Voltage-Responsive Conductive Patch for Aircraft Static Discharger Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Static electricity dischargers on aircraft, such as static wicks and bonding straps, are prone to corrosion and lose effectiveness over time, making routine inspections time-consuming and costly due to their exposure to the environment.

Innovation Solution

An electrically conductive patch made of a voltage responsive film is conductively coupled to the aircraft's skin, changing color from a first coloration matching the skin to a contrasting second coloration when a threshold voltage difference is reached, indicating a compromised electrical discharge point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If static electricity dischargers (static wicks and bonding straps) are used on aircraft skin, then static electricity is effectively discharged, but the components are prone to corrosion and lose effectiveness over time due to environmental exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of static electricity dischargerVSAvoidservice life of static electricity discharger

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a voltage-responsive film that changes color based on the electrical potential difference between the aircraft skin and the discharger component. When corrosion occurs and effectiveness is lost, the film changes color to provide visual indication of the degraded state, allowing maintenance personnel to identify compromised components without complex inspection equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If routine inspections of bonding straps and static wicks are performed to detect corrosion and effectiveness loss, then reliability is maintained, but the inspection process becomes very time-consuming and costly due to the numerous components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of compromised electrical discharge pointsVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage-responsive film provides immediate visual feedback through color changes, allowing inspectors to quickly scan multiple components and identify only those that have changed color indicating compromise. This eliminates the need for time-consuming electrical testing of each individual component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electrical inspection equipment and procedures with a simple visual inspection system. The voltage-responsive film converts electrical potential differences into optical signals that can be detected by the human eye, substituting sophisticated measurement systems with a straightforward visual assessment method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If comprehensive inspection of all static wicks and bonding straps is conducted to ensure current path efficacy, then safety is improved, but the inspection cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent path efficacyVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage-responsive film provides a low-cost visual indication system that eliminates the need for expensive specialized inspection equipment. The film itself serves as both the sensor and the indicator, providing continuous monitoring capability at minimal cost compared to traditional electrical testing methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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

This solution provides a visual indication of compromised electrical discharge points, simplifying the detection process and reducing maintenance costs by allowing for easy identification of faulty components during routine inspections.

Implementation Method 1

The electrically conductive patch is constructed of a voltage responsive film configured to change from a first coloration and into a second coloration in response to experiencing a threshold voltage difference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage responsive film color change: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentUS11053020B2Electrically conductive patch for indicating a compromised electrical discharge point in an aircraft

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An electrically conductive patch for a sheet that is part of a skin of an aircraft is disclosed. The sheet includes an outermost surface constructed of an electrically conductive material and one or more electrical discharge points that are conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is disposed along the outermost surface of the sheet and is conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is constructed of a voltage responsive film configured to change from a first coloration and into a second coloration in response to experiencing a threshold voltage difference, where the first coloration substantially matches a coloration of the skin of the aircraft.