Abstract: A device for dissipating and discharging undesired electric charges, especially from airplanes. The device is formed from nonmetallic conductive material, such as carbon loaded plastic, and comprises a number of regions having varying conductivities. A region at a first end where the device is connected to a mass to be discharged has a lower conductivity than a region at a second end. The device includes a coating comprised of insulating material, which coats the entire surface of the nonmetallic material except for a portion of the nonmetallic material on the second end of the device. A magnetic flux is created which pulls charges from the mass through the device. The charge is in part dissipated in the nonmetallic material and is in part discharged into the air through the exposed portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to dissipate and discharge electrostatic charge accumulated on an appliance. The device includes an open cell conductive foam body mounted in an enclosure. A plurality of magnets are embedded in the foam body and produce a looped magnetic field of relatively high flux density. A probe has a conductive pick-up head attached to the appliance and an electrical lead extends from the pick-up to make electrical contact with the foam body. A ground contact is embedded in the magnetic field at a position spaced from the electrical lead contact, and a ground wire electrically connects the foam body to ground potential. The method includes the steps of making electrical contact to the appliance by a conductive lead, dissipating the electrostatic charge under the influence of a magnetic field in a conductive foam body, and discharging the electrostatic charge to ground potential.