Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft structure – Material discharging and diffusing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-13
2001-07-24
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft structure
Material discharging and diffusing
C244S13400A, C244S13400A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264142
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to an anti-icing and deicing system for high voltage power lines, and more particularly to a helicopter mounted anti-icing and deicing system and method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, it has been recognized that high voltage power lines, which generate substantial electrical fields, make repair work extremely difficult. Power lines of this type extend over remote areas that are inaccessible to land vehicles, and the techniques for reaching and servicing these remote high voltage power lines have often been economically disadvantageous, cumbersome and operationally undesirable. To alleviate some of these disadvantages, helicopters provided with associated work platforms mounted directly to the helicopter skid tubes have been devised for supporting a lineman who can then perform the necessary work on a high voltage power line from the hovering helicopter. A system of this type is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,575 to Scott H. Yenzer.
High voltage power lines are especially difficult to inspect and repair in remote areas during winter weather, as a thick coating of ice and snow will often accumulate on the power lines. This can be destructive in that it does damage to conductors and also damage to structures due to the weight of the ice. Removal of this ice and snow accumulation might be accomplished by a lineman supported by the prior art helicopter work platform who manually manipulates a spray nozzle to spray a deicing or anti-icing compound onto the high voltage power line. Prior art spray systems, such as that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,289 to Kurtgis, require that a helicopter fly extremely close to a power line and individually attempt to spray each individual line which is both somewhat hazardous and time consuming. Not only is it difficult to adequately spray each line in a multi-line system but a lineman must be exposed to the elements in order to control the sprayer. This is totally unsatisfactory in cold, windy weather conditions, for the time that a lineman can remain exposed is extremely limited.
Known aircraft borne spray systems, such as those illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 2,493,017 to Nutter, U.S. Pat. No. 3,410,489 to Waldrum, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,184 to Waldrum, are designed to spray material under pressure over wide areas, and these systems do not provide the concentration of material in a very limited and defined area occupied by a power line system to adequately protect the power lines against icing.
Consequently, a need has arisen for a helicopter anti-icing and deicing system and method which operates safely, rapidly and effectively to apply anti-icing or deicing fluid to a multiple power line system without requiring human exposure to the elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved helicopter anti-icing and deicing system and method for deicing high voltage power lines without requiring human exposure to the elements.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved method for deicing high voltage power lines from a helicopter without adversely affecting the aerodynamics of the helicopter in any significant manner and wherein the helicopter maybe positioned with the power lines located in a plane between the helicopter skids so that the anti-icing or deicing material can be dropped by gravity upon the power lines.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved helicopter anti-icing and deicing method for a multiple power line system which involves the application of an environmentally friendly natural concentrate residue from the wet milling of corn and the production of alcohol in liquid droplet form by gravity to a power line system. The viscosity of the material is controlled by heating so that micro sized droplets are caused to drop downwardly by gravity within the limited area occupied by the power line system.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved helicopter anti-icing and deicing method which involves filling a manifold with anti-icing fluid and positioning a helicopter bearing the manifold in spaced relationship above a power line system while orienting the manifold toward a zero angle of attack with the relative wind. Then causing droplets of fluid to drop downwardly from the manifold by gravity in the restricted area occupied by the power line system. The distance of the helicopter above the power line system, the speed of the helicopter relative to the power line system, and compensation of helicopter positioning for cross wind conditions are all employed to limit the coverage area provided by the falling droplets, and to superimpose this coverage area on the power lines.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved helicopter anti-icing and deicing system wherein an airfoil shaped manifold structure is pivotally mounted adjacent to the forward tips of the helicopter skids so as to be operative in the undisturbed air in front of the helicopter. The airfoil shaped manifold structure is pivoted to maintain a zero angle of attack with relation to the relative wind to permit droplets of the anti-icing or deicing material from the manifold structure to drop by gravity straight down upon high voltage power lines.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved helicopter anti-icing and deicing system including an airfoil shaped manifold structure pivotally mounted adjacent to the forward tips of the helicopter skids. Anti-icing or deicing fluid is fed from a storage tank into the manifold structure, and the interior of the manifold stricture includes a heating element which is either electrically heated or heated by bleed air from the helicopter turbine. Drops of anti-icing or deicer fluid are ejected through holes formed in the rear surface of the air foil shaped manifold structure and dropped by gravity downwardly onto a high voltage power line when the helicopter is positioned in spaced relation above the power line. It is desirable to maintain droplet sizes in the 2000-5000 micron range as well as a consistent flow, and this is done by providing thermal stabilization of the anti-icing or deicing material.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2493017 (1950-01-01), Nutter
patent: 2730402 (1956-01-01), Whiting, Jr. et al.
patent: 2979273 (1961-04-01), Liebhart
patent: 3191866 (1965-06-01), Wilson
patent: 3523646 (1970-08-01), Waldrum
patent: 3897829 (1975-08-01), Eason
patent: 3920184 (1975-11-01), Waldrum
patent: 4477289 (1984-10-01), Kurtgis
patent: 4478312 (1984-10-01), Kurtgis
patent: 4637575 (1987-01-01), Yenzer
patent: 5242133 (1993-09-01), Zwick
patent: 5947418 (1999-09-01), Bessiere et al.
Iceban Product Fac-Toids: “Ice Ban Products are the most important, new discovery in the de-icing industry. They reduce cost and increase safety” Ice Ban America Nov. 9, 1998—http://www.iceban.com/iceban.html.
Ed Darryl K.
Messersmith Maurice L.
Voss Timothy H.
Agrotors, Inc.
Best Christian M.
Jordan Charles T.
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Sixbey Daniel W.
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