US3753117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Severe weather warning device
Assignee: WEATHER WATCH CORP
•
Filing: 1971-10-27
•
Granted: 1973-08-14
•
Expires: 1991-10-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for providing a severe weather warning particularly for providing warning of an imminent tornado, whereby a preferably nonmovable antenna receives electrical signals which result from the electrical activity which accompanies a storm. The signals thus received are amplified, limited in amplitude and integrated to derive a signal which, by its amplitude level, indicates the severity of storm activity. This integrated output signal is preferably applied to a level detector to provide an alarm signal when the integrated output level reaches a predetermined level and further two meters are preferably connected to the output of the amplifier limiter circuit and the integrating circuit, respectively, for providing both an indication of storm activity and an indication of the severity of that activity. The output of the level detector circuit is preferably connected to an audible alarm which provides an audible alarm signal when the storm severity rises to a level indicating the imminence of a tornado. A non-interruptible power supply, which shifts from A.C. current normally supplied in a house to standby batteries when an outage occurs, preferably supplies the electrical power for the unit, which is selfcontained and suitable for use in individual homes and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 G Downing
- 👤 T Mcewen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W1/16; G01W1/02; G01W1/04; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A50/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal liMited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, including a relay connected to said level detector for shifting from a first to second condition when said alarm signal is produced, a switch controlled by said relay for closing when said relay shifts to its second condition and alarm means connected to a source of voltage via said switch for producing an audible alarm when said switch closes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal liMited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, including a relay connected to said level detector for shifting from a first to second condition when said alarm signal is produced, a switch controlled by said relay for closing when said relay shifts to its second condition and alarm means connected to a source of voltage via said switch for producing an audible alarm when said switch closes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further including means for producing storm simulating electrical signals and means for connecting said simulating signals means to said amplifier circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
163 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a power supply for providing electrical power for said amplifier circuit, said circuit means, said level detector means, and said audible alarm means, said power supply including means for rectifying an A.C. electrical signal to provide a D.C. output signal, means for connecting said rectifying means to an A.C. source, at least a single D.C. battery, output terminals having means for connection to said amplifier circuit, said circuit means, said level detector means and said audible alarm means, means for detecting the presence of an A.C. electrical signal and providing a signal indicating that presence, and switch means responsive to said detecting means for connecting said output terminals to said rectifying means and disconnecting said output terminals from said battery when said detecting means detects and A.C. signal and for connecting said output terminals to said battery and disconnecting said output terminals from said rectifying means when said detecting means does not detect an A.C. signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 including first and second batteries.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said detecting means includes a relay connected to said rectifying means and controlling said switch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said antenna means is immovable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, and means for varying the storm intensity required to cause said integrated output signal level to reach said predetermined level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, and means for varying the storm intensity required to cause said integrated output signal level to reach said predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, including an operational amplifier having an input and an output, a capacitor connected in feed-back between said input and output and a variable resistor connecting the input of said operational amplifier to a D.C. voltage for varying the storm intensity required to cause said integrated output signal level to reach said given predetermined level, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, and audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, including an operational amplifier having an input and an output, a capacitor connected in feed-back between said input and output and a variable resistor connecting the input of said operational amplifier to a D.C. voltage for varying the storm intensity required to cause said integrated output signal level to reach said given predetermined level, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, and audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, including an operational amplifier, a capacitor connected in feed-back between said input and output for varying the storm intensity required to cause said integrated output signal level to reach said given predetermined level, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, and audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, including an operational amplifier, a capacitor connected in feed-back between said input and output for varying the storm intensity required to cause said integrated output signal level to reach said given predetermined level, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, and audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, first meter means connected to said amplifier limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and displaying storm activity, second meter means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and displaying storm activity, and a housing for holding said limiter circuit, said circuit means, said level detector means, said first and second meter means and said audible alarm means with said first and second meter means being visible from the exterior of said housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, first meter means connected to said amplifier limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and displaying storm activity, second meter means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and displaying storm activity, and a housing for holding said limiter circuit, said circuit means, said level detector means, said first and second meter means and said audible alarm means with said first and second meter means being visible from the exterior of said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 further including means mounted in said housing and visible from the exter-ior thereof for detecting and displaying humidity, temp-erature and barometric pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve including a high gain operational amplifier, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, and level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated Output signal level reaches a given predetermined level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve including a high gain operational amplifier, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, and level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated Output signal level reaches a given predetermined level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, and means connecting said amplifier limiter circuit to said circuit means for rectifying said amplified output signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given valve, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, and means connecting said amplifier limiter circuit to said circuit means for rectifying said amplified output signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
246 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from strom activity, circuit means for receiving said electrical signal and providing an integrated output signal, means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, and a power supply for providing electrical power for said circuit means, and said alarm means, said power supply including means for rectifying an A.C. electrical signal to provide a D.C. output signal, means for connecting said rectifying means to an A.C. source, at least a single D.C. battery, output terminals, having means for connection to said amplifier circuit, said circuit means, said level detector means and said audible alarm means, means for detecting the presence of an A.C. electrical signal, and switch means responsive to said detecting means for connecting said output terminals to said rectifying means and disconnecting said output terminals from said battery when said detecting means detects an A.C. signal and for connecting said output terminals to said battery and disconnecting said output terminals, including a relay connected to said level detector for shifting from a first to second condition when said alarm signal is produced, a switch controlled by said relay for closing when said relay shifts to its second condition and alarm means connected to a source of voltage via said switch for producing an audible alarm when said switch closes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
246 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from strom activity, circuit means for receiving said electrical signal and providing an integrated output signal, means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, and a power supply for providing electrical power for said circuit means, and said alarm means, said power supply including means for rectifying an A.C. electrical signal to provide a D.C. output signal, means for connecting said rectifying means to an A.C. source, at least a single D.C. battery, output terminals, having means for connection to said amplifier circuit, said circuit means, said level detector means and said audible alarm means, means for detecting the presence of an A.C. electrical signal, and switch means responsive to said detecting means for connecting said output terminals to said rectifying means and disconnecting said output terminals from said battery when said detecting means detects an A.C. signal and for connecting said output terminals to said battery and disconnecting said output terminals, including a relay connected to said level detector for shifting from a first to second condition when said alarm signal is produced, a switch controlled by said relay for closing when said relay shifts to its second condition and alarm means connected to a source of voltage via said switch for producing an audible alarm when said switch closes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
221 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given value, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, first meter means connected to said amplifier limit circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and displaying storm activity, second meter means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and displaying storm intensity, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, including a relay connected to said level detector for shifting from a first to second condition when said alarm signal is produced, a switch controlled by said relay for closing when said relay shifts to its second conditioN and alarm means connected to a source of voltage via said switch for producing an audible alarm when said switch closes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
221 words
Apparatus for providing a severe weather warning comprising: antenna means for receiving electrical signals resulting from storm activity, an amplifier limiter circuit connected to said antenna means for receiving said electrical signals from said antenna means and providing an amplified output signal limited in amplitude to a given value, circuit means connected to said limiter circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and providing an integrated output signal, level detector means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and providing an alarm signal when the integrated output signal level reaches a given predetermined level, first meter means connected to said amplifier limit circuit for receiving said amplified output signal and displaying storm activity, second meter means connected to said circuit means for receiving said integrated output signal and displaying storm intensity, audible alarm means connected to said level detector means for receiving said alarm signal and for providing an audible alarm upon receipt of said audible alarm signal, including a relay connected to said level detector for shifting from a first to second condition when said alarm signal is produced, a switch controlled by said relay for closing when said relay shifts to its second conditioN and alarm means connected to a source of voltage via said switch for producing an audible alarm when said switch closes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |