Patent US3646540A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3646540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tornado alarm
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-11-07
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1989-11-07
Abstract
Abstract The tornado alarm consists of a simple TV-type tube circuit adapted to receive radio signals from an approaching tornado to light up the tube with a sustained brightness which is detected by an electric eye circuit to operate an alarm or warning signal of the approach of the tornado in time for taking all precautionary measures possible against loss of life or property damage. A barometric pressure switch is included in the alarm control circuit to make it operative only if the barometric pressure is substantially reduced, in order to prevent operation of the alarm should there be a local disturbance created accidentally to brighten the TV tube when there is no tornado in the vicinity.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy L Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W1/16; G01W1/02; G01W1/06; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/10; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A50/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A tornado alarm system comprising a signal device, an electrical circuit for operating said signal device and having a normally open relay switch therein, a TV tube, an operating circuit for said TV tube including a 52-55 mc. power unit having a potentiometer for controlling the brightness of the glow produced on the screen of the tube, said potentiometer being set to reduce said brightness to a suitable minimum, an antenna connected to said power unit for receiving radio signals generated by a tornado so as to substantially increase the brightness on said screen, a photoelectric switch in front of said screen, a control circuit for activating said photoelectric switch in response to said increased brightness to close said normally open relay switch in said circuit for operating said signal device, and a normally open aneroid switch in said control circuit responsive to a suitably reduced barometric pressure to close and energize said control circuit for activating said photoelectric switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A tornado alarm system comprising a signal device, an electrical circuit for operating said signal device and having a normally open relay switch therein, a TV tube, an operating circuit for said TV tube including a 52-55 mc. power unit having a potentiometer for controlling the brightness of the glow produced on the screen of the tube, said potentiometer being set to reduce said brightness to a suitable minimum, an antenna connected to said power unit for receiving radio signals generated by a tornado so as to substantially increase the brightness on said screen, a photoelectric switch in front of said screen, a control circuit for activating said photoelectric switch in response to said increased brightness to close said normally open relay switch in said circuit for operating said signal device, and a normally open aneroid switch in said control circuit responsive to a suitably reduced barometric pressure to close and energize said control circuit for activating said photoelectric switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
A tornado warning alarm system comprising an electrically operated signal device operated by a circuit having a normally open relay switch, a TV tube operated by a 52-55 mc. power unit set to produce a minimum glow on the screen of the TV tube, a photoelectric switch having a circuit for closing said normally open relay switch in response to a substantial increase in brightness of said screen caused by radio signals received by said power unit from a tornado in the vicinity, and a normally open barometric pressure switch in said photoelectric switch circuit closed by low pressure incident to the proximity of said tornado to energize said photoelectric switch circuit only when a low pressure accompanies the radio signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
A tornado warning alarm system comprising an electrically operated signal device operated by a circuit having a normally open relay switch, a TV tube operated by a 52-55 mc. power unit set to produce a minimum glow on the screen of the TV tube, a photoelectric switch having a circuit for closing said normally open relay switch in response to a substantial increase in brightness of said screen caused by radio signals received by said power unit from a tornado in the vicinity, and a normally open barometric pressure switch in said photoelectric switch circuit closed by low pressure incident to the proximity of said tornado to energize said photoelectric switch circuit only when a low pressure accompanies the radio signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
180 words
A tornado warning alarm system comprising an electrically operated signal device operated by a circuit having a normally open relay switch, a TV tube operated by a 52-55 mc. power unit set to produce a minimum glow on the screen of the TV tube, a photoelectric switch having a circuit for closing said normally open relay switch in response to a substantial increase in brightness of said screen caused by radio signals received by said power unit from a tornado in the vicinity, said TV tube comprising a light-producing tube operated by said radio frequency power unit at low power in said 52-55 mc. range and adjusted to produCe minimum brightness on the tube screen and adapted to receive said radio signals to brighten said screen, a photoelectric eye circuit responsive to said increased brightness to close said normally open relay switch, and an activating circuit for said electric eye circuit having a normally open aneroid switch therein responsive to a suitably low barometric pressure incident to said tornado''s proximity for closing said aneroid switch to operate said activating circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
180 words
A tornado warning alarm system comprising an electrically operated signal device operated by a circuit having a normally open relay switch, a TV tube operated by a 52-55 mc. power unit set to produce a minimum glow on the screen of the TV tube, a photoelectric switch having a circuit for closing said normally open relay switch in response to a substantial increase in brightness of said screen caused by radio signals received by said power unit from a tornado in the vicinity, said TV tube comprising a light-producing tube operated by said radio frequency power unit at low power in said 52-55 mc. range and adjusted to produCe minimum brightness on the tube screen and adapted to receive said radio signals to brighten said screen, a photoelectric eye circuit responsive to said increased brightness to close said normally open relay switch, and an activating circuit for said electric eye circuit having a normally open aneroid switch therein responsive to a suitably low barometric pressure incident to said tornado''s proximity for closing said aneroid switch to operate said activating circuit.
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) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |