Goodrich Corporation

James Thomas Hindel

David Louis Brittingham

Galdemir Cezar Botura

James C Putt

James A Mullen

Darren Glenn Jackson

Alan John Fahrner

Kyle H Deiwert

Michael J Dorsey

Dave Bert Sweet

David Bert Sweet

An aircraft ice protection system () comprises an ice protection device (), an onboard power source (), a supply line () from the power source () to the device (), a controller () which controls the line (), and an optimizer () which conveys operation-optimizing instructions () to the controller (). An ice detector () provides an input () to the optimizer () and this ice-condition input () is used to generate the operation-optimizing instructions ().

Aircraft ice protection optimization based on ice-detection input

An electrical resistance heating element of the sort suitable for use in de-icing an aircraft surface includes a foil patterned with a plurality of holes. The holes are in a first patterned region that extends in a first direction from a first end to an opposite second end. The holes define multiple electrical paths between the two ends. The holes, which may vary in size, are configured and dimensioned such that the multiple electrical paths in areas away from lateral edges of said first patterned region are all non-parallel to the first direction. In other words, the electrical paths do not follow a straight line from the first and second ends, but rather must wend their way around the overlapping holes.

Foil heating element for an electrothermal deicer

An electrothermal deicing apparatus includes at least one heater conductor formed into a predetermined pattern for application to a structure. Each conductor of the pattern is coated with at least one layer of a material active to absorb electromagnetic energy. The pattern of the at least one coated heater conductor is operative to attenuate radar wave transmissions incident thereon to reduce the radar cross-section of the structure. A heater controller is coupled to the pattern of at least one coated heater conductor for controlling the deicing of the structure.

Electrothermal deicing apparatus and a dual function heater conductor for use therein

A radar altering structure comprises: a structure; and at least one layer of conductive material disposed at at least one surface of the structure, the layer comprising a plurality of conductive paths arranged in a specular pattern to reduce the radar cross section of the structure.

Radar altering structure using specular patterns of conductive material

A method of removing a delay-induced ice accumulation (e.g., an ice cap) from an airfoil's leading-edge region with a zoned electrothermal device. The method comprises delay-rectifying steps which are performed prior to routine-deicing steps. The delay-rectifying steps comprise continuously heating the parting strip (PS), continuously heating the upper fore zone (UF), and continuously heating the lower fore zone (LF). These steps efficiently and effectively remove the delay-induced ice accumulation, whereby routine deicing can be resumed.

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Tallmadge, OH, United States of America

James Thomas Hindel