Method and arrangement for de-icing a structural element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9580181-B2
Application number	US-201013876800-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 28, 2010
Priority date	Sep 28, 2010
Publication date	Feb 28, 2017
Grant date	Feb 28, 2017

Abstract

The present invention relates to a de-icing arrangement for de-icing a structural element { 170; 270; 370 ). The structural element could be made of a whole polymeric or metallic material. The arrangement comprises a power source ( 250 ) being electrically connected to an electrode configuration ( 200 ), said power source is arranged to, when applicable, electrically charge said electrode configuration ( 200 ). The electrode configuration ( 200 ) is arranged to generate an impulsive force (Fn) for removal of ice adhered on said structural element ( 170; 270; 370 ). The invention relates to a method for de-icing a structural element. The invention also relates to a computer program and a computer program product. The invention also relates to a platform carrying the arrangement.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. De-icing arrangement for de-icing a structural element, said arrangement comprising:
an ice-detecting element configured to detect a current ice state of said structural element wherein the current ice state is determined based at least in part on a measured ice thickness;
a power source being electrically connected to an electrode configuration, said electrode configuration comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrode collectively define a plate capacitor, said power source being electrically connected to the electrode configuration; and
a control unit connected to said power source and the ice-detecting element, wherein:
the control unit is configured to, based upon said detected current ice state, determine whether said current ice state fulfills a predetermined ice criterion, wherein the current ice state is determined based at least in part on the measured ice thickness and the measured ice thickness is in the range of 1-10 millimeters;
the control unit is configured to, based upon said current ice state fulfilling said predetermined ice criterion, electrically charge, via the power source, said electrode configuration to a predetermined state such that an electrical field is established between the first electrode and the second electrode, said predetermined state and said electrical field generated corresponding to said current ice state detected and that fulfills said predetermined ice criterion, wherein said predetermined state and said electrical field vary according to the measured ice thickness;
said electrode configuration is positioned adjacent said structural element such that an impulsive force generated by an applied voltage punctures ice adhered on said structural element in a direction substantially normal to said structural element;
said impulsive force is generated during charging to and discharging from said predetermined state;
during said discharging said impulsive force is caused at least in part by said electrical field; and
said impulsive force has an amplitude corresponding to said current ice state, such that said generated impulsive force punctures and removes ice adhered on said structural element.

2. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said first electrode and said second electrode are mutually displaceable.

3. De-icing arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein one of said first and second electrode being closest to the ice to be removed.

4. De-icing arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein the other one of said first and second electrode being fixed to said structural element.

5. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said electrode configuration comprises the first electrode and the second electrode being provided in a close proximity of each other.

6. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said electrode configuration comprises a sandwiched dielectric element.

7. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second electrodes are strip like.

8. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein:
said first electrode comprises a plurality of separated first electrodes; and
said second electrode is functionally provided at each of said plurality of separated first electrodes.

9. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said generated impulsive force has an amplitude such that said generated impulsive force punctures and removes an adhered layer of ice having a thickness of about 1-3 millimeter.

10. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said arrangement is made of material sufficient to withstand a number of successive impulsive forces for removal of ice adhered on said structural element, said number of successive impulsive forces generated by the applied voltage.

11. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , comprising at least two electrode configurations.

12. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said structural element is made of a non-metallic material comprising at least one of carbon-fibre or glass-fibre.

13. Platform comprising the de-icing arrangement according to claim 1 .

14. Platform according to claim 13 , wherein the platform is an aircraft and said structural element is an aircraft wing or aircraft rudder.

15. Method for de-icing a structural element, said method comprising the step of:
detecting a current ice state of said structural element, wherein the current ice state is determined based at least in part on a measured ice thickness;
determining, via a control unit, whether said current ice state fulfills a predetermined ice criterion, wherein the current ice state is determined based at least in part on the measured ice thickness and the measured ice thickness is in the range of 1-10 millimeters;
based upon said current ice state fulfilling said predetermined ice criterion, electrically charging, via a power source electrically connected to an electrode configuration and controlled by said control unit, the electrode configuration to a predetermined state such that an electrical field is established between a first electrode and a second electrode, said predetermined state corresponding to said current ice state detected that fulfills said predetermined ice criterion, wherein said predetermined state and said electrical field vary according to the measured ice thickness; and
discharging said electrode configuration from said predetermined state, wherein:
an impulsive force is generated during charging to and discharging from said predetermined state;
during said discharging of said electrode configuration, said impulsive force is generated at least in part by said electrical field;
said impulsive force has an amplitude corresponding to said current ice state, such that said generated impulsive force punctures and removes ice adhered on said structural element; and
said first and second electrode of said electrode configuration collectively define a plate capacitor.

16. Method according to claim 15 , further comprising the step of activating said electrically charging of said electrode configuration on the basis of a signal indicating presence of a current ice state on said structural element.

17. Method according to claim 15 , further comprising the step of determining whether said electrically charging of said electrode configuration has set said electrode configuration in a predetermined state.

18. Method according to claim 15 , further comprising the step of determining a state of ice built up on said structural element, and generating said impulsive force on the basis on said determined state.

19. De-icing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said control unit comprises a data processing device.

Assignees

• Figueroa-Karlstroem Eduardo
• Saab Ab

Inventors

• Figueroa-Karlstroem Eduardo

Classifications

• B64U10/30

  Lighter-than-air aircraft, e.g. aerostatic aircraft · CPC title

• F03D80/40

  Ice detection; De-icing means · CPC title

• B64D15/163 Primary

  using electro-impulsive devices · CPC title

• H02N1/002

  Electrostatic motors · CPC title

• Y02E10/722

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic