Abstract:
An early streamer emission terminal is disclosed. According to embodiments, the early streamer emission terminal creates an upward propagating streamer earlier than conventional lightning protection systems and/or devices. In particular, the early streamer emission terminal collects ground charges during an initial phase of thunderstorm development. When a thunderstorm begins to generate downward step leaders, the ambient electric field around a grounded lightning protection system induces current into the grounded lightning protection system. The induced current is a flow of negative charge toward the ground, while a positive charge is released to form an upward streamer. The construction of the early streamer emission terminal triggers the flow of positive upward charge microseconds earlier than traditional lightning rods or other similar devices.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Some lightning discharge control systems and/or devices rely upon creating a large ground charge, for example via a lightning rod or other similar device. According to this approach, the highest potential ground charge, and therefore hopefully the lightning strike, occurs at a controlled location. These systems and devices are not foolproof, can attract lightning to facilities at which the lightning rods or other devices are placed, and can fail to prevent lightning discharge at or near sensitive locations and/or people. 
     As step leaders begin forming in a storm cloud, the corona process can begin at grounded conductors such as conventional lightning rods. During this process, ion formation begins at the lightning rod. As the ions repel from each other and disperse in all directions away from the lightning rod, electrons left behind begin to flow to the ground, thereby neutralizing positive charges in the ground. Eventually, the lightning rod reaches a saturation point at which the lightning rod can no longer dissipate the charge fast enough to keep up with the charge accumulation. Meanwhile, streamers begin to form, effectively causing the lightning rods to attract lightning strikes. 
     Because of the charge dissipation described above, however, the ground charges that develop streamers attracting a lightning strike no longer have sufficient electrical energy to initiate the upward streamer needed to control the path of the lightning. As such, a downward travelling step leader may be attracted to an object with potential higher than the lightning rod, and therefore may strike a target other than the lightning rod. 
     It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to an early streamer emission terminal. According to the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, an early streamer emission terminal creates an upward propagating streamer earlier than a conventional lightning prevention system or device. In particular, the early streamer emission terminal collects ground charges during an initial phase of thunderstorm development. When a thunderstorm begins to generate downward step leaders, the ambient electric field intensity around a grounded lightning protection system induces current into the grounded lightning protection system. The induced current is a flow of negative charge toward the ground, while a positive charge is released to form an upward streamer. The construction of the early streamer emission terminal triggers the flow of positive upward charge microseconds earlier than traditional lightning rods or other similar devices. 
     According to an aspect, an early streamer emission terminal includes a number of charge plates separated by insulator seals such that each of the charge plates operates independently. The charge plates are coupled to upper electrodes carried by an upper assembly, and to lower electrodes carried by a lower assembly. The upper assembly and the lower assembly are connected to a central shaft having a sleeve portion and a central terminal portion. Upper electrodes disposed in the upper assembly and lower electrodes disposed in the lower assembly are placed proximate to, but not touching, the central shaft. Furthermore, the upper electrodes and the lower electrodes are conductively coupled to the charge plates. 
     During a thunderstorm, atmospheric charge accumulates in the charge plates, and a ground charge accumulates in the shaft. Because of a gap between the upper and lower electrodes and the central shaft, the atmospheric charge in the emission terminal does not discharge into the central shaft and/or from the shaft into the ground. Eventually, the charge in the charge plates reaches a point at which an arc between the electrodes and the central shaft occurs. When the discharge occurs, the emission terminal generates a quickly moving upward streamer. Thus, the emission streamer disclosed herein is configured to control where lightning occurs by generating a quickly moving upward streamer as downward traveling step leaders are being formed. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended that this Summary be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an early streamer emission terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a partially disassembled early streamer emission terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are perspective views illustrating a lower assembly of the early streamer emission terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  are perspective views illustrating an upper assembly of the early streamer emission terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  are perspective views illustrating the shaft of the early streamer emission terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating charge plates for the early streamer emission terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is directed to an early streamer emission terminal. According to various embodiments, the early streamer emission terminal creates an upward propagating streamer earlier than conventional lightning prevention systems and/or devices. The early streamer emission terminal collects ground charges during an initial phase of a thunderstorm. When a thunderstorm begins to generate downward step leaders, the ambient electric field intensity around the early streamer emission terminal intensifies, causing the ground charge to be released and forming an upward streamer microseconds earlier than traditional lightning rods or other similar devices. 
     In one embodiment, the early streamer emission terminal includes a number of charge plates, a central shaft, and upper and lower assemblies. Respective electrodes located at the upper and lower assemblies are electrically coupled to upper and lower brackets connected to the charge plates. A gap is maintained between the shaft and the ends of the electrodes. During a thunderstorm, atmospheric change accumulates at the charge plates and ground charge accumulates at the shaft. Eventually, the charge in the charge plates arcs across the gaps and the early streamer emission terminal generates a quickly moving upward streamer. When a step leader from a storm cloud begins approaching the earth, the highest potential may be the upward-moving streamer, thereby attracting a lightning strike through the controlled area and/or devices. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments or examples. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein. The concepts and technologies disclosed herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and/or in various combinations of the embodiments disclosed herein. The word “exemplary,” as used in the specification, is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as an illustration, specimen, model or pattern. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and that some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, aspects of an early streamer emission terminal will be presented. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an early streamer emission terminal  100  (“emission terminal”), according to an exemplary embodiment. The emission terminal  100  includes a shaft  102 . According to various embodiments, the shaft  102  serves as a backbone or central component to which other components of the emission terminal  100  are connected. Additionally, the shaft  102  provides additional functionality as described herein. The shaft  102  is illustrated and described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
     The emission terminal  100  also includes a lower electrode assembly  104  (“lower assembly”), a portion of which is visible in  FIG. 1 , and an upper electrode assembly (“upper assembly”) that is not visible in  FIG. 1 . The emission terminal  100  also includes two or more charge accumulation plates  108 A-D (“charge plates”), and two or more insulator seals  110 A-D (“seals”) disposed between the charge plates  108 . The seals  110  can be used to electrically isolate each of the charge plates  108  from one another. 
     The lower assembly  104  and the upper assembly can support the charge plates  108 , and can maintain the charge plates  108  at a desired position and/or configuration relative to the shaft  102 . The lower assembly  104  and the upper assembly also function as insulators that insulate the charge plates  108  from the shaft  102 . Additionally, the lower assembly  104  and the upper assembly function as carrier assemblies for one or more electrodes (not visible in  FIG. 1 ) that are conductively connected to the charge plates  108  and located proximate to, but not in contact with, the shaft  102 , as will be explained in more detail herein. The lower assembly  104  and the upper assembly are described in more detail herein, particularly with reference to  FIGS. 3A-4B , and the charge plates  108  and the seals  110  are described in more detail herein, particularly with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     The illustrated embodiment of the emission terminal  100  includes four charge plates  108  and four seals  110 . Some embodiments of the emission terminal  100  include more or less than four charge plates  108  and more or less than four seals  110 . The number of charge plates  108  and the number of seals  110  included in the emission terminal  100  can be varied based upon design preferences, material needs, marketing or manufacturing considerations, aesthetic considerations, and the like. Therefore, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiment is exemplary. 
     The charge plates  108  of the illustrated emission terminal  100  collectively exhibit a generally cylindrical shape that is tapered toward the shaft  102 . The general shape of the emission terminal  100  can be varied depending upon manufacturing, aesthetic, performance, and/or other considerations. Thus, the illustrated shape and configuration should be understood as being illustrative of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, and not as being limiting in any way. 
     In one embodiment, the charge plates  108  are about 1.0 mm thick (˜0.04 inches), and about 174.98 mm (˜6.89 inches) tall from top to bottom. When arranged as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the outside diameter of the charge plates  108  is about 88 mm (˜3.47 inches) at the bottom of the emission terminal  100 , and the outside diameter of the charge plates  108  is about 18.65 mm (˜0.73 inches) at the top of the emission terminal  100 . It should be understood that these dimensions are exemplary, and that other dimensions and configurations for the charge plates  108  are possible and are contemplated. 
     In one embodiment, the shaft  102 , and therefore the emission terminal  100 , is about 328.5 mm (˜12.93 inches) from top to bottom. In another embodiment, the shaft  102  has an outside diameter of about 28 mm (˜1.10 inches) and an inside diameter of about 16 mm (˜0.629 inches). A substantially conical terminal portion of the shaft  102  emerges from between the tapered tops of the charge plates  108 , and extends away from the charge plates  108 . It should be understood that these dimensions are exemplary, and that other dimensions and configurations for the shaft  102  are possible and are contemplated. 
     The seals  110  are visible between the charge plates  108 . According to one embodiment, a gap of about 3.5 mm (˜0.138 inches) is maintained between the charge plates  108 . The seals  110  are about 14 mm wide (˜0.55 inches) at their widest point, but are only 3.5 mm wide at their narrowest point, as mentioned above. It should be understood that these dimensions are exemplary, and that other dimensions and configurations for the seals  110  are possible and are contemplated. 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it should be understood that additional hardware can be used to mount the emission terminal  100  in a desired location, configuration, and/or position. For most applications, the emission terminal  100  is mounted such that the illustrated shaft  102  is arranged with the tapered end pointing toward the sky. According to various implementations, the shaft  102  is mechanically and electrically coupled to a mounting bracket, which in turn is electrically connected to ground. Therefore, although not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it should be understood that the emission terminal  100  can include, or can be configured to engage, mounting mechanisms and/or devices such as mounting adaptors, masts, poles, ground wires, brackets, and the like. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a partially disassembled emission terminal  100  is illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment. In  FIG. 2 , two of the charge plates  108 C,  108 D and three of the seals  110 A,  110 C-D have been removed from the emission terminal  100 . In  FIG. 2 , removal of these components has exposed more of the shaft  102  and the lower assembly  104 , as well as the upper assembly  202 , all of which now are visible in  FIG. 2 . The components of the shaft  102 , the lower assembly  104 , and the upper assembly  202 , as well as the respective functions of these and other components of the emission terminal  100 , are described in more detail herein. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3A , a perspective view of the lower assembly  104  is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment. The lower assembly  104  includes a lower assembly body portion  302  (“lower body”). The lower body  302  can be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastics, polymers, epoxy resins, fiberglass, other materials, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the lower body  302  is formed from a non-conductive halogen- and phosphorous-free epoxy resin such as the copolyamide made from PA 6 and PA 66 (PA 66/6). Some suitable examples of the epoxy resin are sold by BASF GmbH of Leuna, Germany under various trademarks and trade names including, but limited to, MIRAMID, MAXAMID, MURYLON, MAZMID, MAPEX, and/or other marks. In some embodiments, the lower assembly  104  is formed from an epoxy resin or another material using an injection molding process. It should be understood that other manufacturing techniques are possible, and are contemplated. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the lower body  302  includes a lip  304 . The lip  304  can be dimensioned and configured to contact and/or support respective bottom edges of the charge plates  108 . The lower body  302  also can include a sidewall  306  for contacting and/or supporting inner surfaces of the respective charge plates  108 . The lower body  302  also can include a top surface  308  at which various components of the lower assembly  102  are disposed and/or connected to the lower assembly  102 . 
     Although the lower body  302  is illustrated as a single piece of material, it should be understood that the lower assembly  104  can be formed from one or more pieces of material. In some embodiments, the lower body  302  is formed from two or more components that are sealed or joined together using a thermoform process, mechanical fasteners, and/or mechanical or chemical adhesives. Therefore, the illustrated embodiment is exemplary and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
     The lower assembly  104  includes a main lower assembly aperture  310  (“lower aperture”). The lower aperture  310  can be formed through the lower assembly  104  such that the lower aperture  310  is formed through the top surface  308 , continues through the lower body  302 , and continues to and through a bottom surface (not visible in  FIG. 3A ) of the lower body  302 . According to some embodiments, the lower aperture  310  is dimensioned to accommodate the shaft  102 , which may be passed through the main aperture  310 , and thereby through the entire lower assembly  104 . 
     The lower assembly  104  also includes a number of electrode retention positioning slots  312 A-D (“lower electrode slots”). The lower electrode slots  312  are dimensioned and configured to accommodate a one or more electrodes  314 A-D (“lower electrodes”). Although four lower electrode slots  312  and four lower electrodes  314  are illustrated in  FIG. 3A , it should be understood that more or fewer lower electrode slots  312  and more or fewer lower electrodes  314  can be included. Furthermore, it should be understood that the respective numbers of lower electrode slots  312  and lower electrodes  314  are not necessarily the same in all implementations. 
     The lower electrodes  314  can be dimensioned and configured to nest in and be aligned by the lower electrode slots  312 , if desired. The lower electrodes  314  can be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, metallic and non-metallic conductors such as copper, aluminum, steel, gold, silver, graphite, combinations thereof, and the like. The lower electrodes  314  can be secured in a desired operating position by respective adjustment mechanisms  316 A-D (“lower adjustment mechanisms”). Although the lower adjustment mechanisms  316  are illustrated in  FIG. 3A  as screws, it should be understood that other mechanisms are possible and are contemplated. In some embodiments, for example, the lower electrodes  314  are formed as part of the lower assembly  104 , and therefore do not require the lower attachment mechanisms  316  to be attached to the lower assembly  104 . The illustrated embodiment is exemplary, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the lower electrodes  314  are slotted and have a Y-shape that includes two electrode branches  318  (“branches”). The lower electrodes  314  can be slotted to allow eased assembly of the lower assembly  104 , as well as for providing an ability to adjust the position and configuration of the components of the lower assembly  104 . For example, the illustrated design can be used to allow the lower electrodes  314  to slide toward and/or away from the lower aperture  310  and/or the shaft  102 . It should be understood that the lower electrodes  314  can include a throughhole, pin, or other mechanism instead of, or in addition to, the illustrated slots. It also should be understood that the branches  318  are optional, and are not necessarily included in all embodiments. The branches  318  are included in the illustrated embodiment to provide the electrode  314  with two points at which an arc between the lower electrodes  314  and the shaft  102  can be formed. Thus, the branches  318  may potentially increase or decrease the accumulated charge required at the lower electrodes  314  to create an arc between the lower electrodes  314  and the shaft  102 . 
     The lower assembly  104  also includes four charge plate positioning slots  320 A-D (“lower positioning slots”). The lower positioning slots  320  can be provided, if desired, to simplify assembly of the emission terminal  100  and/or to simplify replacement and/or removal of components of the emission terminal  100 . In some embodiments, the lower positioning slots  320  align with the seals  110 , though this is not necessarily the case. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower assembly  104  includes four lower positioning slots  320 . As mentioned above with reference to  FIG. 1 , the emission terminal  100  can include more or fewer than four charge plates  108 . Thus, it should be understood that the emission terminal  100  can include more or fewer than four lower positioning slots  320 , if desired. 
     The lower assembly  104  also includes two apertures  322 A-B. The apertures  322  accommodate one or more positioning mechanisms such as set screws, cotter pins, clips, and/or other mechanisms (not illustrated). In some embodiments, the apertures  322  are omitted, and the lower assembly  104  is secured in position on the shaft  102  using adhesives, welds, and/or other materials and/or mechanisms. In some embodiments, an aperture  322  is formed at each of the lower positioning slots  320 . In other embodiments, the lower assembly  104  includes two apertures  322 , with one aperture formed at each of two lower positioning slots  320 , which can be opposite or adjacent one another. According to some embodiments, the apertures  322  are accessible before placing the seals  110  in place, and/or by removing the seals  110  from the emission terminal  100 . It should be understood that the illustrated apertures  322  and their respective positions are exemplary. Additional and/or alternative positioning mechanisms and configurations are possible and are contemplated. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3B , another perspective view of the lower assembly  104  is illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment. In  FIG. 3B , a support surface  324  is visible. In the illustrated embodiment, the support surface  324  remains exposed after the emission terminal  100  is assembled, though this is not necessarily the case. The lower assembly  104  also includes a lower surface  326  through which the main aperture  310  passes. Other components of the lower assembly  104  illustrated in  FIG. 3B  are labeled in a manner consistent with  FIG. 3A . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4A , a perspective view of the upper assembly  202  is illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment. The upper assembly  202  includes a body portion  402  (“upper body”). The upper body  402  can be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, one or more materials used to form the lower assembly  104 , as described above with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3B . The upper assembly  202  includes a sidewall  404  for supporting inner surfaces of respective charge plates  108 . It therefore will be appreciated that the lower assembly  104  and the upper assembly  202  can cooperate with one another to support the charge plates  108  in a desired orientation, though this is not necessarily the case. 
     The upper assembly  202  further includes a top surface  406 . The upper assembly includes a main upper assembly aperture  408  (“upper aperture”) that is formed in the upper assembly  202 . The upper aperture  408  can be formed such that the upper aperture  408  passes through the top surface  406 , through the upper assembly  202 , and through a bottom surface (not visible in  FIG. 4A ) of the upper assembly  202 . As mentioned above, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the shaft  102  can pass through the upper assembly  202  by way of the upper aperture  408 . 
     The upper assembly  202  also includes a number of accumulator positioning slots  410 A-D (“upper positioning slots”). The upper assembly  202  also includes one or more attachment mechanisms such as an aperture  412 A. The attachment mechanism  412 A is configured to accommodate one or more set screws or other mechanisms, as explained above with reference to the apertures  322  illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3B . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4B , another perspective view of the upper assembly  202  is illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment. The upper assembly  202  includes a number of streamer initiator electrode retention positioning slots  414 A-D (“upper positioning slots”). The upper positioning slots  414  are configured and dimensioned to accommodate the one or more electrodes  416 A-D (“upper electrodes”). Although four upper positioning slots  414  and four upper electrodes  416  are illustrated in  FIG. 4B , it should be understood that more or fewer upper positioning slots  414  and more or fewer upper electrodes  416  can be included. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that respective numbers of upper electrode slots  414  and upper electrodes  416  are not necessarily the same in all implementations. 
     The upper electrodes  416  can be configured and dimensioned to nest in and be aligned into an operating position by the upper electrode slots  414 , if desired. As mentioned above, the upper electrodes  416  can be formed from any suitable materials including, but not limited to, the materials set forth above with respect to the lower electrodes  314  in  FIG. 3A . The upper electrodes  416  can be secured in a desired operating position by respective adjustment mechanisms  418 A-D ( 418 D is not visible in FIG.  4 B) and  420 A-D ( 420 D is not visible in  FIG. 4B ). As mentioned above with respect to the adjustment mechanisms  316  of  FIGS. 3A-3B , the illustrated screws are but one exemplary embodiment of adjustment mechanisms  418 ,  420 , and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
     The upper electrodes  416  are illustrated as being slotted. It should be understood, however, that this is not necessarily the case. The illustrated embodiment of the upper electrodes  416  are one embodiment, wherein the position of the upper electrodes  416  can be adjusted by sliding the upper electrodes  416  along their respective upper positioning slots  414 , and securing the upper electrodes  416  in a desired orientation by securing the adjustment mechanisms  418 ,  420 . In various embodiments, the upper electrodes  416  are formed without a slot. In some embodiments, the upper electrodes  416  include one or more throughholes through which a securing mechanism is passed to secure the upper electrodes  416  in place. Similarly, as mentioned above, the upper electrodes  416  can be formed as a part of the upper assembly  202  and/or can be joined to the upper assembly  202  by way of thermal, mechanical, and/or chemical processes. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each of the upper electrodes  416  has a Y-shape that includes two electrode branches  422 . It should be understood that the electrode branches  422  are optional, and are not necessarily included in all embodiments. The electrode branches  422  are included in the illustrated embodiments to provide two points at which an arc between the upper electrodes  416  and the shaft  102  may form. Thus, the electrode branches  422  potentially may increase or decrease the accumulated charge required at the upper electrodes  416  to create an arc between the upper electrodes  416  and the shaft  102 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5A , a perspective view of the shaft  102  is illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the shaft  102  includes a sleeve portion  502 . According to various embodiments, the lower assembly  104  and the top assembly  202  are attached to the sleeve portion  502 . It will be appreciated from the description of  FIGS. 3A-4B  that the lower assembly  104  and/or the upper assembly  202  can be put into position along the shaft  102 , and secured in place by attachment mechanisms such as, for example, set screws, bolts, pins, rivets, clips, hooks, adhesives, other mechanisms, and combinations thereof. 
     The shaft  102  also includes a central streamer initiation electrode portion  504  (“central electrode”). In the illustrated embodiment, the central electrode  504  is illustrated as being substantially conical. It should be understood that this embodiment is exemplary, and that the central electrode  504  can have other shapes and/or configurations. 
     According to various embodiments, the shaft  102  is formed from one piece of material, while in other embodiments, the shaft  102  is formed from two or more pieces of material. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve portion  502  of the shaft  102  is formed from one piece of stainless steel. The sleeve portion  502  has female threads at a top end  506  and at a bottom end  508 . The threads at the bottom end  508  are visible in FIG.  5 B. The central electrode  504  has male threads (not visible in  FIGS. 5A-5B ) that engage the female threads located at the top end  506  of the sleeve portion  502  of the shaft  102 . In some embodiments, the central electrode  504  can be removed and/or replaced at any time. 
     The central electrode  504  also includes a tip  510 . In general, the tip  510  may provide the emission terminal  100  with a point discharge effect by providing a point at which a high potential forms at the emission terminal  100 . According to various embodiments, the shape of the tip  510  is varied according to design, manufacturing, aesthetic, performance, and/or other considerations. For example, the tip  510  can be configured to include one or more shapes to increase or decrease the number of high potential points at the tip  510 , and/or to vary the shape or appearance of the tip  510  to accommodate aesthetic, safety, and/or performance considerations. As such, the illustrated embodiment is illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5B , another perspective view of the shaft  102  is illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the female threads  512  (“threads”) are visible at the bottom end  508  of the sleeve portion  502  of the shaft  102 . The threads  512  can be used to attach the shaft  102 , and thereby the emission terminal  100  to a suitable mounting bracket, pole, adapter, and/or another device. It should be understood that illustrated threads  512  are illustrative of one attachment mechanism that can be used to attach the emission terminal  100  to another surface or device. Other attachment mechanisms are contemplated and are possible. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve portion  502  is formed as a substantially hollow tube, and is filled with a thermally dissipative material. According to various embodiments, the thermally dissipative material used to fill the sleeve portion  502  is thermally conductive and can be, but is not necessarily, electrically conductive. The material used to fill the sleeve portion  502  can serve several purposes. First, the thermally dissipative material can dissipate heat from the surfaces of the emission terminal  100 . Additionally, the thermally dissipative material can include a material that hardens upon setting. As such, the emission terminal  100  can be provided with additional structure by the thermally dissipative material, and the parts of the emission terminal  100  can be held in place by the thermally dissipative material. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , additional aspects of the emission terminal  100  are illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the charge plates  108 A,  108 C-D and the seals  110 A,  110 C-D, according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the inside of the charge plate  108 A is visible, as the charge plate  108 B and the seal  110 B have been removed. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the charge plates  108  are formed from anodized aluminum. Because the charge plates  108  are insulated from the shaft  102 , the charge plates  108  accumulate atmospheric charge, while the shaft  102  is connected to ground. The charge plates  108  are formed from anodized aluminum, which provides the charge plates  108  with excellent conductivity, by virtue of their composition from aluminum, as well as a durable finish that is resistant to wear from handling, installation, oxidation, and maintenance, by virtue of the anodization process. 
     The anodization process can be used to provide a finish that is completely bonded with the aluminum, is environmentally friendly, is chemically stable, is non-toxic, and is heat-resistant. In some embodiments, the charge plates  108  are coated with a highly conductive paint. The highly conductive paint can be used to inhibit oxidation and/or corrosion of the charge plates  108 , as well as increasing, or at least not decreasing, the overall conductivity of the charge plates  108 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a lower charge plate mounting bracket  602  (“lower bracket”) is connected to or formed at an inner surface  604  of the charge plate  108 A. The charge plate  108 A also includes an upper charge plate mounting bracket  606  (“upper bracket”). In some embodiments, the lower bracket  602  and the upper bracket  606  are formed from anodized aluminum and coated with highly conductive paint. The lower bracket  602  and the upper bracket  606  can be attached to the charge plate  108 A. Depending upon the materials used to form the charge plates  108 , the lower bracket  602  and/or the upper bracket  606 , the lower bracket  602  and the upper bracket  606  can be attached to the charge plate  108 A using a metal inert gas (“MIG”) welding process, a tungsten inert gas (“TIG”) welding process, a spot-weld process, mechanical fasteners, and/or other mechanisms and processes. 
     The lower bracket  602  and the upper bracket  606  include respective notches  608 ,  610 . The notch  608  of the lower bracket  602  can engage or can be engaged by one of the lower adjustment mechanisms  316  of the lower assembly  104 . Thus, the lower bracket  602  and one of the lower electrodes  314  of the lower assembly  104  can be put into contact with one another using one of the adjustment mechanisms  316 . Similarly, the notch  610  of the upper bracket  606  can engage or can be engaged by one of the upper adjustment mechanisms  420  of the upper assembly  202 . Thus, the upper bracket  610  and one of the upper electrodes  416  of the upper assembly  202  can be put into contact with one another using one of the upper adjustment mechanisms  420 . 
     The shape of the illustrated charge plates  108  provides a large amount of surface area, relative to the size of the shaft  102 . The shape of the charge plates  108  provides a large amount of surface area, thereby allowing the charge plates  108  to store a large atmospheric charge. In general, the atmospheric potential rises rapidly at the charge plates  108  in the moments leading up to a lightning strike. Before the lightning strike occurs, the atmospheric charge gaps or arcs across the lower electrodes  314  and the upper electrodes  416 . The charge then moves up the shaft  102 , i.e., away from the ground, toward the tip  510  of the shaft  102  and discharges into the atmosphere. 
     Although not visible in  FIG. 6 , each of the charge plates  108  can include lower brackets  602  and upper brackets  606 . Similarly, the respective lower brackets  602  and upper brackets  606  of the respective charge plates  108  can be engaged by lower adjustment mechanisms  316  and upper adjustment mechanisms  420  of the upper assembly  202  and the lower assembly  104 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , the seals  110  also are visible. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the seal  110 A includes a first groove  612 A and a second groove  612 B. In some embodiments, each of the seals  110  includes the grooves  612  substantially as illustrated with respect to the seal  110 A. The groove  612 A receives an edge (not visible) of the charge plate  108 D, and the groove  612 B receives an edge  614  of the charge plate  108 A. 
     UV light is found in sunlight and also is emitted by electric arcs. UV light is an ionizing radiation that can cause chemical reactions that can break down conventional plastics and other polymers. As such, in some embodiments, the seals  110  are formed from an ultra-violet-resistant (“UV-resistant”) plastic. In some embodiments, the seals  110  are formed from silicone polysiloxone. In some embodiments, the seals  110  are formed as pliable UV-resistant plastic strips with grooves  612 . Additionally, the material used to form the seals  110  can be an insulator such that each of the charge plates  108  is conductively isolated from one another. As such, the charge plates  108  can function independently from one another with respect to charging and discharging an atmospheric charge. 
     According to various embodiments, the emission terminal  100  disclosed herein creates an upward streamer in less time relative to traditional lightning rods such as the Franklin rod, or other sharp point objects on the earth. Testing of exemplary embodiments of the emission terminal  100  disclosed herein have demonstrated that various embodiments of the emission terminal  100  are effective at creating a Δ t  value ranging from twenty to sixty microseconds or more. As is generally known, a Δ t  value of sixty microseconds translates to a large protection area measuring between a 32 meter and a 109 meter radius zone surrounding the emission terminal  100 . 
     As is now clearly understood, the emission terminal  100  disclosed herein combines a structure and materials that provide a point charge sufficient to generate a corona effect around the emission terminal  100 . Generation of a corona effect around the emission terminal  100  results in ionization of air around the emission terminal  100 . By ionizing the air around the emission terminal  100 , the speed with which the terminal generates an upward streamer increases. 
     During a thunderstorm or other electrical event, the charge plates  108  of the emission terminal  100  begin to accumulate atmospheric charge. Meanwhile, the shaft  102  is connected to ground. According to various embodiments, a material with a tip radius of curvature R develops a corona streamer when the surface local field is equal to E s =E ion  (1+k/R n ), wherein k=0.127 and n=0.434, the k and n constants depending upon atmospheric conditions. E ion , the ionization electric field also depends upon atmospheric conditions. Because the emission terminal  100  has four large-value R charge plates  108 , and because the emission terminal  100  has eight different electrode spark gap locations, a higher E ion  value is created. Thus, the emission terminal  100  creates a faster launching leader with an expected delta time of between 20 and 60 microseconds. 
     Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that an early streamer emission terminal has been disclosed herein. Although the subject matter presented herein has been described in conjunction with one or more particular embodiments and implementations, it is to be understood that the embodiments defined in the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific structure, configuration, or functionality described herein. Rather, the specific structure, configuration, and functionality are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 
     The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the embodiments, which is set forth in the following claims.