# US 8,770,512 B2 · Passive control of ice shedding

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- Number: US 8,770,512 B2
- Document ID: US8770512B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/343,083
- Filed: 2012-01-04
- Published: 2012-07-19
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2011-01-14
- Assignees: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
- Applicants: Robert James Flemming; Eric G. Olsen
- Inventors: Robert James Flemming; Eric G. Olsen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770512B2

## CPC

- B64D 15/16: by mechanical means, e.g. pulsating mats or shoes attached to, or built into, surface
- B64D 33/02: of combustion air intakes
- B64D 2033/0233: {comprising de-icing means}
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT

## Abstract

A plate including a body with an aft face at an aft portion of the body, which is attachable to a leading edge of an ice accretion surface such that the body protrudes substantially in a forward direction from the leading edge, and a forward face opposite the aft face, which extends between opposing surfaces of the body and which is oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to the forward direction and a predominant flow direction of air flowing past the leading edge.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An engine air inlet, comprising:
an inner wall;
an outer wall terminating in a leading edge, which is coupled to the inner wall to define an inlet space extending in an aft direction from the leading edge;
a splitter, having a leading edge, disposed within the inlet space between the inner wall and the outer wall; and
at least one plate protruding in a forward direction from one or more of the respective leading edges of the outer wall and the splitter and having a forward face, which is oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to the aft and forward directions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The engine air inlet according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall has substantially lateral and vertical components and the outer wall comprises:
an upper wall substantially aligned with the splitter and the inner wall lateral component;
a sidewall substantially aligned with the inner wall vertical component; and
a curved corner section at which the upper wall and the sidewall meet.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The engine air inlet according to claim 2, wherein the at least one plate protrudes from the respective leading edges of the outer wall at the upper wall, the sidewall and the corner section and the splitter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The engine air inlet according to claim 2, wherein the at least one plate protrudes from the leading edge of the sidewall proximate to the curved corner section.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The engine air inlet according to claim 1, wherein the splitter divides the inlet space to separate an engine air pathway from a cooling air pathway.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The engine air inlet according to claim 1, wherein the respective leading edges of the outer wall and the splitter have airfoil-shaped cross-sections.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The engine air inlet according to claim 6, wherein a cross-section of the plate mimics the airfoil-shaped cross-section of the leading edges.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The engine air inlet according to claim 1, wherein the forward face has one of a rounded leading edge and a sharp leading edge.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The engine air inlet according to claim 1, further comprising a retention device coupled to an inner duct plate disposed within the inlet space to temporarily hold ice thereto, the retention device comprising one or more of a straight, curved, bent, or looped rod coupled to the plate.