ROCKET BORNE INSTRUMENT TO MEASURE ELECTRIC FIELDS INSIDE ELECTRIFIED CLOUDS

• US 3,760,268 A
• Filed: 04/28/1972
• Issued: 09/18/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lothar Ruhnke
• Original Assignee: Lothar Ruhnke
• Inventors: Ruhnke, Lothar
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Application Number:
  US05/248,469
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 324/32,72
• US Class Current: 324/72
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/12 Measuring electrostatic fields or voltage-potential
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 5/28 Electrostatic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/16 Measuring atmospheric potential differences, e.g. due to electrical charges in clouds measuring potentiels in general G01R

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring the electric field in the atmosphere which includes a pair of sensors carried on a rocket for sensing the voltages in the atmosphere being measured. One of the sensors is an elongated probe having a fine point thereon, which causes a corona current to be produced as it passes through the electric field. An electric circuit is coupled between the probe and the other sensor and includes a high ohm resistor which linearizes the relationship between the corona current and the electric field being measured. A relaxation oscillator and transmitter are provided for generating and transmitting an electric signal having a frequency corresponding to the magnitude of the electric field.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring the electric field in the atmosphere comprising:

A. self-propelled rocket capable of being propelled through the atmosphere, B. an elongated probe carried by said rocket constructed of 1/16 inch diameter tungsten steel rod and having a point being sharpened at a 10* angle, C. fins carried by said vehicle spaced a predetermined distance from said elongated probe, D. an electrical circuit connecting said elongated probe and at least one of said fins, E. a high ohm resistor coupled in said electrical circuit between said, elongated probe and said one of said fins, and F. a relaxation oscillator coupled in said circuit for generating a chain of pulse having a frequency proportional to the difference in voltage at, said elongated probe and said one of said fins, whereby the frequency of said chain of pulses is proportional to the electric field through which said vehicle is traveling.

2. An apparatus for measuring the electric fields in clouds and the like comprising:

A. a self-propelled rocket, B. fins carried adjacent the rear end of said rocket, C. an elongated probe having a corona point thereon carried on the front of said rocket, D. an electric circuit coupled between said elongated probe and said one of said fins providing a current path for corona current caused by the difference in voltage at said corona point and said one of said fins, E. a high ohm resistor connEcted in said circuit in series with said elongated probe for substantially linearizing the relationship between said corona current and said electric field being measured, and F. means for transmitting a signal having a frequency corresponding to the amplitude of said corona current.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said resistor is a 5,000 megaohm resistor.