Lightning current waveform measuring system

Claim 1

An apparatus for monitoring current waveforms produced by lightning strikes comprising: (a) an elongated member positioned in the vicinity where it is desired to monitor the lightning strikes for having currents generated therein by said lightning strikes; (b) coil means encircling said elongated member generating a voltage responsive to current flowing through said elongated member; (c) a light emitting means connected to said coil means generating light waves corresponding to said voltage produced in said coil means; (d) an optical receiver remotely located from said area in which said lightning strikes are being monitored; (e) an optical cable connecting said light emitting means with said optical receiver for transmitting said light waves therebetween; (f) an analog-to-digital converter connected to said optical receiver for converting signals appearing on an output of said optical receiver into digital signals; (g) a memory for storing information; (h) a data register interposed between said memory and said analog-to-digital converter for storing the last information received from said analog-to-digital converter, (i) a comparator means for comparing the information previously stored in said data register with information coming from said analog-to-digital converter for loading the information stored in said data register into said memory when said comparison indicates a predetermined difference (j) a counter means producing a timing signal; (k) means for supplying said timing signal to said analog-to-digital converter for synchronizing the loading of said data register and said comparator; and (l) means for supplying said timing signal to said memory for recording the exact time said information is loaded into said memory from said data register.

Claim 2

An apparatus for monitoring current waveforms produced by lightning strikes comprising: (a) an elongated member positioned in the vicinity where it is desired to monitor the lightning strikes for having currents generated therein by said lightning strikes; (b) coil means encircling said elongated member generating a voltage responsive to current flowing through said elongated member; (c) a light emitting means connected to said coil means generating light waves corresponding to said voltage produced in said coil means; (d) an optical receiver remotely located from said area in which said lightning strikes are being monitored; (e) an optical cable connecting said light emitting means with said optical receiver for transmitting said light waves therebetween; (f) an analog-to-digital converter connected to said optical receiver for converting signals appearing on an output of said optical receiver into digital signals; (g) a memory for storing information; (h) a data register interposed between said memory and said analog-to-digital converter for storing the last information received from said analog-to-digital converter, (i) a comparator means for comparing the information previously stored in said data register with information coming from said analog-to-digital converter for loading the information stored in said data register into said memory when said comparison indicates a predetermined difference (j) a counter means producing a timing signal; (k) means for supplying said timing signal to said analog-to-digital converter for synchronizing the loading of said data register and said comparator; and (l) means for supplying said timing signal to said memory for recording the exact time said information is loaded into said memory from said data register.