Method and System for Ice Detection
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorJeffrey Stewart
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims21
-20. (canceled)
An apparatus for detecting ice on an aircraft wing, the apparatus comprising:
- a base structure;
- a sensor comprising conductive traces affixed to the base structure, wherein the conductive traces are separated by a gap;
- and
- a circuit configured to measure impedance between the conductive traces and connected to the sensor at a connection point, wherein the connection point is in an interior of the base structure.
A method of applying a sensor for detecting ice on an aircraft wing, comprising:
- forming a sensor comprising conductive traces having a gap disposed therebetween on a base structure;
- and
- electrically coupling the conductive traces to a circuit configured to measure impedance in the gap between the conductive traces at a connection point in an interior of the base structure.
An apparatus for detecting ice on an aircraft wing, the apparatus comprising:
- a base structure, wherein the base structure comprises an aircraft wing;
- a sensor comprising conductive traces affixed to the base structure and a sensor lead intersecting with and running perpendicular to one of the conductive traces, wherein the conductive traces are separated by a gap and wherein the gap is positioned along a leading edge of the aircraft wing;
- a circuit configured to measure impedance between the conductive traces and connected to the sensor at a connection point, wherein the connection point is in an interior of the base structure, wherein a fastener penetrates the base structure to create the connection point, and wherein internal instrumentation is attached to the fastener;
- and
- a coating of dielectric material covering the conductive traces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.