Lightning damage protection for composite aircraft

Details Lightning damage protection for composite aircraft Lightning damage protection for composite aircraft

2004-03-23

2009-06-30

Fleming, Fritz M. (Department: 2836)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Discharging or preventing accumulation of electric charge

Structurally combined with building or vehicle

C361S112000, C361S117000, C361S212000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07554785

ABSTRACT:
A system for protecting a composite-body aircraft from damage caused by lightning strikes includes a Faraday cage defined on the exterior surface of the aircraft body by a continuous, electrically conductive grid that extends to the outermost lateral periphery of the body. In one possible embodiment in which the aircraft's body includes a plurality of composite panels that are joined at their adjacent edges by splice plates, the conductive grid may advantageously be formed by electrically conductive splice plates, e.g., of titanium, that have their respective, adjacent ends electrically connected to each other, e.g., with conductive straps and fasteners. The conductive grid provides preferential attachment points and conductive paths for lightning strikes on the surface of the aircraft, thereby shielding the interior of the grid from lightning damage. The conductive grid can optionally function as a ground return path for the aircraft's electrical system.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2982494 (1961-05-01), Amason
patent: 3755713 (1973-08-01), Paszkowksi
patent: 3906308 (1975-09-01), Amason et al.
patent: 4502092 (1985-02-01), Bannink
patent: 4574325 (1986-03-01), Holton
patent: 4609904 (1986-09-01), Paine
patent: 4839771 (1989-06-01), Covey
patent: 4888451 (1989-12-01), Toni et al.
patent: 4920449 (1990-04-01), Covey
patent: 5127601 (1992-07-01), Schroeder
patent: 5225265 (1993-07-01), Prandy et al.
patent: 5352565 (1994-10-01), Schroeder
patent: 5698316 (1997-12-01), Kuras
patent: 5863667 (1999-01-01), Poggi
patent: 6327132 (2001-12-01), Andrivet et al.
patent: 6666406 (2003-12-01), Sankrithi et al.
patent: 2005/0178912 (2005-08-01), Whelan et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Lightning damage protection for composite aircraft does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Lightning damage protection for composite aircraft, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lightning damage protection for composite aircraft will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4054883