APPLICATION OF INSULATING COATING

• US 20080308678A1
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Pate, Kevin D., Clements, J. Sidney, Ward, Theresa N., Bennett, Julie K., Anderson, Michael G., Purdy, Aaron T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,124,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/133
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 2202/25 based on Al
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/00 Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/12 to obtain a coating with specific electrical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/02 to macromolecular substances, e.g. rubber treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances C08J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/14 to metal, e.g. car bodies involving a chemical reaction between the metal and the coating C23
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/32 Safety measures not otherwise provided for, e.g. preventing explosive conditions extinguishing or preventing fires in aircraft A62C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/02 Lightning protectors; Static dischargers in general H01T

Abstract

Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.

Claims

1. A method for mitigating electrical surface discharges, comprising:

applying an insulating primer to a metallic component; and

applying an insulating primer discontinuously to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component adjacent the metallic component to form a plurality of primed portions and at least one unprimed portion,

wherein the at least one unprimed portion is configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously includes forming at least one unprimed portion that is partially adjacent the metallic component.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein applying an insulating primer to a metallic component includes applying an insulating primer to an aluminum component.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously includes forming a first unprimed portion having a first longitudinal side, and a second unprimed portion having a second longitudinal side, the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side between approximately 1 inch and 2.25 inches apart, inclusive, along their length.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously include forming a third unprimed portion, and wherein the third unprimed portion ends between the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously includes forming at least one unprimed portion having a pair of longitudinal sides adjacent the plurality of primed portions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously includes forming at least one unprimed portion having a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal sides adjacent the plurality of primed portions.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously includes forming at least one unprimed portion having a pair of longitudinal sides adjacent the plurality of primed portions, the substantially parallel sides between approximately 0.23 inches and 0.27 inches apart, inclusive.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein applying an insulating primer includes forming a first unprimed portion having a first pair of longitudinal sides, and a second unprimed portion having a second pair of longitudinal sides, wherein the first unprimed portion ends where the first pair of longitudinal sides intersects the second pair of longitudinal sides.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein applying an insulating primer includes forming a first unprimed portion having a first pair of longitudinal sides, and a second unprimed portion having a second pair of longitudinal sides, wherein the first unprimed portion extends approximately 1 inch beyond where the first pair of longitudinal sides intersects the second pair of longitudinal sides.

11. A method for mitigating electrical surface discharges, comprising:

applying an insulating primer to a metallic component;

providing one or more electrostatically dissipative features to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component adjacent the metallic component; and

applying an insulating primer discontinuously to the CFRP component to form at least one primed portion and at least one unprimed portion, the at least one primed portion being disposed adjacent the electrostatically dissipative features,

wherein the insulating primer is configured to at least prevent galvanic corrosion of the metallic component.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously includes forming the at least one primed portion so that it extends no more than approximately 2.25 inches from the electrostatically dissipative feature.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously includes forming the at least one primed portion so that it extends at least approximately 1.75 inches from the metallic component.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously includes forming the a plurality of primed portion and at least one unprimed portion such that each primed portion is separate from an adjacent primed portion by at least 0.25 inches of some unprimed portion.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein applying an insulating primer to a metallic component includes applying an insulating primer to an aluminum component.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein providing one or more electrostatically dissipative feature includes one of a primer coated metallic component, a k-code fastener, an uncoated fastener, and an unprimed portion of a CFRP component having a minimum cross section of 0.25 inches.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein applying an insulating primer discontinuously includes forming the at least one primed portion so that it extends at least approximately 1.0 inches from the metallic component and no more than approximately 2.25 inches from the electrostatically dissipative feature.

18. An aircraft comprising:

a fuselage;

a wing operatively coupled to the fuselage;

a metallic component disposed inside at least one of the fuselage and the wing;

a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component disposed adjacent the metallic component; and

an insulating primer disposed discontinuously on the fuel containment surface to form a plurality of primed portions and at least one unprimed portion,

wherein the at least one unprimed portions is configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.

19. The aircraft of claim 18, wherein the at least one unprimed portion is partially adjacent the metallic component.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the CFRP component includes a fuel containment surface.