초록 ▼

A system and method are provided for preventing the formation of ice on or removing ice from an internal surface of a turbofan engine. A splitter region, associated with a booster compressor of the turbofan engine, is identified. The splitter region has surfaces internal to the turbofan engine subje

A system and method are provided for preventing the formation of ice on or removing ice from an internal surface of a turbofan engine. A splitter region, associated with a booster compressor of the turbofan engine, is identified. The splitter region has surfaces internal to the turbofan engine subject to inlet icing conditions. A resin is molded along a leading edge of the splitter region, and electric coils are installed within the resin to prevent ice build-up on the splitter region or to remove ice from the splitter region during icing conditions.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for preventing the formation of ice on or removing ice from an internal surface of a turbofan engine, comprising: a splitter region associated with a booster compressor of the turbofan engine, the splitter region having surfaces internal to the turbofan engine subject to inlet icing cond

1. A system for preventing the formation of ice on or removing ice from an internal surface of a turbofan engine, comprising: a splitter region associated with a booster compressor of the turbofan engine, the splitter region having surfaces internal to the turbofan engine subject to inlet icing conditions;a resin molded along a leading edge of the splitter region; anda heating means installed within the resin to prevent ice build-up on the splitter region or to remove ice from the splitter region during icing conditions.2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating means comprises a plurality of electric coils.3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plurality of electric coils are placed to approximately follow a configuration of the splitter region.4. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating means can be developed from a stamped sheet of resistance alloy profiled to provide controlled area heating.5. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating means is sandwiched in molded rubber.6. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating means provides continuous heating at controlled temperatures.7. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating means provides intermittent heating at controlled temperatures.8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating means is powered by an auxiliary power unit.9. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resin comprises a high temperature epoxy resin.10. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resin is molded using hand-lay-up techniques in clean room conditions followed by autoclave curing.11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the lay-up can include ceramic fibers for fire barrier capability.12. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resin comprises a resin impregnated fabric.13. A method of preventing formation of ice on or removing ice from an internal surface of a turbofan engine, comprising the steps of: identifying a splitter region associated with a booster compressor of the turbofan engine, the splitter region having surfaces internal to the turbofan engine subject to inlet icing conditions;molding a resin along a leading edge of the splitter region; andinstalling a heating means within the resin to prevent ice build-up on the splitter region or to remove ice from the splitter region during icing conditions.14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the step of installing heating means comprises the step of installing a plurality of electric coils.15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the step of installing a plurality of electric coils further comprises the step of placing the plurality of electric coils to approximately follow a configuration of the splitter region.16. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the heating means provides continuous heating at controlled temperatures.17. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the heating means provides intermittent heating at controlled temperatures.18. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the heating means is powered by an auxiliary power unit.19. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the resin comprises a high temperature epoxy resin.20. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the step of molding a resin further comprises the step of molding the resin using hand-lay-up techniques in clean room conditions followed by autoclave curing.