Aircraft Lightning Conditioning via Conductive Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft designs face challenges in effectively managing lightning strikes, leading to high costs and weight in lightning protection systems due to the resistance of composite and metal materials, which can be damaged by natural lightning strikes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that simulate lightning strikes on aircraft components using conductive tabs and a pulse generator to reduce electrical resistance and condition materials, allowing them to handle subsequent natural strikes more effectively, thereby reducing the need for heavy protection systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lightning protection systems are used with heavy shielding and coating, then aircraft are protected from lightning strikes, but the weight of the aircraft increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary conditioning treatment to the aircraft structure before actual lightning strikes occur. The conditioning process pre-heats and pre-stresses the composite materials and metal joints through simulated lightning current pulses, creating a conditioned state that reduces electrical resistance and prevents sparking during subsequent natural lightning strikes. This preliminary action eliminates the need for heavy protective shielding and coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical resistance parameter of the aircraft structure through conditioning treatment. By applying controlled current pulses that heat and stress the materials, the electrical resistance of composite materials and metal joints is permanently reduced, allowing lightning currents to flow smoothly without sparking. This parameter change transforms the structure from a sparking-prone state to a low-resistance state, providing protection without added weight.
2Ease of manufacture
If composite materials and metal joints are used in aircraft construction, then manufacturing flexibility and design freedom improve, but electrical resistance increases leading to sparking during lightning strikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful sparking effect into a beneficial conditioning process. By deliberately applying high-current pulses that simulate and exceed natural lightning conditions, the composite materials and metal joints are conditioned to reduce their electrical resistance. The harmful sparking that would normally occur during lightning strikes is transformed into a useful pre-conditioning treatment that prevents future sparking, allowing the use of composite and metal materials without their inherent high-resistance drawbacks.
3Reliability
If lightning protection systems are designed for worst-case scenarios, then safety is ensured, but the cost and weight of protection features increase to hundreds of pounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the aircraft structure to protect itself through conditioning treatment. The composite materials and metal joints undergo a self-conditioning process where simulated lightning currents modify their own electrical properties, reducing resistance and preventing sparking. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate protective systems weighing hundreds of pounds, as the structure becomes inherently resistant to lightning damage through the conditioning process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The conditioning process decreases the electrical resistance of aircraft materials and joints, enabling them to tolerate natural lightning strikes with less damage, thus reducing the weight and cost of lightning protection features.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of current pulses imitate a plurality of lightning strikes... striking the component with the plurality of current pulses from the pulse generator... decreases the electrical resistance of aircraft materials and joints
Implementation Method 2
positioning a plurality of tabs on a component. The plurality of tabs are electrically conductive... connecting a plurality of wires between an initial set of the plurality of tabs and a pulse generator
Implementation Method 3
positioning the component on a support that is electrically insulated... The support is electrically insulated and configured to hold a component
Data Source
AI summary
A method for conditioning to reduce lightning strike effects is provided herein. The method includes positioning a plurality of tabs on a component. The plurality of tabs are electrically conductive. The component includes at least one of a composite material and a metal material having at least one joint. The method includes positioning the component on a support that is electrically insulated, and connecting a plurality of wires between an initial set of the plurality of tabs and a pulse generator. The pulse generator is configured to generate a plurality of current pulses through the plurality of wires. The plurality of current pulses imitate a plurality of lightning strikes. The method further includes striking the component with the plurality of current pulses from the pulse generator, and reconnecting the plurality of wires to one or more different sets of the plurality of tabs between the plurality of current pulses.