Atmospheric electrical generator with change of state

Abstract

A mechanism to tap an electrical source which uses an aircraft ( 10 ) (preferably a lighter than air balloon) tethered by a conductive line ( 12 ). The conductive line ( 12 ) is extended/withdrawn by a winch motor ( 13, 14 ) to adjust the altitude of the aircraft ( 10 ). The conductive line ( 12 ) is isolated from the ground ( 17 ) and an electrical conductor ( 6 ) is connected to the conductive line and to an electrical load ( 5 ). In this manner, static electricity generated in the atmosphere is gathered for use.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a balloon to collect static electricity from the atmosphere;   a transformer connected via a tether to the balloon, the transformer to be airborne when the lighter than balloon is airborne, and transforming direct current from the static electricity collected by the lighter than air balloon and the tether to alternating current, the transformer being connected via a conductor to a base unit such that the alternating current is communicated to the base unit,   the tether comprising a spool of insulated conductive wire on a winch motor coupled with the base unit, one end of the insulated conductive wire electrically connected to an output of the transformer to receive the alternating current, the winch motor extending or withdrawing the insulated conductive wire from the spool, a second end of the insulated conductive wire electrically connected to a load; and   a controller connected with the winch motor to sense a voltage level in the insulated conductive wire, the controller selectively operating the winch motor based on the voltage level to maintain the alternating current at the base unit within a preset range.   
     
     
         14 . The system in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the controller further includes a voltage sensor to sense the voltage level in the insulated conductive wire. 
     
     
         15 . The system in according with  claim 13 , further including an electrical flow sensor monitoring electrical flow through the conductor and generating an electrical flow indicia indicative of the electrical flow in the conductor, the electrical flow indicia communicated to the controller; and, wherein the controller operates the winch motor such that the electrical flow indicia remains within a selected operating range. 
     
     
         16 . The system in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the conductor further includes an insulated ground wire communicating between the direct current to alternating current transform and ground. 
     
     
         17 . The system in accordance with  claim 16 , further including a lightning sensor generating a lightning presence indicia indicative of lightning within a prescribed range, the presence indicia being communicated to the controller; and, wherein the controller, in response to the lightning presence indicia, operates the winch motor to withdraw substantially all of the insulated conductive wire onto the spool. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a balloon for lifting a tether to collect static electricity from the atmosphere around the balloon;   a transformer connected with the tether and being airborne when the balloon is airborne, such that direct current from the atmosphere is communicated from the balloon and the tether to the transformer for transformation to alternating current;   a base unit having a spool of conductive line on a winch motor, one end of the conductive line secured to the transformer so that the alternating current is provided to the conductive line, the winch motor adjusting an altitude of the balloon and the transformer by selectively extending or withdrawing the conductive line from the spool;   an insulator electrically isolating the conductive line from ground; and,   a conductor having a first end electrically connected to the conductive line and a second end electrically connected to a load;   a controller having a sensor array, the sensor array having an electrical flow sensor monitoring electrical flow through the conductor, and a lightning sensor monitoring existence of proximate lightning, the controller responsive to signals from the sensor array to selectively operate the winch motor to maintain the electrical flow through the conductor within a preset range.   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , further including a warning light; and, wherein the controller activates the warning light when the electrical flow in the conductor is non-zero. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , further including an electrical collection enhancement lead in electrical contact with the conductive material, the electrical collection enhancement lead configured to attract static electricity and positioned proximate to the balloon. 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising:
 a balloon for lifting a tether;   a transformer connected with the tether and being airborne when the balloon is airborne, such that direct current from the atmosphere is communicated from the balloon and the tether to the transformer for transformation from the direct current to alternating current;   a base unit having a spool of conductive line on a winch motor, one end of the conductive line secured to the transformer so that the alternating current is provided to the conductive line, the winch motor adjusting an altitude of the balloon and the transformer by selectively extending or withdrawing the conductive line from the spool;   an insulator electrically isolating the conductive line from ground; and,   a conductor having a first end electrically connected to the conductive line and a second end electrically connected to a load;   a controller having a sensor array, the sensor array having an electrical flow sensor monitoring electrical flow through the conductor, and a lightning sensor monitoring existence of proximate lightning, the controller responsive to signals from the sensor array to selectively operate the winch motor to maintain the electrical flow through the conductor within a preset range.   
     
     
         22 . The system in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the balloon is a lighter than air balloon.