Abstract: The invention relates to lightning strike protection means. The invention refers to a multilayer lightning strike protection material. A multilayer lightning strike protection material is configured adjoinable, at least partially, to an object to be protected and comprises a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer, wherein the material comprises a second dielectric layer, the conductive layer being interposed between the dielectric layers and thickness d of at least one dielectric layer is not less than 0.1 mm. The present invention provides a multilayer lightning strike protection material that, owing to the most optimum arrangement of layers of components having different properties, decreases the probability of a lightning strike to the object to be protected and ensures a high lightning resistance; decreases the possibility of electrical breakdown in the event of lightning strike hit; ensures that an object which is moving in a space can be protected.

Abstract: A blade for wind power generation includes a lightning receptor configured to form a part of the surface of the blade, and a lightning receiving protrusion that protrudes outward from the surface of the lightning receptor. The lightning receiving protrusion is provided to a surface boundary between the blade and the lightning receptor. The surface boundary configured to protect against the lightning is positioned within a radius of a circle, which is centered on a tip of the lightning receiving protrusion and which has a radius of twice the length of the lightning receiving protrusion. A point where electric field concentration on the surface of the lightning receptor is greatest is moved from the boundary to the tip of the lightning receiving protrusion, so as to significantly reduce a possibility of blade damage associated with lightning striking the boundary when being stroke by the lightning.

Abstract: A composite gasket for sealing, lightning strike protection and EMI shielding is provided. The gasket has a resilient conductive mesh sheet embedded with an elastomer gel layer. The conductive mesh is corrugated to provide a series of repeating waveforms, providing the gasket with a lower deflection force, better corrosion resistance, protection against lightning strikes and a higher EMI shielding capability. A second elastomer can be used around the edge portions of the gasket for improved abrasion resistance and increased tensile strength. A fiberglass sheet can be incorporated in the mesh for added reinforcement and support. The gaskets of the invention can be used on external aircraft components, such as external aircraft antenna mounts.

Abstract: A wind turbine hub (8) and nacelle (4) assembly including lightning conducting means (26, 30, 32, 40) for conducting lightning between the hub (8) and the nacelle (4), the hub (8) being mounted for rotation relative to the nacelle (4) and being adapted to support turbine blades, the hub (8) including a hub conductor (26) for connection to a turbine blade supported by the hub (8), the lightning conducting means including a conductive track (40) and a terminal (30, 32) which confront and are displaceable relative to each other, one of the conductive track (40) and the terminal (30, 32) being mounted on the hub (8) and being electrically connected to the hub conductor (26) and the other of the conductive track (40) and the terminal (30, 32) being mounted on the nacelle (4), the terminal (30, 32) including a terminal main body (30) which is spaced from the conductive track (40) and a sacrificial conductive terminal extension (32) extending from the terminal main body (30) towards the track (40).

Abstract: A protective system is provided including a material comprising a first and second surface opposite one another and a thickness, and where the first surface has a low-electrical resistance and the second surface has a high-electrical resistance that is higher than the electrical resistance of the low-electrical resistance surface, and the material conducts charge from the first surface to the second surface through the thickness. This can be provided in a bilayer structure where a first protective layer having a low-resistivity is disposed upon a second protective layer having a high-resistivity. This protective system is particularly useful for dissipating electrical charge, for example as a lightning strike protection system for composite aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an earthing system for a wind turbine connected to a utility grid. The wind turbine comprises at least one electric system such as low or high voltage power systems and cables (16), at least one control system such as a SCADA system and control cables (18), and/or at least one safety system such as a lightning protection system, wherein a connection to an electrically earth potential is established from one defined place (12) within the wind turbine for said systems.

Abstract: An omnidirectional, external, lightning protection system which serves to minimize damage from lightning current and lightning electromagnetic impulse (LEMP). Embodiments of the present invention disclose a variety of individual structural components which may be rapidly assembled to form an air termination system, down conductor system, and earth termination system, according to established standards of lightning protection. The apparatus may be erected to protect a structure, area, or equipment and dismantled to its components parts when no longer required. The assembled structure may serve as a temporary or permanent protective structure.

Abstract: A lightning protection system for a tower of a wind turbine is provided. The tower includes a reinforced concrete tower wall in which a plurality of electrically conductive structural reinforcing elements are embedded during construction. The lightning protection system includes a plurality of the structural reinforcing elements connected in an electrically conductive manner with each other and with a ground terminal. Further, a method of incorporating such a lightning protection system in a reinforced concrete tower, and a wind turbine with such a lightning protection system is provided.

Abstract: An early streamer emission terminal is disclosed. According to embodiments, the early streamer emission terminal creates an upward propagating streamer earlier than conventional lightning protection systems and/or devices. In particular, the early streamer emission terminal collects ground charges during an initial phase of thunderstorm development. When a thunderstorm begins to generate downward step leaders, the ambient electric field around a grounded lightning protection system induces current into the grounded lightning protection system. The induced current is a flow of negative charge toward the ground, while a positive charge is released to form an upward streamer. The construction of the early streamer emission terminal triggers the flow of positive upward charge microseconds earlier than traditional lightning rods or other similar devices.

Abstract: A method for vertically grounding and leading down form a center of a composite pole tower includes the following steps: extending a ground down-leading wire from a center of a ground wire cross arm which is made of metal and is positioned on top of the pole tower, wherein the ground down-leading wire is vertically leaded down to the earth form the center of the composite pole tower, wherein when an lower portion of the tower body is a metal pipe, the ground down-leading wire is extended from the center of the composite material and is directly connected to the metal pipe. The method utilizes the advantage of the insulating intensity of the wall of the composite pole tower and enhances the insulating intensity of the transmission line on impact of lightning. The ground down-leading wires are prevented from short-circuiting with the tower body of the composite pole tower, so that advantage of the insulating property of the composite material of the pole towers is realized.

Abstract: A part (1) includes a structural portion made of an electrically insulating or low-conductive composite material (2) and includes, on a surface (11) of the structural portion likely to be subjected to lightning impacts (10), a metallization layer (30) covered with an electrically insulating protection paint (4). The metallization layer includes a layer of a first electrically conductive metal material (31), referred to as HVT material, and includes at least one second electrically conductive metal material (32), referred to as LVT material, having a vaporization temperature ?l substantially lower than the vaporization temperature ?h of the first electrically conductive HVT metal material. A lightning impact results in the vaporization of the LVT material and the removal of the paint on a surface larger than that in which the HVT material is vaporized, and therefore exposes or lifts a portion of the metallization around the lightning impact point, thereby promoting the anchoring of the lightning arc base.

Abstract: A receptor assembly for lightning protection of an object, such as a wind turbine blade, includes a receptor disk configured to be placed on a surface of the object, a receptor block insulator with an integral receptor block, a cover that engages the receptor block insulator, and a cap that engages the cover. The receptor disk and the receptor block may be made of electrically conductive materials, and the cover, and the cap, and the receptor block insulator may define a chamber among them that is lined with an electrically-conductive coating sandwiched between relatively high dielectric media to electrically isolate and shield internal parts of the receptor assembly from receiving a lightning strike directly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for directing a lightning current within a wind turbine. The arrangement includes a first component, a second component, a contact element and a guideway. One of the two components is arranged moveably in relation to the other. The contact element is arranged in a way that the first component is electrically connected to the second component in order to direct a lightning current within the wind turbine. The contact element is guided moveably by the guideway. According to the invention, the guideway is at least partly integrated in the first component.

Abstract: A lightning protection device having a grounded Franklin rod and a conductive device attached to the rod and defining a predetermined overall shape of a predetermined size therearound. The lightning protection device is particularly devised to limit the amount of corona discharges under the ambient ground fields associated with lightning storms while the upward leader inception requirements remain unchanged during the descent of a lightning leader. The lightning protection device has a corona inception voltage that is substantially insensitive to contamination from pollution, insects, vermin or water droplets.

Abstract: A composite material, the composite material comprising at least one prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one fibrous reinforcement; and conducting particles dispersed in the polymeric resin.

Abstract: A lightning direction device is provided. The lightning direction device includes a drag member, a pendant mass and a conductor. The drag member is configured to have a select amount of wind resistance. The pendant mass has a select weight and shape. Moreover, the conductor is coupled between the pendant mass and the drag member.

Abstract: An anti-lightning system for a composite structure having an external surface liable to be subjected to an air flow, the aforementioned system including at least one electrically conducting strip and fasteners fastening the aforementioned strip to the structure, the aforementioned strip being electrically connected to an electrical earth for removing current. According the disclosed embodiments, the aforementioned strip has a shape intended to collaborate with a housing created at the aforementioned external surface so that the external surface of the strip lies flush with the aforementioned external surface of the structure, and the aforementioned fasteners include an upper part flush with the external surface of the strip.

Abstract: Provided is a lighting arrester capable of preventing damage caused by a lightning by discharging charges charged by approach of a thundercloud. The lightning arrester includes: a conductive rod installed at an upper part of an object to be protected from a lightning and connected to a ground part; a charge pipe having a cylindrical shape, formed of an insulating body to be insulated from the rod, and electrically charged with charges having a polarity opposite to ground charges; and a plurality of charge pins disposed on the charge pipe such that space charges in the air are charged to the pins by a thundercloud.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade comprising a lightning protection system. The lightning protection system comprises a lightning receptor for capturing lightning strikes. The receptors are arranged in the rotor blade. The lightning receptors comprise carbon nanotubes. In embodiments, the nanotubes are at an exterior surface is provided with a layer of carbon nanotubes and/or at least part of the lightning receptor is of a carbon nanotube metal composite material, such as a carbon nanotube metal matrix composite material. Moreover, the exterior surface of the receptor may in embodiments be provided with one or more electric field enhancing protrusions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically defending a site from lightning strikes are provided. The systems and methods involve dynamically altering electrostatic fields above the site and/or dynamically intervening in lightning discharges processes in the vicinity of the site.

Abstract: A lightning protection mesh for a blade of a wind turbine comprising a first set of wires running in a first direction, and a second set of wires running in a second, different direction. The mesh has at least one tapered end at which wires from at least one of the first and second set of wires run together. The total conducting cross-sectional area formed by the wires in the tapered end is maintained within the tapered end, and the wires are bundled at the tapered end to provide an electrical connection to the mesh.

Abstract: A lightning protection system for a wind turbine blade or aircraft wing includes a glass-reinforced fiber or carbon-reinforced wind turbine blade or aircraft wing having a tip region, a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge and a trailing edge. A substantially planar sheet of conductive or semi-conductive material is disposed internal to the blade tip region or wing tip region and between the suction side and pressure side. The sheet operates during a lightning discharge to form an electric field control mechanism causing the lightning discharge to attach to the tip region. The sheet is in electrical communication or galvanic connection with a conductive or semi-conductive path such that the electric field control mechanism and the path together operate to protect the wind turbine blade or aircraft wing from damage caused by the lightning strike in the tip region of the wind turbine blade or aircraft wing by controlling an electric field in the tip region caused by the lightning strike.

Abstract: An avionics chassis comprises a composite housing, a radio wave shield, and a lightning strike conductive path, wherein the radio wave shield attenuates electromagnetic interference entering and leaving the housing, and the lightning strike conductive path directs the current from a lightning strike away from an interior of the housing.

Abstract: Power pedestals are provided with an electrical ground connection to rebar encased in a foundation slab of a facility to thereby establish a EUFER ground for the power pedestal. Many pieces of rebar may be present within the foundation slab and may be interconnected to form a rebar network. In addition to the EUFER ground provided by the rebar, other grounding techniques may also be included such as a ground ring formed by ground rods spaced around the foundation slab and interconnected by a buried conductor that encircles the foundation slab. The rebar may be electrically connected to the ground ring to establish the conductivity to the earth. The power pedestal and EUFER ground may be present at various facilities, such as those including outdoor electronics equipment closures such as remote terminals and base stations.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a multi-layer circuit joining assembly material configured to repair multi-layer flex circuits deployed on or in a composite surface as a lightning protection system. The multi-layer circuit joining assembly material includes a first conductive layer having a first end portion, a second conductive layer having a second end portion, and a dielectric material between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: An anti-lightning system for a composite structure having an external surface configured to be subjected to an air flow, the aforementioned system including at least one electrically conducting strip and fasteners attaching this strip to the aforementioned structure. According to the disclosed embodiments, with this structure including holes configured to accept the fastenings for the strip, at least some these fastenings comprise an attachment element that attaches the lightning to this structure. This attachment element is configured to be inserted in the hole with its upper part substantially flush with the external surface of the structure, this attachment element being in electrical contact with the electrically conducting strip. The electrically conducting strip is configured to be positioned on the opposite side of the structure to the external surface and electrically earthed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detection apparatus of a wind turbine wherein said wind turbine comprises a down-conducting system arranged to conduct current induced from lightning, wherein said detection apparatus comprises a charge measurement apparatus for establishment of a charge representation, wherein said charge representation represents charge induced into said down-conducting system by lightning, and wherein said detection apparatus further comprises an estimator for estimating deterioration induced by lightning of one or more components in a wind turbine on the basis of said charge representation.

Abstract: A lightning protection system is provided, typically for use on an outer surface of an aircraft, which includes the use of a lightning protection sheet that includes an electrically conductive film patterned into a plurality of hill features. The lightning protection sheet may additionally include an electrically non-conductive discriminator layer over the electrically conductive film.

Abstract: A lightning protection system is provided, typically for use on an outer surface of an aircraft, which includes the use of a lightning protection sheet that includes an electrically conductive film and at least one patterned, electrically non-conductive discriminator layer.

Abstract: A grounding assembly for electronic equipment provides a discharge path for the energy arising from lightning strikes. A conductive strap connects the ground lug of the equipment to a ground plate buried in the earth. The conductive strap has a length, width and thickness, with the width being greater than the thickness. This reduces the inductance of the conductor from the controller to the ground plate, thereby enhancing the ability of the grounding assembly to dissipate energy from lightning strikes.

Abstract: An advanced methane and ammonia recovery system captures gaseous waste produced by domestic livestock to reduce the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere and to generate energy. The system includes a gas capture system residing at a peak of a barn. At large commercial operations, the captured gasses pass through a separator to separate methane from ammonia gas. The ammonia is processed to obtain a fertilizer. The methane is stored in a tank, and drawn from the tank to provide fuel for an electrical generator. At smaller operations, the captured gasses may be stored in a tank for periodic collection by a tanker truck or other transportation, or where economically feasible, piped to a central processing location. The system is designed to substantially reduce the amount of methane gas released into the environment while providing additional income to the domestic livestock operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for conducting lightning currents and/or fault currents away from a roof area (2) and/or façade area of a building (3) to the ground (4). According to the invention, the system is equipped with at least one strip (5), which is laid in the roof area (2) and/or façade area of the building (3) and at least one potential compensation system for the building (3). The strip (5) comprises at least one electrically conductive layer for shielding electromagnetic radiation and the strip (5) is connected to the potential compensation system in such a way that lightning currents and/or fault currents can be conducted away via the strip (5) and the building potential to the ground (4).

Abstract: The invention of the present application provides a device that includes an assembly of a toroid and a rod with one or several pointed ends; and a filter system; wherein, around the pointed end or the pointed ends of the rod, an electrical field is formed with air ionization, wherein in the space around the toroid formation of electrical fields and air ionization are minimized, wherein the pointed end projects out above the toroid level, and wherein the filter system attenuates the electrical discharge of lightning rays. The device of the present invention is connected to a low resistance cable that goes to ground.

Abstract: A lightning direction device is provided. The lightning direction device includes a drag member, a pendant mass and a conductor. The drag member is configured to have a select amount of wind resistance. The pendant mass has a select weight and shape. Moreover, the conductor is coupled between the pendant mass and the drag member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an expanded metal having substantially isotropic electrical resistance in at least two dimensions. Also disclosed are a composite structure comprising an expanded metal as disclosed herein and a lightning protection system comprising the expanded metal. Methods for manufacturing the expanded metal are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixer-ejector wind turbine uses an ultracapacitor system to store power from the variable generation of power by a permanent magnet generator. The system takes advantage of the MEWT area ratio, the higher velocity at the outer radius of the turbine, and the ability of the ultracapacitor system to store almost all of the input charge.

Abstract: An improved layered structure with an outer lightning protection surface is provided. The layered structure may include an expanded metal foil processed to reduce the number, severity, or the number and severity of stress concentration sites, thereby reducing micro-crack initiation sites. Chemical etching, mechanical micro-deburring processes, or both may be used to address stress concentration sites on the expanded metal foil.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lightning protection system and a composite structure comprising such a lightning protection system, wherein the lightning protection system comprises a metal foil layer, a plastic layer, and a matrix material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade comprising a blade tip and a lightning protection system. The blade includes at least one metallic lightning receptor at the surface of the blade in proximity of the distal end of the blade tip. The blade comprises a blade shell configured partly by a fibre-reinforced laminate, and the blade also comprises an electrically down-conducting element in the form of a metallic mesh. The electrically down-conducting element extends only to a certain distance from the distal end of the tip of the blade, said distance being larger than a distance between the position of the lightning receptor and the distal end of the tip of the blade. It is hereby ensured that a stroke of lightning will strike the receptor more likely than the electrically down-conducting element.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator system that can quantitatively determine the energy of a lightning strike on a wind turbine blade is provided. In the wind turbine generator system generating electricity by driving an electrical generation mechanism through rotation of a rotor head to which wind turbine blades are attached, an electrically conductive shield tape for judging the charge quantity (C) of a lightning strike is bonded to surfaces of the wind turbine blades.

Abstract: An appliqué for forming a surface coating to a substrate is disclosed. The appliqué contains a sectioned metal foil that provides a large area electrical circuit for connecting electrical devices. The appliqué may provide additional functions including lightning strike protection. The substrate may be an aircraft surface.

Abstract: An earthing device which needs not be buried under the ground is provided. The earthing device includes an earthing panel and a discharging device mounted inside the earthing panel. The discharging device includes at least one electrode plate, multiple discharging electrodes coupled to the electrode plate, and catalyst filled between the discharging electrodes. Since an earth electrode needs not be buried under the ground, it requires less construction costs, time and area, and environmental pollution (especially, soil pollution) does not happen. Further, the earthing device can be simply and economically installed regardless of place.

Abstract: A lightning protection device for reducing exposure of a wind turbine blade to conventional and upward lightning strikes, the device includes a support structure adapted to be grounded for mounting on the blade. The protection device also has a set of grounded space charge producing conductors attached to the support structure and arranged therewith to form a space charge producing element for producing space charge of opposite polarity to a cloud charge. Each space charge producing conductor has a diameter not exceeding 0.1 mm for reducing a corona inception voltage of the support structure upon which each space charge producing conductor is arranged, in both dry and wet conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an earthing system for a wind turbine connected to a utility grid. The wind turbine comprises at least one electric system such as low or high voltage power systems and cables (16), at least one control system such as a SCADA system and control cables (18), and/or at least one safety system such as a lightning protection system, wherein a connection to an electrically earth potential is established from one defined place (12) within the wind turbine for said systems.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for lightning protection for a vessel or structure operated on a fluid such as water. In a specific embodiment of the subject invention, a sailboat mast or lightning rod serves to collect the lightning charge and a flexible conductive wire is attached to the mast or lightning rod which goes down over the side of the vessel and to the water level. A grounding electrode is at the end of the wire and has a buoyant material on or near the grounding electrode such that the grounding electrode is substantially kept at the surface of the water. The grounding electrode and buoyancy may also serve to allow the grounding electrode to hydrodynamic plane at the water surface if the vessel or structure is moving through the water.

Abstract: A lightning protection system for a composite structure has an outer surface designed to be subject to an air flow. This system has an electrically conductive strip and fasteners from the strip to the structure. Since the structure has holes designed for the fasteners, at least some of these fasteners have an attachment element from the lightning to this structure. This attachment element is inserted into the hole with its top part approximately even with the outer surface of this structure, and the attachment element is in electrical contact with the electrically conductive strip. At least part of the electrically conductive strip is placed within the thickness of the structure and to be connected the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lightning protection system for a wind turbine blade, where the blade is a shell body made of a composite material and comprises a root area and a tip end. The lightning protection system comprises at least one lightning receptor arranged freely accessible in or on the shell unit surface on or in the immediate vicinity of the tip of the blade, and a lightning conductor made of electrically conductive material extending within the shell body along substantially the entire longitudinal direction of the blade. The lightning receptor and the lightning conductor are electrically connected by means of a connection area. The lightning conductor in its entire longitudinal direction as well as the connection area between the lightning conductor and the lightning receptor are electrically insulated in order to prevent lightning striking through the surface of the blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a rotating part including a rotor with at least one blade and a wind turbine hub with at least one enclosure structure or similar wall structure, and a stationary part including a nacelle with at least one enclosure structure or similar wall structure. At least one of said parts comprises a conductive film layer of said enclosure structure with connection to a ground potential, where said film layer forms a shield enclosing said part or parts and protects against electromagnetic fields. The invention also relates to a method to manufacture said enclosure structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade comprising a blade tip and a lightning protection system. The rotor blade includes at least one lightning receptor at the surface of the blade in an external distance (Lex) from the distal end of the blade tip, and a lightning receptor base inside the rotor blade arranged at an first internal distance (Li1) from the distal end of the blade tip. The rotor blade further includes means for changing at least one electric property of the rotor blade at the lightning receptor base, as compared to the electric properties of the ambient air by increasing the electric field supported between the lightning receptor base and the inner surface of the rotor blade. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade.

Abstract: Disclosed therein is an electric dipole streamer discharge type lightning conductor, which can gather electric charges in the atmospheric air at one side thereof and generate an electric discharge due to a dielectric breakdown when a potential difference is formed between the electric charges gathered by an electric dipole and the electric charges of the earth so as to emit a great deal of electric charges of the earth toward thunderclouds to thereby induce a thunderbolt.