Lightning protection grounding device

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of lightning protection grounding, and particularly relates to a lightning protection grounding device. A lightning protection grounding device is characterized in that the lightning protection grounding device comprises a main body steel column, the lower part structure of which is anchored on a concrete foundation, and a downlead main body which is used for receiving lightning current from the upper part of a building and downwards conducting the lightning current; the steel reinforcement cage is arranged in the foundation, the steel reinforcement cage comprises a plurality of vertical stirrups and surrounding horizontal stirrups, the vertical stirrups and the surrounding horizontal stirrups jointly form a structural framework of the foundation, the vertical stirrups are fixedly connected with the lower structure of the main steel column, and the steel reinforcement cage is used as a foundation grounding electrode to disperse lightning current and guide the current to the foundation; and the at least two main reinforcements are electrically connected with the reinforcement cage in the foundation, are electrically connected with the main body steel column, and are used for effectively introducing and dispersing lightning current conducted on the main body steel column to the whole reinforcement cage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of lightning protection grounding technology, and in particular relates to a lightning protection grounding device. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous improvement of the functions and height of modern buildings, lightning protection technology has received increasing attention. Existing lightning protection and grounding systems often use a simple combination of down conductors and foundation grounding grids, which rely on a single steel bar or an external metal conductor connected to the building foundation during construction. While this method can conduct lightning current to the ground under normal conditions, for high-rise or large buildings, the amplitude and frequency of lightning current may far exceed the traditional range. Simply relying on conventional steel cages or local welding to disperse the current often fails to meet the requirements of lightning protection specifications, and there are also many inconveniences in later maintenance and inspection.

[0003] Commonly used lightning protection down conductors in existing technologies cannot guarantee sufficient electrical connection with the overall steel reinforcement cage of the foundation, resulting in excessive concentration of lightning current on local steel reinforcement, and even electro-corrosion or high-temperature damage. Secondly, the lack of reliable connection methods for internal and external grounding systems prevents outdoor artificial grounding bodies from playing an effective role. In addition, most traditional test terminals are temporarily installed during later construction, with scattered locations and poor protection, making them prone to failure due to water immersion or mechanical impact, causing inconvenience to daily testing and inspection work, and also creating safety hazards for lightning protection of buildings. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned shortcomings by providing a lightning protection grounding device. This invention significantly improves the dispersion efficiency of lightning current by installing multiple main reinforcing bars between the main steel column and the foundation, forming a complete electrical path with the reinforcing cage. Simultaneously, the combined use of the pre-embedded connecting plate and the connecting conductor not only simplifies the connection between indoor and outdoor grounding systems but also provides a clear interface for subsequent testing or maintenance. Furthermore, the specially designed test terminals and their protective structure overcome the defects of existing technologies, such as susceptibility to corrosion and loosening in humid environments.

[0005] A lightning protection grounding device, comprising:

[0006] The main steel column, whose lower structure is anchored to a concrete foundation, is the main body of the down conductor that receives lightning current from the upper part of the building and conducts it downwards.

[0007] A reinforcing cage is installed inside the foundation. The reinforcing cage includes multiple vertical stirrups and surrounding horizontal stirrups, which together form the structural skeleton of the foundation. The multiple vertical stirrups are fastened to the lower structure of the main steel column. The reinforcing cage is used as a foundation grounding electrode to disperse lightning current and guide the current to the foundation.

[0008] The main reinforcement bars, at least two of which are electrically connected to the steel cage inside the foundation and to the main steel column, are used to effectively introduce and disperse the lightning current conducted on the main steel column to the entire steel cage.

[0009] Furthermore, the lightning protection grounding device also includes a pre-embedded connecting plate, which is partially buried in the foundation and partially exposed to provide a connection point for leading the internal grounding system out to the outside of the foundation for connection to an outdoor artificial grounding body.

[0010] Furthermore, the embedded connection plate is connected to the main reinforcement bar in the foundation through at least one connecting conductor, which is used to guide the current collected on the main reinforcement bar and the entire steel cage to the embedded connection plate, thereby realizing the electrical connection of the internal and external grounding systems.

[0011] Furthermore, the connection between the pre-embedded connecting plate and the connecting conductor is provided with waterproof sealing material, and screw holes or welding terminals are reserved at the exposed end for quick connection with external artificial grounding systems or testing equipment.

[0012] Furthermore, the lightning protection grounding device also includes a grounding test terminal, which is pre-embedded in the external additional steel plate of the lower structure of the main steel column and electrically connected to the main reinforcement, for convenient connection of test equipment or temporary grounding wire.

[0013] Furthermore, the grounding test terminal is provided with a detachable protective cover plate, which is fixed on the additional steel plate to prevent the test terminal from being corroded, impacted or damaged by external forces when not in a test state.

[0014] Furthermore, the grounding test terminal is positioned in a location that facilitates inspection and maintenance, and the grounding test terminal portion adopts a waterproof structure to ensure stable testing and good electrical connection even in humid environments or outdoor conditions.

[0015] Furthermore, multiple horizontal secondary reinforcement bars are arranged horizontally around the upper part of the main reinforcement bar, and are electrically connected to the main reinforcement bar and the main steel column respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, the connection between the main steel column and the main reinforcement bar and the steel cage is coated with an anti-corrosion coating to reduce electrochemical corrosion and extend the overall service life of the grounding device.

[0017] Furthermore, a removable protective layer is provided on the surface of the concrete foundation or on the outer side of the lower structure of the main steel column to shield and protect the lightning protection grounding structure during daily use, and can be quickly removed when maintenance or testing is required.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0019] This invention provides a lightning protection grounding device. By setting a steel cage containing multiple vertical and horizontal stirrups within a concrete foundation, and electrically connecting at least two main reinforcing bars to the cage and the main steel column, the device fully utilizes the foundation's inherent size to rapidly disperse and conduct current into the ground under instantaneous lightning strikes. This structure overcomes the heat accumulation and corrosion risks that can easily occur with traditional single down conductors or localized electrical connections, allowing lightning current to diffuse throughout a wider steel reinforcement network. Simultaneously, the main steel column serves as the primary channel for receiving lightning energy from the building's top. The reliable connection between the column and the main reinforcing bars and cage reduces contact resistance and energy loss during transmission, improving overall grounding efficiency and significantly reducing the risk of overheating or burning of local components during lightning strikes. Furthermore, the device structure provides both ease of construction and convenient maintenance. The connection points between the main reinforcing bars and the cage can be accurately located and welded before concrete pouring, eliminating the need for cumbersome temporary supports or re-excavation, providing dual assurance for construction quality and lightning protection performance. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a lightning protection grounding device.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the grounding test terminal and the main steel column.

[0022] Attached reference numerals: 1. Lightning protection grounding device; 10. Main steel column; 101. Additional steel plate; 102. Protective layer; 20. Foundation; 30. Reinforcing cage; 301. Vertical stirrups; 302. Horizontal stirrups; 40. Main reinforcement; 401. Horizontal secondary reinforcement; 50. Embedded connecting plate; 501. Connecting conductor; 502. Artificial grounding electrode; 60. Grounding test terminal. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The lightning protection grounding device of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments. For the sake of simplicity, this document cannot exhaustively list all alternative technical features and implementation schemes included in this utility model. Therefore, those skilled in the art should understand that any technical feature and implementation scheme within this embodiment does not limit the protection scope of this utility model, which includes all alternative technical features and implementation schemes adopted by those skilled in the art without creative effort. Specifically, any implementation scheme obtained by replacing any technical feature in this utility model or combining any two or more technical features provided by this utility model should be within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0024] This embodiment provides a lightning protection grounding device 1, including:

[0025] The main steel column 10, whose lower structure is anchored to a concrete foundation 20, is the main body of the down conductor that receives lightning current from the upper part of the building and conducts it downwards.

[0026] The reinforcing cage 30 is installed inside the foundation 20. The reinforcing cage 30 includes multiple vertical stirrups 301 and surrounding horizontal stirrups 302, which together form the structural skeleton of the foundation 20. The multiple vertical stirrups 301 are fastened to the lower structure of the main steel column 10. The reinforcing cage 30 is used as the grounding electrode of the foundation 20 to disperse lightning current and guide the current to the foundation.

[0027] At least two main reinforcing bars 40 are electrically connected to the reinforcing cage 30 inside the foundation 20 and to the main steel column 10, for effectively introducing and dispersing the lightning current conducted on the main steel column 10 to the entire reinforcing cage 30.

[0028] The lightning protection grounding device 1 provided in this embodiment mainly consists of three parts: the main steel column 10, the reinforcing cage 30, and the main reinforcement 40, which together form its core structure for lightning protection and grounding. The main steel column 10 adopts an H-shaped or I-shaped cross-section. Its lower structure is firmly anchored in the concrete foundation 20 through embedded parts, anchor bolts, or direct casting. Different cross-sectional dimensions and steel strength grades can be selected according to the building height and lightning strike risk level to ensure that the steel column can meet the load-bearing requirements and achieve good conductivity. The reinforcing cage 30 embedded inside the concrete foundation 20 is a closed or nearly closed skeleton structure formed by the intersection of vertical reinforcing bars and horizontal stirrups 302. In order to ensure efficient current dissipation, the vertical reinforcing bars are directly or indirectly electrically connected to the main steel column 10, and the horizontal stirrups 302 are distributed around the perimeter of the foundation 20, so that in the event of a lightning strike, the current can be quickly dispersed to a wider area of ​​the concrete foundation 20 and further introduced into the foundation.

[0029] After the main steel column 10 conducts the lightning current down from the top of the building, the current is collected in the reinforcing cage 30 through the main reinforcement bars 40, which are fastened or welded to the bottom of the steel column, thus forming a reliable vertical-horizontal combined current dissipation path. During the design process, to ensure a low-resistance connection at the contact points between the main reinforcement bars 40 and the reinforcing cage 30, lap welding or wrap welding is usually required, and specific details are carried out in accordance with standards such as the "Code for Design of Lightning Protection of Buildings". This structure effectively disperses lightning energy while also possessing structural load-bearing capacity and durability, providing necessary lightning protection for the entire building.

[0030] In some embodiments, the lightning protection grounding device 1 further includes a pre-embedded connecting plate 50, which is partially buried in the foundation 20 and partially exposed to provide a connection point for leading the internal grounding system out to the outside of the foundation 20 to connect to the outdoor artificial grounding body 502.

[0031] In this embodiment, the pre-embedded connecting plate 50 is pre-positioned during concrete pouring, with part of its main body placed inside the foundation 20, while another part is reserved or exposed on or near the surface of the foundation 20. Its main function is to achieve efficient connection between the internal grounding system and the outdoor artificial grounding electrode 502. In specific implementations, those skilled in the art will fix the processed connecting plate in an appropriate position using supports or positioning devices before concrete pouring to ensure that the connecting plate is at the required elevation and orientation after pouring, without tilting or misalignment. The material of the pre-embedded connecting plate 50 can be flat steel or steel plate, with the thickness and dimensions designed according to the maximum lightning strike current and service life. If the lightning strike risk is high or the site environment is highly corrosive, anti-corrosion treatment (such as hot-dip galvanizing or coating with anti-corrosion paint) can be added to the exposed part of the connecting plate. This layout structure not only provides good scalability and maintainability for the internal and external grounding lines, but also provides a unified and stable external interface for various lightning protection and grounding devices in later projects, thereby greatly improving the convenience of construction and maintenance.

[0032] In some embodiments, the pre-embedded connecting plate 50 is connected to the main reinforcement 40 in the foundation 20 through at least one connecting conductor 501, which is used to guide the current collected on the main reinforcement 40 and the entire steel cage 30 to the pre-embedded connecting plate 50, so as to realize the electrical connection of the internal and external grounding systems.

[0033] In this specific embodiment, the connecting conductor 501 can be made of round steel, flat steel, or multi-strand copper core wire, etc., and its cross-sectional dimensions must meet the requirements of national or local lightning protection design specifications to ensure that it will not melt or overheat when subjected to high current impact. The connecting conductor 501 is welded or fastened to the main reinforcement 40 and the embedded connecting plate 50 before concrete pouring. During welding, the weld surface should be smooth, continuous, and full, avoiding incomplete or missed welds. If bolt fastening is used, corresponding flanges or anchor plates should be installed at the ends of the embedded connecting plate 50 or the main reinforcement 40, and high-strength bolts should be used to ensure the stability of the connection. When lightning current is transmitted from the main steel column 10 to the main reinforcement 40, and then input into the reinforcing cage 30 through the main reinforcement 40, excess current will be further transmitted along the connecting conductor 501 to the embedded connecting plate 50, and from there to the outdoor artificial grounding electrode 502. This forms a complete internal and external grounding system, ensuring that the current can be smoothly diverted to the outside of the building during lightning strikes, significantly improving lightning protection safety performance.

[0034] In some embodiments, the connection between the pre-embedded connecting plate 50 and the connecting conductor 501 is provided with a waterproof sealing material, and a screw hole or welding terminal is reserved at the exposed end for quick connection with an external artificial grounding system or testing equipment.

[0035] In this specific embodiment, to ensure that the connection point is not affected by water seepage in the long-term damp underground or near-surface environment, it is necessary to seal the connection node with anti-aging sealant, waterproof sealant, or epoxy resin. Specifically, a local groove or step can be provided between the pre-embedded connection plate 50 and the connecting conductor 501 to allow the sealing material to be fully embedded and tightly adhered to the metal surface, forming a reliable sealing layer. On the other hand, to facilitate the rapid connection of an external artificial grounding system or testing equipment to this grounding point later, several screw holes are usually machined at the exposed end of the pre-embedded connection plate 50, or a terminal block of suitable specifications is welded on. Testing or maintenance personnel only need to screw in bolts or attach wire terminals when testing or connecting an external grounding wire to quickly complete the operation without the need for large-scale demolition of concrete or re-welding.

[0036] In some embodiments, the lightning protection grounding device 1 further includes a grounding test terminal 60, which is embedded in the external additional steel plate 101 of the lower structure of the main steel column 10 and electrically connected to the main reinforcement 40, for convenient connection of test equipment or temporary grounding wire.

[0037] In this specific embodiment, the grounding test terminal 60 is a pluggable or screw-in metal conductor, typically made of stainless steel or copper to prevent oxidation and improve conductivity. The grounding test terminal 60 is installed on the outer side of the bottom of the main steel column 10, in a location convenient for manual operation and wiring of testing instruments, but in an area that should be avoided from frequent contact by personnel or external impact. During assembly, an additional steel plate 101 electrically connected to the column is first installed around the main steel column 10, and rust is removed, leveled, and necessary surface treatments are applied. Then, the grounding test terminal 60 is reliably welded or screwed to the main reinforcing bar 40 or the steel column body to form a good electrical path. The final product meets daily testing needs: when the resistance of the entire grounding system needs to be measured, technicians only need to clamp or tighten the test wires of the testing equipment onto this test terminal to obtain accurate test results without dismantling a large area of ​​structure or damaging the original enclosed space.

[0038] In some embodiments, the grounding test terminal 60 is provided with a removable protective cover plate, which is fixed on the additional steel plate 101 to prevent the test terminal from being corroded, impacted or damaged by external forces when not in a test state.

[0039] In this specific embodiment, the protective cover is made of metal or plastic composite material, possessing certain waterproof, dustproof, and impact-resistant properties. It can be fixed to the additional steel plate 101 by bolts or clips. Its assembly and disassembly process is relatively simple: when testing is not required, the cover is locked or tightened, effectively preventing external debris or moisture from entering the test terminal area. It also prevents accidental impacts or trampling by pedestrians or vehicles, thereby extending the service life of the test terminal. Once grounding testing or maintenance is required, simply loosening or removing the cover with common tools (such as an Allen wrench or screwdriver) quickly exposes the grounding test terminal 60. Furthermore, to further improve the sealing effect, some embodiments add sealing strips or O-rings at the contact surface between the cover and the additional steel plate 101, ensuring that the terminal area remains dry and clean even under harsh weather conditions such as rain and high humidity.

[0040] In some embodiments, the grounding test terminal 60 is located in a position that facilitates inspection and maintenance, and the grounding test terminal 60 has a waterproof structure to ensure stable testing and good electrical connection even in humid environments or outdoor conditions.

[0041] In this specific embodiment, considering the actual site conditions, the test terminals are placed approximately 300 mm to 1000 mm above the outdoor ground level or foundation 20 mm above the ground surface. This allows maintenance personnel to operate conveniently without excessive bending or climbing. Furthermore, when the building is located in a rainy or humid area, multi-layered protection is required around the test terminals using sealing gaskets, sealants, and weather-resistant coatings. Specifically, a small amount of waterproof sealant can be filled into the bottom or inside of the terminal, and epoxy resin or polymer coatings can be used to seal and coat the joint between the terminal and the main steel plate, ensuring no gaps or leakage channels are created inside the terminal. This comprehensive waterproof structure minimizes the impact of rainwater or humid air on the grounding connection quality, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the test results and providing effective protection for subsequent maintenance and inspection.

[0042] In some embodiments, a plurality of horizontal secondary reinforcement bars 401 are arranged horizontally around the upper part of the main reinforcement bar 40, and are electrically connected to the main reinforcement bar 40 and the main steel column 10 respectively.

[0043] In this specific embodiment, to enhance the current dissipation effect, several evenly spaced circumferential or grid-like horizontal secondary reinforcement bars 401 are set at a certain height from the top surface of the foundation 20 or the bottom of the main steel column 10. These secondary reinforcement bars also use the same or similar cross-section and material as the main reinforcement bars 40 to ensure that the load-bearing and conductivity are matched. The secondary reinforcement bars should be fully welded or mechanically connected to the main reinforcement bars 40 and the vertical reinforcement bars, and the weld should be continuous and dense. In actual construction, after the steel cage 30 is formed as a whole, these horizontal secondary reinforcement bars 401 can be installed in place according to the design spacing and fixed to the intersection of the main reinforcement bars 40 and the vertical reinforcement bars by welding or binding. In this way, when the lightning current enters the main reinforcement bars 40 from the main steel column 10, these horizontal secondary reinforcement bars 401 can further expand the current conduction and dispersion range, allowing the current to be evenly distributed in different parts of the steel cage 30 through more paths, significantly reducing the risk of overheating or damage to a single steel bar, and improving the reliability and safety margin of the entire grounding network.

[0044] In some embodiments, the connection between the main steel column 10 and the main reinforcement 40 and the reinforcement cage 30 is coated with an anti-corrosion coating to reduce electrochemical corrosion and extend the overall service life of the grounding device.

[0045] In this specific embodiment, the welded or fastened connections between metals are often among the most susceptible to electrochemical corrosion, especially in soils or underground environments with high water content and high acidity or alkalinity. These critical points require additional anti-corrosion treatment. The weld and metal surface can be first ground, rust removed, and cleaned. Then, a zinc-rich primer or hot-dip galvanizing is applied, followed by a weather-resistant topcoat or epoxy resin coating to form a multi-layered protective structure. If site conditions permit, a self-adhesive waterproof membrane or fiberglass-reinforced coating can be wrapped around the weld surface to further enhance durability. This not only significantly slows down the corrosion process between the steel column and reinforcing bars, maintaining the stability of their electrical connection, but also ensures that the entire lightning protection grounding system maintains a low grounding resistance level throughout its long service life.

[0046] In some embodiments, a removable protective layer 102 is provided on the surface of the concrete foundation 20 or on the outside of the lower structure of the main steel column 10 to shield and protect the lightning protection grounding structure during daily use, and can be quickly removed when maintenance or testing is required.

[0047] In this specific embodiment, the protective layer 102 is often made of lightweight and durable materials, such as aluminum alloy panels, fiberglass, or polymer composite panels. Screw holes are pre-drilled or fixing brackets are installed at the bottom of the concrete foundation 20 or the main steel column 10, allowing the protective layer 102 to be quickly fitted using bolts, clips, or slots. On the one hand, during daily use, the protective layer 102 can effectively shield the lightning protection grounding structure from direct impacts of rainwater, dirt, and mechanical damage. On the other hand, when periodic inspections or maintenance are required, technicians can quickly disassemble the panel or protective cover, thereby fully exposing key parts of the lightning protection grounding system, including the outlet of the reinforcing cage 30, the interface of the main reinforcing bar 40, and test terminals. The disassembly process is relatively simple and can be completed within minutes, without long-term impact on the overall appearance or function of the building, while also ensuring efficient testing and maintenance. In some high-level or special application scenarios, warning signs, labels, or locking devices can also be added to the surface of the protective layer 102 to further remind or restrict non-professionals from accessing the device, ensuring the safety and long-term stable operation of the lightning protection system.

[0048] For those skilled in the art, other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations, but obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A lightning protection grounding device, characterized in that, include: The main steel column, whose lower structure is anchored to a concrete foundation, is the main body of the down conductor that receives lightning current from the upper part of the building and conducts it downwards. A reinforcing cage is installed inside the foundation. The reinforcing cage includes multiple vertical stirrups and surrounding horizontal stirrups, which together form the structural skeleton of the foundation. The multiple vertical stirrups are fastened to the lower structure of the main steel column. The reinforcing cage is used as a foundation grounding electrode to disperse lightning current and guide the current to the foundation. The main reinforcement bars, at least two of which are electrically connected to the steel cage inside the foundation and to the main steel column, are used to effectively introduce and disperse the lightning current conducted on the main steel column to the entire steel cage.

2. The lightning protection grounding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lightning protection grounding device also includes a pre-embedded connection plate, which is partially buried in the foundation and partially exposed to provide a connection point for leading the internal grounding system out to the outside of the foundation, so as to connect to an outdoor artificial grounding body.

3. The lightning protection grounding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The embedded connection plate is connected to the main reinforcement bar in the foundation through at least one connecting conductor, and is used to guide the current collected on the main reinforcement bar and the entire steel cage to the embedded connection plate to realize the electrical connection of the internal and external grounding systems.

4. The lightning protection grounding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connection between the pre-embedded connecting plate and the connecting conductor is provided with waterproof sealing material, and screw holes or welding terminals are reserved at the exposed end for quick connection with external artificial grounding systems or testing equipment.

5. The lightning protection grounding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lightning protection grounding device also includes a grounding test terminal, which is pre-embedded in the external additional steel plate of the lower structure of the main steel column and electrically connected to the main reinforcement, for convenient connection of test equipment or temporary grounding wire.

6. The lightning protection grounding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The grounding test terminal is provided with a detachable protective cover plate, which is fixed on the additional steel plate to prevent the test terminal from being corroded, impacted or damaged by external forces when not in the test state.

7. The lightning protection grounding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The grounding test terminal is located in a position that is easy to inspect and maintain, and the grounding test terminal part adopts a waterproof structure to ensure stable testing and good electrical connection even in humid environments or outdoor conditions.

8. The lightning protection grounding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple horizontal secondary reinforcement bars are arranged horizontally around the upper part of the main reinforcement bar, and are electrically connected to the main reinforcement bar and the main steel column respectively.

9. A lightning protection grounding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The connection between the main steel column and the main reinforcement bar and the steel cage is provided with an anti-corrosion coating.

10. A lightning protection grounding device according to claim 9, characterized in that, A removable protective layer is provided on the surface of the concrete foundation or on the outside of the lower structure of the main steel column to shield and protect the lightning protection grounding structure during daily use, and can be quickly removed when maintenance or testing is required.

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