Systems And Methods For Windshield Deicing
First Claim
1. A windshield deicing system, comprising:
- a low voltage power source for providing low voltage power;
a step-up subsystem comprising a converter selected from the group consisting of a DC-DC converter, a DC-AC inverter, and a dual-voltage battery, the step-up subsystem configured to transform the low voltage power into high voltage power,wherein if the step-up converter is a DC-DC converter or a DC-AC inverter, the step-up converter is an intermittent-duty converter;
a controller-timer for enabling the step-up converter for a deicing time determined sufficient to melt a boundary layer of ice, where the boundary layer of ice is between one micron and one millimeter in thickness; and
a windshield heater, the windshield heater being resistively heated at a deicing power level when the converter is enabled and the high voltage power is conducted through the windshield heater.
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Abstract
Cost efficient, lightweight and rapid windshield deicing systems and methods are disclosed. The systems utilize step-up converters or inverters, or dual-voltage batteries, to provide a voltage high enough to deice a windshield in less than thirty seconds at ambient temperatures above −10 C. Some of the disclosed systems include sensors for deicing element and ambient temperatures, and in some embodiments windspeed. All embodiments have a controller for limiting deicing time to that sufficient to melt a boundary layer of ice. The controller of embodiments with sensors computes deicing time as a function of ambient temperature. Embodiments interact with wiper systems to enable wipers to clear ice once the boundary layer is melted.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A windshield deicing system, comprising:
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a low voltage power source for providing low voltage power; a step-up subsystem comprising a converter selected from the group consisting of a DC-DC converter, a DC-AC inverter, and a dual-voltage battery, the step-up subsystem configured to transform the low voltage power into high voltage power, wherein if the step-up converter is a DC-DC converter or a DC-AC inverter, the step-up converter is an intermittent-duty converter; a controller-timer for enabling the step-up converter for a deicing time determined sufficient to melt a boundary layer of ice, where the boundary layer of ice is between one micron and one millimeter in thickness; and a windshield heater, the windshield heater being resistively heated at a deicing power level when the converter is enabled and the high voltage power is conducted through the windshield heater. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of deicing a windshield, comprising:
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providing a source of low voltage power; transforming the low voltage power into high voltage power; measuring an ambient temperature; determining a deicing time sufficient to melt a boundary layer of ice from at least the ambient temperature; and providing the high voltage power to a windshield heater for the deicing time to resistively heat the windshield heater and deice a surface of the windshield. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification