Aircraft icing detection system
First Claim
1. A system for detecting accumulation of ice on a surface of an aircraft, comprising:
- air pump means for pumping air;
a first generally horizontal extending exterior surface of an aircraft, said first surface being on an upper side of said aircraft and exposed to precipitation falling from above;
at least one first opening in said first horizontally extending surface;
a second surface of said aircraft, said second surface not exposed to precipitation;
at least one second opening in said second surface;
first conducting means for conducting air from said air pump means to said first opening;
second conducting means for conducting air from said air pump means to said second opening;
differential pressure sensing means for sensing a difference in pressure between said first and second conducting means; and
indicating means in connection with said sensing means for indicting said pressure difference to an operator of said aircraft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aircraft icing detection system detects accumulation of ice on an upper surface (12) of a wing (10) of an aircraft. The system includes an air pump (18) that delivers air through first and second conduits (24, 26). The first conduit delivers air through a first air knife (32) to openings (34) in the upper surface of the wing. The second conduit delivers air through a lower wing surface (14) through openings in a second air knife (42). When ice accumulates on the upper surface, flow from the first air knife is restricted. A differential pressure sensor (46) senses a pressure difference between the conduits and warns the pilot of possible ice accumulation by illuminating a warning light (50).
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for detecting accumulation of ice on a surface of an aircraft, comprising:
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air pump means for pumping air; a first generally horizontal extending exterior surface of an aircraft, said first surface being on an upper side of said aircraft and exposed to precipitation falling from above; at least one first opening in said first horizontally extending surface; a second surface of said aircraft, said second surface not exposed to precipitation; at least one second opening in said second surface; first conducting means for conducting air from said air pump means to said first opening; second conducting means for conducting air from said air pump means to said second opening; differential pressure sensing means for sensing a difference in pressure between said first and second conducting means; and indicating means in connection with said sensing means for indicting said pressure difference to an operator of said aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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2. A system for detecting accumulation of ice on an aircraft, comprising:
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an air pump; a first generally horizontally extending exterior surface of an aircraft, said first surface being on an upper side of said aircraft and exposed to precipitation falling from above; at least one first opening in said first horizontally extending surface; a second surface of said aircraft, said second surface not exposed to precipitation; at least one opening in said second surface; a first conduit in fluid communication with said air pump and said first opening; a second conduit in fluid communication with said air pump and said second opening; a differential pressure sensor in fluid communication with said first and second fluid conduits; an operator indicator in connection with said differential pressure sensor, whereby a differential pressure is indicated to an operator of said aircraft.
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12. A method for detecting accumulation of ice on a surface of an aircraft, comprising the steps of:
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pumping air with pumping means; conducting air from said pumping means in first conducting means; passing air from said first conducting means to atmosphere through at least one first opening, said first opening in a first generally horizontally extending exterior surface of an aircraft, said first surface on an upper side of said exterior surface and exposed to precipitation falling from above; conducting air from said pumping means in second conducting means; passing air from said second conducting means to atmosphere through at least one second opening;
said second opening in a second surface of said aircraft not exposed to precipitation falling from above;sensing pressure differential between said first and second conducting means with pressure sensing means; and indicating to an operator of said aircraft when said pressure differential sensed by said sensing means exceeds an amount. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification