Wardenclyffe Tower - Variant Receiver

Variant Receiver

A variant was suggested by Tesla for exploiting the vertical voltage gradient in the Earth's atmosphere.

A variant was suggested that could utilize the phantom loop effect to form a circuit to induct energy from the Earth's magnetic field and other radiant energy sources (including, but not limited to, electrostatics).

A Tesla Coil can receive electromagnetic impulses from atmospheric electricity and radiant energy, besides normal wireless transmissions.

The charging-circuit can be adapted to be energized by the action of various other disturbances and effects at a distance. Arbitrary and intermittent oscillations that are propagated via conduction to the receiving resonator will charge the receiver's capacitor and utilize the potential energy to greater effect.

Various radiations can be used to charge and discharge conductors, with the radiations considered electromagnetic vibrations of various wavelengths and ionizing potential.

Radiant energy throws off with great velocity minute particles which are strongly electrified and other rays falling on the insulated-conductor connected to a condenser (i.e., a capacitor) can cause the condenser to indefinitely charge electrically.

The helical resonator can be "shock excited" due to radiant energy disturbances not only at the fundamental wave at one-quarter wavelength but also is excited at its harmonics.

The output power from these devices, attained from Hertzian methods of charging, is low, but alternative charging means are available.

Hertzian methods can be used to excite a receiver with limitations that result in great disadvantages for utilization, though. The methods of ground conduction and the various induction methods can also be used to excite the receiver, but are again at a disadvantages for utilization.

The receiver utilizes the effects or disturbances to charge a storage device with energy from an external source (natural or man-made) and controls the charging of said device by the actions of the effects or disturbances (during succeeding intervals of time determined by means of such effects and disturbances corresponding in succession and duration of the effects and disturbances). The stored energy can also be used to operate the receiving device. The accumulated energy can, for example, operate a transformer by discharging through a primary circuit at predetermined times which, from the secondary currents, operate the receiving device.

With regard to Tesla's statements on the harnessing of natural phenomena to obtain electric power, he stated:

Ere many generations pass, our machinery will be driven by a power obtainable at any point of the universe. — "Experiments with Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency" (February 1892)