Anti-icing, de-icing, and heating configuration, integration, and power methods for aircraft, aerodynamic, and complex surfaces
First Claim
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1. An airfoil, comprising:
- a channel in a surface of the airfoil wherein a surface of the channel is coated with an electrical insulator and an electrical lead is disposed in the channel;
wherein the electrical insulator electrically insulates the airfoil from the electrical lead;
wherein the electrical insulator does not completely surround the electrical lead over the length of the channel;
wherein the electrical insulator is open on top of the channel area allowing for the electrical lead to contact a CNT-containing resistive heating layer, and wherein the CNT-containing resistive heating layer contacts the electrical lead in the channel; and
further comprising a second electrical lead in electrical contact with the CNT-containing resistive heating layer;
wherein the CNT-containing resistive heating layer is disposed between the electrical leads and wherein, during operation, the electrical leads power the CNT-containing resistive heating layer.
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Abstract
Anti-icing methods and aerodynamic structures having laminated resistive heaters for de-icing are described. Several of the inventive aspects utilize laminated resistive heaters comprising a carbon nanotube layer and/or capacitors to store and supply electricity. The invention also includes methods of making aerodynamic structures having de-icing or anti-icing functionality.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An airfoil, comprising:
- a channel in a surface of the airfoil wherein a surface of the channel is coated with an electrical insulator and an electrical lead is disposed in the channel;
wherein the electrical insulator electrically insulates the airfoil from the electrical lead;
wherein the electrical insulator does not completely surround the electrical lead over the length of the channel;wherein the electrical insulator is open on top of the channel area allowing for the electrical lead to contact a CNT-containing resistive heating layer, and wherein the CNT-containing resistive heating layer contacts the electrical lead in the channel; and further comprising a second electrical lead in electrical contact with the CNT-containing resistive heating layer;
wherein the CNT-containing resistive heating layer is disposed between the electrical leads and wherein, during operation, the electrical leads power the CNT-containing resistive heating layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a channel in a surface of the airfoil wherein a surface of the channel is coated with an electrical insulator and an electrical lead is disposed in the channel;
Specification