Electromagnetic Energy Surface Protection
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRobert Marshall Burgess, Joseph A. Marshall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electromagnetic energy protection system and method disclosed herein that includes a plurality of conductive sheets ohmically connected by conductive interconnects. The conductive interconnects can be metal formed by a metal deposition process. The metal deposition process can include a plasma deposition process. The conductive interconnects can help prevent the formation of surface deformities such as bumps that may be caused when connecting, either physically or electrically, adjacent conductive sheets.
Claims20
An aircraft component, comprising:
- a plurality of layers;
- a conductive layer disposed co-planar and proximate to the plurality of layers, the conductive layer forming an electrical disconnect region defined by a gap between adjacent conductive sheets of the conductive layer;
- and
- an interconnect comprising a conductive material that creates an ohmic connection between the adjacent conductive sheets of the conductive layer to bridge the gap in the electrical disconnect region.
A method for forming a composite structure for an aircraft component, the method comprising:
- forming a plurality of layers;
- laying down a conductive layer co-planar and proximate to the plurality of layers, the conductive layer comprising an electrical disconnect region defined by a gap between adjacent conductive sheets of the conductive layer;
- and
- filling in at least a portion of the gap between the adjacent conductive sheets by depositing an interconnect comprising a conductive material that ohmically connects the adjacent conductive sheets of the conductive layer to bridge the gap in the electrical disconnect region.
A method for providing electromagnetic energy strike protection in an aircraft component, comprising:
- providing a composite structure for the aircraft component comprising a plurality of layers;
- providing a conductive layer in the plurality of layers comprising a first conductive sheet and a second conductive sheet;
- providing an interconnect deposited using a plasma deposition process, the interconnect comprising a conductive material that ohmically connects the first conductive sheet to the second conductive sheet;
- and
- routing an electromagnetic strike on the first conductive sheet to the second conductive sheet through the interconnect.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.