Hybrid deicing system and method of operation

• US 7,431,240 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2000
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Premier Engineering & Manufacturing Inc
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Pearson, Lowell, Stanko, John
• Primary Examiner(s): ELDRED, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US09/640,063
• Time in Patent Office: 2,973 Days
• Field of Search: 244/134.C, 244/134.R, 239/722, 134/123
• US Class Current: 244/134.00C
• 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

This invention overcome the disadvantage of the prior systems and produces a high velocity specially formed and constituted pressure aerodynamic stream for efficiently and effectively removing ice from an aircraft. The specially formed stream includes a stream within a stream, wherein a deicing fluid such a glycol is entrained within and encased by a surrounding jacket of entraining fluid such air. This deicing is now known as coaxial stream/stream within a stream deicing. The special nozzle allows the stream to maintain fluid separation over its flight path so that aircraft contact is made by to be known as coaxial stream/stream within a stream deicing. The coaxial stream/stream within a stream deicing is further enhanced by pressurizing the stream to deliver the stream as a high pressure high velocity stream to improved the aerodynamic sweeping action of the airstream.

Claims

1. A system for deicing, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

a lightweight air source disposed at the base of 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,

wherein said air source is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and

wherein a power source for said air source is disposed below the roof of the vehicle.

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 directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

6. 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.

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

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

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said hydraulic drive assembly is a hydraulic motor.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein said compressor is a centrifugal compressor.

21. The system according to claim 18, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

22. The system according to claim 18, wherein said compressor provides air through said deicer air jet nozzle at a rate of about 100 pounds per minute.

7. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

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

wherein said lightweight compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and

wherein a power source for said lightweight compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle.

8. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

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

wherein said lightweight compressor unit further comprises (a) a hydraulic drive assembly having an output, and (b) a compressor operatively connected to the output of said high-speed drive assembly, said compressor having an impeller and an air outlet,

wherein said lightweight compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and

wherein a power source for said lightweight compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

10. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

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

a lightweight compressor unit disposed at the base of said boom; and

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

wherein said compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and

wherein a power source for said compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle.

11. The system according to claim 10, 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.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

25. The system according to claim 10, wherein said compressor unit further comprises:

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

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

13. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

a compressor unit, said compressor unit comprising (a) a hydraulic motor having an output, and (b) 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 at the boom, and

wherein said compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and

wherein a power source for said compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle.

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

compressing air within a compressor supported at the base of 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 compressor is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and

wherein a power source for the compressor is disposed below the roof of the vehicle.

15. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

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

a lightweight compressor unit located at said boom,

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

wherein said compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and

wherein a power source for said compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle.

16. The system according to claim 15, 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.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

23. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

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

wherein said compressor unit further comprises a compressor operatively connected to the output of a hydraulic drive assembly, said compressor having an impeller and an air outlet, and

wherein said compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and

wherein a power source for said compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

27. A system for deicing, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

one of (a) a lightweight air source disposed at the base of said boom, wherein said air source is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and wherein a power source for said air source is disposed below the roof of the vehicle, and (b) a lightweight air source disposed so as to rotate together with said boom in an enclosure connected to 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.

28. The system according to claim 27, 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.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said hydraulic drive assembly is a hydraulic motor.

30. The system according to claim 28, wherein said compressor is a centrifugal compressor.

31. The system according to claim 28, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

32. The system according to claim 28, wherein said compressor provides air through said deicer air jet nozzle at a rate of about 100 pounds per minute.

44. The system according to claim 27, wherein said lightweight air source is a compressor unit comprising:

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

45. The system according to claim 44, wherein said hydraulic drive assembly is a hydraulic motor.

46. The system according to claim 44, wherein said compressor is a centrifugal compressor.

47. The system according to claim 44, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

48. The system according to claim 44, wherein said compressor provides air through said deicer air jet nozzle at a rate of about 100 pounds per minute.

33. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

one of (a) a lightweight compressor unit disposed at the first end of said boom, wherein said lightweight compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and wherein a power source for said lightweight compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle, and (b) a lightweight compressor unit disposed so as to rotate together with said boom in an enclosure connected to said boom; 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.

34. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

one of (a) a lightweight compressor unit disposed at the first end of said boom, wherein said lightweight compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and wherein a power source for said lightweight compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle, and (b) a lightweight compressor unit disposed so as to rotate together with said boom in an enclosure connected to said boom, 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,

wherein said lightweight compressor unit further comprises (a) a hydraulic drive assembly having an output, and (b) a compressor operatively connected to the output of said high-speed drive assembly, said compressor having an impeller and an air outlet.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

36. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

vehicle;

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

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

one of (a) a lightweight compressor unit disposed at the base of said boom, wherein said compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and wherein a power source for said compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle, and (b) a lightweight compressor unit disposed so as to rotate together with said boom in an enclosure connected to said boom; and

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

37. The system according to claim 36, 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.

38. The system according to claim 37, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

51. The system according to claim 36, wherein said compressor unit further comprises:

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

52. The system according to claim 51, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

39. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

a compressor unit, said compressor unit comprising (a) a hydraulic motor having an output, and (b) 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 one of the following conditions is satisfied (a) said compressor unit is located at the boom, said compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and a power source for said compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle, and (b) wherein said compressor unit is located so as to rotate together with the boom in an enclosure connected to said boom.

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

one of (a) compressing air within a compressor supported at the base of a vehicle boom by driving a hydraulic drive assembly coupled to the compressor, wherein the compressor is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and wherein a power source for the compressor is disposed below the roof of the vehicle, and (b) compressing air within a compressor, supported so as to rotate together with a vehicle boom in an enclosure connected to the 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.

41. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

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

one of (a) a lightweight compressor unit located at said boom, wherein said compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and wherein a power source for said compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle, and (b) a lightweight compressor unit located so as to rotate together with said boom in an enclosure connected to said boom,

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

42. The system according to claim 41, 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.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

49. A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:

a vehicle;

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

one of (a) a lightweight compressor unit disposed at the first end of said boom, wherein said compressor unit is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and wherein a power source for said compressor unit is disposed below the roof of the vehicle, and (b) a lightweight compressor unit disposed so as to rotate together with said boom in an enclosure connected to said boom; 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,

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

50. The system according to claim 49, wherein said compressor is operatively directly connected to the output of said hydraulic drive assembly.

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

compressing air within a compressor, an enclosure for which is connected to 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 compressor is disposed above a roof of the vehicle, and

wherein a power source for the compressor is disposed below the roof of the vehicle.