US3700336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for optically detecting lightning radiation
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-04-19
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-04-19
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus detects the optical radiation of lightning in both daylight and nighttime conditions. A silicon solar cell receives light radiations converting them to electrical signals which are amplified and electronically processed for recording purposes. Preferably, the electronics provide a thresholding means to selectively pass signals representative of lighting events to the recorder while blocking the relatively constant background radiation representative of the daylight.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J Clegg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/42; G01J1/44; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of obtaining a continuous day and night record of lightning radiation events comprising: continuously exposing a solar cell light-transducing means to the daylight and the dark, continuously recording the cell output, and continuously filtering said output to provide a record containing information limited essentially to said lightning events.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of obtaining a continuous day and night record of lightning radiation events comprising: continuously exposing a solar cell light-transducing means to the daylight and the dark, continuously recording the cell output, and continuously filtering said output to provide a record containing information limited essentially to said lightning events.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of collimating said continuous exposure to provide localized lightning event information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said filtering is achieved by an electronic thresholding based upon the rapid rise time of the lightning event cell output relative to the normal day and night cell output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said light-transducing means is a photovoltaic silicon solar cell.
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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |