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At least 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Determining distance to lightning strokes from a single station

Apparatus is described for determining the distance to lightning strokes from a single station. The apparatus includes a first loop antenna system for sensing the magnetic field produced by the lightning which is filtered, square rooted, and fed into a peak voltage holding circuit. A second antenna is provided for sensing the electric field produced by the lightning which is fed into a filter, an absolute value meter, and to a peak voltage holding circuit. A multivibrator gates the magnetic and electric signals through the peak holding circuits to a ratio meter which produces a signal corresponding to the ratio between the magnetic component and the electric component. The amplitude of this signal is proportional to the distance from the apparatus to the lightning stroke.

Ruhnke, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A three-station lightning detection system

A three-station network is described which senses magnetic and electric fields of lightning. Directional and distance information derived from the data are used to redundantly determine lightning position. This redundancy is used to correct consistent propagation errors. A comparison is made of the relative accuracy of VLF direction finders with a newer method to determine distance to and location of lightning by the ratio of magnetic-to-electric field as observed at 400 Hz. It was found that VLF direction finders can determine lightning positions with only one-half the accuracy of the method that uses the ratio of magnetic-to-electric field.

Ruhnke, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Space shuttle lightning protection criteria document

The lightning environment for design is defined and imposes the requirements that the design must satisfy to insure the protection of the space shuttle vehicle system from the direct and indirect effects of lightning. Specifications, criteria, and guidelines provide a practical and logical approach to the protection problems. Protection against the indirect effects of lightning is intimately involved with the electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic interference functions. While this document does not deal specifically with electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic interference, it does deal with the interactions between lightning protection measures and measures employed for electromagnetic compatibility and control of electromagnetic interference.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1975

The effects of lightning on digital flight control systems

Present practices in lightning protection of aircraft deal primarily with the direct effects of lightning, such as structural damage and ignition of fuel vapors. There is increasing evidence of troublesome electromagnetic effects, however, in aircraft employing solid-state microelectronics in critical navigation, instrumentation and control functions. The potential impact of these indirect effects on critical systems such as digital fly-by-wire (DFBW) flight controls has been studied by several recent research programs, including an experimental study of lightning-induced voltages in the NASA F8 DFBW airplane. The results indicate a need for positive steps to be taken during the design of future fly-by-wire systems to minimize the possibility of hazardous effects from lightning.

Plumer, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Lightning effects on the NASA F-8 digital-fly-by-wire airplane

The effects of lightning on a Digital Fly-By-Wire (DFBW)aircraft control system were investigated. The aircraft was a NASA operated F-8 fitted with a modified Apollo guidance computer. Current pulses similar in waveshape to natural lightning, but lower in amplitude, were injected into the aircraft. Measurements were made of the voltages induced on the DFBW circuits, the total current induced on the bundles of wires, the magnetic field intensity inside the aircraft, and the current density on the skin of the aircraft. Voltage measurements were made in both the line-to-ground and line-to-line modes. Voltages measured at the non-destructive test level were then scaled upward to determine how much would be produced by actual lightning. A 200,000 ampere severe lightning flash would produce between 40 and 2000 volts in DFBW circuits. Some system components are expected to be vulnerable to these voltages.

Plumer, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The high current transient generator, theory and operation for simulating lightning induced voltages into aerospace electrical circuits

Because of the difficulty, hazard, and cost of simulating full-scale lightning currents on flight vehicles, a nondestructive test technique using reduced-scale lightning currents was used to determine if threat level voltages will be induced into aircraft electrical circuits in the event the aircraft is actually struck by lightning. The reasoning and theory of selecting a particular simulated lightning waveshape and magnitude is given, showing that extrapolation of induced waveforms over several orders of magnitude should be avoided. The operation of high-current transient generators and hardware are described along with typical applications. The means by which voltages were generated, induced, and measured, as well as possible sources of error, are discussed.

Schulte, E. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Design of an optical fiber cable link for lightning instrumentation

A lightning instrumentation system was designed to record current magnitudes of lightning strikes that hit a launch pad service structure at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The instrumentation system consists of a lightning ground rod with a current sensor coil, an optical transmitter, an optical fiber cable link, a detector receiver, and a recording system. The transmitter is a wideband pulse transformer driving an IR LED emitter. The transmitter operates linearly as a transducer. A low loss fiber bundle provides isolation of the recorder system from the electromagnetic field of the lightning strike. The output of an optical detector receiver module is sampled and recorded in digital format. The significant factors considered in the design were dynamic range, linearity, mechanical configuration, electromagnetic isolation, and temperature compensation.

Grove, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Lightning tests of the orbiter pyrotechnic escape system

An experimental test program was undertaken to demonstrate that the Space Shuttle Orbiter Vehicle pyrotechnics actuated Crew Escape System was not subject to failure resulting from a lightning strike in the vicinity of the cockpit. A test sample representing a full-scale portion of the Orbiter Outer Panel was preheated to 325 F and struck with three different current waveforms to simulate the various effects of lightning: (1) 2 micro sec risetime, to 180 kA pulse to evaluate fast current rise shock effects; (2) a 205 kA, 100 micro sec wide pulse to evaluate full energy shock effects; and (3) a 490 ampere, 370 msec continuing current to evaluate the thermal effects of a lightning strike. These tests show that the Orbiter outer panel pyrotechnics are adequately protected against damage resulting from a lightning strike.

Cohen, R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The feasibility of inflight measurement of lightning strike parameters

The appearance of nonmetallic structural materials and microelectronics in aircraft design has resulted in a need for better knowledge of hazardous environments such as lightning and the effects these environments have on the aircraft. This feasibility study was performed to determine the lightning parameters in the greatest need of clarification and the performance requirements of equipment necessary to sense and record these parameters on an instrumented flight research aircraft. It was found that electric field rate of change, lightning currents, and induced voltages in aircraft wiring are the parameters of greatest importance. Flat-plate electric field sensors and resistive current shunts are proposed for electric field and current sensors, to provide direct measurements of these parameters. Six bit analog-to-digital signal conversion at a 5 nanosecond sampling rate, short-term storage of 85000 bits and long term storage of 5 x 10 to the 7th power bits of electric field, current and induced voltage data on the airplane are proposed, with readout and further analysis to be accomplished on the ground. A NASA F-106B was found to be suitable for use as the research aircraft because it has a minimum number of possible lightning attachment points, space for the necessary instrumentation, and appears to meet operational requirements. Safety considerations are also presented.

Crouch, K. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Proceedings: Workshop on the Need for Lightning Observations from Space

The results of the Workshop on the Need for Lightning Observations from Space held February 13-15, 1979, at the University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahoma, Tennessee are presented. The interest and active involvement by the engineering, operational, and scientific participants in the workshop demonstrated that lightning observations from space is a goal well worth pursuing. The unique contributions, measurement requirements, and supportive research investigations were defined for a number of important applications. Lightning has a significant role in atmospheric processes and needs to be systematically investigated. Satellite instrumentation specifically designed for indicating the characteristics of lightning are of value in severe storms research, in engineering and operational problem areas, and in providing information on atmospheric electricity and its role in meteorological processes.

Christensen, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A review of satellite lightning experiments

Over the past five years a series of satellite optical experiments were conducted to investigate terrestrial lightning. These experiments were designed to gather statistical information about the optical waveform of lightning, measure occurrence rates, demonstrate the feasibility of detecting lightning from space platforms, and study possible applications for satellite lightning sensors. These experiments are reviewed. Some of the results are presented, and some ideas for future satellite systems are discussed.

Turman, B. N.↗
NASA NTRS1979

First results on Jovian lightning

Longitudes and latitudes of 20 Jovian lightning flashes are plotted on the basis of observations of the dark side of Jupiter by an unidentified spacecraft. It is suggested that the mechanisms of lightning generation on Jupiter and earth may be similar, that convective electrification is the most plausible mechanism, and that observations of lightning may be used as a tracer of upwelling in the Jovian circulation. The observation of lightning flashes at high latitudes is shown to be consistent with the concept of convective cloud systems generated by internal heating.

Cook, A. F., II↗
NASA NTRS1979

Thunderstorm and lightning observations from Space Shuttle

A 16 mm camera equipped with a photocell optical sensor and a two-channel tape recorder will be used by Shuttle astronauts to obtain information on thunderstorms and lightning from orbital altitude. The camera will provide photographs of the lightning at night and of the convective structure of the storms during the day. The photocell sensor, which is capable of detecting and recording lightning by day and by night, will give information on the frequency and characteristics of the lightning that is occurring.

Vaughan, O. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Calibration tests on magnetic tape lightning current detectors

The low cost, passive, peak lightning current detector (LCD) invented at the NASA/Kennedy Space Center, uses magnetic audio recording tape to sense the magnitude of the peak magnetic field around a conductor carrying lightning currents. Test results show that the length of audio tape erased was linearly related to the peak simulated lightning currents in a round conductor. Accuracies of + or - 10% were shown for measurements made using a stopwatch readout technique to determine the amount of tape erased by the lightning current. The stopwatch technique is a simple, low cost means of obtaining LCD readouts and can be used in the field to obtain immediate results. Where more accurate data are desired, the tape is played and the output recorded on a strip chart, oscilloscope, or some other means so that measurements can be made on that recording. Conductor dimensions, tape holder dimensions, and tape formulation must also be considered to obtain a more accurate result. If the shape of the conductor is other than circular (i.e., angle, channel, H-beam), an analysis of the magnetic field is required to use an LCD, especially at low current levels.

Crouch, K. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Lightning Technology: Proceedings of a Technical Symposium

Several facets of lightning technology are considered including phenomenology, measurement, detection, protection, interaction, and testing. Lightning electromagnetics, protection of ground systems, and simulated lightning testing are emphasized. The lightning-instrumented F-106 aircraft is described.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Measurement of Electromagnetic Properties of Lightning with 10 Nanosecond Resolution

Electromagnetic data recorded from lightning strikes are presented. The data analysis reveals general characteristics of fast electromagnetic fields measured at the ground including rise times, amplitudes, and time patterns. A look at the electromagnetic structure of lightning shows that the shortest rise times in the vicinity of 30 ns are associated with leader leader streamers. Lightning location is based on electromagnetic field characteristics and is compared to a nearby sky camera. The fields from both leaders and return strokes were measured and are discussed. The data were obtained during 1978 and 1979 from lightning strikes occuring within 5 kilometers of an underground metal instrumentation room located on South Baldy peak near Langmuir Laboratory, New Mexico. The computer controlled instrumentation consisted of sensors previously used for measuring the nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and analog-digital recorders with 10 ns sampling, 256 levels of resolution, and 2 kilobytes of internal memory.

Baum, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Magnetic tape lightning current detectors

Development and application tests of a low cost, passive, peak lightning current detector (LCD) found it to provide measurements with accuracies of + or - 5 percent to + or - 10 percent depending on the readout method employed. The LCD uses magnetic audio recording tape to sense the magnitude of the peak magnetic field around a conductor carrying lightning currents. The test results showed that the length of audio tape erased was linearly related to the peak simulated lightning currents in a round conductor. Accuracies of + or - 10 percent were shown for measurements made using a stopwatch readout technique to determine the amount of tape erased by the lightning current. Where more accurate data are desired, the tape is played and the output recorded on a strip chart, oscilloscope, or some other means so that measurements can be made on that recording. Conductor dimensions, tape holder dimensions, and tape formulation must also be considered to obtain a more accurate result.

Crouch, K. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Lightning detection from Space Science and Applications Team review

The various needs for lightning data that exist among potential users of satellite lightning data were identified and systems were defined which utilize the optical and radio frequency radiations from lightning to serve as the satellite based lightning mapper. Three teams worked interactively with NASA to develop a system concept. An assessment of the results may be summarized as follows: (1) a small sensor system can be easily designed to operate on a geostationary satellite that can provide the bulk of the real time user requirements; (2) radio frequency systems in space may be feasible but would be much larger and more costly; RF technology for this problem lags the optical technology by years; and (3) a hybrid approach (optical in space and RF on the ground) would provide the most complete information but is probably unreasonably complex and costly at this time.

Few, A. A., Jr.↗