Electrical detection of thunderstorm microbursts
US4901564A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 1987 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01W1/16
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An array of sensors responsive to atmospheric electrostatic fields is deployed, preferably with the sensors elevated above the ground. Suitable sensors are corona point sensors having a stainless steel needle. The corona current signals from the sensors are digitized and processed to determine the peak in the rate of sharp discontinuities in the electrostatic field. The peak in the rate of sharp discontinuities precedes a thunderstorm microburst by several minutes. The signal processing apparatus also generates equipotential contour maps of electrostatic field for spatially locating a microburst. The latter signal may also serve as a predictor for windshear since anomalous electric fields caused by charge carrying downdrafts may occur without lightning.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.