Communications: electrical – Aircraft alarm or indicating systems – Icing indicator
Patent
1996-04-26
1998-06-02
Swarthout, Brent A.
Communications: electrical
Aircraft alarm or indicating systems
Icing indicator
7317026, 340583, G08B 2100
Patent
active
057607117
ABSTRACT:
A modulated light source (31) transmits light pulses via a prism (27) through a monofilament optical fiber light channel (20) to an optical sensor (10) remotely located and flush mounted to an aerodynamic surface (14) of the aircraft most likely to accrete ice. In the absence of ice little to no light is reflected inward via the light channel. When water, ice, or de-icing fluid covers the light sensor, an increased amount of light pulses are reflected inward through the single fiber optic light channel and prism assembly where they are detected by a light detector (34) which generates an electrical output signal indicative of the type, amount, and rate of ice accretion. The output signal is visually displayed (37) and the pilot may be audibly warned. In an alternate embodiment the remote light sensor (70) is fuselage mounted (72) with an airfoil shaped probe (71) having a clear lucite leading edge (73) to which is secured a pair of fiber optic light pipes (75,76), one for outbound (76) and the other for inbound (75) light pulses. This mode requires no prism assembly. All electronics are housed in the computerized control/display unit (30) other than the fiber optic cable and remote mounted light sensor.
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ICG Technologies, LLC
Lisa Steven G.
Swarthout Brent A.
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