US3857066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatic charge sensing probe
Assignee: Dayton Aircraft Products Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-06
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-07-06
Abstract
Abstract An electrostatic sensing probe extends from an aircraft into the atmosphere to sense the magnitude and polarity of any electrostatic charge accumulated thereon. A high voltage sensor power supply is connected between the probe and the aircraft with the sensor power supply having an output voltage of sufficient magnitude to cause current to flow between the probe and the atmosphere. In one embodiment, a single probe is employed and is connected to an alternating current high voltage sensor power supply with current flowing in the probe during positive and/or negative half cycles. In another embodiment, two probes are used, one connected to a positive high voltage sensor power supply, the other connected to a negative high voltage sensor power supply. In both embodiments, the current through the probe or probes is sensed by an amplifier as a function of the polarity and magnitude of the electrostatic charge accumulation on the aircraft. The output of the probe current sensing amplifier controls remotely mounted positive and negative high voltage discharge power supply means which neutralize the accumulated electrostatic charge.
Inventors
- 👤 J Cline
- 👤 D Grant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:36
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D45/00; B64D45/02; G; G01; G01R; G01R29/00; G01R29/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for discharging an electrostatic charge accumulated on a body, said apparatus including a probe extending from said body into the atmosphere, a high voltage sensor power supply connected between said probe and said body, said sensor power supply having an output voltage of sufficient magnitude to cause current to flow through said probe to the atmosphere, sensing means for sensing the magnitude and polarity of said current flow in said probe as an indication of an electrostatic charge on said body, separate electrostatic discharge means, and means responsive to said sensing means for controlling the operation of said electrostatic discharge means to neutralize the electrostatic charge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for discharging an electrostatic charge accumulated on a body, said apparatus including a probe extending from said body into the atmosphere, a high voltage sensor power supply connected between said probe and said body, said sensor power supply having an output voltage of sufficient magnitude to cause current to flow through said probe to the atmosphere, sensing means for sensing the magnitude and polarity of said current flow in said probe as an indication of an electrostatic charge on said body, separate electrostatic discharge means, and means responsive to said sensing means for controlling the operation of said electrostatic discharge means to neutralize the electrostatic charge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrostatic discharge means is a high voltage power supply connected between said body and at least one discharge probe extending into the atmosphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for discharging an electrostatic charge accumulated on said body, said apparatus including a probe extending from said body to the atmosphere, an alternating current, high voltage sensor power supply connected to said probe for causing current to flow through said probe during positive and/or negative half cycles of power supply output, current sensing means connected to sense the average current flow in said probe for providing an output which is a function of the direction and magnitude of said current flow, positive and negative electrostatic discharge means, and means responsive to the output of said current sensing means for controlling the output of said positive and negative discharge means for neutralizing said accumulated electrostatic charge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for discharging an electrostatic charge accumulated on said body, said apparatus including a probe extending from said body to the atmosphere, an alternating current, high voltage sensor power supply connected to said probe for causing current to flow through said probe during positive and/or negative half cycles of power supply output, current sensing means connected to sense the average current flow in said probe for providing an output which is a function of the direction and magnitude of said current flow, positive and negative electrostatic discharge means, and means responsive to the output of said current sensing means for controlling the output of said positive and negative discharge means for neutralizing said accumulated electrostatic charge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including a low pass filter electrically connected between said high voltage sensor power supply and said current sensing means whereby only the average direct current flowing in said probe will be sensed by said current sensing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said positive and negative electrostatic discharge means includes positive and negative high voltage power supplies, each power supply connected between the body and at least one discharge probe extending into the atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for discharging an electrostatic charge accumulated on a body including first and second probes extending from said body into the atmosphere, a positive high voltage sensor power supply connected between said first probe and said body, a negative high voltage sensor power supply connected between said second probe and said body, both said positive and said negative high voltage sensor power supplies providing a voltage to the end of the probe in excess of the corona potential of said probe at least when the accumulated electrostatic charge on said body is near zero, means for sensing the direction and magnitude of the combined current flow in said first and second probes for providing an output proportional thereto, positive and negative electrostatic discharge means, and means responsive to the output of said current sensing means for controlling said positive and negative electrostatic discharge means for neutralizing said accumulated electrostatic charge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for discharging an electrostatic charge accumulated on a body including first and second probes extending from said body into the atmosphere, a positive high voltage sensor power supply connected between said first probe and said body, a negative high voltage sensor power supply connected between said second probe and said body, both said positive and said negative high voltage sensor power supplies providing a voltage to the end of the probe in excess of the corona potential of said probe at least when the accumulated electrostatic charge on said body is near zero, means for sensing the direction and magnitude of the combined current flow in said first and second probes for providing an output proportional thereto, positive and negative electrostatic discharge means, and means responsive to the output of said current sensing means for controlling said positive and negative electrostatic discharge means for neutralizing said accumulated electrostatic charge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said positive and negative electrostatic discharge means includes positive and negative high voltage power suppies, each power supply connected between the body and at least one discharge probe extending into the atmosphere.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |