Systems and methods for modifying an ice-to-object interface
AssigneeTrustees of Dartmouth College
InventorVictor Petrenko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for thermally modifying an ice-to-object interface. One system includes a power supply configured to generate a magnitude of power. The magnitude of the power is sufficient to melt an interfacial layer of ice at the interface; typically the interfacial layer has a thickness in a range one micron to one millimeter. A controller may be used to limit the duration in which power supply generates the magnitude of the power, to limit unneeded heat energy dissipation into the environment. Modulating the pulsed heating energy to the interface modifies a coefficient of friction between the object and the ice.
Claims86
A method of thermally modifying an interface between ice and an object, comprising the steps of:
- applying heating energy to the interface to melt an interfacial layer of ice;
- and
- limiting duration of the step of applying heating energy to the interface such that the heating energy has a heat diffusion distance within the ice that extends no more than through the thickness of the interfacial layer of ice.
A method for controlling a coefficient of friction between an object and ice, comprising the steps of:
- (1) pulsing power to an interface between the object and the ice to melt an interfacial layer of ice at the interface and decrease the coefficient of friction;
- (2) facilitating refreezing of the interfacial ice at the interface to increase the coefficient of friction;
- and
- (3) repeating steps (1) and (2) in a controllable manner to control an average coefficient of friction between the object and the ice.
A slider having a surface intended to interface with ice or snow, comprising:
- a power supply for generating power;
- a heating element configured to convert the power to heat at the surface, the heat being sufficient to melt an interfacial layer of ice at the interface;
- a controller for controlling delivery of power to the heating element to control a coefficient of friction between the slider and the ice or snow.
A system for thermally modifying an ice-to-object interface, comprising:
- a power supply for generating power;
- a heating element coupled to the power supply to convert the power into heat at the interface;
- and
- a controller coupled to the power supply to limit a duration in which power is applied to the heating element such that only an interfacial layer of ice melts at the interface.
A method for heating an object to a temperature T, comprising the steps of:
- applying power W to the object in a magnitude approximately inversely proportional to the energy sufficient to raise the temperature of the object to temperature T;
- and
- controlling time of the applied power W in a duration inversely proportional to W2.
A method for cooling an object to a temperature T, comprising the steps of:
- removing power W from the object in a magnitude inversely proportional to the energy sufficient to cool the temperature of the object to temperature T;
- and
- controlling time of the power W in a duration inversely proportional to W2.
A windshield deicer, comprising:
- a windshield;
- and
- a substantially transparent heating element disposed with the windshield that generates heat in response to applied power in a magnitude sufficient to melt an interfacial layer of ice on the windshield.
The windshield deicer of claim 48, the material comprising one of ZnO, ZnS, and mixtures thereof.
- The windshield deicer of claim 47, the heating element being selected from transparent conductor material.
- The windshield deicer of claim 50, the material comprising one of indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide, thin metal films, and mixtures thereof.
The windshield deicer of claim 51, the power supply comprising a vehicle battery.
A method of modifying friction between an object and ice/snow, comprising the steps of:
- applying a first pulse of thermal energy to an interface between the object and the ice/snow, the first pulse being sufficient to melt an interfacial layer of ice/snow adjacent the object;
- and
- refreezing water forming the interfacial layer to form a first bond between the object and the ice/snow.
A method of heating an object to a desired temperature, comprising steps of:
- storing thermal energy insulated from the object and in a magnitude at least sufficient to heat the object to the desired temperature;
- and
- adjusting one or both of physical and thermal properties of an interface between the thermal energy and the object to transfer at least part of the thermal energy to the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.