Lightning rocket
US6597559B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02G13/20
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The lightning rocket system of this invention comprises a rocket launcher that is in communication with a detection device that measures the presence of electrostatic and ionic change in close proximity to the rocket launcher that also fires the rocket launcher. This system is designed to control the time and the location of a lightning strike. The lightning rocket can be comprised of solid propellant that has cesium salts added which produces a conductive path when the exhaust gases are discharged from the rocket that is expelled to the static layer of a thundercloud. A conducting lightning rod which is grounded and positioned along side the launch tube for the solid propellant is in communication with the conductive path to thereby control the time and location of a lightning strike from the thundercloud. In a liquid expelled rocket a solution of calcium chloride is used to form a conductive path from a thundercloud. As the rocket flies to the thundercloud this liquid is expelled aft forming a column in the air of particles that are more electrically conductive than the surrounding air. In a similar fashion to the system employing a solid propellant as the conductive producer thi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.