Aircraft electrostatic discharge test system
US6900642B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/005
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A low cost diagnostic system for testing the airborne static discharge systems and the grounding systems for aircraft. The present invention is a passive electrostatic detection scheme which in one embodiment is an array of inexpensive, miniaturized sensors for measuring the detected E-field disturbances from aircraft. The measurements are taken on the runway upon arrival and indicate whether the aircraft had an appreciable accumulated charge indicating a failure of the electrostatic discharge system. The system further verifies that the ground discharge devices are properly working and any charge is dissipated upon landing. In one embodiment the measurement information is transmitted to a central location where the aircraft and the measurement data are matched and maintenance is scheduled for aircraft having high levels of electrostatic charge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.