Burt James Bittner
Engineers at Clinton Dr, Melbourne, FL

4823228, Apr 18, 1989

Feb 8, 1988

7/152946

Burt J. Bittner - Palm Bay FL

Harris Corp. - Melbourne FL

G01R 2912, G01R 3102, H01G 108, H05F 300

361218

An apparatus for detecting the onset of a potential lightning discharge condition monitors the odd harmonics of an RF signal radiated from a conductive probe (antenna) for fluctuations that are representative of an electrostatic condition-induced corona. In response to the such fluctuations, an output signal representative of the onset of said condition is generated. This output signal may be employed to decouple communication equipment from its antenna until the lightning condition has subsided. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for discharging static charge accumulation from a moving body (e. g. an aircraft) which is comprised of at least one discharging conductive wick arranged to be affixed to the trailing edge of a wing, so that charges may flow from the aircraft into the wick and be discharged therefrom. To enhance discharging of the aircraft, a tuned (LC) circuit, resonant at a frequency within an RF spectrum of frequencies of corona discharge currents that flow through the wick, is coupled between the wing and the wick. Once the level of static charge build-up on the aircraft is sufficient to initiate corona discharge, current flow through the resonant circuit begins to self-oscillate and continues to `ring` after the D. C.