Methods and systems for rain removal and de-icing of monolithic windshields

• US 20060097111A1
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Wood, Jeffrey H., Sewell, Terry A.
• Application Number:
  US10/958,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097111A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/134.00C
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/54 using gas, e.g. hot air
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1476 Canopies; Windscreens or similar transparent elements
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 15/02 by ducted hot gas or liquid

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing rain and ice removal on a windshield are. provided. The system may be implemented on a vehicle, such as an aircraft. In one embodiment, a system includes an injection molded windshield and a frame coupled to the injection-molded windshield and to the vehicle. The frame includes a channel that directs at least one of air or fluid onto an exterior surface of the windshield. The frame includes one or more one-way check valves. A fluid pump pumps fluid through the channel and onto the windshield. A reservoir stores de-icing fluid that is retrieved by the fluid pump. Air sources pump air through the channel and onto the one or more windshields. A controlling device controls the fluid pump or the air sources.

Claims

1. An aircraft comprising:

a fuselage;

wing assemblies and an empennage operatively coupled to the fuselage;

at least one propulsion unit operatively coupled to the fuselage;

one or more windshields;

a frame coupled to the one or more windshields and to the fuselage, the frame comprising;

a channel for directing at least one of air or fluid onto an exterior surface of the one or more windshields.

2. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the frame includes one or more one-way check valves.

3. The aircraft of claim 1, further comprising:

a fluid pump for pumping fluid through the channel and onto the one or more windshields.

4. The aircraft of claim 3, further comprising:

a reservoir for storing fluid that is retrieved by the fluid pump.

5. The aircraft of claim 4, wherein the fluid stored in the reservoir is de-icing fluid.

6. The aircraft of claim 3, further comprising:

one or more air sources for pumping air through the channel and onto the one or more windshields.

7. The aircraft of claim 6, further comprising:

a controlling device for controlling one or more of the fluid pump or the one or more air sources.

8. The aircraft of claim 6, wherein the one or more air sources includes a heated air source of directing heated air through the channel onto the one or more windshields.

9. The aircraft of claim 6, wherein the one or more air sources includes an ambient air source of directing ambient air through the channel onto the one or more windshields.

10. A windshield system comprising:

one or more injection molded windshields;

a frame coupled to the one or more windshields and coupleable to a vehicle, the frame comprising;

a channel for directing at least one of air or fluid onto an exterior surface of the one or more windshields.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the frame includes one or more one-way check valves.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a fluid pump for pumping fluid through the channel and onto the one or more windshields.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a reservoir for storing fluid that is retrieved by the fluid pump.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the fluid stored in the reservoir is de-icing fluid.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

one or more air sources for pumping air through the channel and onto the one or more windshields.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a controlling device for controlling one or more of the fluid pump or the one or more air sources.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more air sources includes a heated air source of directing heated air through the channel onto the one or more windshields.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more air sources includes an ambient air source of directing ambient air through the channel onto the one or more windshields.

19. A method of making a windshield system, the method comprising:

providing one or more windshields; and

coupling a frame to the one or more windshields,

wherein the frame includes a channel for directing at least one of air or fluid onto an exterior surface of the one or more windshields.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

attaching one or more one-way check valves to the channel.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

providing a fluid pump for pumping fluid through the channel and onto the one or more windshields.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

providing a reservoir for storing fluid that is retrieved by the fluid pump.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

storing de-icing fluid in the reservoir.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

providing one or more air sources for pumping air through the channel and onto the one or more windshields.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

providing a controlling device for controlling one or more of the fluid pump or the one or more air sources.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the one or more air sources includes a heated air source for directing heated air through the channel onto the one or more windshields.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the one or more air sources includes an ambient air source for directing ambient air through the channel onto the one or more windshields.