Patent ID: 6435452
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B64C,B64D

Abstract:
A drainmast assembly comprising a drainmast for ejection of waste water from an aircraft and a grounding plate for protection against lightning strike currents;the drainmast comprising a fairing and a drain tube; the fairing being made of an electrically non-conductive material and including a mounting flange, an exit cap, and an aerodynamically advantageously shaped mast extending from the mounting flange to the exit cap; the drain tube being made of an electrically conductive material, positioned at least partially within the fairing, and including an inlet which communicates with an aircraft waste water system and an outlet positioned within the fairing's exit cap; the grounding plate being made of an electrically conductive material and being attached to the drain tube in such manner that a conductive path is established between the grounding plate and the drain tube; the grounding plate being positioned relative to the fairing's mounting flange so that it may be placed in contact with the aircraft fuselage during installation of the drainmast whereby an electrically conductive path is formed thereby allowing lightning strike currents to travel from the drain tube to the grounding plate to the aircraft fuselage.