Lightning strike hazard detector
US7049972B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 23, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B31/00
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An accurate, fast-acting, wearable lightning strike hazard detector has a plurality of collecting plates for collection of arriving charged particles. The collecting plates are insulated from each other by an insulating mechanism. A connecting mechanism electrically connects the collecting plates to a bleeding circuit to bleed accumulated charges to a ground plane. The voltage within the bleeding circuit is determined by a voltage measuring mechanism. A voltage accumulation mechanism measures the accumulated voltage of each plate and its rate of voltage accumulation as a function of time. Voltage accumulation and voltage/time data are interpreted by an algorithm to determine lightning strike potential. A signal generating mechanism connected to the algorithm mechanism generates a signal when said voltage accumulation and voltage accumulation rate exceed preselected limits. The signal actuates an alarm mechanism, which provides an audible or visual alarm to warn against an impending lightning strike. Plural detector pairs are, optionally, housed on a bracelet or placed within a wristwatch housing to determine the direction from which a lightning strike hazard is approaching. The det…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.