Electro-optic ice detection device
US6425286B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D15/20
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is an optical ice detection probe capable of detecting the presence, thickness and continued buildup of ice. The invention works by attaching the probe to the external surface of an airplane such as the wing, fuselage or empannage. The probe has a recessed surface, which is mounted to face directly into the airflow. One or more beams are passed over and parallel to the recessed surface. These beams can be of any useful wavelength, however for best results visible, infrared or ultraviolet beams should be used. Ice on the recessed surface interrupts the beams thereby indicating the presence of ice. If two or more beams are used, then each beam emitter is paired with a beam detector and the corresponding beam detector only detects the beam from that emitter. This can be accomplished by numerous methods. For example, powering each beam emitter alternately and sampling the output of the corresponding detector, electronically modulating the beam to a specific frequency with corresponding detectors designed to respond to the specific frequency or using an optical filter that passes only specific wavelengths.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.