http://www.patents.ibm.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/5590031
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Chris Gupta
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SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ENERGY TO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
U.S. Patent
5,590,031
SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to conversion of electromagnetic
radiation energy
to electrical energy, and, more particularly, to conversion of high
frequency
bandwidths of the spectrum of a type of radiation known as zero point
electromagnetic radiation to electrical energy.
The existence of zero point electromagnetic radiation was discovered in
1958 by
the Dutch physicist M. J. Sparnaay. Mr. Sparnaay continued the experiments
carried out by Hendrik B. G. Casimir in 1948 which showed the existence of a
force between two uncharged parallel plates which arose from electromagnetic
radiation surrounding the plates in a vacuum. Mr. Sparnaay discovered
that the
forces acting on the plates arose from not only thermal radiation but
also from
another type of radiation now known as classical electromagnetic zero point
radiation. Mr. Sparnaay determined that not only did the zero point
electromagnetic radiation exist in a vacuum but also that it persisted
even at a
temperature of absolute zero. Because it exists in a vacuum, zero point
radiation
is homogeneous and isotropic as well as ubiquitous. In addition, since
zero point
radiation is also invariant with respect to Lorentz transformation, the zero
point radiation spectrum has the characteristic that the intensity of the
radiation at any frequency is proportional to the cube of that frequency.
Consequently, the intensity of the radiation increases without limit as the
frequency increases resulting in an infinite energy density for the
radiation
spectrum. With the introduction of the zero point radiation into the
classical
electron theory, a vacuum at a temperature of absolute zero is no longer
considered empty of all electromagnetic fields. Instead, the vacuum is now
considered as filled with randomly fluctuating fields having the zero point
radiation spectrum. The special characteristics of the zero point
radiation which
are that it has a virtually infinite energy density and that it is
ubiquitous
(even present in outer space) make it very desirable as an energy source.
However, because high energy densities exist at very high radiation
frequencies
and because conventional methods are only able to convert or extract energy
effectively or efficiently only at lower frequencies at which zero point
radiation has relatively low energy densities, effectively tapping this
energy
source has been believed to be unavailable using conventional techniques for
converting electromagnetic energy to electrical or other forms of easily
useable
energy. Consequently, zero point electromagnetic radiation energy which may
potentially be used to power interplanetary craft as well as provide for
society's other needs has remained unharnessed.
There are many types of prior art systems which use a plurality of
antennas to
receive electromagnetic radiation and provide an electrical output
therefrom. An
example of such a prior art system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,882,503 to
Gamara. The Gamara system has two antenna structures which work in tandem
and
which oscillate by means of a motor operatively attached thereto in order to
modulate the radiation reflected from the antenna surfaces. The reflecting
surfaces of the antennas are also separated by a distance equal to a quarter
wavelength of the incident radiation. However, the Gamara system does not
convert
the incident radiation to electrical current for the purpose of
converting the
incident electromagnetic radiation to another form of readily useable
energy. In
addition, the relatively large size of the Gamara system components make it
unable to resonate at and modulate very high frequency radiation.
What is therefore needed is a system which is capable of converting high
frequency electromagnetic radiation energy into another form of energy
which can
be more readily used to provide power for transportation, heating,
cooling as
well as various other needs of society. What is also needed is such a system
which may be used to provide energy from any location on earth or in space.