Apparatus and method for deicing aircraft using compact, lightweight air source

• US 6,547,187 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: FMC Technologies Incorporated (TechnipFMC, plc)
• Inventors: Foster, Clifton L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ELDRED, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US09/901,058
• Publication Number:
  US 20020030141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 244/134.C, 244/134.R, 239/722
• US Class Current: 244/134.00C
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 3/002 Vehicle drying apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/20 Ground installations for de-icing aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/23 by liquid application; Spraying installations therefor, e.g. fitted on vehicles

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for deicing, equipment, particularly aircraft. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention may comprise a vehicle frame; a boom having a first end mounted on the vehicle frame and a free end; a lightweight air source disposed above the first end of the boom; and a deicer air jet nozzle located at the boom and operatively coupled to the air source for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application, wherein the lightweight air source is located proximate to the deicer air jet nozzle.

Claims

1. A system for deicing, comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a boom having an end mounted on said vehicle frame and a free end;

a lightweight air source disposed on said boom; and

a deicer air jet nozzle located at said boom and operatively coupled to said air source for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said lightweight air source is a compressor unit comprising:

a hydraulic drive assembly having an output; and

a compressor operatively connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly, said compressor having an impeller and an air outlet.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said hydraulic drive assembly is a hydraulic motor.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein said compressor is a centrifugal compressor.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein said compressor is operatively connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly without an intervening drive gear assembly.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the weight of said air source is less than or equal to about 100 pounds.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the weight of said air source is in the range of about 75 pounds to about 110 pounds.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the weight of said air source is about 100 pounds.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the size of said air source is less than about 10 cubic feet.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the size of said air source is in the range of about 9 cubic feet to about 11 cubic feet.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the size of said air source is about 10 cubic feet.

12. The system according to claim 2, wherein said compressor provides air through said deicer air jet nozzle at a rate in the range of about 80 pounds per minute to about 120 pounds per minute.

13. The system according to claim 2, wherein said compressor provides air through said deicer air jet nozzle at a rate of about 100 pounds per minute.

14. The system according to claim 2, wherein said hydraulic drive assembly has an output in the range of about 90 horsepower to about 120 horsepower at about 5,000 rpm.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the efficiency of said air source is greater than about 80%.

16. The system according to claim 2, wherein said compressor unit has a power to weight ratio in the range of about 0.8 horsepower per pound to about 1.6 horsepower per pound.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein said air source is located proximate to said deicer air jet nozzle.

18. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a boom having a first end pivotally mounted on said vehicle frame and a free end;

a lightweight compressor unit disposed above the first end of said boom,

wherein the weight of said compressor unit is less than or equal to about 100 pounds; and

a deicer air jet nozzle located at the boom and operatively coupled to said lightweight compressor unit for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said compressor unit further comprises:

a hydraulic drive assembly having an output; and

a compressor operatively connected to the output of said high-speed drive assembly, said compressor having an impeller and an air outlet.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein the size of said compressor unit is approximately 10 cubic feet.

21. The system according to claim 18, wherein said compressor unit has a power to weight ratio in the range of about 0.8 horsepower per pound to about 1.6 horsepower per pound.

22. The system according to claim 19, wherein said compressor is operatively connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly without an intervening drive gear assembly.

23. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a boom having an end mounted on said vehicle frame and a free end;

an operator cab located at the free end of said boom;

a lightweight compressor unit disposed on said operator cab; and

a deicer air jet nozzle located at said boom and operatively coupled to the air outlet of said compressor for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein said compressor unit further comprises:

a hydraulic drive assembly having an output; and

a compressor operatively connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly, said compressor having an impeller and an air outlet.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein said compressor is operatively connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly without an intervening drive gear assembly.

26. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a boom, having an end mounted on the vehicle frame and a free end;

a compressor unit, said compressor unit comprising;

a hydraulic motor having an output, and

a compressor operatively connected to the output of said hydraulic motor, said compressor having an impeller and an air outlet; and

a deicer air jet nozzle located at the boom and operatively coupled to the air outlet of the compressor for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application,

wherein said compressor unit is located proximate to said deicer air jet nozzle.

27. A method for deicing aircraft, comprising the steps of:

compressing air within a compressor supported by a vehicle boom by driving a hydraulic drive assembly coupled to the compressor; and

discharging the air from a deicer air jet nozzle attached to the end of the vehicle boom such that air is forced outward from the deicer air jet nozzle at about 100 pounds per minute,

wherein the combined weight of the compressor and the hydraulic drive assembly is less than or equal to about 100 pounds.

28. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a boom having an end mounted on said vehicle frame and a free end;

an operator cab located at the free end of said boom; and

a lightweight compressor unit located proximate to a deicer air jet nozzle,

wherein said deicer air jet nozzle is located at said boom and operatively coupled to the air outlet of said compressor for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said compressor unit further comprises:

a hydraulic drive assembly having an output; and

a compressor operatively connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly, said compressor having an impeller and an air outlet.

30. The system according to claim 29, wherein said compressor is operatively connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly without an intervening drive gear assembly.