Wide area lightning diverter overlay
First Claim
1. An overlay comprising:
- a first layer including a plurality of physically discontinuous metal foil elements, wherein each physically discontinuous metal foil element includes a separate section of metal foil that is physically separated from each other section of metal foil in the first layer;
a polymer film underlying the first layer and configured to be applied between the first layer and a surface of a substrate; and
a polymer topcoat overlying the first layer and at least partially filling an area between two or more of the plurality of physically discontinuous metal foil elements.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An overlay of patterned metal foil above a substrate to be protected supports development of localized coronas after a lightning strike. The localized coronas transport energy of a lightning strike above the substrate'"'"'s surface with limited removal of metal foil from the lightning strike attachment point. A first polymer film underlies patterned metal foil. A topcoat overlies the patterned metal foil. An adhesive, underlying the first polymer film affixes the lightning diverter overlay to the substrate. If desired, semiconductor particulates may be dispersed throughout the second polymer film to contribute to instantaneous generation of localized coronas. Also, an ink layer may be provided between the patterned metal foil and the topcoat or on the exterior, if desired, for aesthetic and/or anti-static purposes.
45 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An overlay comprising:
-
a first layer including a plurality of physically discontinuous metal foil elements, wherein each physically discontinuous metal foil element includes a separate section of metal foil that is physically separated from each other section of metal foil in the first layer; a polymer film underlying the first layer and configured to be applied between the first layer and a surface of a substrate; and a polymer topcoat overlying the first layer and at least partially filling an area between two or more of the plurality of physically discontinuous metal foil elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An overlay comprising:
-
a patterned metal foil layer including; a plurality of physically discontinuous pieces of metal foil that are separated from each other, wherein sides of adjacent physically discontinuous pieces of the plurality of physically discontinuous pieces of metal foil act as radiators in a presence of electrical energy to disperse the electrical energy by generating coronas between the adjacent physically discontinuous pieces of metal foil; and a plurality of areas separating the physically discontinuous pieces of metal foil; a polymer film underlying the patterned metal foil layer; and a polymer topcoat overlying the patterned metal foil layer and at least partially filling at least one of the plurality of areas separating the physically discontinuous pieces of metal foil. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. An overlay comprising:
-
a patterned metal foil including a plurality of physically discontinuous and separate sections of the metal foil and a plurality of substantially continuous areas of high sheet resistance between the physically discontinuous and separate sections of the metal foil; a first polymer film underlying the patterned metal foil; a polymer topcoat overlying the patterned metal foil; a pressure sensitive adhesive underlying the first polymer film; and a first transfer layer underlying the pressure sensitive adhesive, wherein the first transfer layer is removable during installation of the overlay to a substrate, and wherein removal of the first transfer layer exposes the pressure sensitive adhesive. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of forming an overlay for a substrate, the method comprising:
-
applying a first polymer film to a first side of a metal foil, wherein the metal foil includes a plurality of physically discontinuous sections of metal foil separated from each other by substantially continuous areas of high resistance; and applying a polymer topcoat to a second side of the metal foil, wherein the polymer topcoat at least partially fills an area between two or more of the plurality of physically discontinuous sections of metal foil. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
Specification