Magnetic Stripe Card Lightning Strike Data Reader
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for assessing lightning strike severity on structures like wind turbines are cumbersome, non-portable, and expensive, often requiring dedicated power sources and proprietary output devices, making it difficult to monitor lightning activity in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile reader system that uses a magnetic stripe card to record lightning strike data, erasing data in response to strikes, and a portable reader assembly that interfaces with mobile devices to output a lightning-indicator signal, allowing for analysis of maximum current passed through the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional systems are used for assessing lightning strike severity, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex conventional systems by using a simple magnetic stripe card that records lightning strike data through magnetic field interactions. The card captures strike severity information independently, separating the measurement function from expensive proprietary equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic stripe card creates a copy of lightning strike data in a simplified format that can be read by various magnetic readers. Instead of requiring specialized measurement equipment, the system copies essential strike information onto a standard magnetic storage medium that interfaces with common mobile devices.
2Reliability
If conventional systems are deployed in remote locations, then lightning monitoring can be performed, but portability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic stripe card serves multiple functions: it records lightning strike data, stores it magnetically, and interfaces with various magnetic readers including mobile devices. This universal compatibility eliminates the need for location-specific proprietary equipment, enhancing portability while maintaining monitoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic stripe card automatically records lightning strike data through passive magnetic field interactions without requiring active processing or power consumption. The card self-services by capturing and storing strike information, eliminating the need for complex powered systems in remote locations.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated power sources and proprietary devices are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but loss of energy and device cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic stripe card operates passively using magnetic field interactions from lightning strikes and standard magnetic readers, requiring no dedicated power source. This self-service approach maintains measurement capability while eliminating continuous energy consumption associated with powered proprietary systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic stripe card is a low-cost, replaceable component that can be easily replaced if damaged or saturated. This disposable approach reduces long-term energy and resource investment compared to maintaining expensive proprietary powered systems, while preserving measurement accuracy during the card's service life.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, portable, and cost-effective monitoring and analysis of lightning strikes on wind turbines, allowing users to quickly assess strike severity and transmit data remotely using mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic stripe card can be retrieved from the structure, with the magnetic stripe card being configured to retain data on a data-storage stripe and having had a portion of the data erased in response to the one or more lightning strikes on the structure
Implementation Method 2
The data-storage stripe can be scanned with a mobile reader system to provide a lightning-indicator signal at an output module of the mobile reader system
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile card reader can be configured to connect to an input module of a mobile device. The mobile card reader can scan a magnetic stripe card from a structure exposed to lightning strikes in order to output a lightning-indicator signal to the input module. The lightning-indicator signal can be analyzed to determine a magnitude of a lightning strike to which the magnetic stripe card and the structure have been exposed.