The B. F. Goodrich Company

Lowell J Adams

Norbert A Weisend, Jr

Steven C Simshauser

Thomas E Wohlwender

Nathan Pisarski

William A Beard

David B Sweet

Kevin L Leffel

Gary V Tenison

An apparatus for deicing an outer shell includes an element comprised of shaped memory metal which undergoes a transformation from a weaker low temperature form (Martensite) to a stronger, high temperature form (Austenite) when the element is heated through its transformation temperature. The change in shape is utilized to deflect the outer shell to thereby shed ice accumulated thereon.

Deicer assembly utilizing shaped memory metals

A de-icer module especially adapted for installment on the inner surface of an airfoil is provided. The structural member has an outer surface upon which ice accumulates. The de-icer module comprises a support sheet delimited by a support area, a single pancake shaped separation means for developing a transient electro-mechanical separation force between the support sheet and the structural member distributed over the support area, the separation means being adjacent the support sheet, attachment means for connecting the support sheet to the inner surface of the structural member with the support sheet in close proximity to the inner surface of the structural member and the separation means sandwiched between the support sheet and the structural member. The invention provides a simplified mounting arrangement.

De-icer adapted for installment on the inner surface of a structural

A deicer for attachment to an airfoil substructure includes a segmented outer shell, with adjacent segments being decoupled from one another utilizing elastomeric decoupling members. The outer edges of the outer periphery shell segments are likewise decoupled from the airfoil structure utilizing elastomeric decoupling members. Each segment of the deicer is deflected by a respective deflection means which are provided energy from a controller.

Mechanical deicer having decoupled skin segments

An electro-impulse de-icer for de-icing an aircraft structural member having an opening in the leading edge and including an inductor coil. The inductor coil is disposed either at least partially within the opening or adjacent to the opening. The de-icer further includes a movable metal target disposed in proximity with the coil. The target is supported by a flexible, ice-accumulating support member that permits the target to move relative to the coil and to the structural member. The support member is rapidly, and forcefully, displaced away from the coil and the structural member upon passing a short-duration, high-current pulse through the coil. The current flow creates an electromagnetic field that induces eddy currents in the target and the support member (if made of metal). Upon collapse of the electromagnetic field in the coil, the target and support member are pulled rapidly to their rest position.

Electro-impulse de-icer

A planar coil construction, especially adapted for use in a force-producing device such as a de-icer, includes first and second sheet-like members, each defined by a continuous electrical conductor having a plurality of turns and first and second ends. The first end of the first conductor defines an electrical input to the coil, while the second end of the second conductor defines an electrical output from the coil. The second end of the first conductor and the first end of the second conductor are electrically connected. The sheet-like members are superimposed such that current flow through adjacent turns of the conductors is in the same direction. Within each sheet-like member, adjacent conductors also have current flow in the same direction. The invention includes a technique for spacing the conductors by means of a dielectric layer, and a technique for encapsulating the sheet-like members. Alternative embodiments are provided wherein different relationships among the sheet-like members are possible as they might be used for force-producing elements in a de-icer.

Planar coil construction

Method of manufacturing a planar coil construction

An attachable electro-impulse de-icer for de-icing an aircraft structural member includes an inductor coil disposed in proximity with the outer surface of the structural member. The coil is supported by a flexible, ice-accumulating support member (surface ply) that permits the coil to move relative to the structural member. Preferably the coil and support member are formed in an integral construction that can be attached to the leading edge of the structural member. The coil and support member are rapidly, and forcefully, displaced away from the structural member upon passing a short-duration, high-current pulse through the coil. The current flow creates an electromagnetic field that induces eddy currents in the support member (if made of metal), and the structural member (if made of metal). Upon collapse of the electromagnetic field in the coil, the support member is pulled rapidly to its rest position adjacent the structural member. Alternative arrangements are provided wherein (1) a metal target is disposed in proximity with the outer surface of the coil, (2) a metal target is disposed in proximity with the outer surface of the structural member, and (3) an additional target (doubler) is attached to the inner surface of the structural member.

Attachable electro-impulse de-icer

An electroexpulsive separation apparatus suitable for deicing of the leading edges of aircraft includes a pair of sheet-like arrays each containing in spaced-apart relationship a plurality of parallel ribbon-shaped electrically conductive members. The electrically conductive members are electrically interconnected such that any electrical current flowing in the conductive members flows in the same direction in adjacent electrically conductive members in the first sheet like member and also flows in adjacent electrically conductive members of the second sheet-like array in a direction opposite. The first and second sheet-like arrays are coextensive and superposed proximate to each other such that the electrically conductive members of the first and second sheet-like members are substantially parallel. The electrically conductive members are electrically insulated from one another. Large current pulses of predetermined magnitude, shape and duration are fed to the conductors from a power storage unit resulting in rapid and forceful separation of the first and second sheet-like arrays and other members associated therewith. The separation force for a given conductor, physical arrangement and current pulse is much greater than that of prior known devices.

Electro-repulsive separation system for deicing

A device (10) for isolating from vibrational and impulse loads a power transfer unit (14) that transfers power from a helicopter electrical system to a plurality of deicing segments on the rotor blades includes a distributor (13) rotating with the rotor blades for distributing power from the power transfer unit (14) to the deicing segments, a housing (11) having an upper cylinder (24) and lower cylinder (23) the latter of which is flexibly secured to the helicopter as by a joint including ball (40), housing 11 substantially isolating the power transfer unit (14) from such loads, and a shaft (12) rotatably engaging the upper cylinder (24) for carrying the distributor (13) in rotation with the rotor blades.

Helicopter deicer system power transfer assembly

A helicopter deicing control system (10) is provided for selectively distributing D.C. electrical power to a plurality of deicing segments (80, 90) on main and tail rotor blades with only two slip-ring assemblies (60 and 61, 62 and 63) for each rotor drive shaft. A power distribution controller (20) receives electrical power from the helicopter's onboard, fixed electrical power system and provides an output signal including power and control D.C. electrical signals of opposite polarities. A distributor (70) receives the output signal from controller (20) and increments a rotary switch (74) upon receipt of a D.C. electrical control signal, and distributes power to the main rotor deicing segment (90) connected to the rotary switch (74) contact then engaged upon the receipt of a D.C. electrical power signal so as to sequentially deliver D.C. electrical power to the desired main rotor deicing segment. Controller (30) includes provisions for individually preselecting the operating time for each deicing segment (80, 90), testing the operation and providing a continuous visual indication of the operational status of deicing control system (10).

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Dayton, OH, United States of America

Lowell J Adams