LIGHTNING STRIKE PROTECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS

• US 20080144249A1
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Rawlings, Diane C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,525,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/117
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/02 Lightning protectors; Static dischargers in general H01T
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 13/00 Installations of lightning conductors; Fastening thereof to supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 13/80 Discharge by conduction or dissipation, e.g. rods, arresters, spark gaps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/301 Method

Abstract

A method and apparatus for implementing a return current network that is external to a composite structure, which directs a current along a known path to the aircraft grounding system using appliqués. The appliqués have a dielectric polymer to isolate the return current from the structure, and a metal foil for conducting the current

Claims

1. An external current return network for lightning protection comprising:

a structural panel;

a first coating on an external surface of the structural panel including a first conductive foil and a first dielectric layer;

a second coating deposited on top of said first appliqué

coating, said second appliqué

coating including a second conductive foil and a second dielectric layer; and

electrical connect means coupling said first conductive foil to said second conductive foil.

2. The current return network of claim 1, wherein the first and second conductive foils comprise aluminum.

3. The current return network of claim 1, wherein the first and second dielectric layers comprise a polymer.

4. The current return network of claim 1, further comprising at least one electrically non-conductive region replacing a predetermined area of the second appliqué

coating.

5. The current return network of claim 1, further comprising a first adhesive to bond the first coating to a surface of the structural panel.

6. The current return network of claim 1, wherein said structural panel is a composite panel.

7. The current return network of claim 1, wherein the electrical connect means comprises a fuzz button.

8. The current return network of claim 1, wherein the electrical connect means comprises a HOLE-type connection.

9. The current return network of claim 1, wherein the electrical connect means comprises conductive adhesives.

10. The current return network of claim 1, wherein the first dielectric layer provides isolation between said first conductive foil and a surface of the structural panel.

11. A method of forming a novel lightning strike protection structure comprising:

providing a structural panel, a first appliqué

coating and a second appliqué

coating;

affixing the first appliqué

coating on an external surface of the structural panel;

affixing the second appliqué

coating on the first appliqué

coating and surface of the structural panel; and

electrically connecting the first and second appliqué

coatings by a connecting means.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting the first and second appliqué

coatings forms an electrically contiguous current return structure.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting means comprises a fuzz button.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting means comprises a HOLE-type connection.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting means comprises conductive adhesives.