# US 2014/0191082 A1 · Method and arrangement for de-icing a structural element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191082 A1 - Document ID: US20140191082A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/876,800 - Filed: 2010-09-28 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2010-09-28 - Assignees: Saab AB - Inventors: Eduardo Figueroa-Karlström - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191082A1 ## CPC - B64D 15/163: {using electro-impulsive devices} - B64U 10/30: Lighter-than-air aircraft, e.g. aerostatic aircraft - F03D 80/40: Ice detection; De-icing means - H02N 1/002: {Electrostatic motors} - Y02E 10/72: Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - F03D: WIND MOTORS - H02N: ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The present invention relates to a de-icing arrangement for de-icing a structural element {170; 270; 370). The structural element could be made of a whole polymeric or metallic material. The arrangement comprises a power source (250) being electrically connected to an electrode configuration (200), said power source is arranged to, when applicable, electrically charge said electrode configuration (200). The electrode configuration (200) is arranged to generate an impulsive force (Fn) for removal of ice adhered on said structural element (170; 270; 370). The invention relates to a method for de-icing a structural element. The invention also relates to a computer programme and a computer programme product. The invention also relates to a platform carrying the arrangement. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-22. (canceled) ### Claim 23 De-icing arrangement for de-icing a structural element (170; 270; 370), said arrangement comprising: a power source (250) being electrically connected to an electrode configuration (200), said power source being arranged to, when applicable, electrically charge said electrode configuration (200); and a control unit (500) connected to said power source 250, wherein: said electrode configuration (200) is arranged to generate an impulsive force (Fn) for removal of ice adhered on said structural element (170; 270; 370); and said electrode configuration (200) comprises a plate capacitor. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) De-icing arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said electrode configuration (200) comprises a first electrode (210) and a second electrode (220) being mutually displaceable. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) De-icing arrangement according to claim 24, wherein one of said first and second electrode (210, 220) being closest to the ice to be removed. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) De-icing arrangement according to claim 25, wherein the other one of said first and second electrode (210, 220) being fixed to said structural element (170; 270; 370). ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) De-icing arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said electrode configuration (200) comprises the first electrode (210) and the second electrode (220) being provided in a close proximity of each other. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) De-icing arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said electrode configuration (200) comprises a sandwiched dielectric element (230). ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) De-icing arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said first and second electrodes (210; 220) are strip like. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) De-icing arrangement according to claim 23, wherein: said first electrode (210) comprises a plurality of separated first electrodes (210); and said second electrode (220) is functionally provided at each of said plurality of separated first electrodes (210). ### Claim 31 (depends on 23) De-icing arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said generated impulsive force (Fn) has an amplitude sufficient for removal of an adhered layer of ice having a thickness of about 1-3 millimeter (10-3m). ### Claim 32 (depends on 23) De-icing arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said arrangement is arranged to generate a number of successive impulsive forces (Fn) for removal of ice adhered on said structural element (170; 270; 370). ### Claim 33 (depends on 23) De-icing arrangement according to claim 23, comprising at least two electrode configurations (200). ### Claim 34 (depends on 23) De-icing arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said structural element (170; 270; 370) is made of a non-metallic material, such as a full-plastic material, comprising at least one of carbon-fibre or glass-fibre. ### Claim 35 (depends on 23) Platform (100; 110) comprising the de-icing arrangement according to claim 23. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) Platform according to claim 35, wherein said platform is a stationary facility. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) Platform according to claim 35, wherein said platform is a stationary wind power installation or an off shore wind power installation. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) Platform (100) according to claim 37, wherein the platform (100) is an aircraft and said structural element is an aircraft wing or aircraft rudder. ### Claim 39 Method for de-icing a structural element (170; 270; 370), said method comprising the step of: when applicable, electrically charging (s430) an electrode configuration (200) by means of a power source (250), which is electrically connected to said electrode configuration (200) and controlled by a control unit (500); and generating (s450) an impulsive force (Fn) for removal of ice adhered on said structural element (170; 270; 370), wherein said electrode configuration comprises a plate capacitor. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) Method according to claim 39, further comprising the step of activating (s430) said electrically charging of said electrode configuration (200) on the basis of a signal indicating presence of a current ice state on said structural element (170; 270; 370). ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) Method according to claim 39, further comprising the step of determining (s420) whether said electrically charging of said electrode configuration (200) has set said electrode configuration (200) in a predetermined state. ### Claim 42 (depends on 39) Method according to claim 39, further comprising the step of determining (s410) a state of ice built up on said structural element (170; 270; 370), and generating said impulsive force on the basis on said determined state. ### Claim 43 Computer programme (P) comprising a programme code for de-icing a structural element (170; 270; 370), said programme code being configured to execute the the steps of: when applicable, electrically charging (s430) an electrode configuration (200) by means of a power source (250), which is electrically connected to said electrode configuration (200); and generating (s450) an impulsive force (Fn) for removal of ice adhered on said structural element (170; 270; 370), when said computer programme is run on a computer (500) wherein said electrode configuration comprises a plate capacitor. ### Claim 44 Computer programme product comprising a programme code stored on a computer readable media, for de-icing a structural element, said programme code being configured to execute the steps of: when applicable, electrically charging (s430) an electrode configuration (200) by means of a power source (250) which is electrically connected to said electrode configuration (200); and generating (s450) an impulsive force (Fn) for removal of ice adhered on said structural member (170; 270; 370), when said computer programme is run on a computer (500) wherein said electrode configuration comprises a plate capacitor.