Conductive Annular Seal for Lightning Current Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current conductive seal technology in aircraft fluid conveyance systems fails to safely conduct higher potential lightning currents without arcing, especially at the seal surface, and can lead to loss of electrical bonding due to non-conductive seals being mistakenly used.

Innovation Solution

An annular seal design featuring a center core with high electrical conductivity and outer jackets with lower conductivity, using elastomeric or polymeric materials filled with conductive materials like carbon, silver, or copper to prevent arcing and ensure safe electrical conductivity during lightning strikes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If highly conductive sealing surfaces are used to conduct lightning current, then electrical conductivity is improved, but arcing occurs on the seal surface due to ionization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidarcing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal employs different materials with different electrical conductivity properties at different locations: a more conductive inner sealing surface for electrical bonding and a less conductive outer sealing surface to prevent ionization and arcing during lightning strikes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is constructed as a composite structure with at least two different sealing surfaces having different electrical conductivity, combining materials that provide both electrical conductivity and resistance to ionization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 annular seal effectively dissipates static charges and conducts high electrical currents without arcing, maintaining electrical bonding and preventing ionization at the seal surface, even under high voltage lightning conditions.

Implementation Method 1

electrical current flow within fluid conveyance systems is encouraged by designing the components having electrically conductive materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

resists seal surface ionization when passing a very high current density from a lightning strike

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization resistance: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentEP2964980B1Electrically conductive seals for fluid conveyance systems

Publication Date: 2017.11.15 EATON CORP

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AI summary

An annular seal for use in a fluid conveyance system that is subject to a high voltage event includes a center core having a generally tubular shape, the core having a circumferentially projected cross-section that is defined by inner and outer core radial surfaces, and core axial surfaces that are opposite one another. The sidewalls each have a generally tubular shape and a circumferentially projected cross-section that is defined by inner and outer sidewall radial surfaces, and first and second sidewall axial surfaces that are opposite one another. The first sidewall is attached along one of its axial surfaces to one of the core axial surfaces, and the second sidewall is attached along one of its axial surfaces to the other of the core axial surfaces. The center core has an electrical resistance that is less than an electrical resistance of each of the first and second sidewalls.