Spiral Sensor for Aircraft Lightning Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lightning protection systems for aircraft formed using composite materials are inadequate as they fail to detect lightning strikes and perform damage diagnostics, leading to increased weight and structural issues.
Innovation Solution
A lightning protection and detection system featuring a non-conductive substrate with a conductive sensor array, including a continuous spiral winding trace, that detects lightning strikes and performs real-time damage diagnostics using an electrical measurement system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal mesh or expanded metal foil is embedded on a surface of or within laminate layers of composite materials for lightning protection, then the aircraft is protected from lightning strikes, but the weight of the aircraft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film sensor layer deposited on the composite material surface instead of bulky metal mesh. This thin film provides both lightning protection and sensing capabilities while minimizing weight addition compared to traditional metal mesh embedding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining the aircraft's composite material substrate with a deposited conductive sensor layer. This composite approach provides both structural integrity and lightning protection/sensing functions with reduced weight compared to all-metal constructions.
2Reliability
If a metal mesh or expanded metal foil is embedded for lightning protection, then the aircraft is protected from lightning strikes, but the ability to detect lightning strikes and perform damage diagnostics is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The deposited sensor layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lightning protection through its conductive properties and acts as a sensing element for detecting lightning strikes and damage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate protection and detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive sensor layer acts as an intermediary between the lightning strike event and the detection system. It captures the electrical characteristics of lightning strikes and transmits this information to the measurement system, enabling detection and diagnostics.
3Reliability
If all metal material is used for aircraft construction, then protection against lightning and electromagnetic interference is provided, but weight increases and structural failure risks arise due to corrosion and thermal expansion mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials for the aircraft structure with a deposited conductive sensor layer for protection and sensing. This composite construction maintains the lightweight advantages of composite materials while providing the electromagnetic protection and structural integrity needed for lightning resistance.
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 system effectively protects aircraft from lightning strikes, detects occurrences, and performs in-flight diagnostics, minimizing weight and structural concerns while maintaining aerodynamic design integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical measurement system in communication with the sensor and configured to receive a resonant response from the sensor, to perform detection, in real-time, of lightning strike occurrences and damage therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A lightning protection and detection system includes a non-conductive substrate material of an apparatus; a sensor formed of a conductive material and deposited on the non-conductive substrate material of the apparatus. The sensor includes a conductive trace formed in a continuous spiral winding starting at a first end at a center region of the sensor and ending at a second end at an outer corner region of the sensor, the first and second ends being open and unconnected. An electrical measurement system is in communication with the sensor and receives a resonant response from the sensor, to perform detection, in real-time, of lightning strike occurrences and damage therefrom to the sensor and the non-conductive substrate material.