# US 2009/0260341 A1 · Distributed zoning for engine inlet ice protection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260341 A1 - Document ID: US20090260341A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/082,990 - Filed: 2008-04-16 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-16 - Assignees: United Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Isaac Jon Hogate; Christian A. Carroll - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260341A1 ## CPC - F02C 7/047: Heating to prevent icing - F01D 25/02: De-icing means for engines having icing phenomena - B64D 2033/0233: {comprising de-icing means} - Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract An engine inlet ice protection system and method for ice protection includes a plurality of grouped structural elements having electrical components that provide ice protection where power is cycled to the groups of structural elements so that at a given time the ice protection elements receiving power are generally distributed throughout the engine inlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An engine inlet ice protection system comprising a plurality of fairings distributed generally evenly within the engine inlet, wherein the fairings are grouped so that fairings in a group are separated from each other by a fairing of a different group, and wherein the fairings have embedded electrical components to provide ice protection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 1 further comprising a power distribution system for cycling electric current to the embedded electrical components of the grouped fairings, wherein electric current is cycled so that the embedded electrical components powered at a given time are generally evenly distributed within the engine inlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 2 further comprising a nosecone, wherein the nosecone contains an embedded electrical component to provide ice protection, and wherein the power distribution system cycles electric current to the embedded electrical component in the nosecone. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 2, wherein the power distribution system cycles electric current to a fairing group or a nosecone for between about 15 seconds and about 45 seconds. ### Claim 5 An engine inlet ice protection system comprising: a plurality of grouped fairings, wherein each fairing contains an embedded electrical component to provide ice protection; and a power distribution system for cycling electric current to the embedded electrical components of the grouped fairings, wherein electric current is cycled so that the embedded electrical components powered at a given time are generally evenly distributed within the engine inlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 5, wherein the engine inlet comprises at least two groups of fairings. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 5, wherein the engine inlet comprises at least ten fairings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 5, wherein the power distribution system cycles electric current to a fairing group for between about 15 seconds and about 45 seconds. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 5 further comprising a nosecone, wherein the nosecone contains an embedded electrical component to provide ice protection, and wherein the power distribution system cycles electric current to the embedded electrical component in the nosecone in addition to the embedded electrical components of the grouped fairings. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 5, wherein the power distribution system is activated by a sensor. ### Claim 11 An engine inlet ice protection system comprising: a first heating zone comprising a plurality of fairings, wherein each fairing contains an embedded heating element to provide ice protection; a second heating zone comprising a plurality of fairings, wherein each fairing contains an embedded heating element to provide ice protection; and a power distribution system for cycling electric current to the first and second heating zones, wherein electric current is distributed to only one heating zone at a given time. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 11, wherein the engine inlet ice protection system further comprises third and fourth heating zones. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 11, wherein the engine inlet comprises at least three fairings. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 11 further comprising a nosecone heating zone, wherein the nosecone heating zone contains an embedded heating element to provide ice protection. ### Claim 15 A method of preventing and reducing ice formation and conditioning airflow in an engine inlet having a plurality of generally evenly spaced fairings with embedded heating elements, the method comprising: activating a power distribution system to deliver electric current to the embedded heating elements of the plurality of fairings; and cycling electric current to a fraction of the total embedded heating elements at a given time, wherein the embedded heating elements receiving electric current at the given time are generally evenly distributed within the engine inlet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein electric current is cycled to between about one-sixth and about one-third of the embedded heating elements at a given time. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising cycling electric current to a nosecone having an embedded heating element. ### Claim 18 An engine inlet ice protection system comprising: seventeen grouped fairings having embedded electrical components; and a power distribution system for cycling electric current to the grouped fairings having embedded electrical components one group at a time, wherein first, fifth, ninth, and fourteenth fairings form a first group; second, fourth, eighth, eleventh, and fifteenth fairings form a second group; third, seventh, twelfth, and sixteenth fairings form a third group; and sixth, tenth, thirteenth, and seventeenth fairings form a fourth group. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The engine inlet ice protection system of claim 18 further comprising a nosecone having embedded electrical components, wherein the nosecone forms a fifth group.