US3715660A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Determining distance to lightning strokes from a single station
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-12-30
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for determining the distance to lightning strokes from a single station. The apparatus includes a first loop antenna system for sensing the magnetic field produced by the lightning which signal is filtered, square rooted, and fed into a peak voltage holding circuit. A second antenna is provided for sensing the electric field produced by the lightning which is fed into a filter, an absolute value meter, and to a peak voltage holding circuit. A multivibrator gates the magnetic and electric signals through the peak holding circuits to a ratio meter which produces a signal corresponding to the ratio between the magnetic component and the electric component. The amplitude of this signal is proportional to the distance from the apparatus to the lightning stroke.
Inventors
- 👤 L Ruhnke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W1/16; G01S; G01S11/00; G01S11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
An apparatus for determining the distance to lightning strokes comprising: A. a first antenna system for sensing the magnetic field generated by the lightning stroke and generating a magnetic signal responsive thereto, B. filter means coupled to said first antenna system for isolating a predetermined frequency from said magnetic signal, C. a square rooter coupled to the output of said first filter means for producing a non-polarity magnetic signal, D. a first peak voltage meter coupled to said square rooter for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field generated by said lightning stroke, E. a second antenna system for sensing the electric field generated by said lightning stroke and generating an electric signal responsive thereto, F. a filter coupled to said second antenna system for isolating a predetermined signal from said electric signal, G. an absolute value instrument coupled to said filter for producing a non-polarity electric signal, H. a second peak voltage meter coupled to said absolute value instrument for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the electric field generated by said lightning stroke, and I. means for comparing said signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field with said signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of said electric field for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the distance between said apparatus and said lightning stroke.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
237 words
An apparatus for determining the distance to lightning strokes comprising: A. a first antenna system for sensing the magnetic field generated by the lightning stroke and generating a magnetic signal responsive thereto, B. filter means coupled to said first antenna system for isolating a predetermined frequency from said magnetic signal, C. a square rooter coupled to the output of said first filter means for producing a non-polarity magnetic signal, D. a first peak voltage meter coupled to said square rooter for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field generated by said lightning stroke, E. a second antenna system for sensing the electric field generated by said lightning stroke and generating an electric signal responsive thereto, F. a filter coupled to said second antenna system for isolating a predetermined signal from said electric signal, G. an absolute value instrument coupled to said filter for producing a non-polarity electric signal, H. a second peak voltage meter coupled to said absolute value instrument for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the electric field generated by said lightning stroke, and I. means for comparing said signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field with said signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of said electric field for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the distance between said apparatus and said lightning stroke.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
237 words
An apparatus for determining the distance to lightning strokes comprising: A. a first antenna system for sensing the magnetic field generated by the lightning stroke and generating a magnetic signal responsive thereto, B. filter means coupled to said first antenna system for isolating a predetermined frequency from said magnetic signal, C. a square rooter coupled to the output of said first filter means for producing a non-polarity magnetic signal, D. a first peak voltage meter coupled to said square rooter for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field generated by said lightning stroke, E. a second antenna system for sensing the electric field generated by said lightning stroke and generating an electric signal responsive thereto, F. a filter coupled to said second antenna system for isolating a predetermined signal from said electric signal, G. an absolute value instrument coupled to said filter for producing a non-polarity electric signal, H. a second peak voltage meter coupled to said absolute value instrument for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the electric field generated by said lightning stroke, and I. means for comparing said signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field with said signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of said electric field for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the distance between said apparatus and said lightning stroke.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
237 words
An apparatus for determining the distance to lightning strokes comprising: A. a first antenna system for sensing the magnetic field generated by the lightning stroke and generating a magnetic signal responsive thereto, B. filter means coupled to said first antenna system for isolating a predetermined frequency from said magnetic signal, C. a square rooter coupled to the output of said first filter means for producing a non-polarity magnetic signal, D. a first peak voltage meter coupled to said square rooter for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field generated by said lightning stroke, E. a second antenna system for sensing the electric field generated by said lightning stroke and generating an electric signal responsive thereto, F. a filter coupled to said second antenna system for isolating a predetermined signal from said electric signal, G. an absolute value instrument coupled to said filter for producing a non-polarity electric signal, H. a second peak voltage meter coupled to said absolute value instrument for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the electric field generated by said lightning stroke, and I. means for comparing said signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of the magnetic field with said signal having an amplitude proportional to the magnitude of said electric field for generating a signal having an amplitude proportional to the distance between said apparatus and said lightning stroke.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first antenna system includes: A. a pair of directional loop antennas, and B. said directional antennas being positioned perpendicular to each Other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: A. a pulse generating source, and B. means for coupling said pulse generating source to said first and second peak voltage meters for activating said peak voltage meters.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |