Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Background of the Invention
This invention relates to systems and devices for protecting electrical and
electronic equipment from the damaging effects of lightning and from other
electrical
disturbances that are carried to the equipment by external conductors.
Electrical and electronic equipment, particularly electronic equipment using
microelectronics, microcircuitry and integrated circuits, are sensitive to
electrical surges
coming through external electrical conductors such as telephone lines, coaxial
cable,
digital connections, analog connections, low voltage control lines, and power
conductors.
These surges may result from lightning strikes or other catastrophic
electrical events
occurring within the power grid. Various lightning protection devices are
available which
protect electronic equipment from electrical surges and other undesirable
electrical
phenomenon. A feature of some of these existing devices is to protect
electrical and
electronic equipment by disconnecting the equipment from external conductors
before
any actual surge exists. Generally, the protection devices disconnect the
equipment being
protected from external conductors in response to a sensor that detects the
presence of
dangerous atmospheric conditions near the protection device. For example, U.S.
Patent
No. 5,453,899 (the "'899 patent") entitled "Lightning Protection Device,"
which is
incorporated herein by this reference, discloses a lightning protection device
that
physically interrupts the electrical connection between electrical and
electronic equipment
and the power grid when lightning is detected in the vicinity of the equipment
by a radio
frequency receiver tuned to a frequency that generates a voltage in response
to radio
frequency static in the general vicinity. U.S. Patent No. 5,291,208 entitled
"Incipient
Lightning Detection and Device Protection," which is incorporated herein by
this
reference, discloses several other detecting mechanisms for sensing electrical
activity in
the general vicinity of the device.
An important concern with these prior lightning protection devices is that
control
of the device is typically limited to detection of dangerous atmospheric
conditions such as
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disclosed in the above-referenced patents. Detection of dangerous atmospheric
conditions
at the precise location of the protection device may not be sufficient to
protect the device
from damage. For example, some electronic equipment may be located within
structures
where relevant radio frequencies are difficult to receive. In addition,
because electrical
storms tend to cover a large geographic area and tend to move quickly, they
are very
difficult to track based on one geographical data point. Therefore, sensors
located on
protection devices may not have the range, sensitivity, or accuracy to detect
distant
atmospheric conditions that may still damage the equipment being protected.
Even if
more sensitive sensors were employed, such an approach could be cost
prohibitive.
Although lightning protection devices may permit users to manually disconnect
equipment from external conductors, this is no different than merely
unplugging the
equipment. Additionally, commercial users of such devices may be
inconvenienced by
having to have multiples of such units distributed throughout the building to
protect a
variety of electronic devices. Likewise, a homeowner may be similarly
inconvenienced
by having to move about an entire house to trigger multiple devices attached
to various
outlets.
Another important concern with many prior protection devices is that they may
not
provide adequate insulation between the electrical and electronic equipment
being
protected and the external conductors carrying the electrical surges. For
example,
voltages induced in the wiring of a house by a lightning strike may reach or
exceed 6,000
volts before the wiring of the house is destroyed. Thus, the insulative
capacity of the
protection device must be sufficient to prevent a 6,000 volt charge from
crossing the
insulative barrier and entering the electrical and electronic equipment being
protected.
Furthermore, there are additional electrical events that may damage electrical
and
electronic equipment that are not diminished or mitigated by the use of a
conventional
lightning protection device. For example, conventional electrical power
supplies often
suffer from small surges which can damage circuitry but are not sufficient to
trigger
interruption by the lightning protection device. Moreover, such interruption
might not be
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desirable if the surges are relatively minor and need only to be attenuated.
Also, power
interruptions may damage electronic equipment.
Surge protectors are available which attenuate minor variations in power
supply.
Also, uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) are available which continue to
provide
power to electrical and electronic equipment for some period of time after a
power failure,
to allow the benign shut-down of the system. Each of these systems are
typically
provided independent from lightning protection devices, thereby increasing the
cost and
complexity of the systems required to provide clean, consistent power to the
electronic
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a lightning protection system for effectively and
efficiently
protecting electrical and electronic equipment from lightning induced
electrical surges
and other disturbances. The lightning protection system includes a monitoring
system for
detecting dangerous atmospheric conditions within specific geographic zones, a
transmission system for sending control codes, and multiple circuit connection
/
disconnection devices for electrically connecting to electrical and electronic
equipment to
be protected. The lightning protection system protects electrical and
electronic equipment
by detecting and locating dangerous atmospheric conditions in a particular
geographic
area and transmitting broadcast control commands to electrical circuit
connection /
disconnection devices in the geographic area, which have a receiver for
receiving the
broadcast control commands and an interruption mechanism for disconnecting and
reconnecting the electrical equipment from external conductors in response to
the control
commands. The monitoring system may consist of multiple detectors located in
different
geographic areas. The monitoring system may also be external to the region
receiving the
control commands. In the external monitoring system configuration, a
centralized
monitoring system detects and locates the dangerous atmospheric conditions and
transmits this information to the transmission system. The transmission system
then
transmits control commands to the electrical circuit connection /
disconnection devices.
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To further enhance the protection of the electrical equipment, the electrical
circuit
connection / disconnection device may also be controlled in a number of other
ways. For
example, the electrical circuit connection / disconnection device may be
manually
operated with the use of a "stomp'' switch, which manually forces the
disconnect process.
Alternatively, a remote control may be used permitting the user to remotely
activate the
electrical circuit connection / disconnection device via a hand-held remote
control unit,
computer, modem, the Internet, wire or wireless telephone, home automation
system, or
any alternative means of remote communication. In a similar manner, multiple
electrical
circuit connection / disconnection devices may be connected together in a
local area or
large area network and controlled in a similar, remote manner. Manual
triggering of the
electrical circuit connection / disconnection devices may be desirable where
certain
structures interfere with lightning detection, thus rendering automated
disconnection
impractical; when normal sources of electrical power have failed; where
dangerous, non-
lightning related voltages may occur; when a user desires to have the
protected equipment
powered down; and when peace of mind or convenience dictates disconnection of
the
protected equipment.
Protection of electrical equipment may be further enhanced by enabling the
electrical circuit connection / disconnection device to be controlled by the
electrical
equipment. Specifically, an electrical circuit connection / disconnection
device may have
a sensor that detects the status of the on/off switch of the electronic
device. When the
electrical equipment being protected is turned off, the electrical circuit
connection /
disconnection device may automatically sever the connection between the
electronic
equipment and external conductors, thereby insuring that unanticipated
electrical surges
will not damage the electronic equipment even if the user is not in the
vicinity to
manually disconnect the device.
In order to provide effective protection of the electrical equipment, the
electrical
circuit connection / disconnection device may incorporate a disconnect
mechanism with
substantial insulative capacity. For example, a rotary block with conductive
rods passing
therethrough may be used to interrupt the external conductors, such as the
power supply,
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modem lines, cable television lines, computer network lines and any other
electrical
connections, to the electronic equipment. The material used in the insulating
rotary block
has sufficient insulative characteristics to prevent excessive voltages from
crossing the
rotary block. Alternatively, the disconnect mechanism may employ a rotating
disk with
alternating insulating tabs and spaces to interrupt the external conductors
from the
electronic equipment. The disconnect mechanism may also employ gas-filled or
vacuum
relays. The gas or vacuum in the relay is sufficiently insulative to prevent
excessive
voltages from bridging the gap between the relay elements. Alternatively, the
disconnect
mechanism may employ a substantial gap of air.
Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide a lightning
protection
system with an accurate, sensitive, and precise detector capable of detecting
and locating
dangerous atmospheric conditions.
Another feature of the invention is to provide an intelligent lightning
protection
system that may detect and locate dangerous atmospheric conditions in a
specific
geographic area and control electrical circuit connection / disconnection
devices within
the area.
Another feature of the invention is to provide an improved electrical circuit
connection / disconnection device for protecting electrical and electronic
equipment from
various electrical surges that may be controlled by geographically specific
radio
broadcasts.
Another feature of the invention is to provide an improved electrical circuit
connection / disconnection device for protecting electrical and electronic
equipment from
various electrical surges, which has a disconnect mechanism with sufficient
insulative
capacity to prevent even extreme voltage surges from crossing the insulative
barrier.
A further feature of the invention is to provide an improved electrical
circuit
connection / disconnection device for protecting electrical and electronic
equipment from
various electrical surges in combination with other electrical conditioning
devices and / or
uninterruptable power supplies in a single compact and inexpensive unit.
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Another feature of the invention is to provide an electrical circuit
connection /
disconnection device for protecting electrical and electronic equipment from
various
electrical surges, which may be controlled manually.
Another feature of the invention is to provide an improved electrical circuit
connection / disconnection device for protecting electrical and electronic
equipment from
various electrical surges, which may be controlled remotely.
Yet another feature of the invention is to provide an improved electrical
circuit
connection / disconnection device for protecting electrical and electronic
equipment from
various electrical surges, which may be controlled remotely and in network
fashion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a lightning protection
system
of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a lightning protection
1 S system of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a lightning protection
system of this invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a lightning protection
system of this invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit connection /
disconnection
device usable in the systems of FIGS. 1 - 4 that also may be controlled based
on the
power consumption state of the electrical or electronic equipment being
protected.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a circuit
interruption
mechanism usable in the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 5 and other systems.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation view a portion of a mechanism similar to
that
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 positioned in a connected state.
FIG. 9 depicts the mechanism shown in FIG. 8 positioned in a disconnected
state.
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FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the external connectivity of an electrical
circuit
connection / disconnection device usable in the systems of FIGS. 1 - 5 and
other systems.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a circuit
interruption mechanism usable in the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 5 and
other systems.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of another alternative embodiment of a circuit
interruption mechanism usable in systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 5 and other
systems
positioned in a connected state.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit connection /
disconnection
device of FIG. 12 positioned in a disconnected state.
FIG. 14. is a schematic diagram of an improved electrical circuit connection /
disconnection device usable in the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 5 and
other systems.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a
circuit interruption mechanism usable in the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 -
5 and other
systems.
FIG. 16 is a schematic side elevation view of a portion of one set of contacts
of the
mechanism shown in FIG. 15 closed.
FIG. 17 is a schematic side elevation view similar to FIG. 15 with the
contacts
open.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a circuit
interruption mechanism usable in systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 5 and other
systems.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Systems
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment 10 of the lightning protection system of this
invention. System 10 may have a plurality of regional broadcast sites or
transmitters 12
having regional lightning detectors 14 and a plurality of electrical circuit
connection /
disconnection devices 16 for protecting electrical and electronic equipment
18. System
10 may protect electrical and electronic equipment 18 by detecting and
locating
dangerous atmospheric conditions in a particular geographic area using
lightning
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detectors 14 and transmitting broadcast control commands throughout the
affected
geographic area to devices 16, which disconnect electrical and electronic
equipment 18
from all or a portion of external conductors in response to the control
commands from
regional broadcast transmitters 12. Devices 16 may also provide an audible
warning prior
to disconnection, which may enable users of devices 16 to override
disconnection of
devices 16 from electrical and electronic equipment 18. System 10 may also use
the
control signals to reconnect electrical and electronic equipment 18 to the
disconnected
external conductors. Since relatively few regional broadcast sites 12 and
lightning
detectors 14 are needed, it is economically feasible to design each lightning
detector 14 to
have substantial range, sensitivity, and accuracy for detecting and locating
atmospheric
conditions. Because electrical circuit connection / disconnection devices 16
need not
incorporate their own lightning detectors, each device 16 may be small and
inexpensive.
Additionally, because central lighting detectors may be of a higher quality
than may be
affordable for a single user, more accurate control of devices 16 can be
achieved.
Devices 16 in system 10 may be assigned a control address based on the
location
of the device within the geographical area of the lightning protection system.
For
example, the entire geographical area of system 10 may be divided up into
distinct regions
with each device 16 in a particular region being assigned the same control
address.
Although in FIG. 1 each distinct region corresponds to the transmission radius
of regional
broadcast sites 12. the size and shape of each distinct region and
corresponding control
address in the lightning protection systems of this invention may be
independent of the
size and shape of the transmission radius of sites 12. In this manner, devices
16 within
each distinct region may be controlled by transmission systems using any
cellular, pager
or any other suitable communications technology, including future systems not
presently
available that may transmit common control signals to devices having specific
control
addresses.
Lightning detectors 14 may be provided on each site 12 to detect lightning
activity
in the vicinity of the region. Each site 12 broadcasts control signals using a
common
numerical code, such as, for example, a pager "capcode" or any alternative
control
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command system that may activate only devices 16 within that particular
region. Because
regional lightning detectors 14 cover relatively small geographic areas,
accurate control
over devices 16 is possible. System 10 may also enable devices 16 to receive
encoded
broadcasts, such as, for example, the National Weather Service's Specific Area
Message
Encoded (SAME) broadcasts or any alternative encoded broadcast. in addition to
those
controlling the devices 16 to provide redundancy or to provide the user with
specific
weather information, including weather alarms. Moreover, each of sites 12 and
detectors
14 may be linked together to form a network. In this manner, detection data
from each of
the detectors 14 may be compared to accurately track storm movement and
activate
devices 16 only in specific danger areas.
As an alternative to the multiple lightning detectors 14 shown in FIG. l, a
centrally
located detector within each distinct geographic region could control
transmission from
sites 12.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate alternative embodiments of lightning protection
systems of
this invention where the dangerous atmospheric conditions may be detected and
located
by a monitoring system 20 located outside the coverage area of sites 12.
Monitoring
system 20 may be a centralized weather monitoring system, such as, for
example, the
National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Service, the National
Lightning
Detection Network, which is owned and operated by Global Atmospherics, Inc.,
or any
alternative centralized weather monitoring and location system. As shown in
FIG. 2, in
system 11, sites 12 may receive relevant atmospheric data from monitoring
system 20,
and sites 12 then retransmit broadcast control signals to devices 16 as
described above.
As shown in FIG. 3, in system 13, a monitoring system 20 may communicate
broadcast control signals to devices 16 via a terrestrial paging network with
satellite
interconnectivity or via any alternative paging or radio configuration.
It should be understood that lightning protection systems of this invention
may be
practiced using as connection / disconnection device 16 any appropriate
apparatus for
electrically disconnecting electric circuits from electrical and electronic
equipment 18 and
achieving sufficient insulation or physical separation to reduce the
likelihood that a power
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surge by lightning or other electrical disturbance will travel from
disconnected external
conductors to electrical and electronic equipment 18.
Service Provider / Subscriber System
Lightning protection systems of this invention may be implemented using a
service
provider / subscriber business scheme. For example, existing service
providers, such as,
for example, cellular service providers, personal communications service
providers,
paging service providers, or any alternative wireless or dataline service
providers, may
include lightning protection services as described above separately or in
their bundle of
services. Because existing telecommunications service providers already have
the
necessary infrastructure, equipment, and subscribers, lightning protection
systems of this
invention may be implemented with very little cost to service providers. Costs
for
servicing a large number of subscribers may be limited to a single lightning
detector 14,
an autodialing device, and nominal monthly telephone and pager service fees.
Service
providers may offer lightning protection services in accordance with lightning
protection
systems of this invention to individuals and businesses based on a nominal
monthly rate.
Service providers may initially sell electrical circuit connect / disconnect
devices 16 to
subscribers or they may give devices 16 away to new subscribers. This service
provider /
subscriber scheme enables service providers to leverage their existing
infrastructure and
subscriber base to provide inexpensive and valuable lightning protection
services in
accordance with lightning protection systems of this invention.
Alternative Electrical Circuit Connection / Disconnection Device Controls
To further enhance the protection of electrical equipment 18, devices 16 may
also
be controlled in a number of other ways.
FIG. 4 illustrates devices 16 controlled using two remote control approaches.
In
installations where multiple power outlets must be protected with devices 16,
such as
stores selling musical, audiovisual, or other consumer electronic appliances,
it may be
desirable to provide for remote actuation of devices 16. For example, in a
music store
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with multiple electronic instruments connected to a power source and
positioned over a
large area of floor space, it may be difficult or inconvenient for store
personnel, upon
learning of electrical storms in the area, to rapidly move about the store to
disconnect all
of the instruments or ensure that all electrical circuit connection /
disconnection devices
S 16 affixed to each of the outlets in the store are activated to protect the
sensitive musical
equipment. Moreover, if many such devices 16 are in use, it may be possible
for store
personnel to inadvertently miss one or more of the devices 16, thereby
exposing
expensive inventory to potential harm from severe electrical surges. In the
system shown
in Figure 4. one remote activation device or transmitter 22, sends out a
signal that is
received by detectors 24, each of which detectors is connected to electrical
circuit
connection / disconnection devices 16. The signal from transmitter 22
activates each of
the electrical circuit connection / disconnection devices 16, ensuring that
all electrical
connections between the equipment to be protected and the power grid are
simultaneously
severed. Devices 16 may be configured to be sensitive to only certain commands
from
transmitter 22 so that each device 16 can respond independently or in unison
with other
devices, depending on the signal from transmitter 22. Transmitter 22 could use
a variety
of conventional technologies, including infrared signals like those used in
television
remote controls, radio frequency signals, laser beams, and any other control
signal.
Alternatively or additionally, each of the protection devices 16 may be
connected
to a common network which may be controlled by a central control device 26
such as a
computer or a dedicated control terminal. In this manner, a user may directly
control all
of the devices 16 in unison, and may activate or deactivate devices 16
independently.
Alternatively, the devices 16 may be connected to central control device 26
over the
Internet, a local area network, or computer, wireless, cellular or other
network topologies.
The various features, control systems and network arrangements described above
may be used in combination with each other or in combination with other
detection
systems such as those described in the '899 patent or as otherwise may be
known or later
developed.
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As illustrated in FIG. 5, protection device 16 may also be controlled by
electrical
or electronic equipment 19. A communication line 27 may be provided between
the
electronic equipment (such as a television) 19 and the protection device 16.
In this
manner, when electronic equipment 19 is switched on or off, it sends a signal
to
protection device 16 that commands device 16 to interrupt or reconnect the
circuit
between plug 50 and outlet 52 as appropriate. (Battery or other auxiliary
power may be
necessary to accomplish this switching when the equipment 19 is not connected
to another
power source). This approach is advantageous, because it assures that whenever
electrical
equipment 19 is turned off, its connection to the power grid is completely
severed. In
essence, this is a manual approach to activating device 16 that is coordinated
with the
operation of electrical equipment 19. In the system of FIG. 5, device 16 may
also be
controlled by a detector circuit as described in the '899 patent, other
detection circuits
and/or any of the other control approaches described below.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, protection device 16 may be supplemented with a
surge
suppressor 78. Surge suppressor 78 may be any conventional surge suppression
device,
such as those using metal oxide varistors. Surge suppressor 78 attenuates
variations in
voltage supplied by plug 50, thereby preventing transient voltages from
passing through
outlet 52 and damaging electronic equipment 19. Surge suppressors 78 and
protection
devices 16 may be configured so that a suppressor 78 may be easily removed
from device
16 when an indicator signals that suppressor 78 no longer exhibits surge
suppressing
characteristics and a new suppressor 78 may be inserted into device 16. For
example, this
functionality may be enabled by housing surge suppressors 78 in a plug-in
module 79.
Circuit Interruption Device
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate in detail an embodiment 17 of an electrical circuit
connection / disconnection device of the type contemplated in this invention
and
described above as device 16. Device 17 includes rotary block 28, contact rods
30,
contact blocks 32 and 34, side supports 36 and 38, motor 40, receiver circuit
42, and
batteries 44. Rotary block 28 is a cylinder constructed of a material which is
sufficiently
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insulative to prevent a voltage of 6,000 volts or more from passing through
block 28.
Block 28 may be made of glass, nylon, plastic or any other appropriate
insulative
material. The diameter selected for block 28 will depend on the permittivity
of the
selected material. If block 28 is to be very small in diameter, a low
permittivity must be
used. In contrast, if block 28 is to be very large in diameter, the material
used for block
28 may have a higher permittivity, although the acceptable diameter of block
28 will also
be a function of the resulting length of the path (presumably through air or
another gas
around block 28).
Contact rods 30 are positioned within and along a diameter of block 28.
Contact
rods 30 extend from one side of rotary block 28 to another and are positioned
generally in
parallel with respect to each other. Contact rods 30 may be made of brass,
aluminum,
copper, or any other suitable conductive material. Contact blocks 32 and 34
are
positioned adjacent to rotary block 28 such that contacts 31, positioned
within contact
blocks 32 and 34, correspond to the locations where contact rods 30 protrude
slightly
from either side of rotary block 28. In this manner, when contact blocks 32
and 34 are
adjacent to rotary block 28 and contact rods 30 are aligned with contacts 31,
electricity
may pass from contacts 31 on block 28 through contact rods 30 to contacts 31
on block 32
and vice versa. As will be readily understood by one skilled in the art, many
types of
conductors through block 28 may be used, as well as a variety of brushes,
springs or other
suitable mechanisms acting as contacts 31 to complete the necessary circuits.
Side supports 36 and 38 have holes 46 which receive pins 48 which extend from
either side of rotary block 28. Moreover, side supports 36 and 38 are affixed
to contact
blocks 32 and 34 thereby joining the assembly into one integrated unit as
illustrated in
FIG. 7. Motor 40 is affixed to pin 48 via hole 46, thereby allowing motor 40
to rotate
rotary block 28 as described below. Block 28 could also be rotated through the
90°
rotation necessary in other ways, such as by a solenoid acting on a lever arm
attached to
one of the pins 48.
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Motor 40 is connected to and controlled by receiver circuit 42, both of which
in
turn are powered by batteries 44. Receiver circuit 42 receives control signals
using one or
more of the approaches described above.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, to operate device 17, a control signal is received
by
S receiver circuit 42. When the appropriate control signal is received,
thereby indicating
that the external conductors to electrical equipment 18 and 19 connected to
outlet 52
should be interrupted, receiver circuit 42 controls motor 40 (or another
rotation
mechanism), which rotates rotary block 28 so that contact rods 30 are aligned
perpendicularly to a line connecting contacts 31 of block 32 and contacts 31
of block 34.
In this manner, the only path between contacts 31 of block 32 and contacts 31
of block 32
is interrupted by the insulative material making up rotary block 28. If and
when a control
signal indicating that the external conductors may be reconnected to
electronic equipment
18 and 19 connected to outlet 52, receiver circuit 42 may activate motor 40 to
rotate
rotary block 28 into a position where contact rods 30 connect contacts 31 of
block 32 and
contacts 31 of block 34, thereby providing a direct conductive path between
contacts 31
of blocks 32 and 34. FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship between rotary block
28, contact
rod 30 and contacts 31 in a connected state. FIG. 9 illustrates this
relationship in a
disconnected state. Rotary block 28 may have a hand lever 56 which, when
pulled, would
allow for manual operation of rotary block 28.
Controlling Power and Other Circuits
As illustrated in FIG. 10, device 16 may be connected to conventional plugs 50
and conventional outlets 52 in order to access and control conventional home
power
supplies and allow conventional electronic devices to be plugged into device
16. In
addition, additional lines 53 may be provided to protect modem, cable
television,
computer network or other electrical paths as may be desired and appropriate.
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Gas or Vacuum Relav Disconnect / Connect Mechanism
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the systems of this invention may use a vacuum or
gas-
filled relay 58. The gas 60 present (or the relative absence of gas in a
"vacuum'') in relay
58 are sufficiently insulative that the gap 62 between contacts 64 and 66 of
relay 58 when
it is open cannot be bridged by voltages of 6,000 volts or more. To operate
relay 58,
receiver circuit 42 receives a control signal in one of the alternative ways
described above
and activates a relay 58 to separate contacts 64 and 66, thereby interrupting
the electrical
contact between plug 50 and outlet 52.
Manual Activation
As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, connection and disconnection may be
achieved
manually. Contact rods 33 housed within insulation block 68 are normally in
contact
with contacts 30. As shown in FIG. 13, depressing plunger 70 forces
compression spring
72 and displacement of insulation block 68 and contact rod 33. Insulation
block 68
includes a detente, which at maximum displacement is engaged and held by latch
74.
Releasing latch 74 allows device 16 to be. reset.
Uninterruptable Power Sunnly
As illustrated in FIG. 14, a connect / disconnect device 16 may be combined
with
an uninterruptable power supply 80. Uninterruptable power supply 80 may be any
conventional device for providing continued power to an electronic device when
the
power normally provided through plug 50 to outlet 52 is interrupted either by
activation
of lighting protection device 16 or failure of power delivery to the local
electronic grid.
Such power can be provided, for instance, by batteries, an auxiliary
generator, and other
energy storage or supply devices, including fuel cells, flywheels, any
electromagnetic
storage device, or any other alternative method of providing auxiliary power.
The
combination of uninterruptable power supply 80 and protection device 16 is
advantageous
because it allows use of device 16 even with electrical equipment 18 that is
sensitive to
unanticipated interruptions in the power supply. Upon detecting lightning
storms in the
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area or otherwise receiving control signals, device 16 may interrupt the
circuit between
electrical equipment 18 and 19 and the power grid, thereby eliminating the
risk of
lightning induced power surges from entering the circuit and damaging the
electronic
equipment. At the same time, uninterruptable power supply 80 will sense the
loss of
power and will begin providing continued power to the electronic device
thereby avoiding
harm that might arise from the sudden and unanticipated deprivation of
electrical power.
Uninterruptable power supply 80 may operate in a conventional manner, for
instance, or
activation of the uninterruptable power supply 80 may also trigger software
which
commands the electronic device to begin a shut-down procedure, thereby
assuring that the
device is properly shut down rather than shut down by the power failure.
Circuit Interruption Device
FIG. 15 illustrates in detail a rotating disk embodiment 90 of an electrical
circuit
connection / disconnection device of the type contemplated in this invention
and
described above as device 16. Cam 92 includes disc portion 120 having center
hole 122,
a plurality of disengagement ridges 124, and a plurality of alternating
dielectric tabs 126
and gaps 127. Ridges 124 are integrally attached along the perimeter of disc
portion 120
and extend transverse to disc portion 120. Tabs 126 are integrally attached to
ridges 124
and extend radially from disc portion 120. Cam 92 may be constructed of a
material
similar to rotary block 28 of device 17.
Contact blocks 94 and 96 are parallel to each other and positioned above and
below cam 92. Contact block 96 has a center hole 97 and an array of external
conductor
contacts 98 positioned generally in a plane. Contact block 94 has
corresponding
equipment side contacts 100 positioned normally to contacts 98.
Cam 92 is secured between blocks 96 and 98 on shaft 118 such that tabs 126,
gaps
127, and the ends of contacts 98 and 100 define circles having an equal radius
with
respect to holes 122 and 97. As will be appreciated by reference to FIGS. 16
and 17,
rotation of cam 92 alternatively permits contacts 100 to mate with contacts
98, or break
such contacts when the tabs 126 are between the pairs of contacts 98 and 100.
16
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Interface 106 includes electrical input connections for electrical conductors
such
as, for example, power sources, datalines, coaxial cable, telephone lines, low
voltage
control lines, and any other digital or analog electrical source or signal
used as an external
conductor in electrical and electronic equipment. Each of the plurality of
electrical
connections are electrically connected to one of the external conductor
contacts 98.
Interface 106 also includes output connections electrically connected to one
of the
plurality of equipment side contacts.
Device 90 may also employ an additional rotating disk assembly 130 for use
with
electrical and electronic equipment having higher voltage power sources, which
may be
configured as described above and which may operate as described below.
Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, device 90 operates similar to device 17
described
above in detail. FIG. 16 illustrates device 90 in a connected state. In the
connected state,
contacts 100 are positioned between adjacent tabs 126 within gaps 127 and are
in
electrical contact with each other.
FIG. 17 illustrates device 90 in a disconnected states. When the appropriate
disconnect control signal is received, receiver circuit 112 controls motor
108, which
rotates shaft 118, which in turn rotates cam 92. As cam 92 is rotated, ridges
124 rotate,
thereby forcing contacts 100 to move away from contacts 98. At the same time,
tabs 126
are interposed between contacts 98 and 100 thereby providing sufficient
separation to
prevent voltages of 6,000 volts or more from passing through tabs 126. When
the
appropriate reconnect control signal is received, receiver circuit 112
controls motor 108,
which rotates cam 92. As cam 92 is rotated to the connected state shown in
FIG. 16,
ridges 124 and tabs 126 are removed from between contacts 98 and 100 and the
pair of
contacts again mate.
17
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Multiule Pole Single Throw Relay Disconnect / Connect Mechanism
As illustrated in FIG. 18, a device 16 may also use a multiple pole single
throw
relay for the disconnect / connect mechanism. In the connected state, the
relay provides
electrical connectivity between the electrical or electronic equipment 18 and
19 and all
external conductors that are electrically connected to equipment side contacts
132.
Equipment side contacts 132 are connected to external contacts 134, which make
electrical contact with lever member 136 when the relay is in the closed
position. Lever
member 136 may be pivotally attached to plunger 138, which moves in and out of
solenoid 140 in response to activation of solenoid 140. When the receiver
circuit receives
a control signal as described above, movement of plunger 138 along the axis of
solenoid
140 causes lever member 136 to separate contacts 134 from contacts 132 a
distance
sufficient to prevent at least 6,000 volts from bridging the gap between
contacts 132 and
134.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, numerous modifications can
be
made in this invention without departing from the spirit of the invention as
described and
illustrated here or.the scope of the following claims.
18
