US006625399B1
(12) United States Patent
(10) Patent N0.:
(45) Date of Patent:
Davis
(54)
NON-LINEAR FLASH AND LIGHTNING
DETECTION DEVICE
(76)
Inventor:
(*)
Notice:
(57)
US 6,625,399 B1
Sep. 23, 2003
ABSTRACT
Richard F. Davis, 28665 Road P.8,
A method and device for detecting and/or photographing
unregulated light ?ash events such as lighting strikes and
Dolores, CO (US) 81323
muZZle ?ashes during both daylight and night time condi
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
tions is disclosed. The present device utilizes a photodiode
sensor in conjunction with a photoresistor to control feed
back gain of a transimpedance ampli?er thereby providing
non-linear ampli?cation and therein constant sensitivity to
detect an unregulated, omni-directional ?ash of light and
produce an output signal that is input to an analog compara
(21) Appl. No.: 10/307,583
Dec. 2, 2002
(22) Filed:
tor circuit whereat a predetermined threshold level is set to
prevent false triggering of the isolation relays and/or camera
shutter. The output from the comparator circuit is input to a
Related US. Application Data
timer circuit to produce a signal of suf?cient duration to
trigger the isolation relay(s) and/or camera shutter. The
(63)
Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/864,626, ?led on
May 23, 2001, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in
part of application No. 09/544,758, ?led on Apr. 7, 2000,
now Pat. No. 6,243,242, which is a continuation-in-part of
application No. 09/135,698, ?led on Aug. 18, 1998, now
abandoned.
output signal from the timer circuit is sent to an isolation
relays and/or an infrared coded pulse generator depending
on the features of the particular associated equipment in
order to release the camera shutter or to protect an electronic
or electrical device from the damaging effects of the light
ning return stroke. In an alternative embodiment the func
(51)
Int. Cl.7 ........................ .. G03B 17/38; G01W 1/00
(52)
US. Cl. ................... .. 396/263; 396/267; 73/170.24
(58)
Field of Search ............................... .. 396/263, 267,
396/56, 59; 73/170.24; 324/72; 340/53928,
601
tions of the comparator circuit, the timer circuit and the
coded pulse generator are carried out by a programmable
logic device such as a mixed signal processor with analog,
digital, real time clock and non-volatile RAM capability
wherein the lightning event processing functions are incor
porated into the program code. In a further embodiment, the
coupling circuit is tuned wherein motion of an object is
detected. In yet a further embodiment, multiple photosensor
arrays are utilized in conjunction with non-linear ampli?
cation and computing means to determine the location of
?ash events and to control associated equipment.
Primary Examiner—W. B. Perkey
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Mills Law Firm PLLC
77 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent
Se .23 2003
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U.S. Patent
Sep. 23, 2003
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US 6,625,399 B1
US‘ Patent
Sep- 23, 2003
Sheet 6 of 1s
66
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Camera Shutter
Lightning Trigger
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US 6,625,399 B1
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Fig. 5c
Shutter
Activation
Flash
Detection
Meter
Activation
Initialization
Sequence
Power
Status
Time - Function Sequence
Fig. 5d
280
Switch
U.S. Patent
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Sep. 23, 2003
Sheet 7 of 18
US 6,625,399 B1
U.S. Patent
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Sep. 23, 2003
Sheet 9 0f 18
US 6,625,399 B1
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Se .23 2003
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Sep. 23, 2003
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US 6,625,399 B1
1
2
NON-LINEAR FLASH AND LIGHTNING
DETECTION DEVICE
substantially loWer in comparison to other automated meth
ods of photographing lightning.
The present invention may also be utiliZed to detect the
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part application of
initiation of the stepped leader phase of the lightning event
5
US. Ser. No. 09/864,626 ?led on May 23, 2001
(abandoned), Which is a continuation-in-part application of
US. Ser. No. 09/544,758 ?led on Apr. 7, 2000 (now US.
Pat. No. 6,243,242), Which is a continuation-in-part appli
cation of US. Ser. No. 09/135,698 ?led on Aug. 18, 1998
(abandoned), all in the name of R. F. Davis and entitled
for preemptively disconnecting susceptible electronic and
electrical devices via fast acting relays before the incipient
and destructive return stroke occurs. Devices that may
bene?t by preemptive protection from the damaging effects
of the return stroke and subsequent electromagnetic pulses
10
(EMP) include electronic and electrical devices such as
computers, telephones, household and industrial appliances,
and the like. Back up poWer supplies may be incorporated
“Non-Linear Ampli?er” and “Photographic Lightning Trig
With the lightning trigger detection device to ensure con
ger Device”.
tinuous operation and protect against a loss of service, data
15
The present invention relates generally to devices for
or critical operation.
The present invention may also be utiliZed to detect rapid
pulse light ?ashes produced by sources such as a muZZle
detecting ?ash events and, more particularly, to a method
?ash form a gun Wherein an indication device or associated
FIELD OF INVENTION
and apparatus for detecting lightning and rapid pulse light
?ashes.
equipment may be activated in response thereto.
20
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED PRIOR ART
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The detection of lightning and rapid pulse light ?ashes
have numerous applications ranging from photography,
lightning protection devices, the detection of muZZle ?ashes
US. Pat. No. 5,184,215 to Barker discloses an automated
system for detecting and recording lightning strikes in the
vicinity of poWer lines. In one embodiment of the invention,
25
lightning ?ashes, hoWever they have lacked the ability to
perform this function With sensitivity and selectivity neces
sary to be functional. Furthermore, they have lacked the
ability to detect ?ashes as Well during the day or at night.
For the purpose of this invention, an apparatus for the
detection of lightning and rapid pulse light ?ashes have very
similar design characteristics and Wherein such an apparatus
housing; a magnetic loop sensor; a control circuit for one or
more cameras and/or video camcorders; and a poWer supply
all contained Within a Weather-tight housing. Such a system
30
US. Pat. No. 5,448,161 to Byerley et al. discloses an
35
40
monitoring and recording lightning strikes Within a prede
termined area With a camera having an electrically operated
shutter and means for advancing the ?lm in the camera after
activating the shutter. The system includes an antenna for
Zines. Such dramatic photographs of bolts of lightning have
sensing electrical ?eld changes Which generate a signal that
45
is fed to an electronic circuit for operating the shutter of the
camera.
US. Pat. No. 3,712,195 to Harvey discloses an apparatus
for photographing meteors in a selected area of the sky only
at times meteors are likely to be passing through the area. A
With conventional cameras is restricted to the Well-knoWn
practice of using long eXposure times, usually at night or in
loW ambient light levels. The lightning event is captured on
?lm during the time period When the camera shutter is held
open, Which is typically ?ve to ten minutes, requiring the use
photo multiplier is pointed in the direction of the designated
area. When a meteor passes through the area, the signal
output of the photo multiplier increases, activating a camera.
of a camera tripod.
US. Pat. No. 3,700,336 to Clegg discloses a method for
HoWever, the methods of the prior art are tedious and time
optically detecting lightning radiation in both daylight and
55
must remain out of doors With the camera equipment and be
eXposed to the haZards of lightning.
Thus, the present invention has been developed to provide
a lightning trigger device capable of interfacing With many
commercially available cameras having suf?ciently fast
silicon photodiode or other light-sensitive silicon device is
arranged to receive light signals in the infrared, visible,
great visual impact.
consuming and do not provide for lightning photography
during normal daylight hours. Further, the photographer
optical radiation detector for lightning or other light signals
such as pulses, bursts, ?ashes, and steady ?uctuations. A
ultraviolet, and Wide-band ranges, etc.
US. Pat. No. 3,759,152 to Fletcher discloses a system for
selected ?ltering techniques. Furthermore, such a device can
be provided Wherein detection sensitivity is constant
Scienti?c uses of lightning photography are also Well
knoWn to those skilled in the art. Lightning photography
clearly lacks portability and is designed speci?cally for the
monitoring of electrical poWer transmission utilities.
can perform the detection of rapid pulse light ?ashes and
various forms of lightning through the use of properly
throughout the daytime and at night.
Lightning photography is a popular form of artistic
expression commonly found in pictorial books and maga
the automated system includes a toroid surge sensor; a
phototransistor optical sensor located Within a pole mounted
and the like.
Prior art devices have provided the ability to detect
nighttime conditions. A silicon solar cell receives light
radiation, converting them to electrical signals Which are
ampli?ed and electronically processed for recording pur
poses. HoWever, this apparatus is not used in conjunction
With photographic equipment.
60
US. Pat. No. 3,934,259 to Krider discloses an all-sky
camera apparatus for time-resolved lightning photography.
shutter lag times during both daylight and nighttime condi
This invention utiliZes a pair of all-sky cameras Which are
tions.
In addition, the present camera triggering method can be
disposed With their respective lenses pointing vertically. One
practiced by utiliZing the camera’s remote shutter release,
thereby photographing lightning events from a safe distance.
Further, the cost of the present lightning trigger device is
65
of the cameras is rotated about an aXis passing through the
Zenith While the other is maintained in a stationary dispo
sition to determine the time development of lightning dis
charge.