High-Voltage DC Transmission System
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsDaniel Ludois, David Skrovanek, Dominic Gross
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrostatic generator adapted for high-voltage DC transmission provides a set of individual electrostatic generators connected in tandem to a mechanical input and employing floating voltage sources to allow series connection of the individual electrostatic generators without diode ladders or the like. Brushless operation can be provided through generator building blocks having electrically separated stators communicating with electrically joined rotors.
Claims20
A high-voltage electrostatic generator system comprising:
- an input shaft adapted to move under an applied mechanical force;
- and
- a set of electrostatic generators communicating with the input shaft and each providing:
- (a) a set of rotor plates communicating with the input shaft to move with motion of the input shaft;
- (b) a set of corresponding stator plates capacitively coupled to the rotor plates to provide at least one varying capacitor between corresponding stator plates and rotor plates with movement of the rotor plates with respect to the stator plates;
- (c) a floating voltage source connected to electrically charge the at least one varying capacitor with each floating voltage source providing a voltage prior to movement of the rotor plates with respect to the stator plates;
- and
- (d) a rectifier assembly operating to steer current along a single charging direction, where that current results from the movement of the rotor plates with respect to the stator plates;
- wherein the rectifier assemblies of the set of electrostatic generators are connected in series.
A method of transmitting electrical power employing a high-voltage electrostatic generator system having:
- an input shaft adapted to move under an applied mechanical force;
- and
- a set of electrostatic generators communicating with the input shaft and each providing:
- (a) a set of rotor plates communicating with the input shaft to move with motion of the input shaft;
- (b) a set of corresponding stator plates capacitively coupled to the rotor plates to provide at least one varying capacitor between corresponding stator plates and rotor plates with movement of the rotor plates with respect to the stator plates;
- (c) a floating voltage source connected to electrically charge the at least one varying capacitor with each floating voltage source providing a voltage prior to movement of the rotor plates with respect to the stator plates;
- and
- (d) a rectifier assembly operating to steer current along a single charging direction, where that current results from the movement of the rotor plates with respect to the stator plates;
- wherein the rectifier assemblies of the set of electrostatic generators are connected in series;
- the method comprising:
- (a) applying a source of mechanical power to the input shaft;
- (b) extracting electrical current from a series connection of the rectifier assemblies of multiple electrostatic generators;
- (c) applying the electrical current to high-voltage transmission lines for remote transmission of at least 20 km;
- and
- (d) reducing the voltage of the electrical current and converting the electrical current to alternating current for use by consumers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.