energy from current induction by an ion current (1010a, 1020b, 1060i) of positively (1011a) and negatively charged particles (1011b), comprising the following steps: - at least partially ionizing (3100) a filling gas (G) in an ion current generator (1000) by means of an ion source (1010); - Accelerating (3200) the ions (1011a, 1011b) of the filling gas (G) generated or provided by the ion source along an electrical acceleration path (1020) defined by a positive pole (1030a) and a negative pole (1030b) arranged at a distance from the positive pole (1030a), in the direction (1020a, 1020b) of the positive and negative poles (1030a, 1030b), wherein a voltage source (1040) between the positive and negative poles (1030a, 1030b) generates a predefined constant voltage difference for accelerating the ions (1011a, 1011b) and wherein the acceleration of the ions (1011a, 1011b) in the filling gas (G) also serves to increase the number of ions by means of impact ionization of the filling gas (G) as a cascade effect; - inducing (3300) a current in one or more coils (1050) arranged along respective induction paths (1060) outside the acceleration path (1020) by the ion current (1060i) passing through the induction paths (1060), wherein the negatively charged particles (1011b) of the ion current (1020a, 1020b) leave the acceleration path (1020) in the direction of the positive pole (1030a) and the positively charged particles (1011a) of the ion current leave the acceleration path (1020) in the direction of the negative pole (1030b) and pass through the respective induction paths (1060) adjacent to the acceleration path (1020) on both sides; and - Providing (3400) the electrical energy generated by means of current induction via an interface to external consumers or users (1091) by means of a current collector (1090) connected in a suitable manner to the one or more coils (1050).