Incipient lightning detection and device protection
US5291208A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/22
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for continuously and automatically protecting an electrical device (22) from a potential threat of damaging voltage levels. The apparatus includes a detector (24) for the threat and a protection switching circuit (30) for grounding the electrical device and the detector upon detection. Grounding occurs for a predetermined time interval, after which the detector is again automatically re-activated. Embodiments of detectors include detectors which detect the degree of electrical changes in a surrounding field and detectors comprising a tuned radio receiver. One embodiment includes a device utilization monitor (222) and a detector disable circuit (224) for disabling the detector, and thereby precluding grounding, while a device such as a radio frequency transmitter is being utilized.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.