Patent ID: 8102083

Claim:
A mechanism to tap an electrical source comprising: a lighter than air balloon to collect static electricity from the atmosphere; a direct current to alternating current transformer connected via a tether to said lighter than air balloon, said direct current to alternative current transformer to be airborne when said lighter than air balloon is airborne, and transforming direct current from said static electricity collected by said lighter than air balloon and said tether to alternating current, said direct current to alternating current transformer being connected via a conductor to a base unit such that said alternating current is communicated to said base unit, the tether comprising a spool of insulated conductive wire on a winch motor coupled with the base unit, one end of said insulated conductive wire electrically connected to an output of said direct current to alternating current transformer to receive the alternating current, said winch motor capable of selectively extending or withdrawing said insulated conductive wire from said spool, a second end of said insulated conductive wire electrically connected to a load; and a controller connected with said winch motor and having a sensor that senses a voltage level in said insulated conductive wire, the controller selectively operating said winch motor based upon the voltage level sensed in said insulated conductor wire by the sensor to maintain the alternating current at said base unit within a preset range.