APPARATUS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING CORROSION RESISTANT CONDUCTIVE PATH ACROSS NON CONDUCTIVE JOINTS OR GAPS

摘要

An electrically conductive bridge is formed over a non conductive joint between two or more adjacent electrically conductive panels. The bridge provides a continuous conductive path between the panels. In an exemplary embodiment, the panels form part of a shield against electromagnetic and/or lightning strike energy. The bridge is formed by taping an expanded conductive mesh over exposed conductive portions of the panels and applying an epoxy adhesive. During a following cure cycle, vacuum compression is applied. The expanded mesh of the bridge has an out-of-plane cross sectional configuration which remai ns in contact with the panel conductive portions during cure so that when the adhesive has cured, the bridge mesh and the panel conductive portions are held i n contact with each other.