Apparatus and method for deicing aircraft using compact, lightweight air source
AssigneeFMC Technologies, Inc.
InventorClifton L. Foster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a system and method for deicing, equipment, particularly aircraft. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention may comprise a vehicle frame; a boom having a first end mounted on the vehicle frame and a free end; a lightweight air source disposed above the first end of the boom; and a deicer air jet nozzle located at the boom and operatively coupled to the air source for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application, wherein the lightweight air source is located proximate to the deicer air jet nozzle.
Claims30
A system for deicing, comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
- a boom having an end mounted on said vehicle frame and a free end;
- a lightweight air source disposed on said boom;
- and
- a deicer air jet nozzle located at said boom and operatively coupled to said air source for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application.
A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
- a boom having a first end pivotally mounted on said vehicle frame and a free end;
- a lightweight compressor unit disposed above the first end of said boom,
- wherein the weight of said compressor unit is less than or equal to about 100 pounds;
- and
- a deicer air jet nozzle located at the boom and operatively coupled to said lightweight compressor unit for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application.
A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
- a boom having an end mounted on said vehicle frame and a free end;
- an operator cab located at the free end of said boom;
- a lightweight compressor unit disposed on said operator cab;
- and
- a deicer air jet nozzle located at said boom and operatively coupled to the air outlet of said compressor for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application.
A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
- a boom, having an end mounted on the vehicle frame and a free end;
- a compressor unit, said compressor unit comprising:
- a hydraulic motor having an output, and
- a compressor operatively connected to the output of said hydraulic motor, said compressor having an impeller and an air outlet;
- and
- a deicer air jet nozzle located at the boom and operatively coupled to the air outlet of the compressor for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application,
- wherein said compressor unit is located proximate to said deicer air jet nozzle.
A method for deicing aircraft, comprising the steps of:
- compressing air within a compressor supported by a vehicle boom by driving a hydraulic drive assembly coupled to the compressor;
- and
- discharging the air from a deicer air jet nozzle attached to the end of the vehicle boom such that air is forced outward from the deicer air jet nozzle at about 100 pounds per minute,
- wherein the combined weight of the compressor and the hydraulic drive assembly is less than or equal to about 100 pounds.
A system for deicing aircraft, comprising:
- a vehicle frame;
- a boom having an end mounted on said vehicle frame and a free end;
- an operator cab located at the free end of said boom;
- and
- a lightweight compressor unit located proximate to a deicer air jet nozzle,
- wherein said deicer air jet nozzle is located at said boom and operatively coupled to the air outlet of said compressor for receiving air and discharging the air for a deicer application.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.