CNT-BASED RESISTIVE HEATING FOR DEICING COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

• US 20110024409A1
• Filed: 04/26/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied NanoStructured Solutions, LLC (Cabot Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: SHAH, Tushar K., Adcock, Daniel Jacob, Malecki, Harry C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,664,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/482
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 15/12 by electric heating electric heating elements in general H05B
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2202/02 Single-walled nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2202/04 Nanotubes with a specific amount of walls
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2202/06 Multi-walled nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2202/08 Aligned nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/162 characterised by catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/174 Derivatisation; Solubilisation; Dispersion in solvents
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 14/386 Carbon carbon nanotubes C04B14/026
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 14/42 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 20/1014 Coating or impregnating materials characterised by the shape, e.g. fibrous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 20/1055 with inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2111/00982 as construction elements for space vehicles or aeroplanes
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2111/90 Electrical properties
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/5224 Alumina or aluminates
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/5236 Zirconia
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/524 Non-oxidic, e.g. borides, carbides, silicides or nitrides
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/5244 Silicon carbide
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/5248 Carbon, e.g. graphite
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/526 : characterised by the length of the fibers
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/5264 : characterised by the diameter of the fibers
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/5288 : Carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 26/12 : Condensation polymers of aldehydes or ketones
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 26/14 : Polyepoxides
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 28/02 : containing hydraulic cements other than calcium sulfates
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/117 : Composites
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/185 : Mullite 3Al2O3-2SiO2
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/19 : Alkali metal aluminosilicates, e.g. spodumene
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/52 : based on carbon, e.g. graphite
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/565 : based on silicon carbide
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/584 : based on silicon nitride
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/62873 : Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/62889 : with a discontinuous coating layer
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/80 : Fibres, filaments, whiskers, platelets, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/82 : Asbestos; Glass; Fused silica
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 47/02 : Pretreatment of the fibres or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 49/14 : characterised by the fibres or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2214/04 : Heating means manufactured by using nanotechnology
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles

Abstract

A composite structure includes a matrix material and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused fiber material that includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to a fiber material. The CNT-infused fiber material is disposed throughout a portion of the matrix material. The composite structure is adapted for application of a current through the CNT-infused fiber material to provide heating of the composite structure. A heating element includes a CNT-infused fiber material includes a plurality of CNTs infused to a fiber material. The CNT-infused fiber material is of sufficient proportions to provide heating to a structure in need thereof.

Claims

1. A composite structure comprising:

a matrix material;

a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused fiber material comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to a fiber material;

wherein the CNT-infused fiber material is disposed throughout a portion of the matrix material; and

wherein the composite structure is adapted for application of a current through said CNT-infused fiber material to provide heating of the matrix material to heat the composite structure.

2. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein said matrix material is formed into a composite structure that is a portion of an airplane wing.

3. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein said matrix material is formed into a composite structure that is a portion of a helicopter blade.

4. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein said matrix material is formed into a composite structure that is a portion of an aircraft engine propulsor blade.

5. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein said matrix material is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy, a phenolic resin, a cement, a glass, a thermoplastic, and a thermoset.

6. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the fiber of the CNT infused fiber comprises glass.

7. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the fiber of the CNT infused fiber comprises carbon.

8. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the fiber of the CNT infused fiber comprises ceramic.

9. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of CNTs are selected from the group consisting of single-walled CNTs, double-walled CNTs, multi-walled CNTs, and mixtures thereof.

10. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution.

11. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein plurality of CNTs have a length of about 1 micron to about 500 microns.

12. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of CNTs have a length from about 1 micron to about 10 microns.

13. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of CNTs have a length from about 10 microns to about 100 microns.

14. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of CNTs have a length from about 100 microns to about 500 microns.

15. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein a uniformity of distribution is characterized by a density up to about 15,000 nanotubes per micron squared (μ

m²).

16. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the fiber material is selected from a filament, a tow, a yarn, a tape, a unidirectional tape, a fiber-braid, a woven fabric, a non-woven fiber mat, a fiber ply, and a 3D woven structure.

17. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the CNT-infused fiber material is disposed near the surface of the composite structure.

18. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein the CNT-infused fiber material is disposed throughout the entire composite structure.

19. The composite structure of claim 1, further comprising a plurality CNTs dispersed throughout the matrix material without infusion to the fiber material.

20. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein said current comprises a DC current at a voltage from between about 1 to about 24 volts.

21. The composite structure of claim 1, wherein said current comprises an AC current at a voltage from between about 60 to about 480 volts.

28. A method of deicing or preventing ice formation on a surface of a composite structure comprising:

a) providing a composite structure of claim 1;

b) applying a current to the CNT-infused fiber, thereby heating the composite structure.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the current comprises DC current at a voltage between about 1 to about 24 volts.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the current comprises AC current at a voltage between about 60 to about 480 volts.

22. An article for deicing applications, the article comprising a plurality of carbon nanotube-infused fibers incorporated in a matrix, thereby forming a composite, wherein the composite is adapted to receive an electrical current and is responsive to the electrical current, operating as a resistive heating element.

23. The article of claim 22, wherein the matrix is doped with carbon nanotubes.

24. A heating element comprising a CNT-infused fiber material comprising a plurality of CNTs infused to a fiber material, the CNT-infused fiber material being of sufficient proportions to provide heating.

26. The heating element of claim 24, wherein the fiber material is filamentous structure selected from the group consisting of a tow, a yarn, a tape, a ribbon, a mat, a ply, a 3D woven and a 3D non-woven materials.

27. The heating element of claim 24, wherein the fiber material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, glass, ceramic, and organic.

25. The heating element of claim 25, further comprising a matrix material wherein the CNT-infused fiber material is disposed throughout a portion of the matrix material.