De-icing information system

• US 20050082435A1
• Filed: 08/24/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University Corporation For Atmospheric Research
• Original Assignee: University Corporation For Atmospheric Research
• Inventors: Moore, Rondal K., Rasmussen, Roy Martin, Hage, Frank W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,129,846 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/134.C
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/20 Ground installations for de-icing aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/02 Instruments for indicating weather conditions by measuring two or more variables, e.g. humidity, pressure, temperature, cloud cover or wind speed G01W1/10 takes precedence

Abstract

A de-icing information system processes weather data indicating precipitation rate and temperature to determine a check time for a de-icing fluid. The de-icing fluid remains effective if applied after the check time, and the de-icing fluid may not remain effective if applied before the check time. The de-icing information system transfers the de-icing information indicating the check time.

Claims

1. A de-icing information system comprising:

a processing system configured to process weather data indicating precipitation rate and temperature to determine a check time for a de-icing fluid, wherein the de-icing fluid remains effective if applied after the check time, and wherein the de-icing fluid may not remain effective if applied before the check time; and

an interface configured to receive the weather data and configured to transfer de-icing information indicating the check time.

2. The de-icing information system of claim 1 further comprising at least one weather sensor configured to detect the precipitation rate and the temperature, and to transfer the weather data indicating the precipitation rate and the temperature.

3. The de-icing information system of claim 2 wherein the at least one weather sensor is configured to detect and transfer the weather data at least once per minute.

4. The de-icing information system of claim 2 wherein the at least one weather sensor includes at least one hot plate precipitation rate sensor.

5. The de-icing information system of claim 1 further comprising a device configured to receive and display the de-icing information.

6. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates the check time, the present time, and the holdover time.

7. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates the de-icing fluid type and concentration.

8. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates the precipitation rate and the temperature.

9. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates at least one of:

dew point, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction.

10. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates at least one of:

precipitation intensity, precipitation trend, precipitation type, and precipitation accumulation.

11. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates the precipitation rate plotted over time.

12. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the display is located in an airplane cockpit.

13. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the display is located in a de-icing facility.

14. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the display is located in an airport control tower.

15. The de-icing information system of claim 5 wherein the processing system is configured to select the de-icing fluid.

16. The de-icing information system of claim 15 wherein the processing system is configured to select the de-icing fluid based on forecasted weather data.

17. The de-icing information system of claim 1 wherein the processing system is configured to generate an alarm if the de-icing fluid was applied before the check time.

18. A method of operating a de-icing information system, the method comprising:

receiving weather data indicating precipitation rate and temperature;

processing the weather data indicating precipitation rate and temperature to determine a check time for a de-icing fluid, wherein the de-icing fluid remains effective if applied after the check time, and wherein the de-icing fluid may not remain effective if applied before the check time; and

transferring de-icing information indicating the check time.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

detecting the precipitation rate and the temperature; and

transferring the weather data indicating the precipitation rate and the temperature.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein detecting and transferring the weather data comprises detecting and transferring the weather data at least once per minute.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein detecting the precipitation rate and the temperature comprises using a hot plate precipitation rate sensor.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising receiving and displaying the de-icing information.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the de-icing information comprises displaying the check time, the present time, and the holdover time.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the de-icing information comprises displaying the de-icing fluid type and concentration.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the de-icing information comprises displaying the precipitation rate and the temperature.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the de-icing information comprises displaying at least one of:

dew point, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the de-icing information comprises displaying at least one of:

precipitation intensity, precipitation trend, precipitation type, and precipitation accumulation.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the de-icing information comprises displaying the precipitation rate plotted over time.

29. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the de-icing information comprises displaying the de-icing information in an airplane cockpit.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the de-icing information comprises displaying the de-icing information in a de-icing facility.

31. The method of claim 22 wherein displaying the de-icing information comprises displaying the de-icing information in an airport control tower.

32. The method of claim 18 further comprising selecting the de-icing fluid.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein selecting the de-icing fluid comprises selecting the de-icing fluid based on forecasted weather data.

34. The method of claim 18 further comprising generating an alarm if the de-icing fluid was applied before the check time.

35. A product for a de-icing information system, the product comprising:

software configured to direct a processing system to process weather data indicating precipitation rate and temperature to determine a check time for a de-icing fluid, wherein the de-icing fluid remains effective if applied after the check time, and wherein the de-icing fluid may not remain effective if applied before the check time; and

a storage system that stores the software.

36. The product of claim 35 wherein the software is configured to direct the processing system to process the weather data and determine the check time for the de-icing fluid at least once per minute.

37. The product of claim 35 wherein the software is configured to direct the processing system to generate a display signal that causes a display to display the de-icing information.

38. The product of claim 37 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates the check time, the present time, and the holdover time.

39. The product of claim 37 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates the de-icing fluid type and concentration.

40. The product of claim 37 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates the precipitation rate and the temperature.

41. The product of claim 37 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates at least one of:

dew point, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction.

42. The product of claim 37 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates at least one of:

precipitation intensity, precipitation trend, precipitation type, and precipitation accumulation.

43. The product of claim 37 wherein the display of the de-icing information indicates the precipitation rate plotted over time.

44. The product of claim 37 wherein the display is located in an airplane cockpit.

45. The product of claim 37 wherein the display is located in a de-icing facility.

46. The product of claim 37 wherein the display is located in an airport control tower.

47. The product of claim 35 wherein the software is configured to direct the processing system to select the de-icing fluid.

48. The product of claim 47 wherein the software is configured to direct the processing system to select the de-icing fluid based on forecasted weather data.

49. The product of claim 35 wherein the software is configured to direct the processing system to generate an alarm if the de-icing fluid was applied before the check time.