Method and System for Ice Detection
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorJeffrey Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system including an apparatus for determining the presence of ice on an external surface of a structure is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor that includes first and second parallel ink or paint conductive traces separated by a gap. The apparatus also includes a circuit configured to measure the impedance or change in impedance between the first and second parallel ink or paint conductive traces.
Claims20
An apparatus for determining the presence of ice on an external surface of a structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a base structure;
- a sensor affixed to the base structure, the sensor comprising:
- first and second conductive traces each defined by a shape having edges and separated by a gap, wherein the first and second conductive traces are applied directly to the base structure such that a dielectric layer is not positioned between the base structure and the first and second conductive traces, the first and second conductive traces comprising parallel phenolic-based ink conductive traces or paint conductive traces, wherein the edges of the first and second conductive traces are tapered such that the first and second conductive traces have sharp edges only directly surrounding the gap;
- a circuit configured to measure impedance between the first and second conductive traces wherein the impedance has a capacitive component and a resistive component and the capacitive component is decoupled from the resistive component, and the circuit is further configured to distinguish between ice and water on the external surface of the base structure based on the capacitive component and the resistive component of the impedance;
- and
- a coating of dielectric material covering the first and second conductive traces.
(canceled)
An apparatus for determining the presence of ice on an external surface of a structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a base structure;
- a sensor comprising:
- first and second conductive traces each defined by a shape having edges and separated by a gap, wherein the first and second conductive traces are applied directly to the base structure such that a dielectric layer is not positioned between the base structure and the first and second conductive traces, the first and second conductive traces comprising parallel ink conductive traces or paint conductive traces, wherein the edges of the first and second conductive traces are tapered such that the first and second conductive traces have sharp edges only directly surrounding the gap;
- and
- a circuit configured to measure impedance between the first and second conductive traces wherein the impedance has a capacitive component and a resistive component and the capacitive component is decoupled from the resistive component, and the circuit is further configured to distinguish between ice and water on the external surface of the base structure based on the capacitive component and the resistive component of the impedance.
(canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
A method of applying a sensor for determining the presence of ice on an external surface of a structure, comprising:
- forming a sensor on a base structure by spraying or rolling first and second conductive traces directly on the base structure, wherein the first and second conductive traces comprise phenolic-based paint or ink, each defined by a shape with edges and having a gap disposed therebetween, wherein the edges of the first and second conductive traces are tapered such that the first and second conductive traces have sharp edges only directly surrounding the gap;
- and
- electrically coupling the first and second conductive traces of phenolic-based paint or ink to a circuit configured to measure impedance in the gap between the first and second conductive traces wherein the impedance has a capacitive component and a resistive component and the capacitive component is decoupled from the resistive component, and the circuit is further configured to distinguish between ice and water on the external surface of the base structure based on the capacitive component and the resistive component of the impedance.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.