CN-114341657-B - Antenna for use with lightning detection sensor

Abstract

A lightning detection sensor is described herein. The lightning sensor includes a sensing element that detects a Radio Frequency (RF) signal associated with lightning activity, a circuit that receives the detected RF signal from the sensing element and amplifies the RF signal for output to a digital signal processing device, and a reference element coupled to the circuit. The reference element is connected to an antenna ground that is isolated from the power ground, and the reference element and the antenna ground are not connected to an external ground plane.

Inventors

• M. Stoke
• LAPIERRE JEFFREY
• R. Sonanfeld
• C. Gennaros

Assignees

• 地球网络股份有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20200702

Priority Date

20190703

Claims (16)

1. 1. A lightning detection sensor comprising: a sensing element that detects a Radio Frequency (RF) signal associated with lightning activity, A circuit that receives the detected RF signal from the sensing element and amplifies the RF signal for output to a digital signal processing device, A reference element coupled to the circuit, an A sensor body housing the circuit and the reference element; wherein the reference element is connected to an antenna ground, the antenna ground is isolated from a power supply ground, and Wherein the reference element and the antenna ground are not connected to an external ground plane, an Wherein the sensor body and the reference element are not in contact with ground.
2. 2. The lightning detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensing element and the reference element are comprised of a conductive metal.
3. 3. The lightning detection sensor of claim 2, wherein the conductive metal is an aluminum alloy.
4. 4. The lightning detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor body is comprised of a plastic material.
5. 5. The lightning detection sensor of claim 4, wherein the plastic material is polycarbonate or Polyvinylchloride (PVC).
6. 6. The lightning detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor body is a cylinder.
7. 7. The lightning detection sensor of claim 6, wherein the circuit is embedded in the sensor body.
8. 8. The lightning detection sensor of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the sensing element is positioned on an outer surface of the sensor body and at least a portion of the reference element is embedded in the sensor body.
9. 9. The lightning detection sensor of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the sensing element is embedded in the sensor body and at least a portion of the reference element is positioned on an outer surface of the sensor body.
10. 10. The lightning detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the antenna is grounded to a ground element, the ground element being positioned within the sensor body.
11. 11. The lightning detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the gain of the circuit is fixed and calibrated.
12. 12. The lightning detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the antenna ground is isolated from the power supply ground using a DC-DC converter.
13. 13. The lightning detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the circuit comprises an inverse charge amplifier, the inverse charge amplifier amplifying the RF signal.
14. 14. The lightning detection sensor of claim 13, wherein the reverse charge amplifier is a fully differential amplifier.
15. 15. The lightning detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is secured to a mount that secures the sensor to a physical structure.
16. 16. The lightning detection sensor of claim 1, wherein the circuit is connected to a remote network via a network port coupled to the circuit.

Description

Antenna for use with lightning detection sensor RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/870,248 filed on 7/3 of 2019, which provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field The present application relates generally to systems and devices for lightning detection, including antennas for use with lightning detection sensors. Background The signal produced by lightning is broadband (e.g., 0Hz-1 GHz), with a large portion of the power in the lower frequency band. The signal is very strong at low frequencies and therefore the antennas used in lightning detection sensors are not usually required to be very efficient. In general, current lightning detection sensor technology often uses monopole electric field changing antennas, where the voltage output is proportional to the electric field convolved with an exponential decay. However, this type of antenna requires a stable ground plane and a separate ground cable. In certain geographic areas (e.g., remote or less developed areas of insufficient power infrastructure), it may be difficult to find a stable ground plane and to install a ground cable. In addition, over time, the ground cable is susceptible to corrosion, breakage, and other degradation, which may cause the lightning detection sensor to fail. Continuously monitoring the integrity of the sensor and ground cable and periodically repairing or replacing the ground cable is often challenging and expensive. Disclosure of Invention Accordingly, there is a need for an improved antenna design for a lightning detection sensor that overcomes the above-mentioned obstacles by eliminating the need for a separate ground cable. The embodiments of the antenna described herein utilize a center-fed dipole design that provides the advantage of eliminating the need to connect a ground cable to the lightning detection sensor and to the ground plane, thereby improving the efficiency and costs associated with sensor installation and maintenance, especially where the electrical code is not well established (or implemented), or where the generator is relied upon to power the sensor. Furthermore, embodiments of the antenna designs described herein advantageously minimize water bridging or corrosion by providing a sensor body composed of a waterproof plastic material (e.g., a thermoplastic such as polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride (PVC), etc.) in combination with an asymmetric electrode design in which one electrode is positioned on an outer surface of the sensor body and the other electrode is housed or embedded within the sensor body. In one aspect, the invention features a lightning detection sensor. The sensor includes a sensing element that detects a Radio Frequency (RF) signal associated with lightning activity, a circuit that receives the detected RF signal from the sensing element and amplifies the RF signal for output to a digital signal processing device, and a reference element coupled to the circuit. The reference element is connected to an antenna ground that is isolated from the power ground, and the reference element and the antenna ground are not connected to an external ground plane. In some embodiments, the sensing element and the reference element are composed of a conductive metal. In some embodiments, the conductive metal is an aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, the lightning detection sensor includes a sensor body housing one or more of a sensing element, a circuit, or a reference element. In some embodiments, the sensor body is composed of a plastic material. In some embodiments, the plastic material is polycarbonate or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In some embodiments, the sensor body is a cylinder. In some embodiments, the circuitry is embedded in the sensor body. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the sensing element is positioned on an outer surface of the sensor body and at least a portion of the reference element is embedded in the sensor body. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the sensing element is embedded in the sensor body and at least a portion of the reference element is positioned on an outer surface of the sensor body. In some embodiments, the antenna is grounded to a ground element that is positioned within the sensor body. In some embodiments, the gain of the circuit is fixed and calibrated. In some embodiments, a DC-DC converter is used to isolate the antenna ground from the power supply ground. In some embodiments, the circuit includes an inverting charge amplifier that amplifies the RF signal. In some embodiments, the reverse charge amplifier is a fully differential amplifier. In some embodiments, the sensor is secured to a mount that secures the sensor to the physical structure. In some embodiments, the circuit is connected to a remote network via a network port coupled to the circuit. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from