Apparatus and method for localized detection and warning of severe weather

Abstract

An apparatus and method for determining the localized presence of severe weather and signaling an alarm. A sensor assembly may contain a number of sensors including a barometric pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and an optional humidity sensor. The outdoor sensor assembly is in electrical communication with a 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.

We claim: 
     
         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 with the outdoor sensor assembly, said indoor controller assembly including:
 an alarm, and 
 a 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) between 0.002 in. Hg/min and 0.003 in. Hg/min, 
 compare T to a threshold temperature T(MAX), and 
 signal the alarm when ΔP equals or exceeds ΔP(MAX) and T meets or exceeds T(MAX). 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a status indicator in electrical communication with the microcontroller. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the microcontroller is further adapted to compare the current pressure P to a threshold pressure P(MIN), and 
 signal the alarm when P is less than or equal to P(MIN). 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the alarm includes one or more illuminated light sources. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 T(MAX) is between 58° F. and 62° F. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the electrical communication between the indoor controller assembly and outdoor controller assembly is wireless. 
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for detecting the immediate localized presence of a dangerous weather event comprising:
 a barometric pressure sensor for sensing the barometric pressure of an outdoor environment;   a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of an outdoor environment;   a controller assembly in wireless electrical communication with the barometric pressure sensor and the temperature sensor, said indoor controller assembly including:
 an audible warning alarm, and 
 a microcontroller adapted to
 accept incoming data from said barometric pressure sensor and said temperature sensor, from a first time to a second time, 
 calculate the current rate of pressure drop based on barometric pressure data received from said first time and from said second time, 
 compare said current rate of pressure drop to a pressure rate drop value of at least about 0.003 in. Hg/min, 
 compare the outdoor temperature at either said first time or said second time to a temperature of about 58° F., and 
 initiate said audible alarm when said outdoor environment's rate of pressure drop between said first time and said second time equals or exceeds about 0.003 in. Hg/min and the outdoor temperature equals or exceeds about 58° F. 
 
   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a status indicator in electrical communication with the microcontroller. 
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a humidity sensor in wireless electrical communication with the controller assembly. 
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein:
 the microcontroller is further adapted to accept incoming data from said humidity sensor, from a first time to a second time, and 
 calculate a dew point for said first time and said second time. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 the microcontroller is further adapted to compare the calculated dew point at either said first time or said second time to a maximum dew point value DP(MAX); and 
 initiate said audible alarm when said outdoor environment's rate of pressure drop between said first time and said second time equals or exceeds about 0.003 in. Hg/min, the outdoor temperature equals or exceeds about 58° F., and the dew point equals or exceeds DP(MAX). 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein:
 signaling the alarm by the microcontroller includes illuminating one or more light sources. 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 DP(MAX) is between 63° F. and 67° F. 
 
     
     
         14 . A computerized method for detecting the immediate localized presence of a tornado comprising:
 accepting barometric pressure data (P) from a barometric pressure sensor;   accepting temperature data (T) from a temperature sensor;   calculating the current rate of pressure drop per minute (ΔP) based on P;   comparing ΔP to a threshold pressure drop ΔP(MAX) between 0.002 in. Hg/min and 0.003 in. Hg/min,   comparing T to a threshold temperature T(MAX), and   signaling an alarm when ΔP equals or exceeds ΔP(MAX) and T meets or exceeds T(MAX).   
     
     
         15 . The computerized method of  claim 14  wherein:
 T(MAX) is between 58° F. and 62° F. 
 
     
     
         16 . The computerized method of  claim 14  wherein:
 the step of signaling the alarm includes illuminating one or more light sources. 
 
     
     
         17 . The computerized method of  claim 14  further comprising the steps of:
 accepting humidity data from a humidity sensor; 
 calculating dew point (DP) from the humidity data; and 
 comparing DP to a threshold dew point DP(MAX); 
 wherein the step of signaling the alarm is performed by signaling the alarm when ΔP equals or exceeds ΔP(MAX), T meets or exceeds T(MAX), and DP meets or exceeds DP(MAX). 
 
     
     
         18 . The computerized method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of:
 comparing the pressure data (P) with a threshold barometric pressure P(MIN); 
 wherein the step of signaling the alarm is performed by signaling the alarm when ΔP equals or exceeds ΔP(MAX), T meets or exceeds T(MAX), and P is equal to or less than P(MIN).