Ice protection system
AssigneesUltra Electronics Limited, University of Southampton
InventorsIan Stothers, Tim Waters
Life of this patent
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Abstract
We describe an ice protection system used for removing ice and/or other accretions from a structure. An actuator, coupled to a structure, is driven to generate vibrations in the structure. A controller drives the actuator using a signal that comprises a frequency chirp over a first period of time, and the controller controls the frequency chirp and the first period such that vibrations generated in the structure by the actuator propagate through the structure to coincide at a desired area of the structure remote from the actuator to remove ice and/or other accretions from the desired area of the structure.
Claims35
An ice protection system for removing ice and/or other accretions from a structure, the system comprising:
- an actuator coupled to the structure, the actuator being configured to generate vibrations in the structure;
- a controller connected to the actuator for driving the actuator to cause vibrations in the structure, the controller being configured to generate a drive signal for driving the actuator, the controller drive signal comprising a time-reversed version of a vibration response of the structure to an impulse vibration input, the time-reversed version of the vibration response having a frequency chirp over a first period of time,
- wherein the controller controls the frequency chirp and the first period such that vibrations generated in the structure by the actuator propagate through the structure to coincide at a desired area of the structure remote from the actuator to remove ice from the desired area of the structure.
A method of removing ice and/or other accretions from a structure, comprising:
- attaching an actuator to a structure, the actuator being configured to cause vibrations in the structure;
- generating a drive signal to drive the actuator, the drive signal comprising a time-reversed version of a vibration response of the structure to an impulse vibration input, the time-reversed version of the vibration response having a frequency chirp over a first period of time;
- and
- driving the actuator with the drive signal to cause the structure to vibrate,
- wherein the frequency chirp and the first period are controlled such that the vibrations generated by the actuator propagate through the structure and coincide at a desired area of the structure remote from the actuator to remove ice from the desired area of the structure,
- wherein a controller is connected to the actuator for driving the actuator to cause vibrations in the structure, the controller being configured to generate the drive signal and to control the frequency chirp and the first period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.