Microwave ice detector
US4054255A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1976 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B19/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for detecting ice on exterior surfaces of aircraft by transmitting a relatively low power microwave electromagnetic signal into a dielectric layer functioning as a surface waveguide, and monitoring the signals transmitted into and reflected from the waveguide. The waveguide includes a termination element which is mismatched with the waveguide impedance, resulting in partial or total reflection of the microwave energy from the remote end of the waveguide. As ice builds up on the surface waveguide, the impedance or reflection characteristics of the composite waveguide comprising the ice layer and the permanent surface waveguide give a reliable indication of the presence and location of the ice. The reflection characteristics are conventionally monitored utilizing a dual directional coupler and a reflectometer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.