EMP Power Line Detection Circuits for E1 E2 and E3 Disturbances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies are inadequate in detecting brief conducted electromagnetic disturbances associated with EMPs, such as those during the E1 and E2 phases, and sustained disturbances associated with E3 phases, which can cause voltage or current fluctuations in electrically conductive wires, traces, or circuits.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a system with distributed protection circuitry and detection circuits that continuously monitor input power lines for sustained level disturbances (E3 phase) and pulse electromagnetic disturbances (E1 and E2 phases). The system includes power conditioning circuits, sustained level detection circuits, pulse detection circuits, and alarm circuits that generate visual, audible, and discrete indication signals upon detection of disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power line monitors are used to test incoming power line connections, then steady-state voltage levels can be detected, but very brief conducted electromagnetic disturbances such as E1 and E2 phase pulses cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple specialized detection circuits: a first detection circuit for E1 phase disturbances with nanosecond response, a second detection circuit for E2 phase disturbances with microsecond response, and a third detection circuit for E3 phase disturbances with second-to-hour response. Each circuit is optimized for specific duration ranges, allowing the system to detect disturbances across all three phases of EMP that a single power line monitor cannot detect.
2Measurement precision
If artificial intelligence and sophisticated signal processing are used to detect EMP occurrence, then detection accuracy can be improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and separates the detection functions for different EMP phases into distinct, dedicated detection circuits rather than using a single complex AI-based system. Each detection circuit is designed with specific components (capacitors, resistors, comparators, timers) tuned to detect particular pulse durations, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high detection accuracy for each phase type.
3Reliability
If distributed protection circuitry and multiple detection circuits are implemented, then comprehensive detection coverage for all EMP phases is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system incorporates a disturbance detection output that serves multiple functions: it can trigger visual alarms, audible alarms, and control power disconnect switches. This multi-functional output design allows a single detection system to provide comprehensive protection through various response mechanisms, reducing the need for separate systems for each function while maintaining high reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively detects complex, time-variant conducted and radiated disturbances associated with EMPs and solar storms, providing early warning through visual and audible alarms and enabling automatic disconnection or rerouting of electrical power to protect sensitive electronics.
Implementation Method 1
detecting sustained electrical disturbances associated with an E3 phase of at least one of an electromagnetic pulse and a solar storm
Implementation Method 2
detecting transient electromagnetic pulse disturbances associated with E1 and E2 phases
Implementation Method 3
generating a visual alarm, an audible alarm, and a discrete indication signal in response to the detection of the disturbance
Implementation Method 4
power conditioning circuit that converts incoming electrical power to electrical power with characteristics more readily used by the apparatus's electronics
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus detects complex time-variant electromagnetic disturbances resulting from a high-altitude nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) or solar storm. The device relies on a circuit (104, 1301) to monitor the input power lines (301, 401, 501) for sustained conducted electrical disturbances associated with the E3 phase of an EMP or solar storm. A separate circuit (105, 1302) monitors the power lines and the ambient environment (503) for transient electromagnetic pulse disturbances associated with the E1 and E2 phases of an EMP. A housing (901, 902) has a pair of AC mains wall plug prongs (905) extending from a side. When sustained electrical disturbances or transient electromagnetic pulse disturbances are detected, the apparatus provides a visual alarm (603, 609), audible alarm (608), and discrete indication signal (607) that can be used to disconnect (702) or redirect the flow of electrical power.