Portable Lightning Base Assembly for Non-Penetrating Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable and high-value assets such as buildings, airfields, and military command posts lack effective lightning protection systems that can be quickly and easily anchored in place, as conventional systems are not suited for temporary or hard-to-anchor locations.
Innovation Solution
A portable lightning protection system base assembly featuring a hexagonal outer structure, triangular inner structure, radially extending beams, angled support members, and a hingeable mast section, utilizing quick connect/disconnect fasteners and water-ballast bricks for secure anchoring without ground penetration, allowing for rapid deployment on various surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lightning protection systems are used, then grounding capability is improved, but ease of installation and portability deteriorate due to requirement of ground penetration and anchoring
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is divided into modular components including outer horizontal members, inner horizontal members, vertical members, and support brackets that can be independently assembled and disconnected. This segmentation enables rapid deployment without ground penetration while maintaining structural integrity for reliable lightning protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The base assembly serves as an intermediary structure between the lightning protection system and the ground surface. Instead of directly penetrating the ground, the system uses the base assembly with ballast members to achieve stable positioning and effective grounding through surface placement and modular configuration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If ground penetration anchoring is used, then stability against high winds is improved, but ease of installation and applicability to various surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Ballast members are used to provide counterweight and stabilize the base assembly against high winds and environmental forces. These weights compensate for the lack of ground penetration anchoring, enabling the system to achieve sufficient stability through mass and configuration rather than mechanical anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The base assembly design with modular components and ballast members enables universal application across various surfaces including concrete, asphalt, and other hard surfaces without requiring ground penetration. The same structure adapts to different locations by adjusting ballast placement and configuration.
3Ease of operation
If modular quick-connect components are used, then ease of installation and portability is improved, but structural strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are pre-configured with standardized connection interfaces and attachment mechanisms that ensure proper alignment and secure joining during rapid assembly. This preliminary design of connection points maintains structural integrity while enabling quick installation without compromising strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The base assembly utilizes composite construction with multiple materials including metal members for structural strength and ballast materials for stability. This composite approach ensures that even with quick-connect modular components, the overall structure achieves the necessary strength and durability for lightning protection applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A base assembly for a portable lightning protection system. The base assembly may include an outer base structure, and a plurality of outer horizontal beams attached to one another in an end to end configuration forming a generally closed outer base structure; an inner base structure, the inner base structure may include a plurality of inner horizontal support brackets attached in an end to end configuration forming a generally closed inner base structure, wherein the inner base structure may be formed about a central connection point of the base assembly; radially extending inner horizontal beams each having a first end attachable to a corner region of the outer base structure formed where corresponding ends of two of the plurality of outer horizontal members are attached together, and a second end attachable to one of the central connection point of the base assembly or to one of the inner horizontal support brackets of the inner base structure; and a plurality of angled support members each having a first end attachable to one of the radially extending inner horizontal beams and a second end attachable to a base mast section attachable to the base assembly.