Apparatus for reducing electrostatic charge storage and EMI on dielectric surfaces
First Claim
1. Apparatus for reducing residual electrostatic charge levels on an exposed dielectric surface of an aircraft body, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of small diameter charge collection conductors projecting through the body and terminating at least adjacent to the dielectric surface for collecting around the charge collection conductors electrostatic charges accumulated on the surface;
conductive connecting means electrically connected to the charge collection conductors and disposed behind the dielectric surface for conducting the charges collected around the charge collection conductors away from the dielectric surface, anda conductive air frame disposed adjacent to the dielectric surface and connected to the conductive connecting means for grounding the electrostatic charges conducted through to the conductive connecting means by the charge collecting conductors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Passive and active devices reduce stored electrostatic charge levels on dielectric surfaces, while at the same time reducing electromagnetic interference due to streamer currents, by means of appropriately applied conductors, use of direct or alternating current power sources, ion flooding, fluid flooding and boundry layer control. In addition, the devices detect the presence, polarity and magnitude of triboelectric charging or stored charges on a dielectric surface for the purpose of signalling or of controlling active charge reduction devices. Moreover, the devices can be used to discourage lightning strikes. The devices can be applied with little if any impairment to optical or radio frequency energy transmission or reception.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for reducing residual electrostatic charge levels on an exposed dielectric surface of an aircraft body, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of small diameter charge collection conductors projecting through the body and terminating at least adjacent to the dielectric surface for collecting around the charge collection conductors electrostatic charges accumulated on the surface; conductive connecting means electrically connected to the charge collection conductors and disposed behind the dielectric surface for conducting the charges collected around the charge collection conductors away from the dielectric surface, and a conductive air frame disposed adjacent to the dielectric surface and connected to the conductive connecting means for grounding the electrostatic charges conducted through to the conductive connecting means by the charge collecting conductors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for reducing residual electrostatic charge levels on a dielectric body having a dielectric surface exposed to a stream of air wherein the body is supported by a conductive frame, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of small diameter charge collection conductors projecting through the dielectric body and terminating at least adjacent to the dielectric surface for collecting therearound electrostatic charges accumulated on the dielectric surface; conductive connecting means electrically connected to the charge collection conductors and to the conductive frame for conducting charges collected around the charge collection conductors away from the dielectric surface and to the conductive frame. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for reducing residual electrostatic charge levels on an exterior dielectric surface of an aircraft canopy made of a dielectric material, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of small diameter charge collection conductors projecting into the canopy and terminating at least adjacent to the exterior surface thereof for collecting around the charge collection conductors electrostatic charges accumulated on the surface; a conductive grid electrically connected to the charge collection conductors and disposed behind the exterior surface for conducting the charges collected around the charge collection conductors away from the exterior surface, and a conductive air frame disposed adjacent to the dielectric exterior surface and connected to the conductive grid for grounding the electrostatic charges conducted through to the grid by the charge collecting conductors.
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20. Apparatus for reducing residual electrostatic charge levels on an exterior dielectric surface of an aircraft windshield made of a dielectric material, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of small diameter charge collection conductors projecting into the windshield and terminating at least adjacent to the exterior surface thereof for collecting around the charge collection conductors electrostatic charges accumulated on the surface; a conductive grid electrically connected to the charge collection conductors and disposed behind the exterior surface for conducting the charges collected around the charge collection conductors away from the exterior surface, and a conductive air frame disposed adjacent to the dielectric exterior surface and connected to the conductive grid for grounding the electrostatic charges conducted through to the grid by the charge collecting conductors.
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Specification