US3772594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lightning flash-to-bang detector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-10-03
•
Granted: 1973-11-13
•
Expires: 1992-10-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for detecting cloud to ground lightning strokes and for determining the distance to the lightning stroke utilizing a sferics counter to count the number of sferics pulses for each lightning stroke. A time is utilized to measure the time differential between the lightning flash and the bang.
Inventors
- 👤 I Kuehnast
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A lightning detector apparatus for detecting cloud-to-ground lightning strokes and for determining the distance to the lightning stroke comprising in combination: an antenna responsive to lightning electromagnetic signals from a lightning stroke, a sferics counter receiver connected to said antenna, said sferics counter receiver determining the sferics pluse rate of said lightning electromagnetic signals, said sferic counter receiver providing an output signal when said sferics pulse rate exceeds a predetermined count rate, a schmidt trigger circuit connected to said sferics counter receiver to receive said output signal, said schmidt trigger circuit providing an output trigger signal, in response to said output signal, an audio miCrophone responsive to the thunder clap of said lightning stroke, an audio receiver connected to said audio microphone, said audio receiver receiving said thunder clap and providing a deactivating signal corresponding thereto, a timer unit connected to both said schmidt trigger circuit and said audio receiver, said timer unit being activated by said output trigger signal from said schmidt trigger circuit, said timer unit being deactivated by said deactivating signal, said timer unit having recorded the time interval between said lightning stroke and said thunder clap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A lightning detector apparatus for detecting cloud-to-ground lightning strokes and for determining the distance to the lightning stroke comprising in combination: an antenna responsive to lightning electromagnetic signals from a lightning stroke, a sferics counter receiver connected to said antenna, said sferics counter receiver determining the sferics pluse rate of said lightning electromagnetic signals, said sferic counter receiver providing an output signal when said sferics pulse rate exceeds a predetermined count rate, a schmidt trigger circuit connected to said sferics counter receiver to receive said output signal, said schmidt trigger circuit providing an output trigger signal, in response to said output signal, an audio miCrophone responsive to the thunder clap of said lightning stroke, an audio receiver connected to said audio microphone, said audio receiver receiving said thunder clap and providing a deactivating signal corresponding thereto, a timer unit connected to both said schmidt trigger circuit and said audio receiver, said timer unit being activated by said output trigger signal from said schmidt trigger circuit, said timer unit being deactivated by said deactivating signal, said timer unit having recorded the time interval between said lightning stroke and said thunder clap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
A lightning detector apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said sferics counter receiver comprises: an AM receiver capable of receiving 400-500 kc, said AM receiver providing a sferics output signal, a pulse counter connected to said AM receiver to receive said sferics output signal, said pulse counter providing uniform output pulses in response to said sferics output signal, and a storage capacitor receiving said sferics output signal, said storage capacitor being charged in proportion to said sferics pulse rate, said storage capacitor providing an output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lightning detector apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said time interval represents the distance in time from said antenna to said lightning stroke.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
187 words
A lightning detector apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said timer unit comprises: a first relay unit having a set of normally open relay contacts, said relay contacts having a fixed and a movable contact, said first relay unit being momentarily energized by said sferics counter receiver, a second relay unit having a set of normally open relay contacts, said second relay unit having a fixed and a movable contact, said second relay unit being energized by said audio receiver for a predetermined length of time, a voltage source having a preselected DC voltage level, said voltage source being connected to said movable contact of said first relay unit, a capacitor having one end connected between said fixed contact of said first relay unit and said fixed contact of said second relay unit, the other end of said capacitor being connected to ground, said capacitor being charged to the full voltage charge of said voltage source when said first relay unit is energized; and an indicator/recorder unit connected to said movable contact of said second relay unit to record the voltage level remaining on said capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A lightning detector apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said capacitor is a slow discharge capacitor requiring approximately 60 seconds to discharge completely.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A lightning detector apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said voltage level remaining on said capacitor represents the time interval from full voltage charge to the audible thunder clap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1448585A1
Cited
US3715660A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |