Electrostatic potential measurement appts. for aircraft body - uses gold wire proximal to external body surface to provoke corona discharge pulses whose discharge current is determined

摘要

In this process, a series of corona discharge pulses are generated from the body (10) at a point (20) of the neighbouring medium situated very close to the outside surface of the body (10). Each pulse provides an amount of electricity which is very small in relation to the charge of the body being less than 10 to the -10 C. A parameter of the electrical current formed by this discharge is measured. The device used in this process contains an electrode (20) connected to the ground of the body (10) through a high resistance (R23) and whose emitting point (22), situated near the outside surface of the body, produces corona electrical discharges. The emission electrode comprises a 25 micron dia. gold wire extending over approximately 10 mm. and having one end connected to a reistor, the other end being left free to form the emissive point.