934 results about "Lightning strike" patented technology

A weather station for providing weather information to a user, especially weather information related to lightning and severe thunderstorm activity. In accordance with the present invention, the weather station includes one or more antennas for receiving GPS transmissions, weather radio transmissions, and a separate radio band, such as the AM radio band for use in detecting lightning strikes. The GPS signal is used to determine the position of the user. A lightning detector coupled to the antenna for receiving the AM (or other band) signal calculates the proximity of any detected lightning strikes. The national weather radio band antenna receives information from NOAA and similar organizations and presents it to the user in the normal fashion. In accordance with the present invention, the weather station may take storm data from NOAA and compare it to lightning proximity data that it has already obtained at a particular location and present to the user an indication of the relative location of the severe thunderstorm activity and its direction of movement.

A method for repairing fiber-reinforced composite structures while maintaining original EM and lightning protection using carbon nanotubes, fibers, and thermoset resins is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises preparing a damaged area for repair; preparing a repair patch for the damaged area, the repair patch comprising nanotubes; applying the repair patch to the damaged area; and curing the repair patch. A repair patch for a composite structure having a conductive layer is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the repair patch includes a binder and nanotubes. A repair resin for repairing a composite structure having a conductive layer is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the repair layer includes a resin and nanotubes. A putty for repairing a composite structure having a conductive layer is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the putty includes a base and electrically conductive carbon nanotubes.

Lightning strike protection system for aircraft fuel tanks made of low electrical conductivity composite material. The system comprises an electrical conductive thin wire mesh (1) that covers the whole external surface of the tank outer skin (I) made of composite and a thick wire metallic mesh (2) overlapping the mesh (1) at a minimum distance of 50 mm to both sides of a row of fasteners (III) joining the said outer skin (I) to one internal part (II) of either composite or metallic material. Both metallic meshes (1, 2) maintain electrical contact by their installation / assembly and by means of metallic countersunk head washers (3) connected to bonding points and set to the gap existing between the fastener (III) and the outer skin (I). The corresponding fabrication process is also described.

A method for protecting a substrate from lightning strikes is provided including providing a lightning strike protectant composition to the substrate. The lightning strike protectant composition comprises a reactive organic compound and a conductive filler that, during the cure of the organic compound, is capable of self-assembling into a heterogeneous structure comprised of a continuous, three-dimensional network of metal situated among (continuous or semi-continuous) polymer rich domains. The resulting composition has exceptionally high thermal and electrical conductivity.

The invention relates to a grid thunder-threat distribution confirming method. The confirming method adopts a computer to process thunder automatic monitoring data and establish a databank, and adopts a grid method to carry out statistical analysis to the thunder parameter while taking a geographic information system and the databank as an analysis platform, and then adopts the computer to carry out the statistical analysis to the thunder data according to typical criterion so as to obtain the thunder-threat distribution of corresponding objects. The method has the following basic steps: firstly, the thunder automatic monitoring data is stored in the databank by the computer; then grid distribution is carried out to selected zones on a digital map; the data of each grid is analyzed statistically to obtain the statistical thunder parameter; and then the current-amplitude value of threatening thunders which can cause the flashover of insulator strings of power transmission lines is adopted as judging evidence according to a grid insulation structure to make the statistical analysis to the attribute of the thunder current-amplitude value and eliminate the useless data; special attribute data of happened flashover accidents caused lightning-strike on the power transmission lines is stored in the computer; finally, the computer is used for figuring out corresponding geographic distribution layers so as to obtain the grid electronic thunder-threat distribution chart. The method has the advantages that the method is easy and intelligible with better operability and practicability.

A washer, a fastening assembly including the washer and a composite structure including the washer sealing the assembly for internal lightning strike protection. The washer includes one or more concentric ribs that are dielectric rings on both sides. When used (e.g., with a nut and bolt) internal to a structure, especially a composite structure, the washer seals the fastener hole (i.e., that the bolt passes through) and contains any sparking and hot gasses that may arise in the fastener hole from entering the structure.

The invention relates to a lightning protection system for a wind turbine blade, where the blade is a shell body made of a composite material and comprises a root area and a tip end. The lightning protection system comprises at least one lightning receptor arranged freely accessible in or on the shell unit surface on or in the immediate vicinity of the tip of the blade, and a lightning conductor made of electrically conductive material extending within the shell body along substantially the entire longitudinal direction of the blade. The lightning receptor and the lightning conductor are electrically connected by means of a connection area. The lightning conductor in its entire longitudinal direction as well as the connection area between the lightning conductor and the lightning receptor are electrically insulated in order to prevent lightning striking through the surface of the blade.