Sensor Arrangement
First Claim
16. A method of measuring the rate of ice formation in an icing environment, comprising the steps of:
- i) providing a thermally conductive element comprising a first and second surface wherein the surface area of said first surface is smaller than the second surface,ii) causing said first surface to be exposed to the environment;
iii) cooling or heating the second surface;
iv) monitoring the temperature of the first surface;
v) determining an amount of power required to heat or cool the second surface to a temperature to overcome the latent heat of ice formation on said first surface; and
vi) determining, from the monitored temperatures and the amount of heating or cooling power, a rate of ice formation of the environment to which the first surface is exposed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved sensor arrangement, a system and method for determining the rate of ice formation and how close conditions are to those at which ice will form on a surface, and to an improved sensor arrangement for use therein. The sensor arrangement comprises a means (11,12,14) for measuring the thermal lag, heating and cooling of a thermally conductive element, which is comprised of a first and second surface (15a, 15b), said first surface exposed to the environment, wherein the surface area of said first surface is smaller than the second surface. The step of ice detection may be performed by either a passive measuring system wherein the latent heat of ice formation is measured via the temperature differential across a Peltier element. In an alternative arrangement the detector may preferably be an active system comprising heating or cooling the Peltier device and, whilst such heating or cooling is being conducted, also measuring the temperature of the exposed outer first surface using a separate temperature detector.
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Citations
23 Claims
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16. A method of measuring the rate of ice formation in an icing environment, comprising the steps of:
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i) providing a thermally conductive element comprising a first and second surface wherein the surface area of said first surface is smaller than the second surface, ii) causing said first surface to be exposed to the environment; iii) cooling or heating the second surface; iv) monitoring the temperature of the first surface; v) determining an amount of power required to heat or cool the second surface to a temperature to overcome the latent heat of ice formation on said first surface; and vi) determining, from the monitored temperatures and the amount of heating or cooling power, a rate of ice formation of the environment to which the first surface is exposed.
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17. A method of measuring the rate of ice formation in an icing environment, comprising the steps of:
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i) providing a thermally conductive element comprising a first and second surface wherein the surface area of said first surface is smaller than the second surface, ii) causing said first surface to be exposed to the environment; iii) cooling or heating the second surface; iv) monitoring the temperature of the first surface; v) determining the temperature difference between the first and second surfaces, calculating the heat flux through the thermally conductive element at a temperature to overcome the latent heat of ice formation on said first surface; and vi) determining, from the monitored temperatures and the heat flux, a rate of ice formation of the environment to which the first surface is exposed.
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18. A method of determining a proximity to icing conditions of an environment, comprising the steps of:
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i) providing a thermally conductive element comprising a first and second surface wherein the surface area of said first surface is smaller than the second surface, ii) causing said first surface to be exposed to the environment; iii) cooling or heating the second surface; iv) monitoring the temperature of the first surface; v) determining an amount of power required to heat or cool the second surface to a temperature indicative of ice formation on said first surface; and vi) determining, from the monitored temperatures and the amount of heating or cooling power, a proximity to icing conditions of the environment to which the first surface is exposed.
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19. A method of determining a proximity to icing conditions of an environment, comprising the steps of:
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i) providing a thermally conductive element comprising a first and second surface wherein the surface area of said first surface is smaller than the second surface, ii) causing said first surface to be exposed to the environment; iii) cooling or heating the second surface; iv) monitoring the temperature of the first surface; v) determining the temperature difference between the first and second surfaces, calculating the heat flux through the thermally conductive element at a temperature indicative of ice formation on said first surface; and vi) determining, from the monitored temperatures and the heat flux, a proximity to icing conditions of the environment to which the first surface is exposed.
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- 20. A thermally conductive element suitable for use in an ice detector sensor comprising a thermoelectric detector, said element comprising a first and second surface, wherein said first surface is exposed to the environment and said second surface is in thermal contact with said thermoelectric detector, wherein the surface area of said first surface is smaller than the second surface.
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23. (canceled)
Specification