Electrostatic Patents (Class 322/2A)
  • Patent number: 5797563
    Abstract: The system includes radiation generation and transmission components which radiate tuned microwave electromagnetic energy outwardly from a vehicle through an antenna into a fluid medium through which the vehicle is moving. The microwave radiation is at the frequency of harmonic resonance electromagnetic excitation of the molecules of the medium which produces efficient heating and ionizing of the fluid resulting in a reduction of the mass density thereof. This reduction decreases the drag forces acting on the vehicle resulting in a greatly enhanced aerodynamic and/or hydrodynamic efficiency and also decreases the intensity of the shock waves (which often lead to sonic booms). An aircraft's dramatically higher speed in the surrounding rarefied medium can make it appear to be travelling at "supersonic" speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventors: Ronald F. Blackburn, Barry M. Warmkessel, Sonja M. Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 5506491
    Abstract: An electrostatic generator for frictionally producing static electricity includes a flexible conductor hose arranged for communication therewith to permit static electricity directed through the conductor hose to be utilized for attracting objects thereto. The device includes a connector hose head operable to regulate the attractive force generated upon the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Robert E. Ford
  • Patent number: 5248930
    Abstract: An electrostatic generator developed from the wheel and wheel wall of a car capable of generating very high voltages.The electric charge is applied to the wheel from the pavement by the motion of the car, then the charge is conveyed on the wheel to a device that collects the charge from the wheel to the spherical conductor that's mounted inside the wheel wall of the car. When sufficient charge is accumulated on the spherical conductor the voltage is then released to an electric motor that can operate off ac, dc, or static electricity. The generator's operation is very similar to that of a Van de Graaff generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Mark R. Taylor
    Inventor: Mark R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5065085
    Abstract: A thermoelectric energy converter incorporates thermocouples in a circuit carrying A. C. current via capacitors which provide electrical coupling but obstruct heat transfer between hot and cold junctions. The cyclic current oscillations through the capacitors are diverted by special circuits so as to be rendered asymmetric as current oscillations through the thermoelectric junctions. One such circuit includes the use of a diode configuration regulating current flow through different thermoelectric junctions spaced apart in the thermal gradient. Another involves the action of a unidirectional magnetic field having a polarizing effect on a three-metal thermoelectric junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Strachan-Aspden Limited
    Inventors: Harold Aspden, John S. Strachan
  • Patent number: 4990813
    Abstract: A triboelectric device in which electrical charges are obtained by a rolling process between two rigid dielectric surfaces of appropriate materials, one of which may be planar. There exists therein no injection of electrical charges originating from outside. The separation of the charges with the concomitant generation of electrical potentials is effected by the movement of the parts by triboelectrification. Such devices are useful in the construction of electrostatic generators for teaching, research or industry and as an essential supply for fixed or portable ignition devices for boilers, cookers and gas burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia
    Inventor: Gabriel L. Paramo
  • Patent number: 4897592
    Abstract: Externally charged electrodes of an electrostatic generator induce charges of opposite polarity on segments of a pair of confronting stators by means of electric fields within which a pair of rotors are confined during rotation to vary the charge binding field linkages between confronting rotors and stators by a shielding action of the rotors in a plane perpendicular to the field flux. A high electric potential difference induced between the stators resulting from such rotation of the rotors, is transformed by an output circuit into a reduced DC voltage applied to a load with a correspondingly increase current conducted therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: William W. Hyde
  • Patent number: 4789802
    Abstract: A high electrostatic voltage generator comprises insulated discs which form multi-staged charge carrier modules, a pair of conductive transfer pulleys contacting metal pellets on the outer circumferential rim of the charge carrier module to transfer positive and negative charges, and an electrostatic shielding body for enclosing the metal pellets arranged between the pulleys, to protect them from the influence of the external electric field. Charges induced in grounded and high voltage electrodes by the external electric field are discharged through discharger circuits formed in the charge carrying process to thereby automatically adjust the potential difference between the electrostatic shielding bodies on the uppermost and lowest charge carrier modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Japan Physitec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosinobu Miyake
  • Patent number: 4760303
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electrostatic high-voltage generator in which an electrostatic charge is transported mechanically and is stored on a high-voltage electrode, and plural layers of charge carrier unit for carrying electrostatic charges, are stacked in a direction at right angles with the direction of carrying the charge, and there is provided between respective adjacent ones of those charge carrier units, a charge carrying transfer means for carrying an electric charge carried to the adjacent charge carrier unit. The apparatus can generate an ultra high-voltage and can be constructed economically into a small-sized one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Japan Physitec Instrument Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Miyake
  • Patent number: 4647836
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting heat to electrical energy by the use of one or more capacitors having temperature dependent capacitance are disclosed. The capacitor is cycled between relatively high and relatively low temperatures. Upon heating of the capacitor, the capacitance thereof is reduced, so that a charge therein is caused to expand into associated efficient external circuitry in which it is available to do electrical work. The capacitor is then cooled and recharged and the cycle is repeated. The electrical output of the capacitor results from the regenerative delivery of heat to and removal of heat from the capacitor, and efficient conversion of heat to electric energy is thereby effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Inventor: Randall B. Olsen
  • Patent number: 4622510
    Abstract: A parametric electric machine consists of a series resonant circuit, which has a capacitance (C) which is adapted to be mechanically varied, an inductance (L) and a resistance (R). The no-load values of the capacitance (C.sub.o), inductance (L.sub.o) and resistance (R.sub.o) fulfill the threshold condition ##EQU1## and at least one of the parameters L, R and C of the resonant circuit is a function of the current flowing in the resonant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Ferdinand Cap
  • Patent number: 4620262
    Abstract: A polymeric dielectric having outstanding pyroelectric conversion properties, which essentially consists of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene in a molar ratio of from about 90:10 to 10:90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventor: Randall B. Olsen
  • Patent number: 4441067
    Abstract: A convection column is used to produce a draft to draw alternately hot and then cool air over temperature variable capacitors on which a charge is placed, the capacitors being grouped in sets, and alternate sets of capacitors are each repeatedly heated and then cooled in such a way that while one set is being heated the other set is being cooled and part of the total charge that is shared by the combined sets is thereby made to cycle back and forth between the sets and to flow through a rectifier and a useful electric work load which are in series with these sets with the effect that useful electric power is extracted by means of the electric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Inventor: Louis R. O'Hare
  • Patent number: 4433248
    Abstract: On a Charged Aerosol Wind/Electric Power Generator, electrically charged water droplets are dispersed into the wind stream. Using Induction Electric Charging, a water jet issues under water pressure from a small diameter (25-50 .mu.m) orifice, and the jet breaks into charged droplets. A plate orifice 35 .mu.m diameter, and 25 .mu.m long appears optimum; a single jet from such an orifice at a water pressure of 15 psig produces net electric power output substantially exceeding the hydraulic and electric power inputs. A practical Wind/Electric Generator utilizes a multi-orifice array scaled to a kilowatt or megawatt level. A water recovery and pressure regeneration solar and/or gravitational means is described by which water is conserved and the water power is free, so that there is a net output electric power without external power input of any kind, except natural wind and/or solar power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Inventor: Alvin M. Marks
  • Patent number: 4425540
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting heat to electrical energy by the use of one or more capacitors having temperature dependent capacitance. The capacitor is cycled between relatively high and relatively low temperatures by successive thermal contact with relatively high and relatively low temperature portions of a heat transfer medium having a temperature gradient therein. Upon heating of the capacitor, the capacitance thereof is reduced, so that a charge therein is caused to expand into associated external circuitry in which it is available to do electrical work. The capacitor is then cooled and recharged and the cycle is repeated. The electrical output of the capacitor results from the regenerative delivery of heat to and removal of heat from the capacitor by the heat transfer medium, and efficient conversion of heat to electric energy is thereby effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: Power Conversion Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Olsen
  • Patent number: 4338560
    Abstract: A heat-to-electricity converter, particularly adaptable for use by high-atude platforms such as aerostats and space stations, for changing heat energy of radiation from the earth to electric power during day and/or night. The converter includes an array of heat-collector sources and radiator heat sinks interconnected by thermoelectric n- and p- doped material elements. The array is fabricated on thin films of plastic and may be mounted on a high-altitude platform. The collectors absorb infrared (IR) heat from the earth and conduct the heat to the thermoelectric elements. The elements convert the heat to electricity. The absorbed heat less the heat converted to electricity is emitted to space by the radiator heat sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Leo W. Lemley
  • Patent number: 4288735
    Abstract: A vibrating electret reed voltage generator. The reed vibration is induced by fluid pressure supplied to the reed chamber and controlled through a fluid oscillating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
    Inventor: Roger C. Crites
  • Patent number: 4223241
    Abstract: An electrostatic charge generator for continually providing charge carriers f a given polarity in a flow of dielectric fluid. The charge generator comprises a coaxial tube with an inner conductor wire coaxial with a hollow, cylindrical outer conductor. A D.C. potential is applied between the inner and outer conductors of the coaxial tube and a dielectric liquid, such as oil, is caused to flow therethrough. Since the intensity of the non-uniform electric field in the conductor tube is highest near the inner conductor, the electrostatic charges of the opposite polarity as the inner conductor are removed from the dielectric fluid faster than charges of the same polarity are removed at the outer conductor. This results in the dielectric fluid exiting the conductor tube carrying a charge of the remaining polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Aleksy J. Paszyc, Kwang T. Huang, Dallas M. Shiroma
  • Patent number: 4220906
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in converting heat to electrical energy and comprises a plurality of capacitors which have a temperature dependent capacitance. Heat is used to decrease the dielectric constant in the capacitors causing charge to expand from the capacitors into an associated circuit and do electrical work. The invention also includes reeds which are caused to vibrate by the flow of vapor carrying heat between stages. These reeds serve as thermal switches which pulse heat at the proper frequency and phase through a large number of stacked capacitors. The efficiency of the apparatus is optimized by operating the individual capacitors through cycles approximating Carnot cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: Maxwell Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Drummond
  • Patent number: 4206396
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel charged aerosol sources for diverse applications in Heat/Electric Power Generation, weather modification, airport fog clearance, dispersed chemical reactions, and other uses; and in particular, to a Wind/Electric Power Generator deriving electric power from wind power directly without moving mechanical parts through the medium of charged water droplets introduced into the airstream from a charging electrode, the charged droplets eventually discharging to ground, the electrical load being connected between the charging electrode and ground to complete the circuit. The wind/electric power is converted by an isobaric electrothermodynamic process occurring in the space charge field produced by the charged droplets, which are efficiently produced by novel charging devices on the charging electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Inventor: Alvin M. Marks
  • Patent number: 4146800
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for and method of generating electricity from wind energy.The apparatus comprises means such as a foraminous condenser plate and a condenser surface, e.g., the earth, for producing an electrostatic field in the open through which wind can blow, means such as needle points and balls or fine wires and cylinders capable of creating a corona discharge or equivalent ion or electron generator for producing charged particles to be entrained in and carried by the wind against the direction of movement imposed on the particles by the field, which results in an increase in the electric potential across the field, means such as a second foraminous plate or the earth for collecting the charged particles and means such as a high voltage power regulator and converter for making the increased potential available for utilization.The method comprises operations corresponding to the means, viz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Inventors: Stephen E. Gregory, Alma K. Schurig
  • Patent number: 4127804
    Abstract: Two inversely ganged variable capacitors having a common movable element varying the capacities such that when one capacitor is at maximum capacitance, the other is at minimum capacitance, have, after initially charging, a substantially constant contained or trapped charge distributed between the two capacitors. As the capacities of the capacitors are varied, a potential difference is developed between the fixed plate of one capacitor and the fixed plate of the other. When these two potential points are connected to a load, charge is transferred from one capacitor to the other as a current flow through the load. The total charge is not diminished, the energy supplied the load being the energy expanded on moving the movable charged plates. As the movable plates are moved in a cyclic manner an alternating current is provided to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Onezime P. Breaux
  • Patent number: 4126822
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrostatically generating power by converting random mechanical motion into electrical energy. The apparatus includes two variable capacitors that have their capacitances varied in an alternating manner by the physical displacement of a common conductor that forms one plate in each of the capacitors. The variable capacitors are formed in a container which holds a fluid for increasing the output power of the apparatus. The fluid in combination with movable conductor also generates sufficient charge to bias the variable capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Inventor: Sven E. Wahlstrom
  • Patent number: 4123697
    Abstract: An electrostatic high potential device which utilizes the generation of etrostatic charges on moving oil to produce a high potential difference on the order of thousands of volts. A metal encased ionizing device or charge generator with a system of passageways of dielectric material has an oil moving therethrough and against the dielectric material to cause a transfer of electric charges between the oil and passageway surfaces. The passageways act as baffles and provide a large amount of surface contact between the oil and dielectric material. The conductive housing of the ionizing device is grounded to draw off the charges on the dielectric material, and a pump circulates the charged oil from the ionizing device to a charge storage device of similar design. Electrodes in the charge storage device draw off the charges on the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Aleksy J. Paszyc, Dallas M. Shiroma, Kwang T. Huang
  • Patent number: 4096393
    Abstract: Radiant energy is converted into electric energy by irradiating a capacitor including an ionic dielectric having a dipole layer only on or near its surface. The dielectric is selected from the group consisting of the rare earth trifluorides and trichlorides, and is preferably lanthanum trifluoride or lanthanum trichloride. The radiant energy cyclically heats and cools the dielectric to cause cyclic changes in the capacitance and resistance of the capacitor without changing the dielectric state. The capacitor is initially charged to a voltage just below the dielectric breakdown voltage by temporarily connecting it across a source of emf causing a current to flow through a charging resistor to the dielectric. The device can be utilized as a radiant energy detector, as well as a solar energy cell. In the latter case, the dielectric is heated and cooled at a predetermined frequency and the capacitor is connected in circuit with a means for resonating the capacitor at the frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Inventor: Arden Sher
  • Patent number: 4087735
    Abstract: The generation of electricity from radiant energy by means of effective dielectric constant changes in a light or radiation sensitive dielectric of a condenser in series with a charged condenser and a transformer is improved when both of the circuits' condensers are made light variable condensers and when a special shuttering arrangement prevents waste and loss of concentrated radiation by special placement and additional electric circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Inventor: Louis O'Hare
  • Patent number: 4054826
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for charging a battery or other electrical energy storage means by converting random mechanical motion into electrical energy by utilizing gravitational and acceleration forces. The apparatus includes two variable capacitors and a bias supply connected to the battery or electrical energy storage means. The variable capacitors have their capacitance varied in an alternating manner by the physical displacement of a conductive member that forms one plate in each of the capacitors. The moving conductive member causes the electrical charge on the capacitors to be passed back and forth. The apparatus further includes a plurality of diodes located in the circuit so that each time the electrical charge passes between the capacitors the current formed thereby passes through the battery and charges it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1977
    Inventor: Sven E. Wahlstrom