Thermoelectric icing sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of electrical engineering, and more particularly to means for remotely detecting ice formation and determining environmental conditions. A thermoelectric icing sensor comprises a first thermoelectric assembly containing a first thermoelectric element, a first thermoelectric heat flow sensor and a temperature sensor; a second thermoelectric assembly containing a second thermoelectric element and a second thermoelectric heat flow sensor; a thermally conductive plate and a protective casing. The first and second thermoelectric assemblies are mounted spaced apart from one another on a base. Arranged separately on the inner side of the thermally conductive plate, in the gap between the first and second thermoelectric assemblies, is the temperature sensor. The thermoelectric heat flow sensors are connected in series, and the thermoelectric elements are connected to one another. The thermoelectric assemblies, the temperature sensor and the thermally conductive plate are contained within the protective casing, which is open in the region of the outer surface of the thermally conductive plate, forming a channel, the bottom of which is formed by the outer surface of the thermally conductive plate, and the walls of which are formed by the protective casing. The result is that of increasing sensitivity to ice formation or the potential for ice formation, while at the same time increasing the accuracy with which ice formation or the potential for ice formation is determined.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.