The present disclosure teaches a lightning damage index is that used to predict the propensity of a lightning strike to an aircraft and the degree of damage to the aircraft that the lightning strike will cause. This index can help to obviate operational issues and other losses related to subsequent repairs to the aircraft that are required because of lightning damage. The disclosed method of predicting lightning strike damage to an aircraft involves generating data relating to the aircraft by measuring the dimensions of the aircraft, assessing the design features of the aircraft, and/or obtaining electromagnetic density data associated with regions of the aircraft. The method further involves creating a lightning damage index that provides a numeric representation for predicted lightning strike damage to the aircraft based on the generated data. The numeric representation may be further modified by factors associated with operation of the aircraft.
Lightning damage index
22.12.2015
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch