System and method for shielding electrical components from electromagnetic waves

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to shielding electronic equipment from electromagnetic waves or pulses and more specifically to a system and method of routing the electromagnetic waves up to a halo and out to the ground.

[0004] 2. Problems in the Art

[0005] Electronic and solid state components are extremely sensitive to changes of magnetic and electric fields caused by both natural and man-made phenomenon. Solar flares, electrical lines, and lightning are some of the many natural and man-made causes of increased electromagnetic wave activity. Telecommunications equipment is particularly susceptible to such phenomena. Currently such telecommunications equipment is protected by using isolated grounds.

[0006] These grounding stations have not been able to protect electrical equipment from high intensity electromagnetic waves. As an electromagnetic wave penetrates a surface, it induces an electric current through that surface. It is this electric current that can harm sensitive equipment. It is therefore desirable to have a method and system of shielding electrical equipment from high intensity electromagnetic waves that routes the electric current generated from high intensity electromagnetic waves out to ground.

[0007] Others have tried to shield individual electrical components, such as computer equipment, through various means. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,058 to Hill uses three layers of various materials which attempt to prevent major penetration of electromagnetic waves. Because such materials can be relatively expensive, the use of individual enclosures can be cost prohibitive. Further, nothing is done to route the electric current created by these waves. Thus a shielding device such as this can reach saturation magnetization because of high-flux density magnetic fields, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the shield. It is therefore desirable to provide a low cost means of shielding electrical equipment from high intensity electromagnetic waves.

[0008] A general feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and system for shielding electrical components from electromagnetic waves.

[0009] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and system for shielding electrical equipment from the current induced by such waves.

[0010] Another feature of the present invention is the provision of method and system for shielding electrical equipment from high-intensity electromagnetic waves which is relatively low in cost.

[0011] A still further feature of the present invention is the provision of a ground window to which the ground wire of various electrical componentry is attached.

[0012] These, as well as other features and advantages of the present invention, will become apparent from the following specification and claims.

[0013] The present invention generally comprises a method and system for shielding electrical components from electromagnetic waves and the effects therefrom. Electrical components are generally housed in a plurality of walls formed so as to form an enclosure common in the art. These walls are lined with an initial layer of lead which is attached to a layer of copper. These layers are electrically connected to a plurality of #4 copper wire sets that run vertically up the walls to a halo. This halo is composed of copper wire and is above the electrical components on the ceiling of the enclosure.

[0014] When an electromagnetic wave strikes the surface of the enclosure, the layer of lead absorbs the greater intensity waves and routes any electrical current generated thereby up the plurality of wire sets to the halo. The remaining intensity electromagnetic waves strike the layer of copper and generate an electrical current. This current is also routed up the plurality of wire sets to the halo.

[0015] The halo is electrically connected to a first grounding window which is in turn electrically connected to a wire running to a ground. The first grounding window routes the collected current from the halo out of the halo and down the wire to the ground, thereby preventing the current from affecting the electrical components housed in the enclosure.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic wave shielding system.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of the electromagnetic wave shielding system.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the plurality of wires running vertically along the walls in the electromagnetic wave shielding system.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a wall in the electromagnetic wave shielding system.

[0020] The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the described embodiment. It is intended that the invention cover all modifications and alternatives which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0021] Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the electromagnetic wave shielding system 10. In the preferred embodiment, four walls 12 and a ceiling 14 are connected to form a standard box shaped shed 16. On top of the shed 16 is a halo 18 of wire. The halo 18 is composed of standard No. #1/0 copper wire. When an electromagnetic wave hits the surface of one of the walls 12, an electric current is generated. This electric current is then gathered via a plurality of wire sets 20 which run vertically along the walls 12 and to ceiling 14. Each wire set 20 runs parallel to the next wire set 20. Although not shown in the drawings, the similar arrangement of contacts every four feet (beginning two feet from the walls 12) may be found in the ceiling 14.

[0022] Alternatively, through the process of bonding the materials to the housing, the shed 18 is a cabinet designed to enclose a specific piece of equipment, or any other type of enclosure such as a room where sensitive equipment is kept, a stereo cabinet, a software storage box, or a casing surrounding computer componentry such as is currently found with most personal computers. Similar structure can be used to protect car ignition systems using the frame of the automobile as a grounding field. The ceiling 14 portion of such alternatives would necessarily be the upper most portion of the enclosure, although any side of the enclosure may be used.

[0023] Initially, when the electromagnetic wave shielding system 10 is constructed, the first wire set 20 is placed two feet from the edge of the first wall 12. Thereafter, each wire set 20 is placed apart from the previous wire set 20 at a horizontal distance of four feet. None of the wire sets contact the bottom of the shed 16. Preferably, the wire sets 20 begin two feet from the bottom of the shed 16 so as to prevent an electrical connection between the wire sets 20 and the ground.

[0024] As is shown in FIG. 2, generally, the electric current gathered in the wire sets 20 runs up the wire sets 20 to the halo 18. The halo 18 gathers all of the electric current collected by the wire sets 20 and routes it out the ground wire 22. The ground wire 22 then transfers the electric current to the earth. Preferably, the ground wire 22 runs into an earth-buried wire 24. The wire 24 encircles the shed 16 and is buried four feet in the earth transferring the electric current to a natural electrical ground.

[0025] The electromagnetic wave shielding system 10 includes two ground windows 26. The ground windows 26 are connected in series from the halo 18 to the ground wire 22. The ground windows 26 allow a user to attach ground wires from sensitive equipment stored in the shed 18. This provides a safe grounding point for the sensitive equipment.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the walls 12 of the shed 18 are lined with a layer of lead 28 which is secured to a layer of copper 30. Multiple alternating layer may be utilized. More layers are preferable (as high as 12 sets), although those sets of layers have been found to be adequate. The layer of lead is approximately 2 mm in thickness and the layer of copper 30 is preferably a thin copper mesh. When an electromagnetic wave hits the layer of lead 28, the higher intesity waves are absorbed and dispersed in the layer of lead 28, inducing a current in the layer of lead 28. The surviving waves then strike the layer of copper 30 and induce an electric current. The layer of lead 28 and the layer of copper 30 are secured to one another so as to provide an electrical connection. This is done using a copper bolt 32 which has been dipped in an oxidant. This bolt 32 is also secured to and provides and electrical connection to the wire set 20 and secures the wire set 20 to the wall 12.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, when the wire set 20 travels vertically up the wall 12, the amount of electric current the wire set must handle increases. A higher voltage requires a thicker wire and therefore, the number of wires in the wire set 20 increases as it progresses towards the top of the wall 12. At the top of the wall 12 the wire sets 20 join and are electrically connected to the halo 18.

[0028] A general description of the present invention as well as a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been set forth above. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will recognize and be able to practice additional variations in the methods and systems described which fall within the teachings of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and additions are deemed to be within the scope of the invention which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.