RU207209U1 - Lightning rod with advanced streamer emission with advanced functionality - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model is designed to protect objects and territories for various purposes from direct lightning strikes as part of a single network for remote testing of a network of lightning rods with advanced streamer emission (MOES) and monitoring of thunderstorm activity. MOES includes a body (1) with a tip, a support rod, while electrical blocks connected to each other are introduced into the body, which are a pulse generator (7) (GI), a tester (9) that provides diagnostics of the GI performance, a controller (10), random access memory (13) (RAM) connected to the transceiver (14) (PPU) through the specified controller and signal converter (8) to convert the signal of the current sensor, which is used as a Rogowski coil (20) installed around the reference rod. RAM (13), intended for recording and storing information about the fact of a lightning strike and the parameters of the lightning current, is connected to the PPU (14) through the controller (10). The body (1) is equipped with a power supply means (15, 16, 17, 18), a PPU antenna is installed outside the body. The controller is designed to receive primary information from a current sensor, tester, and process this information. MOES is designed for communication with a remote server (21). EFFECT: expansion of the line of MOES, providing automation of operations for testing the operability of MOES due to the introduction of PPU electronic units for communication with a remote server in the absence of the need for external power supply (for receiving and transmitting to a remote server the corresponding information about a direct lightning strike), as well increasing the efficiency and reliability of receiving in real time information about the fact of a lightning strike in MOES and the parameters of the lightning current by providing remote access to it and using the ability to connect to the cellular infrastructure and services provided via the IoT / M2M protocols for transferring the specified information. 7 p.p. f-ly, 2 dwg

Description

The utility model relates to the means of protecting objects and territories for various purposes from direct lightning strikes, namely, to lightning rods with advanced streamer emission (hereinafter referred to as MOES).

When creating a lightning protection system, a technical problem is overcome, associated with the possibility of remote testing of MOES in a single information network and monitoring thunderstorm activity in any selected territory of the country.

From the prior art, MOES lightning rods are known, which were created to increase the reliability and efficiency of operation. For example, in patents: RU 2467443 (published on November 20, 2012), RU 2467524 (published on November 20, 2012), RU 2562061 (published on September 10, 2015), US 9166391 (published on 10/20/2015) contains information on the design of the corresponding lightning rod, but none of these lightning rods do not have functions that allow remote testing of such a device and integrate such devices into a single network.

Thus, the use of active lightning rods capable of remote testing with the ability to implement a modern model of M2M communications through the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is one of the ways to solve this problem.

In the description, the terms "active lightning rod" and "air terminal with advanced emission of a streamer (MOEP)" are used as synonyms depending on the context and citation below the corresponding patent document containing this or that term.

Patent RU 2334239 (published 20.09.2008) discloses an active lightning rod associated with a set of equipment for remote assessment of its electrical parameters. The set of equipment includes a measuring unit attached to the outside of the air terminal head with the possibility of electrical connection with this air terminal. The measuring unit, which includes a group of capacitors, is equipped with a probe, a connector with a ground wire and a measuring wire; These capacitors are connected to the measuring wire and to an electromechanical system with a movable element having measuring contacts located opposite the fixed contacts of the grounding wire and the measuring wire, electrically connected to the tested lightning rod elements, for example, with an electric coil, an arrester and other elements. In this case, the electromechanical system is made with a drive and mechanical stretching. After connecting the measuring contacts, the data on the actual electrical parameters of the tested elements of the lightning rod head are transmitted through the group of capacitors along the measuring wire and the ground wire to the memory and display of the measuring unit, from where the measurement results can be read.

A lightning rod as such a system, having the ability to be tested, is characterized by a low degree of compactness due to the presence of electrical and mechanical elements with a drive and a stretching, for which an installation surface is provided near the lightning rod.

In addition, the combination of electrical and mechanical components necessitates periodic maintenance to ensure reliable system operation.

Also, the presence of a separately located measuring unit and additional wires increases the risk of damage to the electrical elements of MOES due to an electromagnetic pulse of lightning current.

In addition to the above, the transmission of relevant information is possible at a distance of no more than 1000 m. For this reason, this lightning rod cannot be used to create a network for remote testing and monitoring of thunderstorm activity.

Patent document GR 1009625 (published 10/23/2019) provides information about an active lightning rod, into the housing of which an output converter is introduced, which provides a signal about the state of the lightning rod to the remote control, while the lightning rod is equipped with a solar battery to ensure wireless communication with the remote control, located at a distance of no more than 100 m.

When using this lightning rod, the property of compactness manifests itself while expanding the functionality of testing the operation of the device. However, such testing is due to a distance not exceeding 100 m, that is, this circumstance leads to the conclusion that the use of such lightning rods is limited due to the limited range for stable wireless communication.

The limited range of information transmission characterizes the analyzed lightning rod unsuitable for organizing remote testing using M2M (IoT) communications technology.

The description for patent FR 2911402 (published on July 16, 2008) contains information about an active lightning rod included in each of the networked control stations, while the network of such stations can be formed based on their need for monitoring thunderstorm activity in any selected area.

The known active lightning rod comprises a body with a tip, a down conductor, while the body of the lightning rod is electrically connected to a control unit located in a place accessible to the user, for example, inside a room. In addition, the down conductor encloses a toroidal inductive current sensor, which provides a signal transmission to the control unit, which, in turn, is configured to transmit data to a remote data collection and transmission unit, including the number of lightning strikes and lightning current parameters.

The use of the known device is focused only within the framework of the possibility of constructing a monitoring network using a multistage connection of this lightning rod with a remote server. This circumstance is not rational for using this MOES when building a remote monitoring network.

Patent document KR 101817760 (published 01/11/2018) discloses an active lightning rod equipped with external and internal units designed for the operation of a device for remote control of the operability testing process with the ability to transmit the necessary information to a remote server. The outdoor units are attached to the support with a bracket and connected to the air terminal using a wired connection. The lightning rod is equipped with a solar battery as a power source for the remote control device.

The use of a known lightning rod in the presence of an external unit and a wired type of communication with an external unit increases the risk of damage to the electrical elements of MOES due to an electromagnetic pulse of the lightning current.

In addition, the use of the lightning rod under consideration in the M2M communications model provides for its adaptation with the possibility of introducing internal functional blocks that ensure the process of remote testing and registration of indications of its operation.

In the patent document CN 106099649 (publication 09.11.2016) an active lightning rod (selected as the closest analogue) is disclosed, including a housing with a tip and a down conductor, which is equipped with a performance test control unit capable of wireless communication with a tester and a remote terminal. The test control unit includes a control unit, a test signal generator, a test signal feedback receiver, a system communication unit, a lightning strike parameter sensor and a test interface.

The known device according to the patent document CN 106099649 brings convenience to the implementation of the M2M / IoT communications model, since the said lightning rod is made with the expansion of the capabilities associated with testing control, however, in practical implementation, the known device is characterized by insufficient reliability due to the need to install the test control unit on the down conductor.

In addition, paying attention to the functions of electronic units, it should be concluded that the device is limited in terms of storing information about testing and lightning current parameters.

Thus, the existing technical problem is to expand the arsenal of lightning rods with advanced streamer emission, which provide ease of identification and integration into the network to create a lightning protection system while maintaining a minimal risk of the impact of an electromagnetic lightning pulse on the electronic units of such lightning rods by placing these units in the device case.

The technical problem is solved using the proposed lightning rod with advanced emission streamer (MOES), which includes a housing with a tip, a support rod, while electrical blocks are introduced into the housing, which are a pulse generator (GI) connected to the tip, a tester that provides diagnostics of the GI operability , controller, random access memory (RAM), transceiver device (PPU) and signal converter for converting the signal of the current sensor, structurally intended for installation outside the housing, and the signal converter is connected to the specified current sensor through a connector in the housing, the controller contains two software information processing module, which is the first software module for processing information about the fact of a direct lightning strike and about the parameters of the lightning current, the first input of which is connected to the output of the signal converter, and the first output is connected to the control panel for transmitting data on the fact of a direct lightning strike and on the parameters of the mol nii, the second software module for processing information about the operability of the GI, the first input of this module is connected to the second output of the first software module to obtain information about the fact of a direct lightning strike and to the output of the control panel to obtain information about routine testing outside a thunderstorm, the first output is connected to the input of the tester , the second input is connected to the output of the tester for receiving a signal about the state of health of the GI, the second output is connected to the PPU to transmit information about the health of the GI, the RAM input is connected to the first output of the first software module for recording and storing the received information about the number of lightning strikes and the parameters of the lightning current , while the RAM is connected to the PPU through the controller; the housing is equipped with a power supply, a PPU antenna is installed outside the housing.

At MOES: a current sensor based on a Rogowski coil is installed around a support rod that acts as a down conductor; the power supply means are solar panels mounted on the outside of the housing and associated with the inside of the housing with a charge controller, storage batteries, and a voltage converter; the second input of the second information module receives one of the tester signals about the GI operability: "open circuit", "short circuit" and "device in working condition"; the case is made with a connector for connecting the programmer to RAM for in-system programming and data retrieval and can be used to connect an external tester; PPU is made with a GSM / GPRS-module containing a SIM-card intended for identification and registration of a lightning rod, also for providing information exchange with a remote server through the use of a cellular communication infrastructure of the GSM standard; The GSM / GPRS module is designed to support the NB-IoT / M2M communications protocol.

The essence of the utility model is as follows.

Integration in the lightning rod body of functional blocks configured for monitoring the system of lightning rods intended for interconnection in a network predetermines the successful implementation of the possibility of remote testing of the MOES network and monitoring of thunderstorm activity. In this case, the information is available to receive from anywhere in the world.

To use the IoT / M2M communications technology, the functional blocks (elements) of the MOES are connected by appropriate data transmission channels in such a way that the transmission and / or reception of signals between the blocks is carried out through the corresponding provided inputs / outputs for the transmission and / or reception of information and electrical signals. In this case, the connection diagram of the functional blocks is made with the possibility of interaction of these blocks according to the corresponding algorithm for receiving / transmitting / distributing information and electrical signals embedded in the controller.

To convert the signal coming from the current sensor into the data of the corresponding controller input, a signal converter is introduced into the block diagram.

As a current sensor, it is advisable to use a sensor based on a Rogowski coil, which is structurally designed to be installed around the down conductor (down conductors).

The proposed utility model does not set the task of revealing the attachment point of the down conductors to the lightning rod body, therefore, the description will be limited only to an indication of the constructive arrangement of the support rod facing the down conductor connection node. Based on this circumstance, the support rod performs the function of a down conductor. Thus, guided by the principle of the convenience of attaching the Rogowski coil outside the attachment point of the down conductors and taking into account the function of the support rod, the location of this coil, intended for measuring the current, has been chosen.

The controller inserted into the housing is designed to receive primary information from the current sensor, tester, and process this information; the controller provides automatic control of the associated electronic units and control of the state of the power supply.

The names of the controller software modules correspond to the features of the information processed in them, which most fully reflects the operability of MOES as a result of testing and gives an idea of the number of lightning strikes received and the parameters of the lightning current.

The random access memory (RAM) introduced into the circuit is intended for recording and storing the corresponding information coming from the first program module for information processing to the information input of the RAM.

The transceiver (PPU) included in the set of electronic components endows MOES with properties for the use of M2M monitoring IoT technologies. Thus, the PPU equipped with a GSM / GPRS module is designed for remote information exchange between MOES and a remote server using the GSM cellular infrastructure.

Based on the foregoing, it is advisable to use a SIM card in the PPU to connect to the network of the operator-provider of IoT / M2M services. The choice in favor of the specified SIM card is a prerequisite for transferring data to a remote server organized on the basis of a standard PC with an IoT terminal and intended for registering, accumulating, analyzing and displaying information about a direct lightning strike into a lightning rod, as well as for monitoring and testing a network of several MOES.

To identify MOES and connect to the GSM network, a standard SIM card (or eSIM card) is used and any GSM mobile operator can be used.

The presence of a connection between the RAM and the PPU through the controller is a prerequisite for the possibility of reading the information stored in the RAM memory about the fact of a lightning strike and the parameters of the lightning current from a remote server at any time.

Access to RAM for in-system programming and direct data retrieval is possible through an external connector on the MOES case for connecting a programmer.

It should be noted that the power supply, made on the basis of solar batteries connected to the battery charge controller, provides the autonomous operation of the electronic circuit units integrated into the MOES case without being connected to external power supply networks.

An example of the implementation of MOES, which has advanced functionality for use in a single information network, is illustrated by the drawings:

fig. 1 - MOES, general view;

fig. 2 is a block diagram of the connection of functional blocks.

MOES is an electronic device designed to form a stable upward leader in a sharply inhomogeneous electric field of downward lightning and reorient a direct lightning strike from the protected object "towards oneself".

The proposed MOES is made on the basis of Forend EU-M MOES manufactured by Forend Elektrik A.S., Turkey.

MOES includes a body 1 with a cover 2, a tip 3, a support rod 4, an adapter 5 for mounting on a mast (not shown in Fig. 1) and a node for connecting down conductors 6.

In the MOES body there are (Fig. 2) electronic units:

7 - high-voltage pulse generator (HI);

8 - signal converter;

9 - tester;

10 - controller;

11 - the first software module for processing information about the fact of a direct lightning strike and about the parameters of the lightning current;

12 - the second software module for processing information about the health of the GI;

13 - random access memory (RAM);

14 - transceiver device (PPU);

15 - voltage converter (power supply);

16 - storage battery;

17 - charge controller.

Outside the housing 1, solar batteries 18 are installed, connected through a technological opening (not shown in the drawings) with a charge controller 17 of batteries 16; the voltage converter 15 is electrically connected to the controller 10, as well as to other circuit elements, for the functioning of which power supply is required.

As a solar battery 18, a 9V 110 × 70 mm solar panel was chosen, AB - a 6LR61 lithium battery of the "Krona" type, a charge controller based on an LM317T stabilizer, a DC-DC voltage converter MT3608 (or their analogs).

Also, outside of building 1, an antenna 19 PPU 14 is installed.

The current sensor 20 based on the Rogowski coil covers the support rod 4 (a current sensor manufactured by Forend Elektrik A.S., Turkey is used) and is connected to the signal converter 8 through the technological hole.

The generator of high-voltage impulses (GI) 7 is the main structural component of MOES. The GI is designed to generate high-voltage pulses that ensure the emission of the ascending leader from the tip 3 of the MOES under the influence of the sharply inhomogeneous electric field of the descending leader; GI contains at least one LC kennel with a calculated resonant frequency.

An integrator based on an LM358D operational amplifier (or an analogue) is used as a signal converter 8.

To check the performance of GI 7, a 9 FLCT tester manufactured by Forend Elektrik A.S., Turkey, with output signals: "open", "short circuit" and "device in working condition" was used.

Controller 10 is made on the Arduino Uno platform (or equivalent).

For RAM 13, a microSDHC Class 10 UHS-I U1 memory card with a holder (or equivalent) is used.

The SIM800L chip is used in the PPU 14 GSM / GPRS module.

Case 1 is made with a connector (not shown in the drawings), which is used to connect the programmer to RAM 13.

It should be emphasized that this connector can be used to connect an external standard tester (manufactured by Forend Elektrik A.S., Turkey; not shown in the drawings), used along with tester 9 as an electronic component of the MOES structural diagram. Thus, it is advisable to use an external tester in emergency situations when the operability of the MOES is questioned and it becomes necessary to visualize signals about the operation of the device. In addition, the external tester is used for periodic lightning protection checks, for example, before and after the installation of the lightning protection system or its damage after extremely unfavorable weather conditions. Through this connector, the standard tester is connected to the GI; the signals of the external tester are similar to the signals transmitted by the tester located in the MOES case.

The noted design and functional features of MOES lead to the conclusion about an increase in the reliability of the MOES operation and ensuring resistance to an electromagnetic pulse of the lightning current due to the minimization of wired communication.

The algorithm of the proposed device can be demonstrated by the following example, which uses a remote server 21.

In the "no thunderstorm" condition, the assembled MOES is in standby mode. Self-testing of operability occurs when a request is received from the remote server 21 through the PPU 14 to the first input of the second program module 12. When such a request is received, this program module, after processing the information, transmits to the input of the tester 9 information about the need to turn it on, as a result, a functioning diagnostics occurs with the production of one from the signals: "open", "short circuit" and "device in working condition", while the corresponding signal is fed to the second input of the second program module 12 and through the PPU 14 is transmitted to the remote server 21.

In a thunderstorm environment, MOES comes to a state of readiness due to changes in the electromagnetic environment. With the approach of a thundercloud and an increase in the electromagnetic field, the process of generation of high-voltage pulses begins at the tip 3 of the MOES.

The fact of a lightning strike in MOES is recorded by the current sensor 20, while the converted signal as primary information about the fact of a direct strike and the parameters of the lightning current is fed to the first input of the first software module 11.

The presence of communication of the first program module 11 with the PPU 16 (the first output of the first module is connected with the input of the PPU) provides for the possibility of transferring the corresponding data to the remote server 21.

After the registration by the current sensor 20 of the fact of a lightning strike, at the request of the second program module 12, the MOES self-test takes place. For this purpose, the connection of the program modules 11 and 12 is organized (the second output of the first module 11 is connected to the first input of the second module 12). In this case, the feedback from the tester 9 as one of the GI operability signals is fed to the same information input of the software module 12, as in the self-test mode.

So, the second software module of information 12 is configured to process data on the operability of the GI both at the request from a remote server about the need for regular testing outside a thunderstorm (self-testing), and as a result of requesting the second software module 12, generated after registering the fact of a direct lightning strike.

The connection of the first program module 11 through the corresponding first output with the information input of the RAM 13 is recorded in the RAM memory about fixing the fact of a lightning strike and registering the parameters of the lightning current.

The connection of the RAM 13 with the PPU 14 through the controller 10 provides the ability to read the information stored in the RAM memory upon request from the remote server 21.

Based on the foregoing, MOES can find application in industry, since this device contains means known in the art, including electronic units operating on the basis of a user program.

Thus, the proposed utility model, possessing the necessary set of electronic means that are in functional and constructive interconnection, including with elements located outside the MOES building, is characterized by expanded functional capabilities that provide

automation of operations for testing the operability of MOES due to the introduction of PPU into the electronic blocks for communication with a remote server in the absence of the need for external power supply (to receive and transmit to a remote server the relevant information about a direct lightning strike);

increasing the efficiency and reliability of receiving in real time information about the fact of a lightning strike in MOES and the parameters of the lightning current by providing remote access to it;

using the ability to connect to the cellular infrastructure and services provided via the IoT / M2M protocols (in the unlicensed frequency range) to transmit to a remote server information about the fact of a lightning strike, lightning current parameters, as well as the results of testing MOES performance;

recording and storing information, including data on the number of lightning strikes and lightning current parameters, thanks to the use of RAM.

Claims (8)

1. A lightning rod with advanced emission of a streamer, including a housing with a tip, a support rod, while electrical blocks are introduced into the housing, which are a pulse generator (GI) connected to the tip, a tester that provides diagnostics of GI operability, a controller, a random access memory (RAM ), a transceiver device (PPU) and a signal converter for converting the signal of a current sensor, structurally intended for installation outside the case, and the signal converter is connected to the specified current sensor through a connector in the case, the controller contains two software modules for information processing, which are the first software a module for processing information about the fact of a direct lightning strike and about the parameters of the lightning current, the first input of which is connected to the output of the signal converter, and the first output is connected to the control panel for transmitting data on the fact of a direct lightning strike and on the parameters of the lightning current; power of the GI, the first input of this module is connected to the second output of the first software module to obtain information about the fact of a direct lightning strike and to the output of the control panel to obtain information about routine testing outside a thunderstorm, the first output is connected to the tester's input, the second input is connected to the tester's output for receiving a signal about the state of health of the GI, the second output is connected to the PPU to transmit information about the operability of the GI, the RAM input is connected to the first output of the first software module for recording and storing the received information about the number of lightning strikes and the parameters of the lightning current, while the RAM is connected to the PPU through controller; the body is equipped with a power supply, a PPU antenna is installed outside the body. 2. The lightning rod according to claim 1, characterized in that the current sensor based on the Rogowski coil is installed around the support rod, which acts as a down conductor. 3. The lightning rod according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply means are solar batteries installed outside the housing and associated with a charge controller, storage batteries and a voltage converter located inside the housing. 4. The lightning rod according to claim 1, characterized in that the second input of the second information module receives one of the tester signals about the GI operability: "open circuit", "short circuit" and "device in working condition". 5. A lightning rod according to claim 1, characterized in that the body is made with a connector for connecting the programmer to the RAM for in-system programming and data retrieval. 6. Lightning rod according to claim 5, characterized in that the connector is used to connect an external tester. 7. The lightning rod according to claim 1, characterized in that the PPU is made with a GSM / GPRS-module containing a SIM card intended for identification and registration of the lightning rod, also for providing information exchange with a remote server using the cellular infrastructure of the GSM standard. 8. An air terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the GSM / GPRS module is configured to support the NB-IoT / M2M communications protocol.

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