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Airfoil surface multistate precipitation removal tool

  • US 4,467,490 A
  • Filed: 12/22/1982
  • Issued: 08/28/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1982
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A tool operable with a handle for removing crusty frost, snow, slush, freezing rain, and light ice from aircraft airfoil surfaces, and for removing and polishing frost thereon without damaging said surfaces, which comprises in combination:

  • a. a substantially rigid rectangular frame having a first outer edge and a second outer edge wherein said first outer edge and said second outer edge are substantially parallel to each other, and wherein said frame is bent at an obtuse angle along an inner line substantially parallel to said first outer edge and second outer edge so as to form a first rectangular region containing said first outer edge and a second rectangular region containing said second outer edge;

    b. a first scraping member for removing crusty frost, snow, and light ice from said airfoil surfaces, said first scraping member being relatively stiff and having a scraping edge and a second edge parallel to thereto and opposite said scraping edge, and comprising a rectangular sheet fabricated from at least one material having a room temperature Durometer hardness value included within the range from approximately 63D to 72D, wherein said hardness value changes by less than about 10% over the temperature range from approximately 0°

    to -40°

    C., said material further having a room temperature Clash-Berg Modulus of Rigidity included within the range from about 13,500 to 19,000 psi, wherein said modulus changes by less than a factor of about seven (7) over the temperature range from approximately +23°

    to -40°

    C.;

    c. means for substantially rigidly and demountably locating said first scraping member onto said first rectangular region such that said first scraping member extends outward with respect to said inner line and beyond said first outer edge;

    d. a second scraping member for polishing frost on said airfoil surfaces said second scraping member being more flexible than said first scraping member and having a scraping edge and a second edge parallel thereto and opposite said scraping edge and comprising a rectangular sheet fabricated from at least one material having a room temperature Durometer hardness value included within the range from approximately 40D to 55D, wherein said hardness value changes by less than about 13% over the temperature range from approximately 0°

    to -40°

    C., said material further having a room temperature Clash-Berg Modulus of Rigidity included within the range from about 2100 to 8800 psi, wherein said modulus changes by less than a factor of four (4) over the temperature range from approximately +23°

    to -40°

    C.; and

    e. means for substantially rigidly and demountably locating said second scraping member onto said second rectangular region such that said sraping member extends outward with respect to baid inner line and beyond said second outer edge.

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