IMPROVEMENT OF THE PROTECTION AGAINST DIRECT LIGHTNING STRIKES IN RIVETED AREAS OF CFRP PANELS

• Main Authors: DESCALZO FERNANDEZ, LUIS MANUEL, SANCHEZ-BRUNETE ALVAREZ, DESIDERIO
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: 13.03.2012
• Subjects: AIRCRAFT; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSIONTRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS; EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLYING SUITS; PARACHUTES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

The invention relates to a metalization structure of aircraft panels and process for obtaining such structure, such that it comprise a structure of a panel (1) made in composite material, the mentioned panel (1) comprising a metal mesh or foil (2) in its outer part, said panel (1) further comprising a bore which in turn comprises a shank and an upper countersinking (8), such that the mentioned panel (1) is fixed to another structural aircraft element (3) by means of metal fixing elements (4), characterized in that said structure comprise a metallization layer (7) arranged on the upper countersinking (8), extending in the adjacent area of the metal mesh or foil (2), such that it is ensured that electrical continuity exists between the upper countersinking (8) and the metal mesh or foil (2) during the time that the lightning bolt strikes the structure of the panel (1), further ensuring that most of the current discharged by the lightning bolt is conducted over the surface of the structure of the mentioned panel (1). The invention further relates to a process for making such structure of a panel (1). Estructura de metalización de paneles de aeronave y procedimiento para la obtención de la misma, tal que comprende una estructura de panel (1) realizado en material compuesto, comprendiendo el citado panel (1) una malla o laminado metálico (2) en su parte exterior, comprendiendo además dicho panel (1) un taladrado que comprende a su vez una caña y un avellanado (8) superior, tal que el citado panel (1) está fijado a otro elemento estructural (3) de la aeronave mediante elementos de fijación (4) metálicos, caracterizada porque dicha estructura comprende una capa (7) de metalizado dispuesta sobre el avellanado (8) superior, extendiéndose en la zona colindante de la malla o laminado metálico (2), tal que se asegura que exista continuidad eléctrica entre el avellanado (8) superior y la malla o laminado metálico (2) durante el tiempo que dure un impacto del rayo sobre la estructura del panel (1), asegurándose además que la mayor parte de la corriente descargada por el rayo se conduce por la superficie de la estructura del citado panel (1). La invención se refiere además a un procedimiento para la realización de una estructura de panel (1) tal.