Patent Abstract:
A warning light for use with a lighter than air balloon comprises a central core with one or more light sources coupled to the central core. Rotors are rotatably coupled to the central core with each of the rotors having a mirrored surface and a non-mirror surface. When the rotors rotate about the central core under a wind force, the mirrored surface of each of said rotors reflecting light emitted from said light sources.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the production of electrical energy and more specifically to a warning light for atmospheric electrical generators. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In 1752, Benjamin Franklin performed his famous kite experiment using a kite attached to a wet kite string. Negative charges of electricity from the passing clouds flowed into the string down to a suspended metal key and collected in a Leyden Jar via a thin metal wire attached to the key. As Mr. Franklin was holding a dry silk string, he was not injured by the electricity. 
         [0003]    Since that time, the possibility of collecting electricity has intrigued many. Lightening itself holds a vast amount of power. The power is so immense that it has proven impossible to collect. However, lightening is only a final discharge of static electricity in the atmosphere. Collecting the static electricity in the air would provide an alternative energy source. One way to collect the static electricity is via a balloon coupled to a conductive tether. The charge collected by the balloon can then be transmitted along the conductive tether and collected. Such an atmospheric electrical generator is disclosed in patent application Ser. No. 12/218,297 filed on Jul. 14, 2008 by Mark Ogram and entitled “Atmospheric Electrical Generator”. This patent is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0004]    However, it is important to provide a warning light for the balloon. This allows the balloon to be spotted by aircraft pilots and others to avoid accidents. However, it is also important to minimize the weight of any illumination source. Therefore, there is a continuing need for an illumination source that is self contained and light-weight. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one embodiment of the present invention a warning light for use with a lighter than air balloon comprises a central core with one or more light sources coupled to the central core. Rotors are rotatably coupled to the central core with each of the rotors having a mirrored surface and a non-mirror surface. When the rotors rotate about the central core under a wind force, the mirrored surface of each of said rotors reflecting light emitted from said light sources. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment of the present invention, an atmospheric electrical generator comprises a lighter than aircraft having a conductive tether with a first end electrically coupled to the aircraft. A warning light is coupled to the tether. 
         [0007]    In this embodiment, the warning light comprises a central core with one or more light sources coupled to the central core. Rotors are rotatably coupled to the central core with each of the rotors having a mirrored surface and a non-mirror surface. When the rotors rotate about the central core under a wind force, the mirrored surface of each of said rotors reflecting light emitted from said light sources. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  diagrams a system for collecting energy with a warning light; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  diagrams the warning lights for the balloon; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  diagrams a rotation device of the warning light. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. 
         [0013]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 1  diagrams the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         [0014]    Balloon  10  is an aircraft which, in this illustrating, is a lighter than air balloon. Wings  10 A, extending from the body of balloon  10 , provide additional lift in air flow  18 . Tail  10 B helps to stabilize balloon  10 . 
         [0015]    Balloon  10  is tethered to the ground via conductive line  12 . As noted earlier, a variety of configurations and materials are available to serve as conductive line  12 . In this illustration, a poly-wire is used. Poly-wire is commercially available through a variety of vendors, including, but not limited to: Jefferson Livestock and Sareba Systems, Inc. of Ellendale, Minn. The electricity flows down the conductive line  12  where it is collected at station  14 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  diagrams the preferred embodiment of warning light  20 . In an exemplary embodiment the warning light  20  is coupled to the conductive line  12  of the balloon  10 . However, warning light  20  can be attached to the balloon, to a non-conductive line attached to the balloon  10 . 
         [0017]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , warning light  20  comprises a central core  22  including one or more rotating devices  30 . One or more light sources  24  are coupled to the central core  22 . Rotors  26  are rotatably coupled to the rotation devices  30  via arms  32  such that they rotate about the central core  22 . 
         [0018]    Light sources  24 , in an exemplary embodiment, are light weight sources of illumination that are designed to illuminate for a period of time without the need for replenishing the power supply. In a preferred embodiment, light sources  24  are a chemiluminescent device which provides light through a chemical reaction without the need for an electrical power source. Chemiluminescent devices are commonly known as “glow sticks”. Suitable “glow sticks” are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,118 entitled “Chemiluminescent Signal Device” issued to Esposito et al. in January 1976, which is hereinafter incorporated by reference. In alternate embodiments, light sources  24  can be LED lights, which can be powered by batteries, a generator coupled to the rotating devices  30  and the like. 
         [0019]    Rotors  26 , in a preferred embodiment, have a first concave mirrored surface  28   a  and a second non-mirrored side  28   b.  In one preferred embodiment, at least two rotors  26  are deployed as a pair, opposite each other such that one rotor displays its mirrored surface  28   a  and the other rotor displays its non-mirrored side  28   b.    
         [0020]    Rotating device  30  couples to the central core  22  and the rotors  26  to allow the rotors  26  to rotate about the central core  22 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , rotating device  30  comprises an inner annulus  34  and an outer annulus  38  with a plurality of ball bearing  36  between the inner annulus  34  and the outer annulus  38 . In a preferred embodiment inner annulus  34  is mounted to central core  22 . This allows the outer annulus  38  to rotate about the fixed inner annulus  34 . 
         [0021]    While two rotating devices  30  are shown in  FIG. 2 , more or fewer rotating devices  30  can be placed on central core  40  depending on design preference. 
         [0022]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , arms  32  couple the rotors  32  to the rotating device  30 . 
         [0023]    In operation, warning light  20  is coupled to tether  12  near balloon  10 . The glow sticks are activated to produce illumination. The balloon  10  is then deployed. When the balloon  10  is deployed and at altitude, wind will cause the rotors  26  to rotate around the central core  22 . The mirrored surface  28   a  reflects light out from the light sources  24 . To an observer away from the balloon  10 , the light observed will be a blinking light as the light sources  24  will be alternately reflected and blocked by the rotors  26 . 
         [0024]    While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1