Ice detection apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for detecting ice accretion comprising:
- an electromagnetic radiation emitter and a corresponding array of sensors that is closer to the emitter than any other emitter, the emitter being located intermediate of the corresponding array of sensors and at least some of the sensors being located at different distances from the emitter; and
a comparator configured to compare a detected intensity of the diffused radiation to a predetermined value and to determine whether the detected intensity is above the predetermined value such that a data processing equipment determines the type of accreted ice.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Ice detection apparatus for monitoring ice accretion on aircraft surfaces, comprising an array of optical fibres which are mounted flush with an outer surface of an aircraft skin, and an intermediately located electromagnetic radiation emitter which is provided by an optical fibre. In use radiation is emitted by the emitter generally outwardly of the aircraft surface, and the layer of accreted ice diffuses the emitted radiation scattered and reflected. The diffused radiation is detected by the sensors, and the spatial distribution of the detected intensity diffused radiation about the emitter can be used to calculate the thickness of the layer of ice and the type of ice.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for detecting ice accretion comprising:
- an electromagnetic radiation emitter and a corresponding array of sensors that is closer to the emitter than any other emitter, the emitter being located intermediate of the corresponding array of sensors and at least some of the sensors being located at different distances from the emitter; and
a comparator configured to compare a detected intensity of the diffused radiation to a predetermined value and to determine whether the detected intensity is above the predetermined value such that a data processing equipment determines the type of accreted ice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- an electromagnetic radiation emitter and a corresponding array of sensors that is closer to the emitter than any other emitter, the emitter being located intermediate of the corresponding array of sensors and at least some of the sensors being located at different distances from the emitter; and
- 8. A method of monitoring ice accretion comprising emitting an electromagnetic radiation signal from an emitter, detecting diffused radiation which comprises radiation which is scattered and/or reflected by a layer of accreted ice, detection of the diffused radiation being effected by a corresponding array of sensors that is closer to the emitter than any other emitter, at least some of the sensors being at different distances from the emitter, and the method further comprising comparing detected intensity of the diffused radiation at a particular distance from the emitter to a respective predetermined value so as to determine the type of accreted ice.
- 15. A data processing equipment for ice detection apparatus comprising comparator means, the comparator means, in use, receiving signals representative of the intensity of diffused radiation which comprises radiation scattered and/or reflected by a layer of accreted ice, which diffused radiation is detected by an array of sensors, at least some of the sensors being located at different distances from a corresponding electromagnetic radiation emitter that is closer to the array of sensors than any other emitter, the comparator means being configured to compare detected intensity of the diffused radiation to a predetermined value and determine whether said value of detected intensity of the diffused radiation is above the predetermined value so as to enable the data processing equipment to determine the type of accreted ice.
Specification