Battelle Memorial Institute

Diamond Power International, Inc.

Brett R Burton

Amy M Heintz

Timothy J Lastrapes

Ioan I Feier

Katherine M Palmer

Katherine P Mitchell

Darren Wolfe

Andrew Cox

Scott Nicholas Danhof

Beth Muszynski

Jeff Ellis

Tony F Habib

James H Hipple

Matthew E Huntwork

Kurt Bosworth

Donald R Hohe

Gabe J Stout

Tony Duong

Mike Jansen

Steven L Shover

Anti-icing methods and aerodynamic structures having laminated resistive heaters for de-icing are described. Several of the inventive aspects utilize laminated resistive heaters comprising a carbon nanotube layer and/or capacitors to store and supply electricity. The invention also includes methods of making aerodynamic structures having de-icing or anti-icing functionality.

Anti-icing, de-icing, and heating configuration, integration, and power methods for aircraft, aerodynamic, and complex surfaces

Flexible foam resistive heaters are prepared by coating a foam or fabric with an electrically conductive layer, and connecting electrodes to the coated foam or fabric, forming flexible lead (busbar) connections with low contact resistance for superior uniformity and lower power utilization than conventional technology. The coated foam or fabric may optionally be infused with other compositions, such as a fragrance, drug, prodrug, or insecticide, leading to many types of applications for the resistive heater.

Flexible foam resistive heaters and methods of making flexible resistive heaters

A low profile pass-through electrical connector is designed for aerospace applications. The connector allows voltage and current to pass-thru a conductive wing surface, while maintaining a low profile height for aerodynamic performance considerations. Examples of applications of the electrical connector include power for thin film heaters and communication antennae applications.

Low profile pass-through electrical connector

Flexible foam resistive heaters prepared with conductive coatings are described. The invention also includes methods of making flexible lead (busbar) connections with low contact resistance for superior uniformity and lower power utilization than conventional technology.

Configurations are described that provide uniform heat distribution of resistive heaters. These configurations allow successful anti-icing and deicing with relatively low applied power. One aspect involves the use of a thin film heater applied just underneath the topcoat to efficiently direct all heat to the surface, allowing anti-icing and de-icing with minimal power. This can be accomplished by employing a hybrid electrode interface, using a metal foil or metal braid that is attached to the aircraft surface with a structural adhesive that has been smoothed along the edges with metal-filled adhesive. Another aspect uses an array of heater cells created as a single sheet and a heat spreading material, provided underneath or overtop of the heater cells.

Uniform heat distribution in resistive heaters for anti-icing and de-icing

A method of coating a carbon nanotube material with a solventless coating composition is described. The resulting coating has been shown to preserve the conductivity of the conductive layer and protect the conductive layer from the effects of subsequent coating compositions. Examples are shown in which the coating formulation comprises a polyol and an isocyanate. A layer material comprising a polyurethane coating on a carbon nanotube network layer is also described.

Solventless coated carbon nanotube network

An ice protection system and method capable of anti-icing and de-icing aerodynamic structures and surfaces is provided comprising a Resistive Heat Coat (RHC) controller and a heating device. The RHC controller comprises a RHC power circuit topology having a processor and a buck converter. The RHC controller further comprises a RHC control algorithm. The heating device comprises a plurality of resistive heating elements, such as CNT-based resistive heaters. The ice protection systems and methods disclosed can achieve an efficiency of 98% or greater while employing a direct current (DC) power supply and 'hard switching' with a switching frequency of at least 500 kHz.

Ice protection system and controller

Solventless methods of coating a carbon nanotube network and carbon nanotube networks coated with a polymer

Laminated resistive heaters comprising a carbon nanotube layer are described. The invention also includes methods of making laminated resistive heaters and applications using the resistive heaters.

Carbon nanotube thin film laminate resistive heater

A sootblower for cleaning a plurality of surfaces within an interior volume of a combustion device is provided. The sootblower includes a combustion assembly configured to generate a pressure wave and a delivery assembly having an outlet for delivering the pressure wave into the interior volume of the combustion device.

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Brett R Burton