Windshield wiper fluid dispensing system

A method of operating a windshield wiper system for use on a windshield of an aircraft, the method comprising:

• transferring, by a controller, a command signal to an electrically coupled fluid control unit to activate the fluid control unit;
• transferring, by the fluid control unit, a fluid from a fluid source through a fluid line to a nozzle coupled to a wiper blade;
• dispensing, by the nozzle, the fluid onto the windshield of the aircraft;
• receiving, by a user interface, input from a pilot or co-pilot;
• transferring, by the user interface, a command signal to the electrically coupled controller indicating an action to be performed by the controller;
• and
• transferring, by the controller, a command signal to the electrically coupled fluid control unit to activate the fluid control unit;
• wherein the wiper blade is coupled to a first end of a wiper arm and an actuator comprising an output shaft is coupled to a second end of the wiper arm, and wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the output shaft to sweep the wiper arm and the wiper blade across the windshield of the aircraft;
• wherein the fluid dispensing from the nozzle is bleed air, water, windshield cleaning fluid, or chemical rain repellant;
• wherein:
• the nozzle is removable from the wiper blade;
• the nozzle includes two sides and at least one output port on each of the two sides;
• and
• the nozzle is configured to dispense fluid from the at least one output port on each of the two sides of the nozzle;
• and
• wherein each wiper blade includes a plurality of nozzles coupled to the wiper blade, and wherein each one of the plurality of nozzles is spaced equidistance apart along a length of the wiper blade.

A windshield wiper system for use on a windshield of an aircraft, the windshield wiper system comprising:

• a wiper comprising a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to a first end of the wiper arm;
• a nozzle coupled to the wiper blade, wherein the nozzle is configured to dispense a fluid;
• an actuator comprising an output shaft, wherein the output shaft is coupled to a second end of the wiper arm and the actuator is configured to rotate the output shaft to sweep the wiper arm and wiper blade across the windshield of the aircraft;
• a controller electrically coupled to each of the actuator, a user interface, and a fluid control unit wherein the controller is configured to:
• send electrical signals to and receive electrical signals from the actuator to control rotation of the output shaft of the actuator;
• send electrical signals to and receive electrical signals from the fluid control unit to control operation of the fluid control unit;
• and
• receive electrical signals from the user interface indicating an action to be performed by the controller;
• and
• a plurality of fluid sources fluidly coupled to the nozzle through a fluid line, wherein each of the plurality of fluid sources is configured to dispense a different fluid through the nozzle, wherein the fluid dispensing from the nozzle can be selected from two or more of bleed air, water, windshield cleaning fluid, or chemical rain repellant, and wherein the user interface is configured to permit a user to choose which of the different fluids is dispensed through the nozzle.