Patent US2560397A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4276576A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4276576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lightning activated relay
Assignee: Global Atmospherics Inc
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Filing: 1978-12-27
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Granted: 1981-06-30
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Expires: 1998-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A lightning activated relay utilizes an electric or magnetic field responsive detector for determining the presence of atmospheric conditions potentially capable of producing lightning or for detecting the occurrence of lightning within a predetermined range. Switching circuitry responsive to the detector is provided for isolating electrical equipment from the electric power mains and isolating or grounding communications or other equipment susceptible to lightning damage when such conditions are detected or upon the occurrence of a temporary power interruption.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin A. Uman
- 👤 Ronald B. Standler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:25
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/20; H02H3/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A lightning protection system usable for protecting equipment operated from an electrical power source upon the occurrence of atmospheric conditions likely to produce lightning comprising: means for detecting the field produced by electrical storms; switching means having a first condition of operation wherein said equipment is in an operational condition and a second condition of operation wherein said equipment is in a protected condition, said switching means being responsive to said detecting means for placing said electrical equipment in said protected condition upon the detection of said field; and means operatively coupled to said electrical power source and to said switching means for rendering said switching means operative to place said electrical equipment into said protected condition upon the occurrence of an interruption in the power provided by said electrical power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A lightning protection system usable for protecting equipment operated from an electrical power source upon the occurrence of atmospheric conditions likely to produce lightning comprising: means for detecting the field produced by electrical storms; switching means having a first condition of operation wherein said equipment is in an operational condition and a second condition of operation wherein said equipment is in a protected condition, said switching means being responsive to said detecting means for placing said electrical equipment in said protected condition upon the detection of said field; and means operatively coupled to said electrical power source and to said switching means for rendering said switching means operative to place said electrical equipment into said protected condition upon the occurrence of an interruption in the power provided by said electrical power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 1 further including timing means operatively coupled to said switching means for altering the condition of operation of said switching means from said second condition of operation to said first condition of operation after the passage of a predetermined time interval following the occurrence of said atmospheric condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 2 wherein said predetermined time interval is on the order of approximately 20 minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 1 wherein said power source is an alternating current power main.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 4 wherein said interruption is a temporary interruption.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 1 wherein said field is an electric field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 6 wherein said electric field is an electric field produced by a lightning discharge occurring within approximately 20 kilometers of said detecting means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of protecting electrical equipment operated from electrical mains from damage by lightning comprising the steps of: detecting the field produced by an electrical storm; monitoring the electrical mains; and isolating or grounding the electrical equipment upon the detection of said field, or upon an interruption in the power provided by the electrical mains.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of protecting electrical equipment operated from electrical mains from damage by lightning comprising the steps of: detecting the field produced by an electrical storm; monitoring the electrical mains; and isolating or grounding the electrical equipment upon the detection of said field, or upon an interruption in the power provided by the electrical mains.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined time interval is approximately 20 minutes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method recited in claim 1 further including the step of monitoring the electrical mains and isolating or grounding said electrical equipment for said predetermined time interval following a temporary interruption in the power provided by the electrical mains.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method recited in claim 9 wherein the step of detecting the field includes the step of detecting the field produced by a lightning discharge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method recited in claim 11 wherein the step of detecting the field produced by a lightning discharge includes the step of detecting the electric field produced by the discharge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 6 wherein said electric field detecting means includes means for detecting an electric field having a frequency of approximately 6 kHz.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 13 wherein said electric field detecting means includes a bandpass filter having a center frequency of approximately 6 kHz.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 6 wherein said electric field detecting means includes means for detecting a static electric field.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 1 wherein said field detecting means includes means for detecting a magnetic field.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 16 wherein said magnetic field detecting means includes means for detecting a magnetic field having a frequency of approximately 6 kHz.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 17 wherein said magnetic field detecting means includes a bandpass filter having a center frequency of approximately 6 kHz.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 12 wherein the step of detecting the electric field includes the step of detecting the electric field having a frequency of approximately 6 kHz.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 12 wherein the step of detecting the electric field includes the step of detecting the static electric field.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method recited in claim 11 wherein the step of detecting the field produced by a lightning discharge includes the step of detecting the magnetic field produced by the discharge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method recited in claim 21 wherein the step of detecting the magnetic field includes the step of detecting the magnetic field having a frequency of approximately 6 kHz.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
144 words
A lightning protection system usable for protecting equipment operated from an electrical power source upon the occurrence of atmospheric conditions likely to produce lightning comprising: means for detecting a field having a frequency of approximately 6 kHz produced by electrical storms; switching means having a first condition of operation wherein said equipment is in an operational condition and a second condition of operation wherein said equipment is in a protected condition, said switching means being responsive to said detecting means for placing said electrical equipment in said protected condition upon the detection of said field; and timing means operatively coupled to said switching means for altering the condition of operation of said switching means from said second condition of operation to said first condition of operation after the passage of a predetermined time interval of several minutes following the latest detection of said field.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
144 words
A lightning protection system usable for protecting equipment operated from an electrical power source upon the occurrence of atmospheric conditions likely to produce lightning comprising: means for detecting a field having a frequency of approximately 6 kHz produced by electrical storms; switching means having a first condition of operation wherein said equipment is in an operational condition and a second condition of operation wherein said equipment is in a protected condition, said switching means being responsive to said detecting means for placing said electrical equipment in said protected condition upon the detection of said field; and timing means operatively coupled to said switching means for altering the condition of operation of said switching means from said second condition of operation to said first condition of operation after the passage of a predetermined time interval of several minutes following the latest detection of said field.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 23 wherein said field detecting means includes means for detecting an electric field.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 24 wherein said electric field detecting means includes a bandpass filter having a center frequency of approximately 6 kHz.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 23 wherein said field detecting means includes means for detecting a magnetic field.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 26 wherein said magnetic field detecting means includes a bandpass filter having a center frequency of approximately 6 kHz.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 23 wherein said predetermined time interval is approximately 20 minutes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
64 words
A lightning protection system as recited in claim 23 wherein said timing means includes a clock providing pulses at a predetermined rate, a counter operatively coupled to said counter providing a count representative of the number of pulses received from said clock, said counter being responsive to said detecting means for resetting said count to a predetermined value upon the detection of the field.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of protecting electrical equipment from damage by lightning comprising the steps of: detecting atmospheric conditions likely to produce lightning by detecting a field having a frequency of approximately 6 kHz produced by an electrical storm; isolating or grounding the electrical equipment when the detected field exceeds a predetermined level; and maintaining said electrical equipment isolated or grounded for a predetermined time interval of several minutes following each occurrence of said field exceeding said predetermined level.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of protecting electrical equipment from damage by lightning comprising the steps of: detecting atmospheric conditions likely to produce lightning by detecting a field having a frequency of approximately 6 kHz produced by an electrical storm; isolating or grounding the electrical equipment when the detected field exceeds a predetermined level; and maintaining said electrical equipment isolated or grounded for a predetermined time interval of several minutes following each occurrence of said field exceeding said predetermined level.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method recited in claim 30 wherein the step of detecting the field includes the step of detecting the electric field.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method recited in claim 31 wherein the step of detecting the field includes the step of detecting a magnetic field.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 30 wherein said predetermined time interval is approximately 20 minutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2265868A
Cited
US3753117A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-06-29 | 1984-12-29 | 1985-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-29 | 1988-12-29 | 1989-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-29 | 1992-12-29 | 1993-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |