Methods and systems for detection of ice formation on surfaces
First Claim
1. A system for detecting ice formation on a surface, comprising:
- a window having an exterior surface upon which ice can form;
a light source configured and arranged to illuminate the exterior surface of the window from behind the exterior surface;
a polarizer disposed between the light source and the window and configured and arranged to polarize the light from the light source prior to illumination of the window; and
a detector configured and arranged to receive, and detect at least one characteristic of, light backscattered by the exterior surface and any ice disposed on the exterior surface.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting ice formation on metal, painted metal and other material surfaces can include a transparent window having an exterior surface upon which ice can form; a light source and optics configured and arranged to illuminate the exterior surface of the window from behind the exterior surface; and a detector and optics configured and arranged to receive light backscattered by the exterior surface and any ice disposed on the exterior surface and determine the thickness of the ice layer. For example, the system can be used with aircraft by placing one or more windows in the wings of the aircraft. The system is used for a novel optical method for real-time on-board detection and warning of ice formation on surfaces of airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other vehicles and stationary structures to improve their safety and operation.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system for detecting ice formation on a surface, comprising:
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a window having an exterior surface upon which ice can form; a light source configured and arranged to illuminate the exterior surface of the window from behind the exterior surface; a polarizer disposed between the light source and the window and configured and arranged to polarize the light from the light source prior to illumination of the window; and a detector configured and arranged to receive, and detect at least one characteristic of, light backscattered by the exterior surface and any ice disposed on the exterior surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An article, comprising:
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a component having an exterior surface and an interior region; and a ice detection unit for detecting ice formation on the exterior surface of the component, the unit comprising a window having an exterior surface upon which ice can form, wherein the window is disposed in the exterior surface of the component, a light source configured and arranged to illuminate the exterior surface of the window from the interior of the component, a polarizer disposed between the light source and the window and configured and arranged to polarize the light from the light source prior to illumination of the window, and a detector configured and arranged to receive, and detect at least one characteristic of, light backscattered by the exterior surface of the window and any ice disposed on the exterior surface of the window. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for detecting ice formation on an exterior surface of an object, the method comprising:
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providing a window on the exterior surface of the object, the window having an exterior surface upon which ice can form; illuminating the exterior surface of the window from behind with polarized light; and observing at least one characteristic of the light backscattered from the exterior surface of the window to detect ice formation. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification