Electrostatic capture and storage

Abstract

A system for collecting static electricity deploys a plurality of planar capacitors connected in parallel and aligned to form a capacitor stack, the capacitor stack having two parallel and opposing main faces arranged to receive static electric charges from the atmosphere. The system also includes an electronic circuit in communication with the capacitor stack. The electronic circuit is configured to at least partially discharge static electric charges to the electronic circuit so as to prepare the capacitor stack for receiving additional static electric charges from the atmosphere.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This patent application claims priority to UK Patent Application GB2209250.6 filed on June 23, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to capturing electrostatic charge from the atmosphere, and more particularly to systems and methods for storing electrostatic charge in an energy storage device.

Background Art

[0003] Devices and methods for capturing static electricity for the purpose of protecting devices such as electronic devices from electrostatic discharge are known. Further, devices and methods for capturing static electricity from systems, such as from a part or a moving part of a rotating automobile tire, are disclosed. Since there is abundant energy available from electrostatic charge recoverable from the atmosphere, there is a need for a system that can efficiently collect such charges and store them for future use and / or benefit.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for collecting static electricity by capturing and storing electrostatic charge from the atmosphere.

[0005] According to an embodiment, a system for collecting static electricity comprises: (a) a plurality of planar capacitors connected in parallel and aligned to form a capacitor stack, the capacitor stack having two parallel and opposing main surfaces arranged to receive electrostatic charge from the atmosphere; and (b) an electronic circuit configured to communicate with the capacitor stack and to at least partially discharge electrostatic charge to the electronic circuit so as to prepare the capacitor stack to receive additional electrostatic charge from the atmosphere.

[0006] In some embodiments, the system can further include an energy storage device, such as a rechargeable battery, that communicates with the electronic circuit to store at least a portion of the electrostatic charge.

[0007] In some embodiments, the system can further include a power source configured to provide a DC voltage to the capacitor stack.

[0008] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include a diode bridge to establish the polarity of the at least partially discharged electrostatic charge.

[0009] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include an electrolytic capacitor arranged to at least partially discharge the received electrical charge to the electronic circuit, and the electrolytic capacitor can have a capacitance that is at least 50% greater than, or at least 100% greater than, or at least 200% greater than the capacitance of the capacitor stack.

[0010] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include a Zener diode upstream of the rechargeable battery.

[0011] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include a voltage stabilizer upstream of the rechargeable battery.

[0012] In some embodiments, the electrolytic capacitor can be arranged to discharge to the rechargeable battery via the voltage stabilizer.

[0013] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include a controller configured to cause the power source to provide a pulsed voltage to the capacitor stack in response to receiving a signal from the voltage stabilizer.

[0014] In some embodiments, the capacitor stack can be mounted such that at least most of each of the two main surfaces is exposed. In some embodiments, at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90% of each of the two main surfaces is exposed.

[0015] According to an embodiment, a method for charging a storage battery is disclosed. The method includes: (a) disposing the capacitor stack such that at least most of each of two parallel and opposing main surfaces of the capacitor stack is exposed to the atmosphere, the capacitor stack including a plurality of planar capacitors connected in parallel and aligned to form the capacitor stack; (b) receiving an electrostatic charge from the atmosphere into the capacitor stack; (c) at least partially discharging the electrostatic charge to an electronic circuit installed to communicate with the capacitor stack, the at least partially discharging being effective to prepare the capacitor stack to receive additional electrostatic charge from the atmosphere; and (d) storing at least a portion of the electrostatic charge in a storage battery installed to communicate with the electronic circuit.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method can further include providing a DC voltage from a power source to the capacitor stack.

[0017] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include a diode bridge for establishing the polarity of the at least partially discharged electrostatic charge.

[0018] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include an electrolytic capacitor arranged to at least partially discharge the received electric charge into the electronic circuit, the electrolytic capacitor having a capacitance that is at least 50%, or at least 100%, or at least 200% greater than the capacitance of the capacitor stack.

[0019] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include a Zener diode upstream of the storage battery.

[0020] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include a voltage stabilizer upstream of the storage battery.

[0021] In some embodiments, the electrolytic capacitor can be arranged to discharge to the storage battery via the voltage stabilizer.

[0022] In some embodiments, the electronic circuit can include a controller configured to cause the power supply to provide a pulsed voltage to the capacitor stack in response to receiving a signal from the voltage stabilizer.

[0023] In some embodiments, at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90% of each of the two main surfaces is exposed.

[0024] Next, the present invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of the components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience of presentation and clarity and are not necessarily to scale.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of illustration only. Although the description will be made with specific reference to the drawings in detail, it should be emphasized that the detailed description is merely illustrative and is also for the purpose of merely exemplifying the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and is presented in the process of providing what is considered to be the most useful and easily understandable explanation of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, the structural details of the present invention are shown only to the extent necessary for a basic understanding of the present invention, but by explaining together with the drawings, it will be clear to those skilled in the art how the various forms of the present invention can be actually embodied. Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are generally used to designate like elements. Throughout this disclosure, the subscripted reference numbers (e.g., 101 or 10 ARegardless of whether it is in the drawings, it can be used to specify multiple distinct outer shapes of a single type of element. For example, 101 is a single outer shape of element 10 (out of the multiple outer shapes). Alternatively, when the same element does not refer to a particular one of the multiple distinct outer shapes, i.e., when referring to the entire species, it can be referred to without a subscript (e.g., 10 and not 101).

[0027] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a system for collecting static electricity. The static electricity is collected directly on two exposed main surfaces of a capacitor stack, such as a stack of planar capacitors. The capacitor stack may have a prism shape to increase the available collection surface. Without following a particular theory, when charged particles in the atmosphere contact the collection surfaces of the two main surfaces, the charge moves to the collection surfaces. The capacitor stack is preferably deployed, for example, mounted, with the two main surfaces as exposed to the environment as possible, for example, with at least 50% of the surface area of each of the two main surfaces, or at least 60% of the charge collection area, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90% exposed. Thus, it is desirable to design the mounting arrangement so as not to cover more than the minimum portion of the collection surface, and in some designs, 100% of the collection surface can be exposed. The stack of capacitors is preferably connected in parallel to increase the capacitance. For example, non-optimized designs, including collection surfaces with insufficient exposure, series wiring of capacitors, and / or the use of non-planar capacitors, also remain within the scope of the present invention.

[0028] Reference is now made to the drawings, in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, which show an example of the arrangement, for example the mounting, of the capacitor stack 20. FIG. 1 shows a building 10 such as a house, and shows that the capacitor stack 20 is arranged on the ground 12, a flat roof 13 and a pitched roof 14. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the capacitor stack 20 is placed on the pitched roof 14 at the same angle as the roof. In particular, this orientation prevents the entire surface area of one of the two main surface regions 29 from being exposed to the atmosphere, thus reducing the collection of static electricity from the atmosphere. FIG. 2 shows a non-limiting example of a mounting arrangement 37 for arranging the capacitor stack 20 on the planes 12, 13 while leaving at least 90% of the surface area of each of the two main surfaces 291, 292 exposed.

[0029] Another example of arranging the capacitor stack 20 for collecting static electricity from the atmosphere is to implement an embodiment in a so-called electrostatic "farm" or "power plant" (not shown), i.e., something similar to an electric utility-scale solar "farm" and solar power plant. In such an example, the array of capacitor stacks can include a plurality of capacitor stacks.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of an exemplary capacitance stack 20. A total of n conductive plates 25, i.e., plates 251 to 25 nis assembled by inserting a separator layer selected from separator layers 23, 27 between each pair of consecutive conductive plates 25. The separator layers 23, 27 can be selected based on electrical insulation properties and / or dielectric properties. In some embodiments, all of the two types of separator layers 23, 27 use the same material. In other embodiments, all of the separator layers 23, 27 use the same material but are distinguished by thickness. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 3, the first capacitor includes a first conductive plate 251, a separator layer 23, and a second conductive plate 252. Another separator layer 27 is disposed between the capacitors. The second capacitor includes a third conductive plate 253, another separator layer 23, and a fourth conductive plate 254. This pattern continues up to the last (n / 2)th capacitor including conductive plates 25 n-1 , 25 n and so on up to the last (n / 2)th capacitor.

[0031] Each conductive plate 25 is in contact with an electrical terminal 22, specifically, considering that the capacitors are electrically arranged in parallel, the "plus" terminal 29 プラス and the "minus" terminal 29 マイナス contact alternately. The electrical lead wires 71 プラス and 71 マイナス are current collectors of the stack and are connected to other elements of the system 100 as shown in FIG. 5. The designations "plus" and "minus" for both the terminals 29 and the electrical lead wires 71 are for illustrative purposes only, and it will be apparent that the plus and minus can be interchanged.

[0032] A similar stack structure is shown in the stack layout presented in FIG. 4, and the design differences between the first and last capacitors and the intermediate capacitors in the stack are disclosed. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 4, the first separator layer 23 and the last separator layer 23 are made of a dielectric material (2113RC60) that is slightly different from the remaining separator layers 23 (2116RC53). The first conductive plate 251 and the last conductive plate 25 nis formed of an alloy with a higher copper content (90% vs. 89%) than the intervening conductive plates, is thinner, has only one-third the weight, thereby reducing electrical resistance and improving the movement of electrostatic charge to the exposed surface. End plates 251, 25 n is substantially thinner than the plate and can be applied using a coating process or a foil coating process, and is therefore described as a foil in FIG. 4.

[0033] According to an embodiment, a system 100 for collecting static electricity includes an electronic circuit that communicates with a capacitor stack. The term "electronic circuit" as used herein and in the appended claims is used broadly to include any electrical circuit and / or electronic circuit, and any electrical and / or electronic component that includes hardware, firmware, and / or software, and in some cases includes both off-the-shelf components and custom-designed components.

[0034] The electronic circuit of this embodiment is configured, among other things, to at least partially discharge the electrostatic charge received by the capacitor stack from the atmosphere into the electronic circuit or into one or more of its components. In an embodiment, the discharge is a discharge of substantially all of the charge collected by the capacitor stack, for example, at least 90%, or at least 80%, or at least 70%, or at least 60% of the collected charge. This prepares the capacitor stack to receive additional electrostatic charge from the atmosphere and also makes it easier to store at least a portion of the collected electrostatic charge in a storage battery. The term "storage battery" means any rechargeable energy storage device and is not limited to electrochemical storage.

[0035] Next, refer to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8. A system 100 for collecting static electricity includes a capacitor stack 20, an electronic circuit 60, and an energy storage device, such as a battery 80. The electronic circuit 60 is configured to “feed” static charge from the capacitor stack 20 through the electronic circuit 60 to the energy storage device 80. This is accomplished in part by maintaining a lower voltage on the downstream side as compared to the voltage of the static charge within the capacitor stack 20. A DC power supply 67 is provided to supply a voltage, such as a steady voltage or a pulsed voltage, or both, at different times. The voltage supplied by the DC power supply 67 is specific to the embodiment. Examples of suitable voltages are voltages in the range of 3 - 6V, 6 - 12V, 12 - 24V, and 24 - 48V. The charge “collected” by the capacitor stack 20 generally conveys a higher voltage, such as greater than 50V, or greater than 100V, or greater than 1000V, or greater than 5000V. The flow of charge from the capacitor stack can be a very low current, for example, less than 1 mA (milliamperes), or less than 100 μA (microamperes), or less than 10 μA.

[0036] Since the polarity of the charge collected by the capacitor stack 20 is unknown, as shown in FIG. 5, the current first flows through the bridge diode 62 to establish the polarity of the current, e.g., the positive polarity. From there, the current flows to a capacitor 65, e.g., an electrolytic capacitor having a capacitance that is at least 50% greater than, or at least 100% greater than, or at least 200% greater than, or at least 500% greater than, or at least 1000% greater than the capacitance of the capacitor stack 20. The electrolytic capacitor 65 is configured to temporarily store the charge, i.e., until the voltage difference indicates that the charge is discharged into the circuit in the direction of the battery. The Zener diode 66 is set to become effective at a voltage close to the voltage of the battery 80, e.g., up to 10% higher, or up to 20% higher, or up to 50% higher, or higher, thereby protecting both the battery 80 and the voltage stabilizer 63 on the downstream side of the Zener diode 66 and on the upstream side of the battery 80. The voltage stabilizer 63 is configured to supply a substantially constant voltage for charging the storage battery 80. An example for the description of a simple voltage stabilizer 63 is shown in FIG. 7. As shown, the example for the description corresponds to an input voltage of 7 - 36V and outputs a stable 5V. Thus, the portion of the electronic circuit 60 from the bridge diode 62 to the voltage stabilizer 63 is configured to jointly convert the high-voltage, low-current charge of unknown polarity collected from the atmosphere by the capacitor stack 20 into electricity of a charging voltage suitable for the storage battery 80 with a known polarity. As schematically shown in FIG. 6, the DC electricity stored in the energy storage device 80 can be converted into AC electricity by the inverter 95 and then flow through the electrical lead 72 into the local or wide-area power supply network.

[0037] The controller 40 is provided, among other things, to cause the DC power supply 67 to output a voltage pulse for inducing the discharge of the capacitor stack in the direction of a lower downstream voltage. An optional communication path 73 can be provided for the controller 40 to receive a signal from the voltage stabilizer 63 for triggering a voltage pulse based on the state of the voltage stabilizer 63. In some embodiments, the controller 40 is also configured to pause the steady voltage or pulsed voltage provided by the DC power supply 67 in order to evaluate one or more system parameters. After the evaluation, the controller 40 is configured to resume the provision of the steady voltage or pulsed voltage. The one or more system parameters to be evaluated can include, for example, but not comprehensively, the state of charge, current, and / or voltage. The one or more system parameters can be evaluated, for example, but not exhaustively, at any one or more of a plurality of locations within the system 100, such as at the capacitor stack 20 or downstream thereof, at the bridge diode 62, upstream or downstream thereof, at the capacitor 65, upstream or downstream thereof, or at the zener diode 66 or upstream thereof. In an embodiment, the pause is between 1 and 20 seconds, or between 1 and 10 seconds, or between 2 and 3 seconds. In an embodiment, the controller 40 is further configured to take an action in response to the evaluation. In one example, the system parameter to be evaluated is the state of charge of the capacitor stack 20, and the action taken is to increase or decrease the amplitude or frequency of the voltage pulse from the DC power supply 67. In one example, the evaluation reveals at least one of a charge greater than a predetermined charge within the capacitor stack 20, a voltage higher than a predetermined voltage at the zener diode 66 or upstream thereof, and a current higher than a predetermined current measured at any point between the bridge diode 62 and the battery 80. According to this example, the actions taken in response to the evaluation include stopping the steady voltage or pulsed voltage from the DC power supply 67 for a set period, for example, for at least 1 minute and up to 120 minutes, or at least 1 minute and up to 60 minutes, or at least 1 minute and up to 30 minutes, and / or until a subsequent evaluation.Exemplary responses to this evaluation can be implemented, among other things, to save energy when substantial static electricity is captured and stored and the supply of a steady voltage or a pulsed voltage by the DC power source 67 may not be necessary.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an exemplary controller 40. The term “controller” is used to mean any hardware, software, and / or firmware deployed in connection with data communication, programming, data processing, data storage, measurement, and / or calculation, among other things, to regulate one or more functions of the system 100 and its components disclosed herein for the collection of static electricity.

[0039] In a simple example of the controller shown in FIG. 8, the controller 40 includes, but is not limited to, the following components: one or more computer processors 45, a non-transitory program storage device 48 for storing program instructions executed by the one or more computer processors 45, a temporary and / or non-transitory data storage device 45 for storing measured values, calculated values, and / or historical data, an electrical circuit 41 that communicates with the electrical wiring of the electronic circuit 60, and a communication module 47 for communicating information regarding the operation of the system 100 to a display and / or an external computer. A power source for the electronic device can be provided but is not shown in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the electronic circuit 40 includes and stores program instructions for performing control functions such as causing the DC power source 67 to supply a pulsed voltage to the capacitor stack 20 in response to receiving a signal from the voltage stabilizer 63 for execution by the one or more processors 45.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 9A, a method for charging a storage battery, such as the storage battery 80 of the system 100, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein is disclosed. As shown by the flowchart of FIG. 9A, this method includes at least four method steps S01, S02, S03, and S04. Step S01: To arrange the capacitor stack 20 such that at least 90% of each of the two parallel and opposing main surfaces 29 is exposed to the atmosphere, the capacitor stack 20 including a plurality of planar capacitors connected in parallel and aligned to form the above capacitor stack 20. Step S02: To receive electrostatic charges into the capacitor stack 20 from the atmosphere. Step S03: To at least partially discharge the electrostatic charges to an electronic circuit 60 in communication with the capacitor stack 20, the at least partially discharging being effective to prepare the capacitor stack 20 to receive additional electrostatic charges from the atmosphere. Step S04: To store at least a part of the electrostatic charges in a storage battery 80 installed to communicate with the electronic circuit 60.

[0041] In some embodiments, the method further includes method step S05 shown by the flowchart of FIG. 9B. Step S05: To provide a DC voltage from a power source 67 to the capacitor stack 20.

[0042] In some embodiments, the method further includes method step S06 shown by the flowchart of FIG. 9C. Step S06: To suspend providing the DC voltage by the power source 67 (disclosed in step S05) to evaluate system parameters.

[0043] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of step S06. According to the example of FIG. 10, step S06 begins by temporarily stopping the provision of the DC voltage and evaluating system parameters, as shown in box 1001. As detailed above, parameter values, such as charge, voltage, and / or current, are checked (see box 1002) to determine whether it exceeds a predetermined value. If it is determined that it exceeds the predetermined value (see box 1003), the provision of the steady voltage or the pulsed voltage is further stopped for a certain period. The pause can be ended automatically based on time or in response to another evaluation of the system parameters. If it is determined that it does not exceed the predetermined value (see box 1004), the provision of the steady voltage or the pulsed voltage is resumed.

[0044] In describing the present invention, its embodiments have been described in detail, but the described embodiments are examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention. The described embodiments include various features, but not all of them are required in all embodiments of the present invention. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the described features or possible combinations of the described features. Embodiments of the present invention that include changes to the described embodiments or different combinations of the features shown in the embodiments are naturally contemplated by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A system for collecting static electricity, comprising: a. A plurality of planar capacitors connected in parallel and aligned to form a capacitor stack, the capacitor stack having two parallel and opposing main surfaces arranged to receive static charge from the atmosphere, the plurality of planar capacitors; b. An electronic circuit configured to communicate with the capacitor stack and to at least partially discharge the static charge to the electronic circuit so as to prepare the capacitor stack to receive additional static charge from the atmosphere, the electronic circuit; c. A power supply configured to provide a DC voltage to the capacitor stack; The system comprising the above.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage battery in communication with the electronic circuit for storing at least a portion of the static charge.

3. The system according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the electronic circuit includes a diode bridge for establishing the polarity of the at least partially discharged static charge.

4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic circuit includes an electrolytic capacitor arranged to at least partially discharge the received electrical charge to the electronic circuit, the electrolytic capacitor having a capacitance that is at least 50% greater than, or at least 100% greater than, or at least 200% greater than the capacitance of the capacitor stack.

5. The system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the electronic circuit includes a Zener diode upstream of the storage battery.

6. The system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the electronic circuit includes a voltage stabilizer upstream of the storage battery.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the electrolytic capacitor is arranged to discharge to the storage battery via the voltage stabilizer.

8. The system according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the electronic circuit includes a controller configured to cause the power supply to provide a pulsed voltage to the capacitor stack in response to receiving a signal from the voltage stabilizer.

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the capacitor stack is mounted such that at least most of each of the two main surfaces is exposed.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein at least 60% of each of the two main surfaces is exposed.

11. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic circuit includes a controller configured to temporarily stop providing the voltage in order to evaluate system parameters.

12. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, attached to a building.

13. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, mounted on a vehicle.

14. A method of charging a storage battery, comprising: a. disposing the capacitor stack such that at least most of each of the two parallel and opposing main surfaces of the capacitor stack are exposed to the atmosphere, the capacitor stack including a plurality of planar capacitors connected in parallel and aligned to form the capacitor stack; b. receiving an electrostatic charge from the atmosphere into the capacitor stack; c. at least partially discharging the electrostatic charge to an electronic circuit installed to communicate with the capacitor stack, the at least partially discharging being effective to prepare the capacitor stack to receive additional electrostatic charge from the atmosphere; d. storing at least a portion of the electrostatic charge in a storage battery installed to communicate with the electronic circuit. The method as described above.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising providing a DC voltage from a power source to the capacitor stack.

16. The method according to any one of claims 14 or 15, wherein the electronic circuit includes a diode bridge for establishing the polarity of the at least partially discharged electrostatic charge.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the electronic circuit includes an electrolytic capacitor arranged to at least partially discharge the received electric charge to the electronic circuit, the electrolytic capacitor having a capacitance that is at least 50% greater than, or at least 100% greater than, or at least 200% greater than the capacitance of the capacitor stack.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the electronic circuit includes a Zener diode upstream of the storage battery.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the electronic circuit includes a voltage stabilizer upstream of the storage battery.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the electrolytic capacitor is arranged to discharge to the storage battery via the voltage stabilizer.

21. The electronic circuit includes a controller configured to cause the power supply to provide a pulsed voltage to the capacitor stack in response to receiving a signal from the voltage stabilizer, The method according to any one of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein providing the DC voltage includes providing the pulsed voltage.

22. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein at least 60% of each of the two main surfaces is exposed.

23. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 22, further comprising temporarily stopping providing the DC voltage to evaluate system parameters.

24. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, implemented using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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