ICE PROTECTION FOR AIRCRAFT USING ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER SURFACES
First Claim
1. A method of protecting an external surface from ice, the method comprising:
- preventing the formation of ice on an external surface by oscillating at least a portion of a plurality of actuators on an electro-active polymer (EAP) surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electro-active polymer (EAP) surface having a plurality of actuators adapted to prevent the formation of ice on an external surface, such as a leading edge of an aircraft. The EAP surface may also be adapted to remove ice formed on the external surface. The actuators of the EAP surface may be oscillated to prevent and/or remove ice from the surface of an aircraft. A signal generator may be used to individually oscillate the actuators in a first mode to prevent the formation of ice and a second mode to break up ice formed on the EAP surface. The signal generator may oscillate all of the actuators at the same frequency, may individually oscillate the actuators to form a pattern on the EAP surface, or may individually oscillate the actuators to form a wave along the EAP surface. The actuators may be dimple actuators, wrinkle actuators, and/or bump actuators.
32 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of protecting an external surface from ice, the method comprising:
preventing the formation of ice on an external surface by oscillating at least a portion of a plurality of actuators on an electro-active polymer (EAP) surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An ice protection system for an external surface comprising:
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an electro-active polymer (EAP) surface having a plurality of actuators; and a signal generator connected to the EAP, the signal generator adapted to individually oscillate each of the plurality of actuators. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification