934 results about "Lightning strike" patented technology

Disclosed is a nano-scaled graphene article comprising a non-woven aggregate of nano-scaled graphene platelets wherein each of the platelets comprises a graphene sheet or multiple graphene sheets and the platelets have a thickness no greater than 100 nm (preferably smaller than 10 nm) and platelets contact other platelets to define a plurality of conductive pathways along the article. The article has an exceptional thermal conductivity (typically greater than 500 Wm−1K−1) and excellent electrical conductivity (typically greater than 1,000 S / cm). Thin-film articles of the present invention can be used for thermal management in micro-electronic devices and for current-dissipating on an aircraft skin against lightning strikes.

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.

Surface films, paints, or primers can be used in preparing aircraft structural composites that may be exposed to lightning strikes. Methods for making and using these films, paints or primers are also disclosed. The surface film can include a thermoset resin or polymer, e.g., an epoxy resin and / or a thermoplastic polymer, which can be cured, bonded, or painted on the composite structure. Low-density electrically conductive materials are disclosed, such as carbon nanofiber, copper powder, metal coated microspheres, metal-coated carbon nanotubes, single wall carbon nanotubes, graphite nanoplatelets and the like, that can be uniformly dispersed throughout or on the film. Low density conductive materials can include metal screens, optionally in combination with carbon nanofibers.

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.

A lightning protection system for protecting composite structures and a method of protecting composite structures from lightning strikes. A dielectric ply is fixed above and completely covers metal surface features, e.g., skin fasteners through a composite skin to a wing fuel tank. A conductive ply is fixed above and completely covers the dielectric ply and extends to an external connection to a platform ground. The conductive ply directs current from lightning strikes away from metal surface features, e.g., to the platform ground. Both plies may be adhesively backed and sequentially pressed into place.

An overlay of patterned metal foil above a substrate to be protected supports development of localized coronas after a lightning strike. The localized coronas transport energy of a lightning strike above the substrate's surface with limited removal of metal foil from the lightning strike attachment point. A first polymer film underlies patterned metal foil. A topcoat overlies the patterned metal foil. An adhesive, underlying the first polymer film affixes the lightning diverter overlay to the substrate. If desired, semiconductor particulates may be dispersed throughout the second polymer film to contribute to instantaneous generation of localized coronas. Also, an ink layer may be provided between the patterned metal foil and the topcoat or on the exterior, if desired, for aesthetic and / or anti-static purposes.

Ingress noise from subscriber equipment is mitigated or prevented from reaching a cable television (CATV) network. All upstream signals including ingress noise are initially transmitted to the CATV network whenever their instantaneous power exceeds a threshold which typically distinguishes ingress noise from a valid upstream signal. Whenever the instantaneous power is below the threshold, ingress noise is blocked from reaching the CATV network. A gas tube surge protection device is included to resist component destruction and malfunction arising from lightning strikes and other high voltage, high current surges.

In a wind turbine (104, 500, 704) having a plurality of blades (132, 404, 516, 744) and a blade rotor hub (120, 712), a lightning protection system (100, 504, 700) for conducting lightning strikes to any one of the blades and the region surrounding the blade hub along a path around the blade hub and critical components of the wind turbine, such as the generator (112, 716), gearbox (708) and main turbine bearings (176, 724).

The invention is directed to an integrated lightning strike protection system adapted for automated placement on a composite structure comprising a surfacing layer consisting of an organic polymer resin, a conductive layer of an expanded metal foil, an isolation / tack layer, and a carrier paper layer. In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an integrated lightning strike protection system comprising an integrated lightning strike protection material consisting of an expanded metal foil encapsulated in organic polymer resin mounted on a carrier paper, and an automated placement machine suitable for placing the material on an aircraft composite part for protection of the composite part from lightning strikes. In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for fabricating a composite structure with lightning strike protection.

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.

Apparatus and processes to automatically power-down a computer system upon determination of the presence, imminence, or forecast of severe weather in the local area. A computer system receives data relating to a weather forecast for a particular local area from a weather service communication server and, based on a determination of the presence, imminence or forecast of severe weather in the local area, initiates an automatic power-down sequence. A delay may be provided to allow the user time to abort the initiation of the automatic power-down sequence. The data may be transmitted in any suitable manner, e.g., over a telephone line through the PSTN, using the Internet, using a paging system, etc. The weather service communication server is provided with the particular local area relating to the computer system. For instance, in the case of a dial-up telephone call to the weather service communication server, call related information such as the telephone exchange number and / or the area code in Caller ID information can be used by the weather service communication server to determine the local area relating to the particular computer system. Thus, a user is provided additional security against damage which may be caused to all or a portion of a computer system due to lightning strikes, downed telephone poles, etc. as a result of severe weather in a local area.

A lightning protection appliqué incorporates a plurality of conductive plies adhesively affixed to a composite surface, at least a first one of the plies providing conductive characteristics sufficient to divert electrical energy from a lightning strike and at least a second one of the plies comprising operational circuitry. A dielectric ply is fixed to the composite surface over and completely covering at least one metal surface feature between the plurality of conductive plies and the composite surface.

When a disturbance (for example, lightning strike) occurs on a high-voltage overhead transmission line, the line must be checked for any possible damage. If the distance-to-fault is known, line crews can be quickly dispatched for any necessary repair. The present invention is a fault location method and system that uses filtered, time-synchronized positive- or negative-sequence voltage and current measurements from both ends of the overhead transmission line to determine the exact distance to the fault with respect to either end.

An appliqué for forming a surface coating to a substrate is disclosed. The appliqué contains a sectioned metal foil that provides a large area electrical circuit for connecting electrical devices. The appliqué may provide additional functions including lightning strike protection. The substrate may be an aircraft surface.

A system for protecting a composite-body aircraft from damage caused by lightning strikes includes a Faraday cage defined on the exterior surface of the aircraft body by a continuous, electrically conductive grid that extends to the outermost lateral periphery of the body. In one possible embodiment in which the aircraft's body includes a plurality of composite panels that are joined at their adjacent edges by splice plates, the conductive grid may advantageously be formed by electrically conductive splice plates, e.g., of titanium, that have their respective, adjacent ends electrically connected to each other, e.g., with conductive straps and fasteners. The conductive grid provides preferential attachment points and conductive paths for lightning strikes on the surface of the aircraft, thereby shielding the interior of the grid from lightning damage. The conductive grid can optionally function as a ground return path for the aircraft's electrical system.

The invention discloses a method for assessing the lightning flashover risks of regional power grid lines, which comprises the following steps that: through calculating the lightning-resistant level of each base rod tower and combining with a probability distribution function of lightning current amplitudes of a region, the lightning trip-out rate of each rod tower is obtained, and the average lightning trip-out rate of a line is calculated; then, through combining with an automatic reclosing failure rate and a failure rate of manual forced energization, a permanent failure rate of the line is obtained; and through considering the weight coefficient of the line in a power grid structure, the permanent failure load loss coefficient of the line at the specific time of a power grid and in an specific operation mode of the power grid, and the risk occurrence probability of other influencing factors, a lightning flashover risk assessment model of a regional power transmission grid is established. According to the invention, the shortcoming that the absolute numerical value of the lightning trip-out rate can not really reflect the lightning disaster risk level of each line is overcome, and the lightning flashover risk level of each rod tower of lines is assessed through comprehensively considering the differences among the lightning motions, topographical features, line structures, insulation configuration, lightning protection measures and the like of each line corridor in the power grid, so that more comprehensive and thorough assessment results are obtained.

An electronic animal containment or confinement system that contains a transmitter which generates a regulated signal through a boundary antenna made from a buried wire. The regulated signal creates a field signal of a predetermined width regardless of the length of the wire used to define the boundary antenna. The field signal is received by a receiver worn by a dog. If the dog gets too close to the field signal, the receiver generates a current that passes across a pair of probes that contact the skin of the dog in order to give the dog a shock. This represents a form of training to teach the dog to respect an electrified boundary formed by the buried wire. There is also provided a system for protecting a transmitter in a pet confinement system against lightning strikes.

A shut-off valve system operative to shut-off flow through a pipe or other conduit in response to one or more fault conditions, including in particular high current that may cause damage to piping or other components downstream of the shut-off valve. The high current may result from a lightning strike inducing high current flow through the conduit and fluid flow components connected inline with the conduit.

A method for reestablishing the electrical continuity of an electrically conductive layer of a composite aircraft wing damaged by a lightning strike or other mechanical event is disclosed in which a copper patch replaced the damaged section of the electrically conductive layer contained. The repair is performed by first removing any surfacers, fasteners, and damaged electrically conductive layer to expose a portion of the underlying composite skin. A copper patch having a copper foil section coupled to an unsupported film adhesive is then introduced onto an underlying composite skin opening contained within an undamaged section of a copper foil grid and covered with resin-impregnated fiberglass material. The film adhesive and resin-impregnated fiberglass material are then cured and fasteners are then reinserted within the fiberglass material, copper patch and underlying composite skin. The surface of the composite wing is then reprimed and repainted to complete the repair.

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.

The invention relates to a lightning striking fault identifying method of a direct current power transmitting line traveling wave protection. According to the characteristic difference of voltage traveling wave shape between the formed faults and unformed faults, two-pole voltage traveling wave weight and origin direct current weight are used to identify changing trend of the wave shape; ratio of a initial traveling wave mode maximum value and the second mode maximum value is used for representing saltation that the wave shape is cut; combining the two characteristics to achieve the identification of the voltage traveling wave while not causing the faults by lightning pole tower, lightning striking lightning line, lightning striking line shift central distance and the voltage traveling wave of non-lightning short circuit fault by the lightning pole tower, lightning striking line shift central distance. The interference and identification of the two lightning weaves are combined to improve the identifying reliability. A large number of emulations represent that this method is reliable and effective. The physical conception of this invention is intuitionistic and clear and has a rapid action function. The invention does not be influenced by the fault type and transition resistance and it is easy to achieve and suitable for apllying to direct current system protecting device.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to metal- or metal alloy-coated sheet materials (hereinafter, “metal-coated sheet material”) including, but not limited to, fabrics and veils which have a metal content of between one (1) and fifty (50) grams per square meter (gsm). The metal-coated sheet materials may be used as-is or in conjunction with prepregs, adhesives or surfacing films to provide lightning strike protection (LSP) and / or bulk conductivity, among other benefits, to the resultant composite article. In one embodiment, the metal-coated sheet material is impregnated with a resin. According to embodiments of the invention, a metal is applied to one or two sides of the fabric or veil by a physical vapor deposition coating process. The resultant metal-coated fabric or veil may be used as a carrier in surfacing films to impart surface conductivity; may be used as a carrier in adhesives to form conductive adhesive-bonded joints; may be interleaved (one or more metal-coated veils) between layers of prepreg to impart surface and / or bulk conductivity as well as toughness; or may be used to fabricate composite articles.

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.

An aircraft component having an external surface includes an improved lightning strike protection surface film disposed on or proximate to the external surface. The surface film includes a preform that includes a substrate having a first areal weight density and a plurality of spaced carbon nanotubes grown on the substrate, the nanotubes having a second areal weight density. The sum of the first areal weight density and the second areal weight density is less than about 500 grams per square meter, and the preform has a surface resistance less than about 1 ohm / square.

The invention provides a method for determining insulation and lightning impulse withstanding properties of a same-tower double-loop power transmission line. The method comprises the following steps: determining the same-tower double-loop power transmission line to be determined, acquiring statistical parameters of lightning activities in an area in which the power transmission line is located and structural parameters of each pole tower and determining a lightning strike calculation cycle number Nl; sampling random parameters during a lightning strike process and determining lightning current amplitude, transient power frequency voltage and determination result that the lightning strike is shielding failure or back striking; judging whether tripping occurs in the pole tower after the certain lightning strike or not and carrying out statistics on the tripping times during the Nl lightning strikes according to the lightning current amplitude, the transient power frequency voltage and the shielding failure or back striking determination result, as well as the structural parameters of the pole tower, and calculating the lightning strike tripping rate; and determining the insulation and the lightning impulse withstanding properties of the power transmission line according to the lightning strike tripping rate and a target value. The determination method provided by the invention is small in error, high in precision and specific; and by adopting the determination method, design, operation and improvement of lightning protection measures of the same-tower double-loop power transmission line of an electric power department can be scientifically guided.

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.

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 discloses a lightning detection and positioning system and method, which relate to the technical field of meteorological detection. The system comprises an antenna unit, a receiver unit, a waveform characteristic extracting and processing unit and a monitoring and controlling unit, wherein the antenna unit is used for detecting an electromagnetic field variation signal while lightning happens, detecting a GPS satellite signal and transmitting the electromagnetic field variation signal and the GPS satellite signal to the receiver unit; the receiver unit is used for receiving the electromagnetic field variation signal and the GPS satellite signal; the waveform characteristic extracting and processing unit is used for extracting electromagnetic field variation signal waveform characteristic parameters in real time and analyzing the parameters to obtain a cloud ground flash identification result and a ground flash positioning result; and the monitoring and controlling unit is used for collecting and storing the waveform of the electromagnetic field variation signal in real time, marking the time of collecting the lightning waveform and displaying the position of the ground flash in a geographical information system in real time. The system and method disclosed by the invention, multifunctional single-station lightning detection and positioning of the lightning waveform collection and lightning strike-back positioning can be carried out.