An Airborne Precipitation Cloud Particle Charge Measurement Device and Analysis System

Abstract

A system is described for measurement and analysis of precipitation particle charge from an aircraft in the highly variable and harsh environment of a convective cloud. A compromise, practical instrument design enables particle charge and sign to be measured with concentrations up to 5 L?1. The system employs two induction rings in series; it is de-iced both on the electrostatic shield and internally. New techniques are described which enable rapid analysis of sequential charge data over a penetration period of 55 s, with rejection of spurious data pulses resulting from particle impaction.