US 2019/0196062 A1 · STORM WARNING METHOD AND APPARATUS

Abstract

An apparatus and method of detecting, tracking and displaying lightning activity is disclosed. A lightning stroke has associated therewith electric and magnetic field components characterized by maximum rise times and minimum power levels. The field signals comprise a plurality of sub pulses. An electric field antenna and a pair of magnetic field antennas are disposed to receive the field components associated with lightning activity. A processor which operates on the field signals received by antennas by sampling signals and storing samples as digital data in memories. In response to the control circuitry, the microprocessor determines the azimuth angles to the lightning activity based on the sampled field data and determines the range based on both the inverse of the magnetic field and the rise time of the electric field components. The sampled field data is grouped and assigned levels of intensity. The angle, range and intensity information is transmitted to a display where it can be displayed in a variety of formats. Where the apparatus is mounted in an aircraft, the speed of the aircraft and changes in heading are factors in the determination and display of the angles and range.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An apparatus for determining the location of lightning strokes, each lightning stroke generating electric (E) and magnetic (H) field components said apparatus comprising;

receiving means for receiving separately the electric (E) and magnetic (H) field components of a lightning stroke and for generating electrical signals associated with said E and H field components, said electrical signals being characterized by measurable components;
means coupled to said receiving means for determining the direction to said lightning strike relative to said apparatus by operating upon said measurable components associated with both said E and H field components;
and;
means coupled to said receiving means for determining the distance to said lightning stroke from said apparatus by operating upon said E and H field components, said distance determining means comprising:
1. means for measuring, at a first magnitude of a received H field component of said lightning stroke;
and
2. means for measuring rise time to peak of a received E field component of said lightning stroke;
and
3. means for determining the distance to said lightning stroke as a inverse function of said first magnitude and time to peak of first E field component.
means for containing all receiving means and determining means within single

7 more elements

An apparatus for determining the location of lightning strokes, each lightning stroke generating electric (E) and magnetic (H) field components said apparatus comprising;

receiving means for receiving separately the electric (E) and magnetic (H) field components of a lightning stroke and for generating electrical signals associated with said E and H field components, said electrical signals being characterized by measurable components;
means coupled to said receiving means for determining a direction to said lightning strike relative to said apparatus by operating upon said measurable components associated with both said E and H field components;
and;
means coupled to said receiving means for determining a distance and an intensity to said lightning stroke from said apparatus by operating upon said H field component, said distance and intensity determining means comprising;
1. means for measuring a first magnitude of a received H field component of said lightning stroke;
and
2. means for measuring rise time to peak of a received E field component of said lightning stroke;
and
3. means for determining said distance to said lightning stroke as functions of said first magnitude and time to peak of first E field component.
4. means for collecting a predetermined number of said first H magnitude and said first E field components into a cell group to determine said intensity of said lightning cells.
means for containing all receiving means and determining means within single package.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Storm warning method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Storm warning method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8