초록 ▼

A de-icing blanket and method of ice-removal from a moving object such as an airfoil comprises a center portion including a heater, and side portions flanking the center portion, each side portion including an electro-expulsive de-icing system (EEDS). The center portion is placed on the leading edge

A de-icing blanket and method of ice-removal from a moving object such as an airfoil comprises a center portion including a heater, and side portions flanking the center portion, each side portion including an electro-expulsive de-icing system (EEDS). The center portion is placed on the leading edge of the airfoil forwardly with respect to the side longitudinal portions such that when the airfoil is in motion, an airflow impinging on the airfoil forces water contacting an exposed surface of the center portion to flow rearwardly and to freeze on accreting surfaces of the side portions where the ice is subsequently removed by energizing the EEDS. The blanket may include a leading edge cap made of a highly polished impervious material to protect the blanket from atmospheric weathering.

대표청구항 ▼

A de-icing apparatus for use on moving surfaces such as airfoils and the like, comprising: a center portion whose length is to extend along the length of the leading edge of an airfoil at a forwardmost portion with respect to airfoil motion, and whose width is to extend along the leading edge in a d

A de-icing apparatus for use on moving surfaces such as airfoils and the like, comprising: a center portion whose length is to extend along the length of the leading edge of an airfoil at a forwardmost portion with respect to airfoil motion, and whose width is to extend along the leading edge in a direction from the top to the bottom of the airfoil, the width of the center portion terminating at opposed first and second ends, the center portion defining an exposed surface to face outwardly from a mounting surface of the airfoil, and the center portion including a heater for maintaining the temperature of the exposed surface above the freezing temperature of water; and first and second side portions flanking the center portion respectively at the first and second ends, the length of each side portion being substantially coextensive with the length of the center portion, and each of the side portions to be operatively located rearwardly on a mounting surface of the airfoil relative to the center portion, the side portions each comprising: an accreting surface to face outwardly from the mounting surface; and an electro-expulsive de-icing system (EEDS) supported by the side portion for shattering and removing ice and other like particles from the accreting surface; the heater of the center portion preventing water contacting the exposed surface from freezing thereon such that an airflow impinging on the airfoil when in motion forces the contact water to flow rearwardly from the exposed surface of the center portion to the accreting surfaces of the side portions where the water freezes in order to be shattered and removed from the accreting surfaces by EEDS of each side portion.