Spline ball terminal (SBT)
US5073678A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 1990 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02G13/80
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Underwriters Laboratories lists lightning protection components as described in their UL 96, Third Edition Publication. The present invention improves on the basic lightning rod systems. The improvement provides a multiplicity of points extending in all directions from the top of a supporting rod which is designed to fit the conventional lightning rod mounting bases. The points are separated and configured to produce maximum ionization current commensurate and configured to carry an above average lightning strike current flow. The result is a hybrid lightning air terminal and lightning prevention system module named the Spline Ball Terminal (SBT). The SBT partially equalizes the charge differential between the protected site and the cloud thereby preventing many strokes from occurring. If a high energy stroke does enter the protected zone, then the SBT acts like a traditional UL approved lightning rod, but with much greater efficiency. The SBT is the only UL listed hybrid lightning dissipation and lightning rod system that can satisfy both design criteria.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.