US 11,703,034 B2
Multilayer coverings to protect surfaces from lightning strikes
Billy Marvin Martin, Derby, KS (US)
Assigned to WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY, Wichita, KS (US)
Filed by Wichita State University, Wichita, KS (US)
Filed on Oct. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/501,475.
Application 17/501,475 is a continuation of application No. 15/972,908, filed on May 7, 2018, granted, now 11,174,846.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/504,514, filed on May 10, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0065230 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F03D 80/30 (2016.01); F03D 1/06 (2006.01); B32B 38/10 (2006.01); B32B 3/26 (2006.01); B32B 7/12 (2006.01); B32B 15/08 (2006.01); B32B 15/20 (2006.01); B32B 27/28 (2006.01); B32B 37/02 (2006.01); B32B 37/12 (2006.01); B32B 37/18 (2006.01); B32B 38/00 (2006.01); B32B 38/18 (2006.01); H02G 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC F03D 80/30 (2016.05) [B32B 3/266 (2013.01); B32B 7/12 (2013.01); B32B 15/08 (2013.01); B32B 15/20 (2013.01); B32B 27/281 (2013.01); B32B 37/02 (2013.01); B32B 37/12 (2013.01); B32B 37/182 (2013.01); B32B 38/0004 (2013.01); B32B 38/10 (2013.01); B32B 38/1808 (2013.01); F03D 1/0675 (2013.01); H02G 13/40 (2013.01); B32B 2307/202 (2013.01); B32B 2307/204 (2013.01); B32B 2309/105 (2013.01); B32B 2311/12 (2013.01); B32B 2311/24 (2013.01); B32B 2379/08 (2013.01); B32B 2571/00 (2013.01); B32B 2603/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for protecting a wind turbine blade from lightning strikes, the wind turbine blade including a lightning receptor extending through an opening in a blade surface of the wind turbine blade, the system comprising:
at least one protective blade covering configured to be applied to a portion of the wind turbine blade such that the at least one protective blade covering is positioned on the blade surface around the lightning receptor and the at least one protective blade covering is configured to transfer electrical current from a lightning strike on the blade surface to the lightning receptor, and wherein each protective blade covering comprises a bottom conductive layer, a top conductive layer, and dielectric material disposed between the bottom conductive layer and the top conductive layer, the bottom conductive layer comprising a metallic material, the metallic material comprising copper or aluminum.