Apparatus and method for detecting water or ice
US10018580B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D43/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of water or ice on a structure, for example on the surface of an aircraft. One or more separate heaters are thermally coupled to a structure (for example on the back of wing leading edge skins). A controller applies power to the heaters to heat the different regions of the surface of the structure. The controller detects the presence of water or ice by comparing the power required to achieve the desired surface temperature, and a reference power, where the reference power is the power required to heat the surface of the structure to the same temperature if the structure were in a dry air environment (i.e. an environment devoid of water). If the power consumed by the heater is greater than the reference power, the presence of water or ice is inferred.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.