Macroscopic Super Capacitor for Lightning Energy Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack an effective method to capture and store the electric charge from lightning for use as an alternative energy source, which is essential for widespread energy supplementation or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A macroelectronic super capacitor system with embedded parallel capacitors, housed in a waterproof vacuum shell, utilizing alternating layers of dielectric and conducting materials, and a metallic probe to harness and store electrical energy from lightning, capable of connecting to a massive battery and electrical power grid for distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If microelectronic capacitors with small radius are used, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is easy, but the capacitance value is small and energy storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from microelectronic scale to macroelectronic scale by increasing the radius of capacitors from millimeter/micrometer scale to meter scale. This dimensional change allows capacitance values to increase dramatically while maintaining a relatively simple parallel plate structure, resolving the contradiction between capacitance value and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the massive capacitor into multiple smaller capacitors connected in parallel, where each capacitor has manageable dimensions but the collective array achieves the desired total capacitance. This segmentation allows construction of large-capacitance systems without requiring single enormous components, balancing manufacturability with energy storage capacity
2Use of energy by moving object
If the radius of capacitors is increased to capture lightning energy, then the energy storage capacity increases, but the area required for the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs localized capacitors distributed across the housing structure, where each capacitor is optimized for its specific position and function. This allows efficient use of available space within the housing while achieving total energy storage capacity sufficient for lightning capture, resolving the contradiction between energy storage and housing area
3Reliability
If a waterproof vacuum housing is used to protect capacitors, then the reliability and durability increase, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensitive electronic components (capacitors, probes) from the harsh external environment by placing them within a sealed waterproof vacuum housing. This isolation protects components from moisture, oxygen, and atmospheric pressure while allowing the exterior housing to be constructed from simpler, more durable materials, balancing reliability with manufacturability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the capture and distribution of electrical energy from lightning, providing a sustainable energy source that can supplement or replace traditional power sources, suitable for various applications including electric vehicles and infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitance (C) of this single conductor is large if the conductor is capable of storing a large amount of charge at a low potential
Implementation Method 2
depositing a thin layer of a dielectric material over the bottom electrode to form the dielectric for the microelectronic capacitor
Implementation Method 3
a metallic probe emanating from the housing and connected in parallel with each conductive layer... receiving electric charge from a lightning source
Data Source
AI summary
A super capacitor (SC) and methods are disclosed, forming massive embedded capacitors connected in parallel over very wide radii varying from a few square feet to hundreds of square miles. The SC is enclosed within a water proof housing to keep out water by depositing a plurality of alternating layers of dielectric material between each conducting layer, whereby one or more electrodes are situated on each dielectric layer, and having at least one probe electrode exuding from said housing, and connected to the one or more electrodes, for receiving electric charge from a lightning source, for example. The dielectric layers separating each conducting layer may vary from a few layers to thousands, and possibly even millions or more layers, for example, to define a multilayer capacitive structure capable of providing electric power to supplement or replace other sources of electric power that harm the environment.