Leonardo S.p.a.

Francesco De Domenico

Enrico Bellussi

Michele Arra

A blade for a rotor of a hover-capable aircraft is described comprising: a main body with a first outer surface; and a de-icing system for removing ice; the de-icing system, in turn, comprises: a first layer formed by a shape-memory material activatable so as to alter its shape according to a temperature-associable quantity, which is arranged on at least one outer surface of the main body; the de-icing system is characterized in that it comprises a second covering layer, which defines at least a portion of a second outer surface of the blade on which ice deposits; the second layer laid on top of the first layer on the opposite side of the main body is selectively movable under the action of the first layer so as to exert a mechanical action on the ice and remove it from the blade, and is adapted to protect the first layer from external agents.

Growing community of inventors

Samarate, Italy

Francesco De Domenico