Patents Assigned to Airborne Research Associates, Inc.
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Patent number: 6246367Abstract: A lightning detection system for detecting and locating an initial discharge of an initial leader stroke of a lightning flash. An initial lightning discharge produces a pulse that can be used to accurately detect lightning, and more particularly, the location of the initial lightning discharge. In one embodiment, at least three sensors detect and determine the location of the first pulses from initial lightning discharges using time difference of arrival information of the pulses at each of the three sensors. In another embodiment, a single sensor is used to determine the range of an initial lightning discharge from the amplitude of a corresponding initial detected pulse, and to determine the direction from a crossed loop antenna An alternative embodiment of a single sensor system determines a distance of a lightning event from a peak amplitude value derived from a pulse amplitude distribution.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1998Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Airborne Research Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ralph J. Markson, Lothar H. Ruhnke
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Patent number: 5771020Abstract: A lightning detection system for detecting and locating an initial discharge of an initial leader stroke of a lightning flash. An initial lightning discharge produces a pulse that can be used to accurately detect lightning, and more particularly, the location of the initial lightning discharge. In one embodiment, at least three sensors detect and determine the location of the first pulses from initial lightning discharges using time difference of arrival information of the pulses at each of the three sensors. In another embodiment, a single sensor is used to determine the range of an initial lightning discharge from the amplitude of a corresponding initial detected pulse, and to determine its direction from a crossed loop antenna. An alternative embodiment of a single sensor system determines a distance of a lightning event from a peak amplitude value derived from a pulse amplitude distribution.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Airborne Research Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ralph J. Markson, Lothar H. Ruhnke
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Patent number: 5057820Abstract: A lightning and strobe light detector and warning system capable of distinguishing strobe light and lightning flashes and indicating to an operator of the existence of a flash even under high illumination background conditions. The device may comprise a plurality of detectors and therefore not only distinguish between the strobe and lighting flashes but also indicate the direction of a flash.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1989Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: Airborne Research Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ralph J. Markson, Johan A. Govaert
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Patent number: 4996473Abstract: A system for predicting the occurence of microburst/windshear comprising at least one sensor for receiving lightning produced signals, a processor for processing those received signals to produce data and generate a warning when the processed data indicates that a microburst/windshear is about to occur.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1989Date of Patent: February 26, 1991Assignee: Airborne Research Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ralph J. Markson, Bruce E. Anderson
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Patent number: 4950978Abstract: A device to remove the dead band in atmospheric electric potential measurements while maintaining a low leakage path to ground. In one embodiment the device comprises a AC high voltage source connected through a high ohm resistor and capacitor network to a sharp corona point and a means for measuring the current through the corona point.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1988Date of Patent: August 21, 1990Assignee: Airborne Research Associates, Inc.Inventor: Johan A. Govaert
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Patent number: 4801942Abstract: The lightning ranging system for determining distance between a lightning discharge and an airborne object includes a receiver on the airborne object adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation signals generated by a lightning discharge along both a direct and a surface reflected path. Signal processing apparatus is interconnected with the receiver for determining the difference in the time of arrival of the direct and reflected signals. A computer is provided to calculate the range of the lightning discharge from the difference in the time of arrival of the direct and reflected signals. In a preferred embodiment, the signal processing apparatus is digital and includes at least a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter with at least a 36 megahertz sampling rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1986Date of Patent: January 31, 1989Assignee: Airborne Research Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Markson, James W. Warwick, Arthur Uhlir, Jr.