US Patent 7561402 Gap lightning surface protection of composite structures

A method and system of preventing lighting from puncturing composite surfaces is provided. The method includes reconfiguring plies of a composite surface so that a composite conductive ply is located on the outer surface of the composite surface and a non-conductive composite ply is located directly underneath the conductive ply and inserting a flashover point between an outer edge of the conductive ply and a fastener attaching the composite surface to a support structure.