Apparatus and method for localized detection and warning of severe weather

摘要

An apparatus and method for determining the localized presence of severe weather and signaling an alarm. An outdoor sensor assembly may contain a number of sensors including a barometric pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and humidity sensor. The outdoor sensor assembly is in electrical communication with an indoor controller assembly. A plurality of parameters may be measured and compared with pre-established threshold values. The alarm may be signaled when the measured parameters meet or exceed the selected threshold values.

主权项

1. An apparatus for detecting the immediate localized presence of a tornado comprising:
an outdoor sensor assembly useful in an outdoor environment, said outdoor sensor assembly including a barometric pressure sensor and a temperature sensor; and an indoor controller assembly in electrical communication through ribbon cable with the outdoor sensor assembly, said indoor controller assembly including:
an alarm, anda microcontroller adapted to
accept the incoming data from said barometric pressure sensor (P) and said temperature sensor (T),calculate the current rate of pressure drop per minute (ΔP) based on P,compare ΔP to a threshold pressure drop ΔP(MAX) of at least 0.003 in.Hg/min,compare T to a threshold temperature T(MAX), andsignal the alarm when ΔP equals or exceeds ΔP(MAX) and T meets or exceeds T(MAX).