SISTEMA DE PREVENÇÃO DE CHOQUE ELÉTRICO PARA POSTES

Description

/ 4 ELECTRIC SHOCK PREVENTION SYSTEM FOR POLES Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to safety alarm systems and, more particularly, to systems configured to detect dangerous energization of poles, columns and similar support structures associated with electrical distribution networks, lighting, communications infrastructure, traffic signaling installations and other services, and to provide audible and visual warnings to people and animals in the vicinity. Fundamentals of the invention

[0002] Conductive structures such as streetlight poles, utility poles, traffic light poles, cabinets and similar installations may become unintentionally energized due to insulation failure, wiring defects, water ingress or other conditions.

[0003] In these cases, a person or animal that comes into contact with the structure, or that gets too close under certain conditions, may be exposed to the risk of electric shock. In general, people and animals do not have a practical way of determining whether a pole is energized before approaching or touching it.

[0004] There is therefore a need for an autonomous device that can continuously monitor such structures and provide clear warnings when a risk of electric shock is present, while also indicating whether the monitor itself is operating normally. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An alarm system is provided to reduce the risk of electric shock from a conductive structure, such as a power pole, signpost or streetlight, among other similar structures. The system is configured to be mechanically mounted on the structure and to detect an alternating current (AC) hazard condition associated with the dangerous energization of the structure.

[0006] In all embodiments, the system includes a power autonomy module comprising a rechargeable battery, a charger and a photovoltaic (PV) panel, with the PV panel integrated into the enclosure so that it forms a compact unit, the power autonomy module being sized to support continuous operation, including at least a target autonomy period (e.g., approximately 20 hours) without sunlight.

[0007] In all modes, the system includes a monitoring status indicator that provides a visible indication that the system is powered on and operating; when the monitoring status indicator is off, passersby and maintenance personnel can infer that monitoring is not active (e.g., due to a discharged battery, fault, or disconnection).

[0008] The system uses contactless (proximity) sensing based on capacitive coupling to detect an electric field indicative of AC energization of the structure, without requiring direct electrical contact between a sensor probe and the structure's surface. This improves installation flexibility and reduces dependence on the quality of physical contact between the device and the supporting structure. Petition 870260046407, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 3 / 14 / 4

[0009] After detection, the system generates audible and visual hazard warnings that continue as long as the hazard is detected, and cease when the hazard is no longer detected. The visual hazard warning is configured to be recognizable at a minimum distance of at least about 20 meters in nighttime conditions, and the audible hazard warning is configured to provide at least about 80 dBA at 1 meter (or an equivalent audible level) suitable for noisy outdoor environments. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] FIGURE 1 is a block diagram illustrating alarm system modules, including a power autonomy module, a contactless hazard detection module, and a signaling module.

[0011] FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 show side, front and rear, and top views, respectively, of an example of an alarm system installation fixed to a public lighting pole with a photovoltaic panel on the upper surface of the cabinet and with duplicate operating status indicators and visual and audible danger alarms, one set of them on each side of the cabinet. Description of the invention Overview (Common Cabinet and Modules)

[0012] The alarm system (100) includes, in all embodiments, a common enclosure (140) configured for external mounting on a pole or similar structure (10). The system comprises: (i) a power autonomy module (110), (ii) a contactless AC hazard detection module (120), (iii) a signaling module (130) and (iv) a self-test / operation monitoring module (150).

[0013] The system is configured to operate in a low-power monitoring state when no risk is detected, and to transition to a higher-power alarm state when a risk is detected. Energy Autonomy Module

[0014] The energy autonomy module (110) comprises a photovoltaic panel (116), a battery charger (114) and a rechargeable battery (112), all integrated into the enclosure (140) to form a compact unit. The charger (114) may include charge control circuits suitable for the selected battery chemistry.

[0015] The PV panel (116) is arranged on an upper surface of the cabinet (140) facing upwards to receive sunlight. Regulation circuits (118) supply power to the detection module (120), the signaling module (130) and the operation monitoring module (150).

[0016] The battery (112) and PV panel (116) are sized so that the system remains operational for at least a defined autonomy period without solar input (e.g., approximately 20 hours), while supporting higher power intermittent alarm operation. Non-Contact AC Hazard Detection Module (Proximity Probe; Multi-Frequency Support)

[0017] The contactless AC hazard detection module (120) includes a probe implemented as a small conductive element (122), such as a small conductor segment or antenna-type wire, positioned close to the surface of the conductive structure (10) without requiring direct contact (about 1 cm to about 10 cm from the surface). Petition 870260046407, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 4 / 14 / 4

[0018] When the conductive structure (10) is energized with AC, the capacitive coupling between the energized structure and the probe (122) produces a time-varying signal in the probe that is indicative of AC energization at the mains frequency. Contactless sensing based on capacitive coupling is a known sensing principle in voltage sensing contexts.

[0019] Detection circuits (124) process the probe signal to determine if a hazardous condition exists. In all modes, the detection circuits (124) include: (a) an integrated threshold element (128), such as a trim potentiometer and / or programmable threshold, configured to set the minimum sensitivity required to treat the detected signal as a risk indication; and (b) an integrated noise filtering element (129), such as low-pass filtering and / or notch filtering, configured to reduce false triggers from interference and non-hazardous sources.

[0020] The threshold range and filter parameters can be finalized through prototyping and field testing. In some implementations, threshold calibration is performed during installation by adjusting the sensitivity and / or positioning of the probe relative to the pole to reduce false positives from nearby energized conductors, while maintaining detection of dangerous pole energization.

[0021] The detection circuits (124) further validate that the detected signal has a frequency consistent with a network AC range, including at least about 50 Hz and about 60 Hz (for example, within a tolerance range around such frequencies, or within a wider range such as about 45 Hz to about 65 Hz), before declaring a risk condition.

[0022] In some embodiments, an indicator derived from the detected network frequency is used internally for validation and / or to provide a diagnostic indication during testing. When no capacitive coupling signal is present, the detection circuitry enters a low-power standby behavior consistent with the low-power monitoring state. Signaling Module (Two-Indicator Scheme; Minimum Visibility and Sound)

[0023] The signaling module (130) includes: (a) a monitoring status indicator (138), preferably one or more green LEDs, energized during normal monitoring operation to indicate that the system is energized and operating; and (b) a set of hazard indicators comprising a visual hazard alarm (132) and an audible hazard alarm (134), activated when the hazard condition is detected.

[0024] The visual hazard alarm (132) may comprise one or more high-visibility LED panels, one or more beacons or one or more illuminated displays. The display preferably includes a language-independent pictogram (e.g. lightning bolt and / or skull symbol) indicating a risk of electric shock. The visual hazard alarm is configured to be recognizable from at least about 20 meters in nighttime conditions (and optionally also from at least about 10 meters in daytime conditions), depending on environmental conditions.

[0025] The audible danger alarm (134) may comprise a buzzer or siren selected to be audible in noisy outdoor environments, such as traffic. The audible danger alarm provides at least about 80 dBA at 1 meter, or an equivalent audible level under open field conditions. Petition 870260046407, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 5 / 14 / 4

[0026] Alarm behavior: the visual hazard alarms and audible hazard alarms remain active as long as the hazard condition is detected by the detection module (120) and are deactivated when the hazard condition is no longer detected. Self-test / Functionality Monitoring

[0027] The system includes a self-test / function monitoring module (150) that verifies at least: (i) sufficient battery level for monitoring, (ii) operation of the monitoring status indicator (138) and (iii) at least one functional check of the hazard signal set (132, 134) according to a safe test routine (e.g., brief periodic test pulse or on-demand maintenance test).

[0028] If a power or functional failure is detected, the system may indicate the failure by clearing the monitoring status indicators (138) and / or applying a distinct fault blinking pattern. Assembly, Height and Orientation

[0029] The enclosure (140) is mounted on the conductive structure (10) at a height selected to reduce the risk of tampering, for example, at least about 3 meters (approximately 10 feet) above ground level.

[0030] The enclosure (140) is preferably fixed using a corrosion-resistant metal strap (142), such as stainless steel, anodized aluminum or equivalent oxidation-resistant material, configured to be moldable or conformable to different pole cross-sections.

[0031] The faces of the hazard displays are oriented towards pedestrian sight lines, and the audible alarm is oriented and sized to provide coverage to pedestrians in typical street environments. The visual hazard alarm includes a light-emitting surface and / or a semi-cylindrical, semicircular, or hemispherical diffuser to provide at least approximately 180 degrees of horizontal visibility, or a pyramidal shape with three vertical faces, thus improving visibility for pedestrians approaching from different directions. Optional Features and Variations

[0032] In some installations, an optional tamper detection element (152) may be included (e.g., cabinet opening key or strap tamper indicator), particularly where the risk of vandalism is high.

[0033] A communication interface (154) may be included to transmit risk events and device operating information to a remote receiving point, while maintaining local audible / visual warning behavior. Industrial Applicability

[0034] The alarm system is applicable to lighting poles, utility poles, traffic light poles, metal cabinets, junction boxes and similar conductive infrastructure to provide continuous monitoring and immediate public warning of dangerous energization, thereby reducing the risk of electric shock incidents. Petition 870260046407, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 6 / 14

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1. ALARM SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK CAUSED BY THE PRESENCE OF ELECTRIC VOLTAGE IN A POTENTIALLY ENERGIZED STRUCTURE, SUCH AS POLES, COLUMNS AND SIMILAR SUPPORT STRUCTURES, ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS, LIGHTING, COMMUNICATIONS, TRAFFIC SIGNALING AND OTHER SERVICES, characterized by: a cabinet mechanically fixed to the potentially energized structure; a power autonomy module integrated into the cabinet and comprising a photovoltaic panel, a battery charger and a rechargeable battery, for continuous operation; a non-contact sensing probe, comprising a conductive element positioned adjacent to, and spaced from, the surface of the structure such that the conductive element is capacitively coupled to the structure when it is energized with alternating current;A detection circuit coupled to the sensing probe, configured to determine that a risk condition exists based on a signal from the probe indicating alternating current at the mains frequency, comprising (i) an integrated threshold element configured to define a minimum sensitivity to declare the risk condition and (ii) an integrated noise filtering element configured to reduce false alarms; a signaling module comprising (i) a monitoring status indicator configured to indicate normal monitoring operation when the alarm system is powered on and operating and (ii) a visual hazard alarm device and an audible hazard alarm device, activated while the electric shock risk condition is being detected; a self-test function configured to verify the power condition of the rechargeable battery and the operation of the alarm system.

2. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by the fixing of the photovoltaic panel to the upper surface of the cabinet, forming a compact unit.

3. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a monitoring status indicator composed of green light-emitting diodes, which remain permanently lit during normal monitoring operation.

4. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a non-contact sensing probe composed of a small segment of wire or antenna-type conductor supported by the housing and positioned within about 1 cm to about 10 cm from the surface of the conductive structure.

5. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by an integrated threshold element with an adjustment potentiometer (trim) for calibration during installation.

6. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a detection circuit configured to signal the risk condition when the probe signal presents a frequency corresponding to a network frequency range between 45 and 65 Hz.

7. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by an integrated noise filtering element, containing at least one low-pass filter and one band-reject (notch) filter.

8. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by operating in a low-power monitoring state when the risk condition is not detected and in a higher-power alarm state while the risk condition is being detected.

9. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a visual hazard alarm device composed of illuminated panels containing a language-independent electric shock hazard pictogram. Petition 870260046407, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 7 / 14 2 / 2 10. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a visual hazard alarm device recognizable from at least about 20 meters away under nighttime conditions.

11. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a visual hazard alarm device composed of a light-emitting surface and / or a semi-cylindrical, semicircular or hemispherical diffuser, or duplicate panels, or even pyramidal panels with three vertical faces, configured to provide at least 180 degrees of horizontal visibility.

12. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by an audible danger alarm device comprising bells or sirens configured to be audible in noisy outdoor environments, such as urban traffic.

13. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by an audible hazard alarm device configured to provide at least about 80 dBA at 1 meter under free-field conditions.

14. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a self-test function configured to cause a fault indication by erasing the monitoring status indicator or displaying a distinct fault flashing pattern when a fault condition is detected.

15. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a power autonomy module sized to provide at least approximately 20 hours of monitoring operation without sunlight.

16. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by fixing the cabinet to the potentially energized surface by means of a corrosion-resistant metal strap that conforms to different types of cross-sections of the support structure.

17. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by fixing the cabinet at a height of at least about 3 meters above the ground to reduce the risk of tampering.

18. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by an optional communication interface configured to transmit an indication of a risk event or operating status of the device to a remote receiver.

19. ALARM SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized by a tamper detection element configured to indicate opening or disturbance of the enclosure, the tamper detection element being optional based on the installation location. Petition 870260046407, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 8 / 14

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