Overlapping Conductive Mesh for NEMP Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electromagnetic shielding technologies are inadequate for protecting critical equipment in nuclear power plants from nuclear electromagnetic pulses (NEMP) and high-altitude electromagnetic pulses (HEMP), as they fail to provide sufficient attenuation and are not suitable for retrospective installation in existing buildings.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves creating a high-frequency-dense, homogeneously conductive shielding using overlapping and conductively connected electrically conductive mesh or grid sections, with adjacent sections folded in a hook-shaped manner to ensure a stable electrical connection, and embedded in a hardening layer like plaster or epoxy resin, utilizing materials like copper or stainless steel, and reinforced with staples for mechanical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional electromagnetic shielding panels are used, then electromagnetic radiation from radio signals can be blocked, but the shielding is ineffective against nuclear electromagnetic pulses (NEMP) and high-altitude electromagnetic pulses (HEMP)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding effectiveness against NEMP/HEMPVSAvoidsurvival of electronic components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding is divided into multiple overlapping mesh or grid sections that are arranged in layers. Each section contributes to the overall shielding effect, and the segmented structure allows for better distribution of induced currents, enhancing protection against NEMP and HEMP while maintaining reliability of electronic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite structures combining mesh or grid sections with conductive coatings or treatments. This composite approach creates a multi-layered shielding system that provides superior attenuation of high-amplitude electromagnetic pulses compared to conventional single-material shields, ensuring electronic component survival.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If mesh sections are connected in overlapping areas, then electrical conductivity can be maintained, but the connection quality is insufficient and shielding effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection qualityVSAvoidshielding effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Adjacent mesh or grid sections are overlapped and bonded together to form a continuous conductive surface. The overlapping areas are merged through conductive adhesives or welding, eliminating gaps and ensuring uniform electrical conductivity across the entire shielding structure, which maintains both connection quality and shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Conductive adhesives or intermediary materials are used in the overlapping areas to bond mesh sections together. These intermediary substances ensure reliable electrical contact between sections while maintaining the structural integrity of the shielding, resolving the connection quality issue without compromising shielding performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid braided sections are used for shielding, then structural stability is improved, but material consumption increases and cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs flexible mesh or grid sections instead of rigid braided structures. These thin-film-like mesh sections provide sufficient structural stability when installed in overlapping layers, while consuming significantly less material than rigid alternatives, thereby reducing both material consumption and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding transitions from three-dimensional rigid braided sections to two-dimensional mesh or grid sections arranged in overlapping layers. This dimensional change maintains structural stability through the layered configuration while reducing material consumption, as the mesh structure requires less material volume to achieve the same shielding effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If complex panel arrangements are used to adapt to local conditions, then shielding can be customized, but the construction becomes more complex and electrical connections are difficult to inspect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization to local conditionsVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding is divided into standardized mesh or grid sections that can be easily cut, shaped, and installed to adapt to various local conditions. This segmentation allows customization without requiring complex assembly procedures, and the simple modular structure makes electrical connections visible and inspectable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating complex custom-shaped panels, the invention uses simple rectangular or square mesh sections that are adapted to local conditions through straightforward cutting and overlapping installation. This inverted approach simplifies construction while maintaining adaptability, and keeps electrical connections accessible for inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This approach achieves significant attenuation of electromagnetic pulses, ensuring the protection of electronic components and allowing for retrofitting of existing buildings by forming a quasi-homogeneous network that short-circuits induced currents, effectively safeguarding against NEMP and HEMP.

Implementation Method 1

which forms a high-frequency-dense and homogeneously conductive shielding made up of individual pieces, in which the induced currents are short-circuited

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

electromagnetic shielding for a room or a building, which causes high attenuation over wide frequency ranges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP1725088B1EMI schielding
Publication Date: 2011.03.30 KESSEL WOLFGANG
  • EP1725088B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1725088B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP1725088B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The electromagnetic shielding arrangement comprises overlapping electrically conducting braiding or grid sections that are electrically conductively connected together and that are electrically connected to earth potential. The braiding or grid sections overlap over their entire length.