Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting a storm, including a partially transparent housing defining a cavity and a suspended magnetic element positioned within the cavity. The magnetic element is rotatable in a first plane and pivotable in second plane and third planes, wherein the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane and the third plane is perpendicular to the first plane and perpendicular to the second plane. A rapid pivot of the magnetic element away from the pull of gravity signals a close proximity of a storm. A first sensor operationally connected to the magnetic element for measuring the deflection of the magnetic element, dampening fluid substantially fills the cavity, a second sensor positioned within the housing for measuring the degree to which the magnetic element is level, and a laser operationally connected to the magnetic element and positioned to emit a beam of light corresponding to the orientation of the magnetic element.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This novel technology relates generally to the field of meteorology, and, more particularly, to a portable device for ascertaining the direction of an approaching storm. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Storms are responsible for a great deal of property damage, and, more importantly, injury and loss of life. This is due in part to the ability of storms to suddenly occur without much warning. While radar has proven to be a good way of locating and tracking storms, radar weather reporting relies on electronic media to generate and receive the weather report. Often, those in storm zones find themselves without the electricity required to power television and radios, and thus are unable to benefit from information about an impending or ongoing storm. Thus, there is a need for a quick and simple way to identify the location of a storm, especially extreme or severe weather events such as tornados, electrical storms and the like. The present invention addresses this need. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a first illustration of a portable weather detection and alarm apparatus. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a top view illustration of a portable weather detection and alarm apparatus. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a side illustration of a portable weather magnetometer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates. 
         [0007]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a first embodiment of the present novel technology, a portable storm detection device  100 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the portable weather detection and alarm apparatus  100  has a protective casing  130  sized to partially reside within a protective base  140 . Typically, the protective casing  130  is generally spherical or hemispherical. The protective casing  130  may be permanently affixed to the protective base  140 . While no practical restriction exists upon the size of the portable weather detection and alarm apparatus  100 , most often the portable weather detection and alarm apparatus  100  is approximately palm size. 
         [0008]    The protective casing  130  is typically made of a non-magnetic material, or is at least sufficiently non-magnetic to minimize interference with the apparatus&#39; 100 function. The protective casing  130  typically has a transparent portion allowing visual inspection of the contents thereof. The protective casing  130  is typically etched with graduated vertical and horizontal markings  120 . Likewise, the protective base  140  may be etched with graduated vertical and horizontal markings  120 . A portion of the graduated markings may include a phosphorescent substance for ease of reading. The phosphorescent substance may assist in the use of the weather detection and alarm apparatus  100  in low light conditions. 
         [0009]    The base  140  or other portion of the device  100  may include a sensor  145  for detecting whether the device  100  base  140  is horizontal, such as a spirit level or bubble level  145 . A magnetic element  150  is typically suspended within the protective case  130 . In some embodiments, the magnetic element or member  150  is typically a slender elongated member, such as a needle having a north and a south pole; however, in other embodiments, the magnetic element  150  may be a magnetized sphere. In some implementations, the protective case  130  encloses the magnetic element  150  such that the magnetic element  150  is suspended within an airtight enclosure, while in other implementations the protective casing  130  also encloses a thermally inert dampening fluid  155 . The magnetic element  150  is typically suspended such that the magnetic element  150  is freely rotatable in the horizontal plane and with one end or pole freely pivotable or moveable in a direction against the pull of gravity, such as through a vertical plane. In the case of a spherical magnetic element  150 , the element may be incased in a slightly larger sphere  130  with a dampening or low friction fluid  155  filling the space therebetween. 
         [0010]    Additionally, the suspension is such that the magnetic element  150  rests at level and in alignment with magnetic north. For example, the magnetic element  150  is freely pivotable in both the horizontal and vertical planes in response to magnetic disturbances, such as these related to weather phenomenon. In the absence of strong external magnetic fields, such as those related to a electrical storms and/or tornados, the magnetic element  150  will tend to be level and will tend to point to magnetic north. 
         [0011]    The thermally inert dampening fluid  155  retards the pivoting of the magnetic element  150 . For example, the dampening fluid  155  can lessen or slow the pivoting of the magnetic element  150  that can result from transportation of the portable weather detection and alarm apparatus  100 . In some implementations, the pivoting of the magnetic element  150  is retarded through friction between the magnetic element  150  and the means of suspension of the magnetic element  150 . In other implementations, the magnetic element  150  is free to pivot without retardation. 
         [0012]    The detection device  100  may also include a sensor  160  for generating a signal in response to the speed at which the magnetic element moves and/or the force which the magnetic element exerts in response to an external magnetic field. Further, the detection device  100  may also include a global positioning system (GPS) positioning receiver  165  for ascertaining its location. 
         [0013]    In some implementations, portions of the magnetic element  150  may be coated with a phosphorescent marking  190 . The phosphorescent marking  190  corresponds to the orientation of the magnetic element  150  and can assist in the use of the weather detection and alarm apparatus  100  in low light conditions. In some implementations, a light source  180  is connected to the magnetic element  150 . In these implementations, the light source  180  may be operationally connected such that the light emitted from the light source  180  corresponds to the orientation of the magnetic element  150 . 
         [0014]    In some implementations, the portable storm detection and alarm apparatus  100  can also include an alarm  170  that is operationally connected to the magnetic element  150 . The alarm  170  can sound in response to excessive and/or rapid pivoting of the magnetic element  150 . For example, the alarm  170  can sound when the magnetic element  150  is pivoting at a rate in excess of a predetermined threshold value. 
         [0015]    In some implementations, the portable weather detection and alarm apparatus  100  can also include a data interface  195 . The data interface  195  may be operationally connected to a recording device to enable recording of the pivoting of the magnetic element  150 , signals from sensor  145 , sensor  160 , and the like. More typically, the data interface  195  is operationally connected to a computer, microprocessor, electronic controller or the like  200 . The apparatus  100  may also include an integral microprocessor  201  operationally connected to the data interface  195 , sensor  145 , sensor  160 , and/or the like. For example, the data interface  195  may be an interface that adheres to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) specification and enables a recording device, such as a computer, to record the pivoting or movement of the magnetic element  150 . In some implementations, the data interface  195  may be memory enabled, permitting the data interface  195  to record the pivoting of the magnetic element  150  for subsequent transference to a recording device. 
         [0016]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments the portable weather magnetometer  100  has a transparent housing  130  defining a mostly spherical interior cavity  115 . The transparent housing  130  is etched with graduated markings  120 . The graduated markings  120  correspond to three perpendicular axes. An indicator  125  is located within the cavity  115 . In some implementations, the indicator  125  is spherical and substantially occupies the cavity  115 . 
         [0017]    The indicator  125  typically has a leveling center of gravity such that the indicator  125  is normally level with respect to the horizon. The indicator  125  also typically has a finite magnetic field and is rotatable about the three perpendicular axes. For example, the indicator  125  typically rests horizontally level and indicates magnetic north. However, when in the presence of a disturbing magnetic field, the indicator  125  is free to respond in line with the disturbing magnetic field about the three perpendicular axes. 
         [0018]    The cavity  115  also contains a thermally inert dampening fluid  155 . The dampening fluid  155  is typically lubricating and more typically has a specific gravity such that the indicator  125  is neutrally buoyant and able to freely rotate within the cavity  115 . 
         [0019]    In some implementations, the indicator  125  is also marked with a phosphorescent marking  190  in line with the indicator&#39;s magnetic field. In some implementations, the portable weather magnetometer  100  further includes an illumination source  180 . In some of such implementations the indicator  125  includes a lens  205  for focusing the light source  180  upon the graduated markings  120 . For example, the light from the light source  180  is focused such that the degrees of rotation achieved by the indicator  125  about the three axes are illuminated. In some implementations, the housing  130  has a focusing receptacle  215  enabling an external light source to supply the light that the lens  205  focuses upon the graduated markings  120 . 
         [0020]    In some other implementations, the light source  180  is a laser and the lens  205  comprises a beam splitter assembly  210 . The beam splitter assembly  210  is capable of splitting a laser beam emitted from the light source  180  into three distinct laser beams with each of the three distinct laser beams correspond to a respective axis. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, two or more storm detection devices  100  may be used to measure both the direction and the movement of an extreme weather condition. Typically, a plurality of storm detection devices  100  may be connected in electric communication, such that the direction of deflection of the magnetic indicator  150 , the force of deflection, and/or the speed at which the direction of deflection changes may be measured, communicated and correlated to determine the position, direction of movement, and/or speed of movement of the storm. Typically, the data interfaces  195  of each respective storm detection device  100  are operationally connected to a microprocessor  200 ,  201 , which receives information from each respective device  100 . The microprocessor  200 ,  201  may then calculate the position, direction of movement, and/or speed of movement relative to the devices  100  from the information received from each respective device  100 . Further, if the devices are GPS  165  enabled, the exact location of the storm may be calculated. 
         [0022]    In operation, the apparatus  100  is of a convenient shape and size such that it is easily portable for the user. The apparatus  100 , once removed from its storage container or field pack, can remain readable through both day and night situations. The apparatus  100  can be held in the user&#39;s palm or, for convenience, be placed upon a surface to assess a current reading from the surrounding environment. The surface need not be level in that the apparatus self levels  100 . Alternatively, the device can be mounted on the exterior or interior of a home, a cabin, or other suitable place. 
         [0023]    The apparatus&#39;  100  portable nature allows the apparatus  100  to be easily transported and hence used during camping and hiking. The apparatus&#39;  100  low or no power requirements provide for the apparatus&#39;s use in post-disaster environments. For example, the apparatus  100  may supply useful information in areas where weather detection and weather warning systems are not operational or have been damaged. 
         [0024]    Similarly, the apparatus&#39;  100  portable and no or low power requirements allows for its use in non-magnetic craft. For example, the apparatus  100  can be used on fishing boats, canoes, rafts, and the like. Thus, the apparatus  100  provides for an extreme weather detection ability typically not present in such crafts. Additionally, the dampening fluid  155  of some implementations can minimize the interference caused by such crafts rocking and moving in response to waves or other forces. 
         [0025]    In the absence of a weather disturbance, the apparatus  100  can be used as a compass and indicate magnetic north. However, in the presence of an extreme weather disturbance, such as a thunderstorm, electrical storm, tornado, or the like, the apparatus  100  will warn the user by the indicator  125  rapidly pivoting about one or more axes. The degree and force of pivoting corresponds to and serves to inform the user of the proximity and severity of the weather disturbance. The warning provided by the apparatus  100  can afford additional time within which a user can take actions appropriate for the weather disturbance. 
         [0026]    In some implementations, visibility of the pivoting of the indicator  125  is further highlighted through the use of phosphorescent markings  190 . Additionally, some implementations make use of light or laser light  225  to further enhance the visibility of the pivoting of the indicator  125 . The laser  225  is operationally connected to the magnetic element  150  such that the laser  225  shines in the same direction that the magnetic element  150  points, and thus illuminates the direction of the storm and also makes subtle changes in direction more apparent. Finally, some implementations provide a means by which a device  200  can record the pivoting of the indicator  155 . 
         [0027]    While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.