Universal Point Mount for Non-Penetrating Lightning Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lightning protection systems for buildings face challenges in securing lightning arresters due to varying building materials and architectural complexities, often leading to damage from insufficiently robust connections and inadequate current conduction, especially when installed retroactively.
Innovation Solution
A non-penetrating anchor system with a base plate and stud, featuring an adhesive pad for securement to building surfaces, and a stud for mounting brackets, allowing orientation of lightning arrester points and cables without penetrating protective coverings, ensuring a larger cross-sectional area for current conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional fasteners are used to secure lightning arresters to building surfaces, then the connection strength is improved, but the protective coverings, plates, caps, sheeting, and flashing of the building are damaged, penetrated, or compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-penetrating anchor system as an intermediary between the lightning arrester and the building surface. This system uses adhesive pads and mounting brackets that attach to the surface without penetrating it, thereby mediating the connection while preserving the integrity of protective coverings. The anchor distributes mechanical loads across a larger area of the underlying structure without requiring holes or penetrations through the protective layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a penetrating connection method (fasteners going through the surface) to a non-penetrating method that distributes force across a two-dimensional area. The mounting bracket and adhesive pad create a distributed attachment system that spreads the connection strength requirement across multiple attachment points and a larger surface area, eliminating the need for penetration while maintaining connection integrity.
2Device complexity
If small cross-sectional area fasteners are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the current conduction capability during lightning strikes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket and anchor system serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical support for the lightning arrester, distribute mechanical loads to the building structure, and maintain electrical continuity for current conduction. By integrating these multiple functions into a single mounting system, the patent achieves reliable current conduction without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mechanical mounting function and the electrical conduction function into a single integrated anchor system. The mounting bracket and associated hardware simultaneously fulfill both structural support requirements and electrical pathway requirements, merging what would traditionally be separate components into one unified solution that addresses both concerns without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If retroactive lightning protection installation is performed, then existing buildings gain protection, but the architectural features and protective coverings are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The non-penetrating anchor system acts as an intermediary that enables retroactive installation of lightning protection without direct contact or penetration of architectural features. The adhesive pad and mounting bracket interface between the lightning arrester and the building surface, allowing installation while preserving the original architectural composition and protective coverings intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive pad functions as a thin film or flexible interface layer that bonds the mounting bracket to the building surface without penetration. This thin film approach allows the system to conform to various surface geometries while maintaining the integrity of underlying architectural features and protective coverings, enabling retroactive installation without structural compromise.
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 provides secure, non-invasive lightning protection by distributing load over a larger area, minimizing damage to building structures and enhancing current carrying capacity while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
featuring an adhesive pad for securement to building surfaces
Implementation Method 2
ensuring a larger cross-sectional area for current conduction
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor for lightning protection systems includes a base and pad that extend over a sufficient area and a sufficient bearing length to hold in shear and in tension against the weight, shear force, and moment of cables, points, and other components of a lightning protection systems. A universal point mount may be forged to optimize cross sectional area and contact surface area throughout the mounting system. Drilled and tapped to receive a point oriented arbitrarily, the head mounts easily on a horizontal or vertical mounting surface. Apertures and fasteners provide arbitrary positioning of a point at any necessary orientation.