Automatic recycling ice detector
First Claim
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1. An automatic recycling ice detector and ice accumulation indicator for an aircraft, said detector and indicator comprising:
- sensing means for sensing the formation of ice on a surface of an aircraft;
a heater and circuit means for melting detected ice and a timing circuit for indicating the time required for melting the sensed ice;
means for automatically activating the sensing means when the detected ice has been melted;
computing means for calculating the thickness of ice formed on the surface of the aircraft based on a summation of the times required for melting the detected ice; and
an indicator for indicating the thickness or weight of accumulated ice.
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Abstract
An automatic recycling ice detector includes a sensor for sensing the formation of ice on an aircraft surface and a heater for melting the detected ice. The detector also includes a timing circuit for indicating the time to melt any detected ice and automatically recycling the detector when the ice is melted. A computer including a look up table or the like are provided for measuring and indicating the thickness of the accumulated ice based on a relationship between melting time and thickness.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An automatic recycling ice detector and ice accumulation indicator for an aircraft, said detector and indicator comprising:
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sensing means for sensing the formation of ice on a surface of an aircraft;
a heater and circuit means for melting detected ice and a timing circuit for indicating the time required for melting the sensed ice;
means for automatically activating the sensing means when the detected ice has been melted;
computing means for calculating the thickness of ice formed on the surface of the aircraft based on a summation of the times required for melting the detected ice; and
an indicator for indicating the thickness or weight of accumulated ice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for warning a pilot of accumulated ice on the surface of an aircraft comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensor for detecting the formation of ice on a selected portion of a surface on an aircraft and an electric heater for melting the detected ice;
detecting ice formed on the selected portions of the surface of an aircraft and energizing the heater to thereby melt the ice;
timing the interval from energizing the heater until ice on the selected portion of the aircraft is no longer sensed;
sensing any subsequent formation of ice on the selected portion of the surface of the aircraft and energizing the heater to thereby melt the detected ice;
timing the interval from energizing the heater until ice on the selected portion of the surface of the aircraft is no longer sensed;
sensing the times for melting the detected ice;
providing a look up table of values wherein melt time is a function of ice accumulation;
comparing the summation of the times for melting the detected ice and the values in the look up table; and
indicating the amount of accumulated ice on the selected portions of the surface of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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7. An aircraft ice detector for detecting the formation of ice on a selected portion of a surface of an aircraft, said detector comprising:
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an electric power supply;
an electric circuit and a switch for powering said detector;
ice sensing means powered by said electric power supply for sensing the formation of ice on the selected surface and an electric heater disposed in said circuit for melting ice formed on said selected surface;
said switch adapted to energize said heater in response to the detection of ice and to de-energize said heater in the absence of ice;
timing means for measuring the time between the energizing of said heater and the melting of the ice on said selected portion of said surface of the aircraft;
a computer including data storage means coupled to said timing means and including data based on a predetermined relationship between the thickness of the ice and the time of heating for melting various thickness of ice;
means for indicating the thickness or weight of accumulated ice on the selected surface. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. An automatic recycling ice detector and ice accumulation system for an aircraft, said system comprising:
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a heater having an outer surface for positioning on a surface of an aircraft;
means for detecting ice on said outer surface of said heater;
a first ice detection indicator adapted to alert a pilot of the formation of ice on the outer surface of said heater;
means for simultaneously activating said heater and said first ice detection indicator upon detection of ice on said outer surface of said heater;
means for measuring the time to melt the ice on said outer surface of said heater; and
a second ice indicator adapted to alert a pilot of the time to melt the ice on the outer surface of said heater as an indication of the thickness of ice on the surface of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification