Carbon nanotube (CNT) or carbon allotrobe based induction heating for aircraft ice protection
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorsJin Hu, Galdemir Cezar Botura, Mauro J. Atalla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for inductive heating of an aircraft surface includes a conductive outer layer configured to be located on an outer portion of the aircraft surface. The system further includes a carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn configured to receive and conduct electrical current. The system further includes an insulator located between the conductive outer layer and the CNT yarn such that the electrical current flowing through the CNT yarn generates induction heating on the conductive outer layer.
Claims14
A system for inductive heating of an aircraft surface, the system comprising:
- a conductive outer layer configured to be located on an outer portion of the aircraft surface;
- a first carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn configured to receive and conduct electrical current, wherein the first CNT yarn is wound into a first CNT yarn coil and functions as a first inductor;
- a second CNT yarn configured to receive and conduct electrical current, wherein the second CNT yarn is wound into a second CNT yarn coil and functions as a second inductor and wherein the second CNT yarn coil at least partially overlaps the first CNT yarn coil such that a portion of the first CNT yarn coil and a portion of the second CNT yarn coil are aligned with a same portion of the conductive outer layer;
- and
- an insulator located between the conductive outer layer and the first CNT yarn coil and the second CNT yarn coil such that the electrical current flowing through the first CNT yarn coil and the second CNT yarn coil generates induction heating on the conductive outer layer.
An induction-heated aircraft component, comprising:
- an outer portion;
- a conductive outer layer configured to be located on the outer portion;
- a first carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn configured to receive and conduct electrical current, wherein the first CNT yarn is wound into a first CNT yarn coil and functions as a first inductor;
- a second CNT yarn configured to receive and conduct electrical current, wherein the second CNT yarn is wound into a second CNT yarn coil and functions as a second inductor and wherein the second CNT yarn coil at least partially overlaps the first CNT yarn coil such that a portion of the first CNT yarn coil and a portion of the second CNT yarn coil are aligned with a same portion of the conductive outer layer;
- and
- an insulator located between the conductive outer layer and the first CNT yarn coil and the second CNT yarn coil such that the electrical current flowing through the first CNT yarn coil and the second CNT yarn coil generates induction heating on the conductive outer layer.
A method for inductive heating of an aircraft surface, the method comprising:
- providing a first carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn on an inside of the aircraft surface such that the first CNT yarn is separated from a conductive outer layer of the aircraft surface by an insulator, wherein the first CNT yarn is wound into a first CNT yarn coil and functions as a first inductor;
- providing a second CNT yarn on the inside of the aircraft surface such that the second CNT yarn is separated from the conductive outer layer of the aircraft surface by the insulator, wherein the second CNT yarn is wound into a second CNT yarn coil and functions as a second inductor and wherein the second CNT yarn coil at least partially overlaps the first CNT yarn coil such that a portion of the first CNT yarn coil and a portion of the second CNT yarn coil are aligned with a same portion of the conductive outer layer;
- providing a first electrical current to the first CNT yarn coil to generate induction heating on the conductive outer layer;
- and
- providing a second electrical current to the second CNT yarn coil to generate additional inductive heating on the conductive outer layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.