Electrically conductive laminate for temperature control of aircraft surface

An improved vehicle component surface portion, integrally bonded, laminate coating with enhanced ice prevention and de-icing capabilities comprising:

• (a) an adhesive ply first applied to said vehicle component surface portion in a liquid uncured state;
• (b) an electrically conductive, porous, pliable ply, composed of metal coated substrate fibers ranging in diameter from 4 to 100 microns and in length from 0.5" to continuous form, said electrically, conductive ply disposed in said adhesive ply while said adhesive ply is in its liquid uncured state, said conductive ply cut and sufficiently pliable to fit said surface portion in a contiguous, coextending manner therewith when disposed in and upon said adhesive ply, said adhesive ply dispersing between and around the substrate fibers of said porous, electrically conductive ply such that said adhesive ply integrally envelops said electrically conductive ply, whereby said electrically conductive ply is retained in its contiguous and coextending manner by said adhesive ply until said adhesive ply cures;
• (c) means adapted to provide electrical energy to said electrically conductive ply, said electrically conductive ply having a surface resistivity in the range between 0.1 ohm and 500 ohms per unit square, whereby the temperature of the improved vehicle component surface portion laminate coating can be changed upon application of said electrical energy;
• and
• (d) an outer ply applied in a liquid state to cover the adhesive and electrically conductive plies in place on said surface portion, said adhesive and outer plies curing in place on said vehicle component surface portion to integrally form said laminate coating of said vehicle component surface portion, said outer ply when cured, providing a waterproof, resistant to abrasion and penetration, and hardened coating, for protecting the underlying, electrically conductive ply from damage.