Abstract: An all stainless steel grounding electrode uses a coating of stainless steel for an upper collar which has a dual purpose cable connector. The cable connector can accommodate a cable lug and bolt connection or a cad weld connection. A cap for the collar has a one quarter turn dual heavy duty thread set to prevent corrosion from locking up the cap. An osmotic material is placed and replaced in the grounding electrode via the cap.

Abstract: A lightning termination preventer (LTP) system to prevent the termination of a lightning stroke within a protected area is disclosed. The LTP system may comprise one or more ionizer arrays located above a protected area. The ionizer arrays are electrically connected to a grounding system and may comprise an essentially flat surface with a plurality of vertical ionizer protrusions. The ionizer protrusions may comprise a blunt distal end. The ionizer arrays may comprise a variety of shapes and may also comprise a short skirt. The radius of protection of a single ionizer array may be estimated. Additionally, the area protected by a plurality of ionizer arrays may be estimated.

Abstract: Lightning at or near the site of an oil storage tank can cause a charge build up in the tank. This charge must be discharged to ground at rapid speeds to prevent arcing, sparks and fire. The tank has a metal floating roof which can be used to discharge the charge to ground by connecting a low impedance braided wire to the floating roof, and then connecting the wire to a take up reel at the top rim of the tank. The take up reel keeps any slack out of the wire. The path to ground is liquid to floating roof, to braided wire, to take up reel, to wall of tank, to earth ground.

Abstract: An improved grounding electrode system includes a moisture collector connected to a grounding electrode. The electrode may have a perforated conductive tubular assembly having at least two circular conductive collars. The whole electrode assembly is buried in the earth with the top end exposed and surrounded by an osmotic conductor. The tubular assembly can be filled with a chemical which enhances the soil conductivity. The moisture collector is preferably a mesh screen to condense moisture from the air and pipe it to the inside of the grounding electrode and/or to the surrounding soil. An osmotic conductor may be inside the electrode and/or in the surrounding soil.

Abstract: The invention is a MOV based surge arrester that uses MOVs manufactured from a recently patented process. These new technology MOVs are significantly more uniform in their composition, resulting in more uniform performance. Each MOV is packaged by placing it between a pair of contact plates, preferably manufactured from aluminum. This packaging significantly increases the surface area between the contact plates and the MOVs. Wiring is minimized. Also, the use of the metal plates increases the ability of a surge suppresser to remove the heat generated in severe over-voltage situations. The preferred embodiment teaches conductor wires soldered to a disk in a grid pattern. The grid pattern provides a low empedance connection and prevents failure of the MOV at a lower than expected voltage. Grid patterns can include spiral, serpentine S, and square patterns.

Abstract: A lightning shield reduces the chance for a direct hit on a person by placing an inverted hemispherical dome over the person's head and shoulders. The dome has a conductive covering, preferably a wire mesh. The dome thwarts ground leaders from completing a circuit to a descending lightning streamer from a cloud. Embodiments include umbrellas, backpack models, balloons, and mini-shelters.

Abstract: A high voltage substation level surge suppression system is disclosed comprising three primary elements. Two surge arrestors are used, separated by a surge interceptor. The first surge arrestor encountered is a high energy dissipater. It conducts most of the energy from a lightning induced or other fast rising high voltage surge to ground. The surge interceptor, comprises an inductor formed by wrapping insulated wire around a tube through which is inserted a parallel high energy resistor. The inductor element in the Surge Interceptor operates to delay the fast rise surge or transient long enough that the high energy dissipater can operate. The resistor element operates to dampen ringing or oscillations caused by the interaction between the inductor and a high voltage lightning strike and to dissipate some of that energy. Finally, the second arrestor, the voltage controller, operates to clamp the voltage after the Surge Interceptor to a set level.

Abstract: The invention is a MOV based surge arrester that uses MOVs manufactured from a recently patented process. These new technology MOVs are significantly more uniform in their composition, resulting in more uniform performance. The uniform performance characteristics allow MOVs to be utilized parallel more successfully, eliminating many of the previous problems encountered. Instead of attaching wires to each MOV, the MOVs are packaged by placing them between a pair of contact plates, preferably manufactured from aluminum. The pair of plates are connected together and tensioned using non-conductive nuts and bolts. This packaging significantly increases the surface area between the contact plates and the MOVs. Wiring is minimized. Also, the use of the metal plates increases the ability of a surge suppresser to remove the heat generated in severe over-voltage situations. Additional plates can be utilized to increase surge arrestor surge current capability.

Abstract: Underwriters Laboratories lists lightning protection components as described in their UL 96, Third Edition Publication. The present invention improves on the basic lightning rod systems. The improvement provides a multiplicity of points extending in all directions from the top of a supporting rod which is designed to fit the conventional lightning rod mounting bases. The points are separated and configured to produce maximum ionization current commensurate and configured to carry an above average lightning strike current flow. The result is a hybrid lightning air terminal and lightning prevention system module named the Spline Ball Terminal (SBT). The SBT partially equalizes the charge differential between the protected site and the cloud thereby preventing many strokes from occurring. If a high energy stroke does enter the protected zone, then the SBT acts like a traditional UL approved lightning rod, but with much greater efficiency.

Abstract: Simple lightning rod systems divert a lightning stroke away from a protected facility. They do nothing to prevent a lightning stroke from occurring. The present invention represents the state of the art improvements in lightning prevention systems. These prevention systems are termed dissipating systems because they neutralize the charge differential between the cloud and the protected facility before the flashover point occurs. The flashover point is seen as lightning. The present dissipative systems leak off the charge differential slowly before the flashover point is reached. The present invention pinpoints the critical design parameters for the optimization of dissipative array systems. The critical design parameters include the number, size and spacing of both the ionizer points and their conductive wires. These Dissipation Array Systems (DAS) provide up to 100% prevention protection from lightning strokes.

Abstract: A grounding electrode which is automatically moisturized from a solar powered humidifier that produces the required moisture through solar radiation to which it and its component parts are exposed. The generation of moisture is therefore a function of the available sunlight, the thereby radiated heat and the soil dryness. A unit operating on utility power is also described.

Abstract: A high-voltage system surge eliminator for the protection of electric transmission and distribution stations against line and switching transients, atmospheric discharges and other adverse effects including such as those caused by lightning. The eliminator is suitable for the protection of substations and of individual equipment units, selectively, and is applicable to both direct current and alternating current single and multi-phase systems, selectively. Two basic and typical eliminator varieties are shown and described.

Abstract: An equipment for a preventive lightning protection of at least partly neutralizing the electric potentials of the atmosphere's charges. This is accomplished through the application of a high-potential d.c. voltage to a vertical structural post carrying on its top a member adapted to radiate an electric field of a magnitude, polarity and duration adjusted by a control unit in response to the condition of the atmospheric charge as sensed and relayed to the control unit by a sensor.

Abstract: A voltage regulator capable of maintaining the output voltage of a unit, such as a power supply, incorporating said voltage regulator within, for example, .+-.5 percent of say, 115 volts, a.c., without any interruptions in the power supply output voltage and without any distortion of the a.c. sine wave.This is accomplished through the monitoring of varying secondary transformer output voltages according to the primary input voltage variations by means of a comparator processing a signal to power relays which switch to specific secondary transformer taps without causing interruptions of the output power and without distortions of the a.c. sine wave, respectively. Various additional devices are provided to enhance the described regulated a.c. power supply performance.

Abstract: A coaxial, cross-shaped connector unit for insertion into a coaxial conductor line operating at VHF and higher frequencies, utilizing two right-angle conductor and shell legs for arresting the excessive voltages and two other specific shell legs for the installation of arc-extinguishing means and wave-length matching adjustment, respectively.

Abstract: A method and equipment for protecting sensitive equipment against extended duration or transient over-voltages and their hazards. This is accomplished through a high-voltage fusing concept, a fast-acting clamping action and separate grounding points for power and control paths, respectively.

Abstract: A system and equipment for the preventative protection of objects located on the surface of the earth from the effects of atmospherics.

Abstract: An all stainless steel grounding electrode uses a coating of stainless steel for an upper collar which has a dual purpose cable connector. The cable connector can accommodate a cable lug and bolt connection or a cad weld connection. A cap for the collar has a one quarter turn dual heavy duty thread set to prevent corrosion from locking up the cap. An osmotic material is placed and replaced in the grounding electrode via the cap.