Lightning protection system

Abstract

This system provides lightning protection that relays power from the commercial power supply to the load equipment while preventing lightning damage to the load equipment. [Solution] The lightning protection system comprises: a plug receptacle electrically connected to a commercial power source; a plug configured to be plugged in and out of the plug receptacle; an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) having a power receiving circuit, a power supply circuit, and a power supply circuit; a lightning detection device that detects thunderclouds based on electromagnetic waves associated with discharges from thunderclouds and operates on power supplied by the UPS; a plug-in / out device that operates on power supplied by the UPS and is configured to be plugged in and out of the plug receptacle; and a plug-in / out control device that operates on power supplied by the UPS and controls the plug-in / out device based on a detection signal output from the lightning detection device. The plug-in / out control device controls the plug-in / out device so that the plug is pulled out of the plug receptacle when the detection signal indicates the possibility of a lightning strike.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses technologies related to lightning protection systems.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies for preventing lightning damage caused by lightning surges to load devices (electrical equipment, electronic equipment, etc.) operating using commercial power have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a lightning arrester that connects a plug for commercial power connection and a socket for external device connection with a power line and a ground line and induces a lightning surge to the ground line is interchangeably connected between the power line and the ground line.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When using a lightning arrester, there was a problem that lightning damage caused by a lightning surge could not be prevented when the limiting voltage of the lightning arrester was higher than the withstand voltage of the protected device. Also, when using a lightning arrester, the lightning arrester deteriorates due to a lightning surge, so maintenance work of the lightning arrester is required, which has been a particular problem when installed in remote areas.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) One embodiment disclosed herein is a lightning protection system that relays power from a commercial power source to a load device while preventing lightning damage to the load device. This lightning protection system is an uninterruptible power supply having: a plug receptacle electrically connected to the commercial power source; a plug configured to be pluggable into the plug receptacle and electrically connected to the commercial power source when plugged into the plug receptacle; a power receiving circuit that receives power from the commercial power source via the plug; a power storage circuit that stores the power received by the power receiving circuit; and a power supply circuit that supplies power to the load device from the power receiving circuit during steady-state periods when power is supplied via the plug, and from the power storage circuit during power outages when power is not supplied via the plug. The system includes: a lightning detection device having a receiving circuit that receives electromagnetic waves associated with discharges from thunderclouds, and a detection circuit that detects thunderclouds based on the electromagnetic waves received by the receiving circuit, and which operates on power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply; a plug-in / out-of-way device operating on power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply, configured to allow the plug to be inserted into and removed from the plug receptacle; and a plug-in / out-of-way control device operating on power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply, which controls the plug-in / out-of-way device based on a detection signal output from the lightning detection device. The plug-in / out-of-way control device controls the plug-in / out-of-way device so that the plug is pulled out of the plug receptacle when the detection signal indicates the possibility of a lightning strike. With this form of lightning protection system, when the detection signal indicates the possibility of a lightning strike, the plug is pulled out of the plug receptacle, thereby preventing lightning damage to the load equipment due to lightning surges, while maintaining power supply to the load equipment by the uninterruptible power supply. Furthermore, even when the plug is unplugged from the plug receptacle, the uninterruptible power supply maintains power to the lightning detection device, plug removal device, and plug removal control device, allowing for automatic restoration when the possibility of a lightning strike has subsided.

[0007] (2) In the above-described lightning protection system, the plug-in / plug-out control device may control the plug-in / plug-out device so that the plug remains plugged into the plug receptacle when the detection signal does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike. This lightning protection system reduces the operating time during which power is supplied from the storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply to the load equipment, thereby reducing the storage capacity of the uninterruptible power supply and suppressing deterioration of the storage function of the uninterruptible power supply.

[0008] (3) In the above-described lightning protection system, the plug-in / plug-out control device may control the plug-in / plug-out device to keep the plug inserted into the plug receptacle when the detection signal does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike and it is necessary to store power in the energy storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply; or it may control the plug-in / plug-out device to keep the plug unplugged from the plug receptacle when the detection signal does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike and it is not necessary to store power in the energy storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply. With this lightning protection system, since there is a period in which the plug is unplugged from the plug receptacle even when the detection signal does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike, the possibility of being affected by lightning damage due to a lightning surge can be reduced when a lightning surge occurs despite the detection signal not indicating the possibility of a lightning strike.

[0009] The technologies disclosed herein can be implemented in various forms different from lightning protection systems. For example, the technologies disclosed herein can be implemented in the form of uninterruptible power supplies, lightning detection devices, plug-in / plug-out devices, plug-in / plug-out control devices, and lightning protection methods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a lightning protection system. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing a lightning protection system with the plug unplugged from the electrical outlet. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the attachment / detachment control process performed by the attachment / detachment control device. [Figure 4]This is a flowchart showing the attachment / detachment control process in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] A. First Embodiment Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the lightning protection system 10. The lightning protection system 10 relays power from the commercial power supply 800 to the load equipment 900 while preventing lightning damage to the load equipment 900. The load equipment 900 may be an electrical device or an electronic device. The load equipment 900 may be, for example, a measuring instrument installed in a remote area.

[0012] The lightning protection system 10 comprises an outlet 130, a plug 140, an uninterruptible power supply 200, a lightning detection device 300, a plug-in / plug-out control device 400, and a plug-in / plug-out device 500. Figure 1 shows the lightning protection system 10 with the plug 140 plugged into the outlet 130. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the lightning protection system 10 with the plug 140 unplugged from the outlet 130.

[0013] The outlet 130 of the lightning protection system 10 is a plug receptacle (connector) configured to accept the insertion of a plug 140. The outlet 130 is provided on the plug insertion / removal device 500. When the lightning protection system 10 is used, the outlet 130 is electrically connected to the commercial power supply 800. In this embodiment, the plug 110 is connected to the outlet 130 via a wiring cable 120. The outlet 130 is electrically connected to the commercial power supply 800 when the plug 110 is inserted into the outlet 810, which receives power from the commercial power supply 800.

[0014] The plug 140 of the lightning protection system 10 is a connector configured to be plugged in and out of the outlet 130. When plugged into the outlet 130, the plug 140 is electrically connected to the commercial power supply 800. The plug 140 is provided on the plug-in / plug-out device 500. In this embodiment, the outlet 160 is connected to the plug 140 via a wiring cable 150. The wiring cable 150 and the outlet 160 are provided on the plug-in / plug-out device 500.

[0015] The uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 200 of the lightning protection system 10 is a power supply unit also known as a UPS. The uninterruptible power supply 200 comprises a power receiving circuit 210, a power storage circuit 220, and a power supply circuit 230.

[0016] The power receiving circuit 210 of the uninterruptible power supply 200 receives power from the commercial power supply 800 via the plug 140. The power receiving circuit 210 is an electrical circuit including capacitors, coils, and resistors. In this embodiment, the power receiving circuit 210 is connected to the plug 170 via a wiring cable 180. The plug 170 is plugged into the outlet 160. As a result, when the plug 140 is plugged into the outlet 130, the power receiving circuit 210 receives power from the commercial power supply 800 via the plug 140. When the plug 140 is unplugged from the outlet 130, the power receiving circuit 210 cannot receive power from the commercial power supply 800.

[0017] The energy storage circuit 220 of the uninterruptible power supply 200 stores the power received by the power receiving circuit 210. The energy storage circuit 220 is an electrical circuit including a rectifier and a secondary battery. In this embodiment, the energy storage circuit 220 is equipped with a lithium-ion battery as the secondary battery.

[0018] The power supply circuit 230 of the uninterruptible power supply device 200 supplies power to the load device 900. The power supply circuit 230 is an electric circuit including an inverter, a bypass circuit, a switch, and the like. When power is supplied to the power receiving circuit 210 via the plug 140 during normal times, the power supply circuit 230 supplies power from the power receiving circuit 210 to the load device 900. When a power outage occurs and power is not supplied to the power receiving circuit 210 via the plug 140, the power supply circuit 230 supplies power from the power storage circuit 220 to the load device 900. In the present embodiment, the uninterruptible power supply device 200 includes a power outlet 240 and a power outlet 250 as connectors for outputting power from the power supply circuit 230.

[0019] The power outlet 240 of the uninterruptible power supply device 200 is a plug receptacle configured to receive the insertion of a plug 910 connected to the load device 900. In a state where the plug 910 is inserted into the power outlet 240, the power supply circuit 230 supplies power to the load device 900.

[0020] The power outlet 250 of the uninterruptible power supply device 200 is a plug receptacle into which a plug 260 for supplying power to the lightning detection device 300, the attachment / detachment control device 400, and the plug attachment / detachment device 500 is inserted. In a state where the plug 260 is inserted into the power outlet 250, the power supply circuit 230 supplies power to the lightning detection device 300, the attachment / detachment control device 400, and the plug attachment / detachment device 500 in the same manner as the power supply to the load device 900 via the power outlet 240.

[0021] The lightning detection device 300 of the lightning protection system 10 detects a thundercloud based on an electromagnetic wave accompanying the discharge by the thundercloud. The lightning detection device 300 operates with power supplied from the power supply circuit 230 of the uninterruptible power supply device 200. The lightning detection device 300 includes a receiving circuit 310 and a detection circuit 320. The receiving circuit 310 is an electronic circuit that receives an electromagnetic wave (about 500 kHz) accompanying the discharge by the thundercloud. The detection circuit 320 detects a thundercloud based on the electromagnetic wave received by the receiving circuit 310. In the present embodiment, the lightning detection device 300 can detect a thundercloud up to about 40 km away. The lightning detection device 300 outputs a detection signal S1 indicating the distance to the thundercloud to the attachment / detachment control device 400.

[0022] The plug detaching device 500 of the lightning protection system 10 is configured to be able to insert and remove the insertion plug 140 with respect to the socket 130. In the present embodiment, the plug detaching device 500 includes a motor driver 510, a traveling motor 520, a traveling unit 530, a pinion gear 540, and a rack gear 550.

[0023] The motor driver 510 of the plug detaching device 500 is an electronic device that controls the traveling motor 520. The motor driver 510 outputs a drive signal S3 for driving the traveling motor 520 based on the control signal S2 from the detaching control device 400. The motor driver 510 operates with the electric power supplied from the power supply circuit 230 of the uninterruptible power supply device 200.

[0024] The traveling motor 520 of the plug detaching device 500 is an electric motor that outputs rotational power based on the drive signal S3 from the motor driver 510. The traveling motor 520 is mounted on the traveling unit 530. The pinion gear 540 is provided on the output shaft 525 of the traveling motor 520. The pinion gear 540 meshes with the rack gear 550.

[0025] The traveling unit 530 of the plug detaching device 500 is configured to be able to reciprocate linearly along the rack gear 550 by the rotation of the pinion gear 540 due to the rotational power of the traveling motor 520. The insertion plug 140 is fixed to the traveling unit 530. By moving the traveling unit 530 in the direction approaching the socket 130, the insertion plug 140 is in a state of being inserted into the socket 130 (see FIG. 1). By moving the traveling unit 530 in the direction away from the socket 130, the insertion plug 140 is in a state of being pulled out from the socket 130 (see FIG. 2). In the state where the insertion plug 140 is pulled out from the socket 130, the insertion plug 140 is at a position leaving a physical distance from the socket 130 such that it is not affected by the lightning surge via the socket 130.

[0026] The plug-in / plug-out control device 400 of the lightning protection system 10 is an electronic device that controls the plug-in / plug-out device 500 based on the detection signal S1 output from the lightning detection device 300. In this embodiment, the plug-in / plug-out control device 400 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various interfaces. The plug-in / plug-out control device 400 operates on power supplied from the power supply circuit 230 of the uninterruptible power supply 200.

[0027] The plug-in / plug-out device 500 controls the plug-in / plug-out device 500 to the plugged-in state (Figure 1) when the detection signal S1 does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike. The plug-in / plug-out device 500 controls the plug-in / plug-out device 500 to the unplugged state (Figure 2) when the detection signal S1 indicates the possibility of a lightning strike when the detection signal S1 indicates the presence of a thundercloud within 20 km.

[0028] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the attachment / detachment control process performed by the attachment / detachment control device 400. The attachment / detachment control device 400 periodically performs the attachment / detachment control process shown in Figure 3.

[0029] After the attachment / detachment control device 400 starts the attachment / detachment control process shown in Figure 3, it receives a detection signal S1 from the lightning detection device 300 (step S100). Subsequently, the attachment / detachment control device 400 determines whether or not there is a possibility of a lightning strike based on the detection signal S1 (step S110). In this embodiment, the attachment / detachment control device 400 determines that there is a possibility of a lightning strike if the detection signal S1 indicates the presence of a thundercloud within 20 km.

[0030] If there is no possibility of a lightning strike (step S110: "NO"), the plug-in / plug-out device 400 controls the plug-in / plug-out device 500 so that the plug 140 is plugged into the outlet 130 (Figure 1) (step S120). After that, the plug-in / plug-out device 400 terminates the plug-in / plug-out control process shown in Figure 3.

[0031] If there is a possibility of a lightning strike (step S110: "YES"), the plug removal control device 400 controls the plug removal device 500 to pull the plug 140 out of the outlet 130 (Figure 2) (step S130). After that, the plug removal control device 400 terminates the plug removal control process shown in Figure 3.

[0032] According to the lightning protection system 10 of the first embodiment described above, when the detection signal S1 indicates the possibility of a lightning strike, the plug 140 is unplugged from the outlet 130 (Figure 2), thereby preventing lightning damage to the load equipment 900 due to lightning surges, while the uninterruptible power supply 200 maintains power supply to the load equipment 900. Furthermore, even when the plug 140 is unplugged from the outlet 130 (Figure 2), the uninterruptible power supply 200 maintains power supply to the lightning detection device 300, the plug removal device 500, and the plug removal control device 400, so that restoration can be performed automatically when the possibility of a lightning strike disappears.

[0033] Furthermore, if the detection signal S1 does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike, the plug-in / plug-out device 500 controls the plug-in device 500 so that the plug 140 is plugged into the outlet 130 (Figure 1) (step S120). This reduces the operating time during which power is supplied from the energy storage circuit 220 of the uninterruptible power supply 200 to the load equipment 900, thereby suppressing the energy storage capacity of the uninterruptible power supply 200 and preventing deterioration of the energy storage function of the uninterruptible power supply 200.

[0034] B. Second Embodiment The lightning protection system 10 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the operation of the detachable control device 400 is different.

[0035] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the attachment / detachment control process in the second embodiment. The attachment / detachment control device 400 periodically executes the attachment / detachment control process shown in Figure 4.

[0036] After the detachment control device 400 starts the detachment control process shown in Figure 4, it receives a detection signal S1 from the lightning detection device 300 (step S200). Subsequently, the detachment control device 400 determines whether or not there is a possibility of a lightning strike based on the detection signal S1 (step S210). In this embodiment, the detachment control device 400 determines that there is a possibility of a lightning strike if the detection signal S1 indicates the presence of a thundercloud within 20 km.

[0037] If there is no possibility of a lightning strike (step S210: "NO"), the detachment control device 400 determines whether or not energy storage is required in the energy storage circuit 220 of the uninterruptible power supply 200 (step S220). In this embodiment, the detachment control device 400 determines whether or not energy storage is required in the energy storage circuit 220 if the detached state (Figure 2) continues for a certain period of time or longer. In other embodiments, the detachment control device 400 may determine whether or not energy storage is required in the energy storage circuit 220 based on a signal indicating the energy storage status output from the detachment control device 400.

[0038] If energy storage is required (step S220: "YES"), the plug-in / plug-out device 400 controls the plug-in / plug-out device 500 so that the plug 140 is plugged into the outlet 130 (Figure 1) (step S230). After that, the plug-in / plug-out device 400 terminates the plug-in / plug-out control process shown in Figure 4.

[0039] If there is a possibility of a lightning strike (step S210: "YES"), or if power storage is not required (step S220: "NO"), the plug removal control device 400 controls the plug removal device 500 to unplug the plug 140 from the outlet 130 (Figure 2) (step S240). After that, the plug removal control device 400 terminates the plug removal control process shown in Figure 4.

[0040] According to the lightning protection system 10 of the second embodiment described above, similar to the first embodiment, when the detection signal S1 indicates the possibility of a lightning strike, the plug 140 is unplugged from the outlet 130 (Figure 2), thereby preventing lightning damage to the load equipment 900 due to lightning surges, while the uninterruptible power supply 200 maintains power supply to the load equipment 900. Furthermore, even when the plug 140 is unplugged from the outlet 130 (Figure 2), the uninterruptible power supply 200 maintains power supply to the lightning detection device 300, the plug removal device 500, and the plug removal control device 400, so that recovery can be performed automatically when the possibility of a lightning strike has disappeared.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the lightning protection system 10 of the second embodiment, even when the detection signal S1 does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike, there is a period during which the plug 140 is unplugged from the outlet 130 (Figure 2). Therefore, even if the detection signal S1 does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike, if a lightning surge occurs, the possibility of being damaged by lightning due to a lightning surge can be reduced.

[0042] C. Other Embodiments The technologies disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments, examples, and modifications described above. The technologies disclosed herein can be implemented in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. The technical features of the embodiments, examples, and modifications described above that correspond to the technical features of each form described in the summary of the invention may be substituted and combined in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, technical features not described as essential in this specification may be deleted as necessary.

[0043] For example, the plug-in / plug-out device 500 is not limited to a mechanism that moves only the plug 140, but may also be a mechanism that moves only the outlet 130, or a mechanism that moves both the outlet 130 and the plug 140.

[0044] Furthermore, the lightning protection system 10 may be a system that integrates two or more of the following devices into a single unit: an uninterruptible power supply 200, a lightning detection device 300, a plug / unplug control device 400, and a plug / unplug device 500. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 10…Lightning protection system 110... Plug 120...Wiring cable 130... Outlet 140... Plug 150…Wiring cable 160... Outlet 170... Plug 180...Wiring cable 200...Uninterruptible power supply 210... Power receiving circuit 220... Energy storage circuit 230... Power supply circuit 240… Outlet 250... Outlet 260... Plug 300... Lightning detection device 310... Receiving circuit 320...Detection circuit 400... Detachable control device 500... Plug removal / installation device 510...Motor driver 520... Driving motor 525... Output shaft 530... Running unit 540... Pinion gear 550... Rack Gear 800…Commercial power supply 810... Outlet 900... Load equipment 910... Plug S1...Detection signal S2…Control signal S3…Drive signal

Claims

1. A lightning protection system that relays power from the commercial power supply to the load equipment while preventing lightning damage to the load equipment, A plug receptacle electrically connected to the aforementioned commercial power supply, A plug configured to be removable from the plug receptacle, and electrically connected to the commercial power supply when inserted into the plug receptacle, An uninterruptible power supply having: a power receiving circuit that receives power from the commercial power source via the plug; a power storage circuit that stores the power received by the power receiving circuit; and a power supply circuit that supplies power to the load device from the power receiving circuit during normal times when power is supplied via the plug, and from the power storage circuit during power outages when power is not supplied via the plug. A lightning detection device having a receiving circuit that receives electromagnetic waves associated with discharges caused by thunderclouds, and a detection circuit that detects the thunderclouds based on the electromagnetic waves received by the receiving circuit, and operating on power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply, A plug-in / out device that operates using power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply and is configured to allow the plug to be inserted into and removed from the plug receptacle, A plug-in / plug-out control device that operates using power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply and controls the plug-in / plug-out device based on a detection signal output from the lightning detection device. Equipped with, The aforementioned plug removal control device controls the plug removal device so that the plug is removed from the plug receptacle when the detection signal indicates the possibility of a lightning strike, thus providing a lightning protection system.

2. A lightning protection system according to claim 1, The aforementioned plug-in / plug-out control device controls the plug-in / plug-out device so that the plug remains inserted into the plug receptacle when the detection signal does not indicate a possibility of a lightning strike, thus providing a lightning protection system.

3. A lightning protection system according to claim 1, The aforementioned detachment control device is If the detection signal does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike, and it is necessary to store power in the energy storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply, the plug-in / plug-out device is controlled to keep the plug inserted into the plug receptacle. A lightning protection system that controls the plug removal device to remove the plug from the plug receptacle when the detection signal does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike and there is no need to store power in the energy storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply.

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