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US 4,900,891 AGranted
Laser ice removal system
OwnerRoger Vega, Rose M. Vegainventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system to remove ice formed on a surface, such as an airplane wing. Heat generative laser beam is directed upon a snow or ice-covered surface, thereby vaporizing the ice and snow formed thereupon. By translating the laser light generator along the frozen surface, vaporization of the snow and ice formed on the entire surface takes place.
Claims21
An ice and snow removal system for a surface, comprising:
- laser light generating means for generating a heat producing beam to superficially liquify ice on a surface;
- ground-based means for supporting and positioning said laser light generating means in a desired orientation relative to said surface and for positioning the laser light generating means in said desired orientation proximate to said surface;
- and
- lens means positioned to focus the beam generated by the laser light generating means and for directing the light into a broadened beam width upon said surface to thereby vaporize the ice and snow formed thereupon.
1 more element
A method for de-icing an airplane comprising the steps of:
- positioning a laser beam generating means proximate to a surface portion of the airplane;
- directing light generated by the laser light generating means onto said surface to thereby vaporize snow and ice accumulated thereupon;
- and
- translating the laser beam generating means along the surface of the airplane to vaporize ice and snow accumulated thereupon.
1 more element
Airplane surface de-icing and snow melting mechanism for an airplane exterior surface, said mechanism including:
- laser light generation means for generating a heat-producing beam to superficially liquify ice and snow on the airplane surface;
- means for supporting and positioning said laser light generation means in a desired orientation relative to the airplane surface and for positioning the laser light generating means in said desired orientation proximate to the airplane surface;
- and
- lens means positioned to focus the beam generated by the laser light generating means and for directing the light into a broadened beam width upon said surface to thereby vaporize the ice and snow formed thereupon.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.