Icing detection system
First Claim
1. A substance detection system comprising:
- (a) an optical sensor configured and constructed to be mounted to a surface exposed to atmospheric conditions and which variably returns light as a function of the nature of a substance which covers the sensor,(b) an optical channel coupled to the optical sensor, and(c) a logic unit remote from the surface and coupled to the optical channel, and including;
(i) a modulated light source coupled to and transmitting light pulses through the optical channel to the optical sensors, which sensor returns an amount of the light pulses in relation to the nature and presence of a substance on the optical sensor, and(ii) a light detector structured to receive the returned light pulses from the optical sensor through the optical channel and generate an electrical output signal indicative of the returned light pulses; and
(iii) an indicator configured to signal the identity of the substance and the amount and rate of substance accumulation on the sensor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modulated light source (31) transmits light pulses via a prism (27) through a monofilament optical fiber light channel (20) to an optical sensor (10) remotely located and flush mounted to an aerodynamic surface (14) of the aircraft most likely to accrete ice. In the absence of ice little to no light is reflected inward via the light channel. When water, ice, or de-icing fluid covers the light sensor, an increased amount of light pulses are reflected inward through the single fiber optic light channel and prism assembly where they are detected by a light detector (34) which generates an electrical output signal indicative of the type, amount, and rate of ice accretion. The output signal is visually displayed (37) and the pilot may be audibly warned. In an alternate embodiment the remote light sensor (70) is fuselage mounted (72) with an airfoil shaped probe (71) having a clear lucite leading edge (73) to which is secured a pair of fiber optic light pipes (75,76), one for outbound (76) and the other for inbound (75) light pulses. This mode requires no prism assembly. All electronics are housed in the computerized control/display unit (30) other than the fiber optic cable and remote mounted light sensor.
55 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A substance detection system comprising:
-
(a) an optical sensor configured and constructed to be mounted to a surface exposed to atmospheric conditions and which variably returns light as a function of the nature of a substance which covers the sensor, (b) an optical channel coupled to the optical sensor, and (c) a logic unit remote from the surface and coupled to the optical channel, and including; (i) a modulated light source coupled to and transmitting light pulses through the optical channel to the optical sensors, which sensor returns an amount of the light pulses in relation to the nature and presence of a substance on the optical sensor, and (ii) a light detector structured to receive the returned light pulses from the optical sensor through the optical channel and generate an electrical output signal indicative of the returned light pulses; and (iii) an indicator configured to signal the identity of the substance and the amount and rate of substance accumulation on the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. An airframe ice detection system comprising:
-
(a) an ice detector adapted to be mounted proximate an external surface of an airframe structure, and structured to return light as a function of the nature of a substance which covers the detector, (b) a single optical fiber coupled at one end to the ice detector, and (c) a logic display unit including, (i) an optical system coupled to the other end of the optical fiber, (ii) a modulated light source configured to transmit pulsed light to the prism and through the optical fiber to the ice detector which returns an amount of the light pulses from the light source indicative of the presence of ice which forms over the ice detector, (iii) a light detector that receives the reflected light pulses from the ice detector through the optical fiber and prism and for generating an output signal proportional to the reflected light pulses, and (iv) a display device adapted to be mounted in an aircraft instrument panel and configured to indicate the identity of the substance and the amount and rate of substance accumulation on the surface.
-
-
28. A substance detection system comprising:
-
(a) an optical sensor adapted to be mounted to a surface exposed to atmospheric conditions and which variably returns light as a function of the nature of a substance which covers the sensor, (b) an optical channel coupled to the optical sensor, (c) a logic unit coupled to the optical channel and including; (i) a modulated light source that transmits light pulses through the optical channel to the optical sensor which returns an amount of the light pulses indicative of the presence of a substance on the optical sensor, and (ii) a light detector configured to receive the returned amount of the light pulses from the optical sensor through the optical channel and to generate an electrical output signal indicative of the returned amount of the light pulses, and (iii) a display configured to receive the output signal and indicate the identity of the substance and the amount and rate of substance accumulation on the surface. - View Dependent Claims (29)
-
-
30. A substance detection system comprising:
-
(a) an optical sensor adapted to be mounted to an external surface directly exposed to outside weather conditions and which variably reflects light as a function of the nature of a substance which covers the sensor, (b) a multi-mode, monofilament optical fiber coupled at an outboard end to the optical sensor, and (c) a logic unit coupled to an inboard end of the optical fiber and housing therein, (i) a modulated light source that transmits light pulses through the optical fiber to the optical sensor which reflects an amount of the light pulses indicative of the presence of a substance on the optical sensor, (ii) a light detector that receives the reflected light pulses from the optical sensor through the optical fiber and generates an electrical output signal indicative of the reflected light pulses, and (iii) a display device that receives the output signal and indicates the identity of the substance and the amount and rate of substance accumulation on the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
-
Specification