Lightning directing system
View Patent ↗A lightning direction device is provided. The lightning direction device includes a drag member, a pendant mass and a conductor. The drag member is configured to have a select amount of wind resistance. The pendant mass has a select weight and shape. Moreover, the conductor is coupled between the pendant mass and the drag member.
1. A lightning direction device configured to be placed in a highly charged atmosphere, the lighting direction device comprising:
a drag member configured to have a select amount of wind resistance;
a pendant mass having a select weight and shape; and
a conductor coupled between the pendant mass and the drag member.
2. The lightning direction device of claim 1 , wherein the drag member is one of a drag chute, a parachute, a lighter than air device and a remote controlled flying device.
3. The lightning direction device of claim 1 , wherein the pendant mass further comprises:
a guiding mechanism.
4. The lightning direction device of claim 1 , wherein the pendant mass further comprises:
at least one adjustable surface;
a controller configured to manipulate the at least one surface; and
a guidance system in communication with the controller, wherein the controller manipulates the at least one adjustable surface based on a signal from the guidance system to direct the pendant mass to a desired location.
5. The lighting direction device of claim 4 , wherein the guidance system is at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial guidance system.
6. The lightning direction device of claim 1 , further comprising:
plasma contactors coupling the conductor to at least one of the drag member and the pendant mass.
7. The lightning direction device of claim 1 , further comprising;
a propulsion system configured to direct the pendant mass to a desired location.
8. The lightning direction device of claim 1 , wherein the conductor is a conductive wire.
9. The lightning direction device of claim 8 , wherein the wire has a length between 500 to 1000 meters.
10. A lightning directing system comprising:
a plurality of lightning directing devices configured to drop from a highly charged atmosphere, each lightning directing device including,
a drag member configured to have a select amount of wind resistance,
a pendant mass having a select weight, and
a conductor coupled between the pendant mass and the drag member.
11. The lightning directing system of claim 10 , wherein the drag member of at least one of the lightning directing devices is one of a drag chute, a parachute, a lighter than air device and a remote controlled flying device.
12. The lightning directing system of claim 10 , wherein the pendant mass of at least one lightning directing device further comprises:
a guiding mechanism configured to guide the pendant mass to a desired location.
13. The lightning directing system of claim 12 , wherein the guiding mechanism further comprises:
at least one adjustable surface;
a controller configured to manipulate the at least one surface; and
a guidance system in communication with the controller, wherein the controller manipulates the at least one adjustable surface based on a signal from the guidance system to direct the pendant to a desired location.
14. The lighting direction system of claim 13 , wherein the guidance system is at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial guidance system.
15. The lightning directing system of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the lightning directing devices further comprises:
plasma contactors coupling the conductor to at least one of the drag member and the pendant.
16. A method of directing lightning, the method comprising:
positioning an ungrounded conductor of at least one lightning directing device in a highly charged atmosphere, wherein the conductor of each lightning directing device is coupled between a pendant mass and a drag member.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein positioning the ungrounded conductor of the lightning directing device in the highly charged atmosphere further comprises: dropping the at least one lightning directing device in the atmosphere.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein dropping the at least one lightning directing device in the atmosphere, further comprises:
dropping the at least one lightning directing device in the atmosphere from an aircraft.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the aircraft is an unmanned aircraft.
20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
sensing an electric field strength in the atmosphere with a delivery device.
21. The method of claim 16 , wherein positioning the ungrounded conductor of the lightning directing device in the highly charged atmosphere further comprises: delivering the at least one lightning directing device with a missile.
22. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
guiding the pendant mass of the at least one lightning directing device to a desired location.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein guiding the pendant mass of the at least one lightning directing device to a desired location further comprises:
manipulating at least one guide surface based on signals from a guidance system.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein guiding the mass pendant of the at least one lightning directing device to a desired location further comprises:
selectively engaging at least one propulsion unit based on signals from a guidance system.