Pneumatic deicer assembly having a self connecting shell
AssigneeThe B. F. Goodrich Company
InventorsNorbert A. Weisend, Jr., Alan J. Fahrner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pneumatic deicing system for deicing an airfoil includes a flexible deicing member having inflatable tube-like passages provided therein for being inflated with a pressurized fluid, wherein the deicing member is bonded to a shell having a snap type connector for mating with another connector either on the airfoil or integrated into another part of the shell. An air connector extends through the shell and is utilized for putting the deicing member in fluid connection with the fluid source. Radar absorptive material may be disposed between the shell and the deicing member for reducing the radar cross section of the airfoil.
Claims27
A pneumatic deicing system utilizing pressurized fluid from a fluid source and adapted for overlying an airfoil substructure, the de-icer having an outer surface that meets and breaks an impinging airstream when overlying the substructure comprising:
- a composite shell for disposal over the substructure, said shell having snap type airfoil connection means for connectively attaching said shell to the airfoil in a snap type manner;
- a flexible deicing member having an inflatable portion provided therein, a top side and a bottom side attached to said shell;
- and,
- fluid connection means for placing said deicing member in fluid communication with the fluid source.
A pneumatic deicing system utilizing pressurized fluid from a fluid source and adapted for overlying an airfoil substructure, the de-icer having an outer surface that meets and breaks an impinging airstream when overlying the substructure comprising:
- a flexible deicing member having an inflatable portion provided therein, and a plurality of first connection means;
- a plurality of second connection means provided integrally with the airfoil for connectively engaging with said airfoil connection means for attaching said flexible deicing member to the airfoil;
- and,
- at least one fluid connection means for placing said deicing member in fluid communication with the fluid source,
- wherein said deicer assembly surrounds the airfoil to be deiced and wherein said airfoil connection means is comprised of at least one male connector means on said deicer assembly and a corresponding female connector means for receiving and engaging with each one of said at least one male connector means, said connector means being located such that said deicing system is held onto the airfoil by engaging said male connector means with said female connector means.
A pneumatic deicing system utilizing pressurized fluid from a fluid source and adapted for overlying an airfoil substructure, the de-icer having an outer surface that meets and breaks an impinging airstream when overlying the substructure comprising:
- a rigid shell having snap type airfoil connection means;
- a flexible deicing member having an inflatable portion provided therein, a top side and a bottom side attached to said shell;
- and,
- shell connection means provided integrally with the airfoil for connectively engaging with said airfoil connection means for attaching said shell to the airfoil in a snap type manner.
A pneumatic deicing system for attachment to an airfoil utilizing pressurized fluid from a fluid source comprising:
- a rigid shell having airfoil connection means;
- a flexible deicing member having an inflatable portion provided therein, a top side and a bottom side attached to said shell;
- and,
- shell connection means provided integrally with the airfoil for connectively engaging with said airfoil connection means for attaching said shell to the airfoil,
- wherein said airfoil and shell connection means also provide an integral fluid connection assembly for transfer of fluid to the deicer.
A pneumatic deicing system utilizing pressurized fluid from a fluid source and adapted for overlying an airfoil substructure, the de-icer having an outer surface that meets and breaks an impinging airstream when overlying the substructure comprising:
- a rigid shell having snap type connection means for connectively attaching said shell to the substructure in a snap type manner;
- and,
- a flexible deicing member having an inflatable portion provided therein, a top side and a bottom side attached to said shell,
- wherein said shell surrounds the airfoil to be deiced and wherein said airfoil connection means is comprised of male and female portions, said connector means being located such that said deicing system is held onto the airfoil by engaging said male and female portions.
A pneumatic deicing system utilizing pressurized fluid from a fluid source and adapted for overlying an airfoil substructure, the de-icer having an outer surface that meets and breaks an impinging airstream when overlying the substructure comprising:
- a flexible deicing member having an inflatable portion provided therein, and rigid snap type connection means for connectively attaching said shell to the substructure in a snap type manner,
- wherein said flexible deicing member surrounds the airfoil and wherein said connection means is comprised of male and female portions, said connector means being located such that said deicing system is held onto the airfoil by engaging said male and female portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.