Lightning protection system

Abstract

To provide a lightning protection system that relays power from a commercial power source to a load device while preventing lightning damage to the load device. [Solution] The lightning protection system comprises: a plug receptacle electrically connected to a commercial power source; an attachment plug configured to be inserted and removed from the plug receptacle; an uninterruptible power supply having a power receiving circuit, a power circuit, and a power supply circuit; a lightning detection device that detects thunderclouds based on electromagnetic waves accompanying discharges from the thunderclouds and operates on power supplied from the uninterruptible power supply; a plug removal device that operates on power supplied from the uninterruptible power supply and configured to allow the attachment plug to be inserted and removed from the plug receptacle; and a removal control device that operates on power supplied from the uninterruptible power supply and controls the plug removal device based on a detection signal output from the lightning detection device. When the detection signal indicates the possibility of a lightning strike, the removal control device controls the plug removal device so that the attachment plug is removed from the plug receptacle.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technique related to a lightning protection system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, techniques have been proposed for preventing lightning damage caused by lightning surges to load devices (electrical devices, electronic devices, etc.) that operate using commercial power sources. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for connecting a commercial power source plug and an external device connection outlet via a power line and a ground line, and for interchangeably connecting a lightning arrester that guides lightning surges to the ground line between the power line and the ground line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6362104 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using a lightning arrester, there is a problem that if the limiting voltage of the arrester is equal to or higher than the withstand voltage of the equipment to be protected, it cannot prevent lightning damage caused by a lightning surge. In addition, when using a lightning arrester, the arrester deteriorates due to a lightning surge, so maintenance work is required, which is particularly problematic when installing it in a remote area. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0006] (1) One embodiment disclosed in this specification 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 device having: a plug receptacle that is electrically connected to the commercial power source; an attachment plug that is configured to be inserted into and removed from the plug receptacle and is electrically connected to the commercial power source when inserted into the plug receptacle; a power receiving circuit that receives power from the commercial power source via the attachment 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 operation when power is supplied via the attachment plug, and from the power storage circuit during a power outage when power is not supplied via the attachment plug. The lightning detection device includes a receiving circuit for receiving electromagnetic waves associated with discharges from thunderclouds and a detection circuit for detecting the thunderclouds based on the electromagnetic waves received by the receiving circuit, and is operated by power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply; a plug attachment / detachment device that is operated by power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply and configured to be able to insert and remove the attachment plug into and from the plug receptacle; and a removal and attachment control device that is operated by power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply and controls the plug attachment / detachment device based on a detection signal output from the lightning detection device. When the detection signal indicates the possibility of a lightning strike, the removal and attachment control device controls the plug attachment / detachment device so that the attachment plug is pulled out of the plug receptacle. According to this form of lightning protection system, when the detection signal indicates the possibility of a lightning strike, the attachment plug is pulled out of the plug receptacle, thereby preventing lightning damage to the load device due to a lightning surge, while maintaining power supply to the load device by the uninterruptible power supply. In addition, even when the plug is pulled out of the plug socket, the uninterruptible power supply maintains the power supply to the lightning detection device, plug insertion / removal device, and insertion / removal control device, so that recovery can be performed automatically when the possibility of a lightning strike has disappeared.

[0007] (2) In the lightning protection system of the above embodiment, the attachment / detachment control device may control the plug attachment / detachment device to keep the attachment plug inserted in the plug socket when the detection signal does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike. According to this lightning protection system, the operating time during which power is supplied to a load device from the storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply can be reduced, thereby suppressing the storage capacity of the uninterruptible power supply and suppressing deterioration of the storage function of the uninterruptible power supply.

[0008] (3) In the lightning protection system of the above embodiment, the attachment / detachment control device may control the plug attachment / detachment device to insert the attachment plug into the plug receptacle when the detection signal does not indicate a possibility of a lightning strike and it is necessary to store power in the power storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply; and may control the plug attachment / detachment device to remove the attachment plug from the plug receptacle when the detection signal does not indicate a possibility of a lightning strike and it is not necessary to store power in the power storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply. According to this embodiment of the lightning protection system, a period is provided in which the attachment plug is removed from the plug receptacle even when the detection signal does not indicate a possibility of a lightning strike, so that when a lightning surge occurs even when the detection signal does not indicate a possibility of a lightning strike, the possibility of receiving lightning damage due to a lightning surge can be reduced.

[0009] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in various forms other than a lightning protection system, such as an uninterruptible power supply, a lightning detection device, a plug / unplug device, a plug / unplug control device, a lightning protection method, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a lightning protection system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the lightning protection system in a state where the attachment plug is pulled out from the outlet. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing an attachment / detachment control process executed by the attachment / detachment control device. [Figure 4]10 is a flowchart showing an attachment / detachment control process in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

[0012] The lightning protection system 10 includes an outlet 130, an attachment plug 140, an uninterruptible power supply 200, a lightning detection device 300, an attachment / detachment control device 400, and a plug attachment / detachment device 500. The lightning protection system 10 shown in Fig. 1 is in a state where the attachment plug 140 is inserted into the outlet 130. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the lightning protection system 10 in a state where the attachment plug 140 is removed from the outlet 130.

[0013] The outlet 130 of the lightning protection system 10 is a plug receptacle (connector) configured to be able to accept the insertion of the attachment plug 140. The outlet 130 is provided in the plug attachment device 500. When the lightning protection system 10 is used, the outlet 130 is electrically connected to a commercial power source 800. In this embodiment, an attachment plug 110 is connected to the outlet 130 via a distribution cable 120. The attachment plug 110 is inserted into the outlet 810, which receives power from the commercial power source 800, whereby the outlet 130 is electrically connected to the commercial power source 800.

[0014] The attachment plug 140 of the lightning protection system 10 is a connector configured to be insertable into and removable from the outlet 130. The attachment plug 140 is electrically connected to a commercial power source 800 while being inserted into the outlet 130. The attachment plug 140 is provided in a plug attachment / detachment device 500. In this embodiment, the attachment plug 140 is connected to an outlet 160 via a wiring cable 150. The wiring cable 150 and the outlet 160 are provided in the plug attachment / detachment device 500.

[0015] The uninterruptible power supply 200 of the lightning protection system 10 is a power supply device also called a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). The uninterruptible power supply 200 includes 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 source 800 via the attachment plug 140. The power receiving circuit 210 is an electric circuit including a capacitor, a coil, a resistor, and the like. In this embodiment, the power receiving circuit 210 is connected to the attachment plug 170 via a wiring cable 180. The attachment plug 170 is plugged into the outlet 160. As a result, when the attachment plug 140 is plugged into the outlet 130, the power receiving circuit 210 receives power from the commercial power source 800 via the attachment plug 140. When the attachment plug 140 is removed from the outlet 130, the power receiving circuit 210 cannot receive power from the commercial power source 800.

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

[0018] The power supply circuit 230 of the uninterruptible power supply 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. During a steady state in which power is supplied to the power receiving circuit 210 via the attachment plug 140, the power supply circuit 230 supplies power from the power receiving circuit 210 to the load device 900. During a power outage in which power is not supplied to the power receiving circuit 210 via the attachment plug 140, the power supply circuit 230 supplies power from the storage circuit 220 to the load device 900. In this embodiment, the uninterruptible power supply 200 includes an outlet 240 and an outlet 250 as connectors for outputting power from the power supply circuit 230.

[0019] The outlet 240 of the uninterruptible power supply 200 is a plug receptacle configured to be capable of receiving an attachment plug 910 connected to a load device 900. When the attachment plug 910 is inserted into the outlet 240, the power supply circuit 230 supplies power to the load device 900.

[0020] The outlet 250 of the uninterruptible power supply 200 is a plug receptacle into which an attachment plug 260 is inserted, which supplies power to the lightning detection device 300, the attachment / detachment control device 400, and the plug attachment / detachment device 500. When the attachment plug 260 is inserted into the 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 it supplies power to the load device 900 via the outlet 240.

[0021] The lightning detection device 300 of the lightning protection system 10 detects a thundercloud based on electromagnetic waves accompanying discharge by the thundercloud. The lightning detection device 300 operates with power supplied from the power supply circuit 230 of the uninterruptible power supply 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 electromagnetic waves (approximately 500 kHz) accompanying discharge by the thundercloud. The detection circuit 320 detects the thundercloud based on the electromagnetic waves received by the receiving circuit 310. In this embodiment, the lightning detection device 300 can detect a thundercloud up to approximately 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 attachment / detachment device 500 of the lightning protection system 10 is configured to enable the attachment plug 140 to be inserted into and removed from the outlet 130. In this embodiment, the plug attachment / detachment 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 attachment / detachment 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 a control signal S2 from the attachment / detachment control device 400. The motor driver 510 operates with power supplied from the power supply circuit 230 of the uninterruptible power supply 200.

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

[0025] The traveling unit 530 of the plug attachment / detachment device 500 is configured to be able to reciprocate on a straight line along the rack gear 550 as the pinion gear 540 rotates due to the rotational power of the traveling motor 520. The attachment plug 140 is fixed to the traveling unit 530. As the traveling unit 530 moves in a direction approaching the outlet 130, the attachment plug 140 is inserted into the outlet 130 (see FIG. 1). As the traveling unit 530 moves in a direction away from the outlet 130, the attachment plug 140 is pulled out from the outlet 130 (see FIG. 2). When the attachment plug 140 is pulled out from the outlet 130, the attachment plug 140 is located at a physical distance from the outlet 130 such that it is not affected by a lightning surge via the outlet 130.

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

[0027] When the detection signal S1 does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike, the attachment / detachment control device 400 controls the plug attachment / detachment device 500 to put the attachment plug 140 into the outlet 130 in an inserted state (FIG. 1). When the detection signal S1 indicates the possibility of a lightning strike, the attachment / detachment control device 400 controls the plug attachment / detachment device 500 to put the attachment plug 140 into the outlet 130 in an unplugged state (FIG. 2). In this embodiment, when the detection signal S1 indicates the presence of thunderclouds within 20 km, the attachment / detachment control device 400 determines that there is a possibility of a lightning strike.

[0028] 3 is a flowchart showing the attachment / detachment control process executed by the attachment / detachment control device 400. The attachment / detachment control device 400 periodically executes the attachment / detachment control process of FIG.

[0029] 3, the attachment / detachment control device 400 receives a detection signal S1 from the lightning detection device 300 (step S100). Then, the attachment / detachment control device 400 determines whether 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 when 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 attachment / detachment control device 400 controls the plug attachment / detachment device 500 to put the attachment plug 140 into the outlet 130 (step S120) (FIG. 1). After that, the attachment / detachment control device 400 ends the attachment / detachment control process of FIG. 3.

[0031] If there is a possibility of a lightning strike (step S110: "YES"), the attachment / detachment control device 400 controls the plug attachment / detachment device 500 to bring the attachment plug 140 into a pulled-out state (FIG. 2) in which it is pulled out from the outlet 130 (step S130). Thereafter, the attachment / detachment control device 400 ends the attachment / detachment control process of FIG. 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 attachment plug 140 is pulled out from the outlet 130 (FIG. 2), thereby preventing lightning damage due to a lightning surge to the load device 900, while the uninterruptible power supply 200 maintains the power supply to the load device 900. Even in the pulled out state (FIG. 2) in which the attachment plug 140 is pulled out from the outlet 130, the power supply to the lightning detection device 300, the plug attachment / detachment device 500, and the attachment / detachment control device 400 is maintained by the uninterruptible power supply 200, so that restoration can be automatically performed when the possibility of a lightning strike disappears.

[0033] Furthermore, when the detection signal S1 does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike, the attachment / detachment control device 400 controls the plug attachment / detachment device 500 to put the attachment plug 140 into the outlet 130 in the plugged-in state (FIG. 1) (step S120). This reduces the operating time during which power is supplied from the storage circuit 220 of the uninterruptible power supply 200 to the load device 900, thereby reducing the storage capacity of the uninterruptible power supply 200 and suppressing deterioration of the storage function of the uninterruptible power supply 200.

[0034] B. Second embodiment The lightning protection system 10 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the operation of the attachment / detachment control device 400 is different.

[0035] 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 in FIG.

[0036] After starting the detachment control process of Fig. 4, the detachment control device 400 receives a detection signal S1 from the lightning detection device 300 (step S200). After that, the detachment control device 400 judges whether there is a possibility of a lightning strike based on the detection signal S1 (step S210). In this embodiment, the detachment control device 400 judges that there is a possibility of a lightning strike when 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 attachment / detachment control device 400 determines whether or not power storage is required in the power storage circuit 220 of the uninterruptible power supply 200 (step S220). In this embodiment, the attachment / detachment control device 400 determines that power storage is required in the power storage circuit 220 when the unplugged state (FIG. 2) continues for a certain period of time or more. In other embodiments, the attachment / detachment control device 400 may determine whether or not power storage is required in the power storage circuit 220 based on a signal indicating the power storage state output from the attachment / detachment control device 400.

[0038] If power storage is required (step S220: "YES"), the attachment / detachment control device 400 controls the plug attachment / detachment device 500 to put the attachment plug 140 into the outlet 130 (step S230) (FIG. 1). After that, the attachment / detachment control device 400 ends the attachment / detachment control process of FIG. 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 attachment / detachment control device 400 controls the plug attachment / detachment device 500 to bring the attachment plug 140 into a pulled-out state (FIG. 2) in which it is pulled out from the outlet 130 (step S240). Thereafter, the attachment / detachment control device 400 ends the attachment / detachment control process of FIG. 4.

[0040] According to the lightning protection system 10 of the second embodiment described above, as in the first embodiment, when the detection signal S1 indicates the possibility of a lightning strike, the attachment plug 140 is pulled out from the outlet 130 (FIG. 2), thereby preventing lightning damage due to a lightning surge to the load device 900, while the uninterruptible power supply 200 maintains the power supply to the load device 900. Even in the pulled out state (FIG. 2) in which the attachment plug 140 is pulled out from the outlet 130, the power supply to the lightning detection device 300, the plug attachment / detachment device 500, and the attachment / detachment control device 400 is maintained by the uninterruptible power supply 200, so that restoration can be automatically performed when the possibility of a lightning strike disappears.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the lightning protection system 10, a period is provided during which the plug 140 is pulled out from the outlet 130 (Figure 2) even when the detection signal S1 does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike, thereby reducing the possibility of lightning damage caused by a lightning surge in the event that a lightning surge occurs even though the detection signal S1 does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike.

[0042] C. Other Embodiments The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, example, and modification. The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. Among the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiment, example, and modification, those corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the Summary of the Invention column can be replaced and combined to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. In addition, technical features that are not described as essential in this specification can be deleted as necessary.

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

[0044] Furthermore, the lightning protection system 10 may be a system configured by integrating two or more devices selected from the uninterruptible power supply 200, the lightning detection device 300, the attachment / detachment control device 400, and the plug attachment / detachment device 500 into an integrated device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10. Lightning protection system 110…plug 120…Distribution cable 130…Outlet 140…Attachment plug 150…Distribution cable 160…Outlet 170…Plug 180…Distribution cable 200...Uninterruptible power supply 210…Receiving circuit 220…Storage circuit 230…Power supply circuit 240…Outlet 250…Outlet 260…plug 300...Lightning detection device 310...Receiving circuit 320…Detection circuit 400...Detachment control device 500...Plug removal device 510...Motor driver 520...Traction motor 525…Output shaft 530…Travel 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 a commercial power source to a load device while preventing lightning damage to the load device, a plug receptacle electrically connected to the commercial power source; an attachment plug configured to be inserted into and removed from the plug receptacle and electrically connected to the commercial power source when inserted into the plug receptacle; an uninterruptible power supply device including 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 operation when power is supplied via the plug, and from the power storage circuit during a power outage when power is not supplied via the plug; a lightning detection device that includes a receiving circuit for receiving electromagnetic waves associated with discharges from thunderclouds and a detection circuit for detecting the thunderclouds based on the electromagnetic waves received by the receiving circuit, the lightning detection device operating on power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply; a plug attachment / detachment device that operates with power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply device and is configured to be able to insert and remove the attachment plug into and from the plug socket; a plug / unplug control device that operates with power supplied from the power supply circuit of the uninterruptible power supply device and controls the plug / unplug device based on a detection signal output from the lightning detection device; Equipped with The lightning protection system further comprises a plug attachment / detachment control device that controls the plug attachment / detachment device so that the attachment plug is pulled out from the plug socket when the detection signal indicates a possibility of a lightning strike.

2. 2. The lightning protection system of claim 1, The lightning protection system further comprises a plug attachment / detachment control device that controls the plug attachment / detachment device so that the attachment plug is kept inserted into the plug socket when the detection signal does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike.

3. 2. The lightning protection system of claim 1, The detachment control device includes: When the detection signal does not indicate the possibility of a lightning strike and when it is necessary to store power in the power storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply device, the plug attachment / detachment device is controlled so that the attachment plug is inserted into the plug socket; A lightning protection system that controls the plug attachment / detachment device so that the attachment plug is pulled out 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 storage circuit of the uninterruptible power supply.

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