Adaptive AC/DC Surge Protection with Lightning Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surge protection devices are ineffective during lightning strikes due to ground potential rise, which can lead to equipment damage despite being designed to discharge energy to ground, and they fail to address voltage fluctuations and wiring faults effectively.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive AC/DC surge protection system that includes a lightning detection module, voltage detection circuit, wiring diagnostic circuit, and a disconnect circuit to preemptively disconnect equipment from power lines during lightning detection, overvoltage, or undervoltage conditions, and can re-establish power if no lightning is detected within a threshold distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surge protection devices discharge energy to ground, then they can protect equipment from voltage spikes, but they become ineffective during lightning strikes due to ground potential rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of lightning activity and preemptively disconnects the load from power lines before a surge can occur. The lightning detection module continuously monitors for lightning strikes within a threshold distance, and when detected, the disconnect circuit opens the circuit connection between the electric source and electric load in advance, preventing the harmful effect of ground potential rise from affecting protected equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a lightning detection module and disconnect circuit that mediates between the electric source and the protected load. This intermediary layer detects lightning conditions and controls the circuit connection state, acting as a protective barrier that prevents direct exposure of equipment to surge damage during lightning events.
2Reliability
If the system preemptively disconnects equipment during lightning detection, then protection effectiveness improves, but power supply continuity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the lightning detection module continuously monitors lightning activity and provides real-time information to the disconnect circuit. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the circuit connection state - disconnecting when lightning is detected within the threshold distance and reconnecting when the threat subsides, thereby optimizing both protection and power continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit connection state is made dynamic rather than static. The disconnect circuit can transition between connected and disconnected states based on real-time lightning detection conditions. This dynamic control allows the system to provide protection only when necessary, minimizing disruption to power supply continuity while maintaining equipment safety.
3Reliability
If the system monitors for multiple conditions (lightning, overvoltage, undervoltage), then comprehensive protection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect circuit serves multiple functions: it responds to lightning detection, overvoltage conditions, and undervoltage conditions through a unified control mechanism. The wiring diagnostic circuit also performs multiple diagnostic functions including detecting wiring faults, open conductors, and reverse polarity conditions. This multi-functionality approach consolidates protection capabilities without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions into an integrated system where the lightning detection module, voltage detection circuit, and wiring diagnostic circuit work together through a common disconnect circuit. This merging of functions allows comprehensive protection against multiple threat types while sharing control infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity compared to separate independent protection systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for adaptive surge protection are disclosed. An example method comprises providing load voltage to the electric load by regulating a source voltage with a surge protection device; monitoring, via a voltage detection circuit, the source voltage from an electric source, and determining, via a wiring diagnostic circuit, whether a wiring fault is detected; monitoring, via a lightning detection circuit, for the presence of lightning within a threshold distance of the surge protection device; and breaking, with a switching device, a circuit connection to stop providing the load voltage to the electric load in response to detecting at least one of: a presence of the wiring fault, the presence of lightning within the threshold distance, an overvoltage at the source voltage; or an undervoltage at the electric source.