US008686575B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,686,575 B2

McCowen (45) Date of Patent: Apr. 1, 2014
(54) ENERGY COLLECTION 2.473,819 A * 6/1949 Pittman ........................... 3.15.36
3,532.959 A * 10/1970 Erickson . ... 320,166
3,780,722 A * 12/1973 Swet ........... ... 126,680
(75) Inventor: Clint McCowen, Navarre, FL (US) 3,946,227 A 3/1976 Bingham ... 250/281
4,079,225. A * 3/1978 Warner ......................... 219,110
(73) Assignee: Ion Power Group, LLC, Navarre, FL 4,092,250 A 5, 1978 Sano et al. ..... 210,500.29
(US) 4,104,696 A 8/1978 Cochran, Jr. ... ... 361,229
4,146,800 A * 3/1979 Gregory et al. ................. 29044
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this is 95. A : 122 Shabel et al. .............. 1588
4- W - 1SC ..........
patent 1S it, G adjusted under 35 4.206.396 A ck 6, 1980 Marks . . . . . . . . . . . 322/2A
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. 4,224,496 A * 9/1980 Riordan et al. ... 219,110
4,307.936 A * 12/1981 Ochiai ........... ... 385,120
(21) Appl. No.: 12/255,130 4,314,192 A * 2/1982 Caro ....... ... 322.2 R
4,346,478 A * 8/1982 Sichling . 398,107
(22) Filed: Oct. 21, 2008 4.425,905 A * 1/1984 Mori ....... ... 126,578
4,433,248 A 2, 1984 Marks ............................. 29044
(65) Prior Publication Data RE31,678 E * 9/1984 Ochiai .......................... 385,115
US 2009/004O680 A1 Feb. 12, 2009
(Continued)
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation of application No. 1 1/358.264, filed on WO 2007098341 8, 2007
Feb. 21, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,439,712. OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(51) Int. Cl. "Emissivity Values for Common Materials & Non-Metals'.
FO2B 63/04 (2006.01) Raytek A Fluke Company, http://www.raytek.com/Raytekfen-rO/
F03G 7/08 (2006.01) IREducation/EmissivityNonMetals.htm, 1999.*
HO2K 7/8 (2006.01)
HO2N I/OO (2006.01) Primary Examiner — Pedro J Cuevas
(52) U.S. Cl. (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Benjamin A. Balser, Balser
USPC ........................................... 290/1 R; 322/2A & Grell IP Law
(58) Field of Classification Search
USPC ........... 290/1 R; 322/2A, 126/660; 60/6418, (57) ABSTRACT
60/641.11, 641.12, 659, 698; 244/158.2 An energy collection system may collect and use the energy
See application file for complete search history. generated by an electric field. Collection fibers are suspended
from a Support wire system supported by poles. The Support
(56) References Cited wire system is electrically connected to a load by a connecting
wire. The collection fibers may be made of any conducting
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS material, but carbon and graphite are preferred. Diodes may
674,427 A 5/1901 Palencsar ...................... 307 149 be used to restrict the backflow or loss of energy.
911,260 A 2, 1909 Pennock ....................... 307 149
1,014,719 A 1/1912 Pennock ....................... 307 149 25 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets

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110 110

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 US 8,686,575 B2
Page 2

(56) References Cited 7,231,809 B2 * 6/2007 Susko .......................... T3/31.05

7.259,475 B2 * 8/2007 Hong et al. ..................... 307/64
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 7,439,712 B2 * 10/2008 McCowen ...... ... 322/2A
7,449,668 B2 * 1 1/2008 Schutten et al. ....... 250,214 SW
4.483.311 A * 1 1/1984 Whitaker ...................... 126,602 7,478,712 B2 * 1/2009 McCowen .................. 191f45 R
4.489,269 A * 12/1984 Edling et al. 322.2 R 7,532,819 B1* 5/2009 Triebes et al. ... 398,121
4,512,335 A * 4, 1985 Mori ............................. 126,678 2002, 0026933 A1* 3, 2002 Gottlieb ....... ... 126/628
4,653,223. A * 3/1987 Mori ................................. 47/17 2002/0108892 A1* 8, 2002 Goetz et al. .. ... 209,576
4,653,472 A * 3/1987 Mori ... 126,683 2002/0109094 A1* 8, 2002 Goetz et al. .. 250/339.11
4,676,226 A * 6/1987 Mori ... 126,680 2002/0109835 A1* 8, 2002 Goetz ...... 356/237.1
4,809,675 A * 3/1989 Mori ........ 126,578 2003/0107869 A1 6/2003 Panet al. 361 (306.2
4,852.454. A * 8/1989 Batchelder ..... ... 89.1.11 2003/O12563.0 A1* 7, 2003. Furnish .... ... 600,461
4,943,125 A * 7/1990 Laundre' et al. ... 385/35 2003/01933 19 A1 * 10, 2003 Wood et al. ................... 322/2A
4,988,159 A * 1/1991 Turner et al. ... ... 385/33 2004/001 1925 A1 1/2004 Grandics ......................... 244.62
5,047,892 A 9, 1991 Sakata et al. 361,231 2004/008.3793 A1* 5, 2004 Susko .......... T3/31.05
5,114,101 A * 5/1992 Stern et al. ................. 244,172.8 2004/0094.853 A1* 5, 2004 Mbachu et al. . ... 264/40.1
5,145.257 A * 9/1992 Bryant et al. ................. 374,131 2004O160711 A1 8/2004 Stumberger ... ... 361/20
5,379,103 A * 1/1995 Zigler ...... 356/73 2005/0101024 A1* 5, 2005 Mbachu et al. . ... 436,85
5,851,309 A * 12/1998 Kousa ...... 136,248 2005. O136311 A1* 6, 2005 Ueda et al. ... ... 429/30
5,942,806 A * 8/1999 Veliadis ... 290.1 R 2005/0270525 A1* 12/2005 Susko .......... 356/326
6,025,591 A 2/2000 Taylor et al. 250,292 2007/0107765 A1* 5, 2007 Schutten et al. ... 136,243
6,038,363 A * 3/2000 Slater et al. . ... 385,147 2007. O195481 A1* 8, 2007 McCowen ... ... 361,233
6,116,544. A * 9/2000 Forward etal 244,158.2 2007/0218323 A1* 9, 2007 Sudo et al. ... ... 429/13
6,173,922 B1* 1/2001 Hoyt et al. .. 244,158.2 2007/0223171 A1 9/2007 Guy et al. ... 361,126
6,226,440 B1* 5/2001 Lyons ... ... 385,119 2007/0273206 A1* 11/2007 McCowen ... 307/91
6.419,191 B1* 7/2002 Hoyt et al. .. 244,158.2 2007/0297892 A1* 12/2007 Kildegaard . ... 415/1
6.425,391 B1* 7/2002 Davoren et al. ... 126,683 2008/0145714 A1* 6/2008 Kagami ... ... 429/13
6,735,830 B1 5, 2004 Merciel ....... ... 250,324 2009,0107842 A1 4/2009 Park et al. ... 204,554
6,765,212 B2 * 7/2004 Goetz et al. .............. 250/339.11 2009.0114495 A1* 5, 2009 McCowen ... ... 191f45 R
6,846,447 B2 *ck 1/2005 Mbachu et al. ............... 264/406 SR 63 A. 4,$39,
2010.0090562 A1
Pless et al. ......................
2010 McCowen ...
86
... 310,309
3.37
w- I
E. S. S.A." oetzetal
356/237.1
356/237.1
2010/0090563 A1*ck 4, 2010 McCowen ...... ... 310,309
6,925,852 B2 * 8, 2005 SuSko ...... 73.23.2 2012/O164555 A1 6/2012 Yamazaki et al. ... 429,482
- 4- 2012fO299559 A1* 11, 2012 McCowen ...... ... 322/2A
6,974,110 B2 12/2005 Grandics . 244, 1715 2013/0276776 A1* 10/2013 Te Kamp etal 126,660
7,109,597 B1 * 9/2006 Bose ........... ... 290,43 ..............
7,128,867 B2 * 10/2006 Mbachu et al. . 264/406 * cited by examiner
U.S. Patent Apr. 1, 2014 Sheet 1 of 10 US 8,686,575 B2
U.S. Patent Apr. 1, 2014 Sheet 2 of 10 US 8,686,575 B2

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U.S. Patent Apr. 1, 2014 Sheet 8 of 10 US 8,686,575 B2

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U.S. Patent Apr. 1, 2014 Sheet 10 of 10 US 8,686,575 B2

91O
SUSPEND
COLLECTION FIBER
FROM SUPPORT
STRUCTURE WIRE

920
CONNECT LOAD
TO SUPPORT
STRUCTURE WIRE

930
CONNECT DODE
BETWEEN SUPPORT
STRUCTURE WIRE
AND LOAD

940
STORE ENERGY
PROVIDED TO
LOAD

FIGURE 9
 US 8,686,575 B2
1. 2
ENERGY COLLECTION nected to the support structure wire; and a diode electrically
connected between the load and at least one collection fiber.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be viewed
APPLICATION as providing methods for collecting energy. In this regard, one
embodiment of Such a method, among others, can be broadly
This application is a continuation application of U.S. Summarized by the following steps: Suspending at least one
patent application Ser. No. 1 1/358.264, filedon Feb. 21, 2006, collection fiber from a support structure wire elevated above
ground level, the fiber electrically connected to the support
which is incorporated by reference herein. structure wire; providing a load with an electrical connection
TECHNICAL FIELD 10 to the Support structure wire to draw current; and providing a
diode electrically connected between the collection fiberand
the load.
The present disclosure is generally related to energy and, Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
more particularly, is related to systems and methods for col present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with
lecting energy. 15
skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings
and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional
BACKGROUND systems, methods, features, and advantages be included
within this description, be within the scope of the present
The concept of fair weather electricity deals with the elec disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
tric field and the electric current in the atmosphere propagated BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
by the conductivity of the air. Clear, calm air carries an elec
trical current, which is the return path for thousands of light Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood
ening storms simultaneously occurring at any given moment with reference to the following drawings. The components in
around the earth. For simplicity, this energy may be referred the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead
to as static electricity or static energy. FIG. 1 illustrates a 25 being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
weather circuit for returning the current from lightning, for present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference
example, back to ground 10. Weather currents 20, 30 return numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the sev
eral views.
the cloud to ground current 40. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a weather energy circuit.
In a lightening storm, an electrical charge is built up, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
electrons arc across a gas, ionizing it and producing the light 30
of many energy collectors elevated above ground by a struc
ening flash. As one of ordinary skill in the art understands, the ture.
complete circuit requires a return path for the lightening flash. FIG. 2A is a side view of an energy collection fiber sus
The atmosphere is the return path for the circuit. The electric pended from a Support wire.
field due to the atmospheric return path is relatively weak at FIG. 2B is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an
any given point because the energy of thousands of electrical 35 energy collection fiber Suspended from a Support wire and
storms across the planet are diffused over the atmosphere of with an additional Support member.
the entire Earth during both fair and stormy weather. Other FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a support structure for
contributing factors to electric current being present in the multiple energy collection fibers.
atmosphere may include cosmic rays penetrating and inter FIG. 2D is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a
acting with the earth's atmosphere, and also the migration of 40 Support structure for multiple energy collection fibers.
ions, as well as other effects yet to be fully studied. FIG. 2E is a side view of a support structure for an energy
Some of the ionization in the lower atmosphere is caused collection fiber.
by airborne radioactive Substances, primarily radon. In most FIG. 2F is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a
places of the world, ions are formed at a rate of 5-10 pairs per Support structure for an energy collection fiber.
cubic centimeter per second at sea level. With increasing 45 FIG. 2G is a side view of a support structure for multiple
altitude, cosmic radiation causes the ion production rate to energy collection fibers.
increase. In areas with high radon exhalation from the Soil (or FIG.3 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
building materials), the rate may be much higher. a circuit for the collection of energy.
Alpha-active materials are primarily responsible for the FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
a circuit for the collection of energy.
atmospheric ionization. Each alpha particle (for instance, 50
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
from a decaying radon atom) will, over its range of some an energy collection circuit for powering a generator and
centimeters, create approximately 150,000-200,000 ion motor.
pairs. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
While there is a large amount of usable energy available in a circuit for collecting energy and using it for the production
the atmosphere, a method or apparatus for efficiently collect 55 of hydrogen and oxygen.
ing that energy has not been forthcoming. Therefore, a here FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
tofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the a circuit for collecting energy, and using it for driving a fuel
aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. cell.
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
SUMMARY 60 a circuit for collecting energy.
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems collecting energy with a collection fiber.
and methods for collecting energy. Briefly described in archi
tecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be DETAILED DESCRIPTION
implemented by a support structure wire elevated above a 65
ground level, at least one collection fiber electrically con Electric charges on conductors reside entirely on the exter
nected to the Support structure wire; a load electrically con nal Surface of the conductors, and tend to concentrate more
 US 8,686,575 B2
3 4
around sharp points and edges than on flat surfaces. There Collection device 130 may be connected and arranged in
fore, an electric field received by a sharp conductive point relation to Support wire system 120 by many means. Some
may be much stronger than a field received by the same non-limiting examples are provided in FIGS. 2A-2G using a
charge residing on a large Smooth conductive shell. An exem collection fiber embodiment. FIG. 2A presents support wire
plary embodiment of this disclosure takes advantage of this 200 with connecting member 210 for collection device 130.
property, among others, to collect and use the energy gener Connection member 210 may be any conducting material
ated by an electric field in the atmosphere. Referring to col allowing for the flow of electricity from connection device
lection system 100 presented in FIG. 2, at least one collection 130 to support wire 200. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the support
device 130 may be suspended from a support wire system 120 wire 200 of support system 120 may be electrically connected
supported by poles 110. Collection device 130 may comprise 10 through conducting wire 140 to load 150. A plurality of
a diode or a collection fiber individually, or the combination diodes may be placed at any position on the Support structure
of a diode and a collection fiber. Support wire system 120 may wire. A preferred embodiment places a diode at an elevated
be electrically connected to load 150 by connecting wire 140. position at the connection point between a collection fiber
Supporting wire system 120 may be any shape or pattern. embodiment of collection device 130 and connection mem
Also, conducting wire 140 may be one wire or multiple wires. 15 ber 210.
The collection device 130 in the form of a fiber may comprise Likewise, FIG. 2B shows collection fiber 130 electrically
any conducting or non-conducting material, including car connected to support wire 200 and also connected to Support
bon, graphite, Teflon, and metal. An exemplary embodiment member 230. Support member 230 may be connected to
utilizes carbon or graphite fibers for static electricity collec collection fiber 130 on either side. Support member 230 holds
tion. Support wire system 120 and connecting wire 140 can be the fiber steady on both ends instead of letting it move freely.
made of any conducting material, including aluminum or Support member 230 may be conducting or non-conducting.
steel, but most notably, copper. Teflon may be added to said A plurality of diodes may be placed at any position on the
conductor as well, such as non-limiting examples of a Teflon Support structure wire. A preferred embodiment places a
impregnated wire, a wire with a Teflon coating, or Teflon diode at elevated position at the connection point between
strips hanging from a wire. Conducting wire 120, 140, and 25 collection fiber 130 and support wire 200 or between fiber
200 may be bare wire, or coated with insulation as a non 130, support member 230, and support wire 200.
limiting example. Wires 120 and 140 are a means of trans FIG. 2C presents multiple collection fibers in a squirrel
porting the energy collected by collection device 130. cage arrangement with top and bottom Support members.
An exemplary embodiment of the collection fibers as col Support structure 250 may be connected to support structure
lection device 130 includes graphite or carbon fibers. Graph 30 wire 200 by support member 240. Structure 250 has a top 260
ite and carbon fibers, at a microscopic level, can have hun and a bottom 270 and each of the multiple collection fibers
dreds of thousands of points. Atmospheric electricity may be 130 are connected on one end to top 260 and on the other end
attracted to these points. If atmospheric electricity can follow to bottom 270. A plurality of diodes may be placed at any
two paths where one is a flat Surface and the other is a pointy, position on support structure 250. A preferred embodiment
conductive surface, the electrical charge will be attracted to 35 places a diode at an elevated position at the connection point
the pointy, conductive surface. Generally, the more points that between collection fiber 130 and support structure wire 200.
are present, the higher energy that can be gathered. Therefore, FIG. 2D presents another exemplary embodiment of a Sup
carbon, or graphite fibers are examples that demonstrate port structure with support members 275 in an X-shape con
exemplary collection ability. nected to support structure wire 200 at intersection 278 with
In at least one exemplary embodiment, the height of Sup 40 collection fibers 130 connected between ends of support
port wire 120 may be an important factor. The higher that members 275. A plurality of diodes may be placed at any
collection device 130 is from ground, the larger the voltage position on the Support structure. A preferred embodiment
potential between collection device 130 and electrical places a diode at an elevated position at the connection point
ground. The electric field may be more than 100 volts per between collection fiber 130 and support wire 200.
meter under some conditions. When support wire 120 is sus 45 FIG. 2E provides another exemplary embodiment for Sup
pended in the air at a particular altitude, wire 120 will itself porting collection fiber 130. Collection fiber 130 may be
collect a very small charge from ambient voltage. When col connected on one side to support member 285, which may be
lection device 130 is connected to support wire 120, collec connected to support structure wire 200 in a first location and
tion device 130 becomes energized and transfers the energy to on the other side to support member 280, which may be
support wire 120. 50 connected to support structure wire 200 in a second location
A diode, not shown in FIG. 2, may be connected in several on support structure wire 200. The first and second locations
positions in collection system 100. A diode is a component may be the same location, or they may be different locations,
that restricts the direction of movement of charge carriers. It even on different support wires. A plurality of diodes may be
allows an electric current to flow in one direction, but essen placed at any position on the Support structure. A preferred
tially blocks it in the opposite direction. A diode can be 55 embodiment places one or more diodes at elevated positions
thought of as the electrical version of a check valve. The diode at the connection point(s) between collection fiber 130 and
may be used to prevent the collected energy from discharging support wire 200.
into the atmosphere through the collection fiber embodiment FIG. 2F presents another exemplary embodiment of a Sup
of collection device 130. An exemplary embodiment of the port for a collection fiber. Two support members 290 may
collection device comprises the diode with no collection fiber. 60 support either side of a collection fiber and are connected to
A preferred embodiment, however, includes a diode at the support wire 200 in a single point. A plurality of diodes may
connection point of a collection fiber to support system 120 be placed at any position on the Support structure. A preferred
such that the diode is elevated above ground. Multiple diodes embodiment places a diode at an elevated position at the
may be used between collection device 130 and load 150. connection point between collection fiber 130 and support
Additionally, in an embodiment with multiple fibers, the 65 wire 200.
diodes restricts energy that may be collected through one fiber FIG.2G provides two supports as provided in FIG.2F such
from escaping through another fiber. that at least two support members 292,294 may be connected
 US 8,686,575 B2
5 6
to support structure wire 200 in multiple locations and col FIG.7 presents circuit 700 for driving a fuel cell. A plural
lection fibers 130 may be connected between each end of the ity of diodes may be placed at any position in the circuit.
support structures. Collection fibers 130 may be connected Collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) provide energy to fuel
between each end of a single Support structure and between cell 720 which drives load 150. Fuel cell 720 may produce
multiple Support structures. A plurality of diodes may be hydrogen and oxygen.
placed at any position on the Support structure. A preferred FIG. 8 presents exemplary circuit 800 for the collection of
embodiment places one or more diodes at elevated positions energy. Storage circuit 800 stores energy from one or more
at the connection point(s) between collection fiber 130 and collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) by charging capacitor
support structure wire 200. 810. If charging capacitor 810 is not used, then the connection
FIG.3 provides a schematic diagram of storing circuit 300 10 to ground shown at capacitor 810 is eliminated. A plurality of
for storing energy collected by one or more collection devices diodes may be placed at any position in the circuit. The
(130 from FIG. 2). Load 150 induces current flow. Diode 310 Voltage from capacitor 810 can be used to charge spark gap
may be electrically connected in series between one or more 820 when it reaches sufficient voltage. Spark gap 820 may
collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) and load 150. A plurality comprise one or more spark gaps in parallel or in series.
of diodes may be placed at any position in the circuit. Switch 15 Non-limiting examples of spark gap 820 include mercury
330 may be electrically connected between load 150 and at reed switches and mercury-wetted reed switches. When spark
least one collection device (130 from FIG. 2) to connect and gap 820 arcs, energy will arc from one end of spark gap 820
disconnect the load. Capacitor 320 may be connected in par to the receiving end of spark gap 820. The output of spark gap
allel to the switch 330 and load 150 to store energy when 820 may be electrically connected in series to rectifier 825.
switch 330 is open for delivery to load 150 when switch 330 Rectifier 825 may be a full-wave or a half-wave rectifier.
is closed. Rectifier 340 may be electrically connected in par Rectifier 825 may include a diode electrically connected in
allel to load 150, between the receiving end of switch 330 and parallel to inductor 830 and load 150, between the receiving
ground. Rectifier 340 may be a full-wave or a half-wave end of spark gap 820 and ground. The direction of the diode
rectifier. Rectifier 340 may include a diode electrically con of rectifier 825 is optional. The output of rectifier 825 is
nected in parallel to load 150, between the receiving end of 25 connected to inductor 830. Inductor 830 may be a fixed value
switch 330 and ground. The direction of the diode of rectifier inductor or a variable inductor. Capacitor 870 may be placed
340 is optional. in parallel with load 150.
In an exemplary embodiment provided in FIG. 4, storage FIG. 9 presents a flow diagram of a method for collecting
circuit 400 stores energy from one or more collection devices energy. In block 910, one or more collection devices may be
(130 from FIG. 2) by charging capacitor 410. If charging 30 suspended from a support structure wire. In block 920, a load
capacitor 410 is not used, then the connection to ground may be electrically connected to the support structure wire to
shown at capacitor 410 is eliminated. A plurality of diodes draw current. In block 930 a diode may be electrically con
may be placed at any position in the circuit. Diode 310 may be nected between the support structure wire and the electrical
electrically connected in series between one or more collec connection to the load. In block 940, energy provided to the
tion devices (130 from FIG. 2) and load 150. Diode 440 may 35 load may be stored or otherwise utilized.
be placed in series with load 150. The Voltage from capacitor Any process descriptions or blocks inflow charts should be
410 can be used to charge spark gap 420 when it reaches understood as representing modules, segments, orportions of
Sufficient Voltage. Spark gap 420 may comprise one or more code which include one or more executable instructions for
spark gaps in parallel. Non-limiting examples of spark gap implementing specific logical functions or steps in the pro
420 include mercury-reed switches and mercury-wetted reed 40 cess, and alternate implementations are included within the
Switches. When spark gap 420 arcs, energy will arc from one scope of the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure
end of the spark gap 420 to the receiving end of the spark gap in which functions may be executed out of order from that
420. The output of spark gap 420 may be electrically con shown or discussed, including Substantially concurrently or
nected in series to rectifier 450. Rectifier 450 may be a full in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as
wave or a half-wave rectifier. Rectifier 450 may include a 45 would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of
diode electrically connected in parallel to transformer 430 the present disclosure.
and load 150, between the receiving end of spark gap 420 and It should be emphasized that the above-described embodi
ground. The direction of the diode of rectifier 450 is optional. ments of the present disclosure, particularly, any "preferred
The output of rectifier 450 is connected to transformer 430 to embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementa
drive load 150. 50 tions, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the prin
FIG. 5 presents motor driver circuit 500. One or more ciples of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications
collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) are electrically con may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the
nected to static electricity motor 510, which powers generator disclosure without departing Substantially from the spirit and
520 to drive load 150. A plurality of diodes may be placed at principles of the disclosure. All Such modifications and varia
any position in the circuit. Motor 510 may also be directly 55 tions are intended to be included herein within the scope of
connected to load 150 to drive it directly. this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the
FIG. 6 demonstrates a circuit 600 for producing hydrogen. following claims.
A plurality of diodes may be placed at any position in the
circuit. One or more collection devices (130 from FIG. 2) are Therefore, at least the following is claimed:
electrically connected to primary spark gap 610, which may 60 1. A method of collecting energy comprising:
be connected to secondary spark gap 640. Non-limiting Suspending at least one collection device with, in opera
examples of spark gaps 610, 640 include mercury-reed tion, microscopic points of a cross-section of the collec
Switches and mercury-wetted reed Switches. Secondary spark tion device exposed to the environment, the at least one
gap 640 may be immersed in water 630 within container 620. collection device electrically connected to the support
When secondary spark gap 640 immersed in water 630 is 65 Structure:
energized, spark gap 640 may produce bubbles of hydrogen providing a load with an electrical connection to the at least
and oxygen, which may be collected to be used as fuel. one collection device to passively draw current; and
 US 8,686,575 B2
7 8
powering a fuel cell between the support structure and the 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the fuel cell produces
load, the powering performed with energy collected hydrogen and oxygen.
from the at least one collection device. 20. A system of collecting energy comprising:
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection device means for suspending at least one collection device with, in
comprises a diode. operation, microscopic points of a cross-section of the
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection device collection device exposed to the environment, the at
comprises a collection fiber. least one collection device electrically connected to the
means for suspending:
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection device means for passively inducing current flow, the means for
comprises a diode and a collection fiber and the diode is 10 inducing current flow electrically connected to the
electrically connected between the collection fiber and the means for suspending; and
load. means for restricting the backflow of charge carriers, the
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing means for restricting the backflow of charge carriers
energy provided to the load. electrically connected between the at least one collec
6. The method of claim 5, wherein storing energy provided 15
tion device and the means for inducing current flow.
to the load comprises storing energy in a capacitor or an 21. A system of energy collection comprising:
inductor. a support structure;
7. The method of claim 3, wherein the collection fiber at least one collection device with, in operation, micro
comprises carbon fiber or graphite fiber. scopic points of a cross-section of the collection device
8. A system of energy collection comprising: exposed to the environment, the collection device elec
a Support structure; trically connected to and suspended from the support
at least one collection device with, in operation, micro structure, the at least one collection device configured to
Scopic points of a cross-section of the collection device passively draw current;
exposed to the environment, the collection device elec a load electrically connected to the at least one collection
trically connected to and suspended from the support 25
device; and
a Switch connected in series between the at least one col
structure, the at least one collection device configured to lection device and the load, the switch comprising an
passively draw current;
a load electrically connected to the at least one collection interrupter connected between the at least one collection
device; and device and the load, and wherein the interrupter com
a diode electrically connected between the at least one 30
prises at least one of a fluorescent tube, a neon bulb, an
collection device and the support structure. AC light, and a spark gap.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the collection device 22. The system of claim 21, further comprising a trans
comprises a diode. former connected between the interrupter and the load.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the collection device 23. A system of energy collection comprising:
comprises a collection fiber. a support structure;
35
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the collection device at least one collection device with, in operation, micro
comprises a collection fiber and a diode electrically con scopic points of a cross-section of the collection device
nected between the load and the collection fiber. exposed to the environment, the at least one collection
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the diode is elevated device electrically connected to and suspended from the
relative to the ground level. 40
Support structure, the collection device configured to
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the collection fiber passively draw current;
comprises a carbon fiber or a graphite fiber. a load electrically connected to the at least one collection
14. The system of claim 8, further comprising: device;
a switch connected in series between the at least one col a motor for providing power, the motor connected between
lection device and the load; and 45
the at least one collection device and the load; and
a capacitor connected in parallel with the switch and the a generator powered by the motor.
load. 24. A system of energy collection comprising:
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the switch comprises a support structure;
an interrupter connected between the at least one collection at least one collection device with, in operation, micro
device and the load, and wherein the interrupter comprises at 50
scopic points of a cross-section of the collection device
least one of a fluorescent tube, a neon bulb, an AC light, and exposed to the environment, the at least one collection
a spark gap. device electrically connected to and suspended from the
16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a trans Support structure the at least one collection device con
former connected between the interrupter and the load. figured to passively draw current;
17. The system of claim 8, further comprising: 55
a load electrically connected to the at least one collection
a motor for providing power, the motor connected between device; and
the at least one collection device and the load; and a fuel cell between the support structure and the load.
a generator powered by the motor. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the fuel cell produces
18. The system of claim 8, further comprising a fuel cell hydrogen and oxygen.
between the support structure and the load.