Smart lightning protection skin for real-time load monitoring of composite aircraft structures under multiple impacts

We experimentally test a previously reported lightning protection sheet (LPS) sensor to detect impacts within a short collision interval. The exact loading position is achieved using a two-step method. Our sensor sheet is flexible and can easily be attached to different shaped structures. Current flows in the sensor only during loading and our quick switching system identifies the real-time x, y coordinates of the loading position. Using this method multiple impacts can be detected when the time difference between two impacts is larger than 10 ms. The position of a single impact is estimated within 16 mm. This means that detailed inspection needs to be conducted only over a circular area with a radius about a few centimeters. Our method is ideally suited for aircraft components and it reduces costs and saves time as only small specific areas require inspection using ultrasonic or electrical resistance techniques.