Aircraft lightning protection means

For use wiith a layer of sprayed metal on a structural component surface, electrical connection means comprising:

• a section of conductive mesh material fused with said sprayed metal layer to said structural component surface;
• and
• attachment means affixed to said mesh material for providing a solid electrical connection with said mesh material.

A lightning protected structural joint for mated composite and conductive components, said structural joint comprising:

• a bonding interface structure positioned in the joint area between said mated composite and conductive components, said interface structure including a layer of graphite composite material bonded to said composite component, and a relatively thin conductive coating covering exposed graphite filaments of said graphite composite layer and contacting said conductive component;
• and
• means for tightly securing said composite component, interface structure and conductive component together.

A lightning protected structural joint for mated composite and conductive components, said structural joint comprising:

• a bonding interface structure positioned in the joint area between said mated composite and conductive components, said interface structure including a layer of normally solid dielectric material bonded to said composite component and contacting said conducutive component;
• and
• means for tightly securing said composite component, interface structure and conductive component together, said securing means including bolting means having a conductive and noncorrosive coating provided thereon.

A lightning protected structural joint for mated composite and conductive components, said structural joint comprising:

• a bonding interface structure positioned in the joint area between said mated composite and conductive components, said interface structure including a layer of electrically conductive filament composite material bonded to said composite component, and a relatively thin conductive coating covering exposed conductive filaments of said electrically conductive filament composite layer and contacting said conductive component;
• and
• means for tightly securing said composite component, interface structure and conductive component together.