EMP Protection Connector With Faraday Cage for Coupled Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting electronic devices from electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) are expensive, bulky, and often designed for single devices, failing to provide effective protection for coupled elements like radios and antennas, and are not easily implementable across various devices.
Innovation Solution
A connector apparatus and system that includes a housing with a signal wire, grounding wire, and suppression elements like metal oxide varistors (MOVs) and a choke coil, coupled with a casing forming a Faraday cage, to protect electronic devices and their external elements from EMPs, allowing for easy implementation across different devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing EMP protection solutions are implemented, then electronic devices are protected against EMP damage, but the solutions are expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connector as an intermediary component between the electronic device and external elements (antenna, microphone). This connector contains suppression elements (metal oxide varistors, choke coils) that provide EMP protection without requiring modification of the electronic device itself. The connector acts as a mediator that protects the device while maintaining simplicity and low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The EMP protection function is segmented from the electronic device and placed in a separate connector component. This allows the protection mechanism to be independent, modular, and easily replaceable. The suppression elements are contained within the connector housing, separating the protection function from the device itself, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the device.
2Reliability
If existing EMP protection solutions are designed for single devices, then those specific devices are protected, but protection is not provided for coupled elements like radios and antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with universal adaptability to work with multiple types of electronic devices (radios, antennas, microphones, speakers). The suppression elements within the connector provide EMP protection for the entire coupled system, not just a single device. This multi-functional design allows one connector to protect various combinations of devices, greatly enhancing versatility and protection coverage.
3Reliability
If internally hardened electronic device designs are used, then EMP protection is built-in, but the designs are one-off and not easily implemented across various devices
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of hardening each electronic device internally (which requires custom design and manufacturing for each device), the patent uses a connector as an intermediary that provides protection externally. This approach is easier to manufacture and implement because the connector is a standardized component that can be attached to various devices without modifying their internal circuitry. The suppression elements are pre-assembled in the connector, simplifying the protection implementation process.
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 solution provides cost-effective and simple protection for electronic devices and their components against EMPs, enabling communication systems to survive EMP attacks, with the ability to retrofit existing devices and offer wide-range compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
at least one suppression element coupleable to at least one of the signal wire and the grounding wire. The at least one suppression element may be coupled between the signal wire and the grounding wire within the housing. The at least one suppression element comprises at least one metal oxide varistor (MOV).
Implementation Method 2
The connector apparatus may include a choke coil coupleable to the signal wire within the housing.
Implementation Method 3
a casing configured to surround at least a portion of an electronic device to protect the device against the effect of one or more EMPs
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for protection against the effects of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). A system for protecting against an EMP may include an electronic device, a conductive element, and a connector apparatus coupleable between the electronic device and the conductive element. The conductive element may include a housing having a first end and a second end, the first end coupleable to the electronic device and the second end coupleable to the conductive element, a signal wire extending at least partially through the housing which conveys at least one signal between the first end and the second end, a grounding wire coupleable to the signal wire, and at least one suppression element coupleable to at least one of the signal wire and the grounding wire. A casing may receive at least a portion of the electronic device.