Air data probe heater utilizing low melting point metal
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsYates Wong, Grant A. Gordon, Patrick Flynn, Morris Anderson, James B. Cox
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Abstract
An air data probe includes a probe body. The air data probe also includes a housing surrounding the probe body, wherein a cavity is defined between the probe body and the housing. The air data probe also includes a heater element disposed within the cavity between the probe body and the housing. The air data probe also includes a low melting point metal disposed within the cavity between the probe body and the housing, wherein engaging the heater element causes at least a portion of the low melting point metal to transition from a solid state to a liquid state.
Claims20
An air data probe comprising:
- a probe body;
- a housing surrounding the probe body, wherein a cavity is defined between the probe body and the housing;
- a heater element disposed within the cavity between the probe body and the housing;
- and
- a low melting point metal disposed within the cavity between the probe body and the housing, wherein engaging the heater element causes at least a portion of the low melting point metal to transition from a solid state to a liquid state.
A method of manufacturing an air data probe comprising:
- inserting a heater element into a cavity defined between a housing and a probe body of the air data probe;
- inserting a low melting point metal into the cavity between the housing and the probe body, wherein at least a portion of the low melting point metal transitions from a solid state to a liquid state when the heater element is engaged;
- and
- sealing the cavity.
An air data probe comprising:
- a mandrel;
- a housing surrounding the mandrel, wherein a cavity is defined between the housing and the mandrel;
- a heater element disposed within the cavity;
- and
- a low melting point metal disposed within the cavity defined between the housing and the mandrel, wherein at least a portion of the low melting point metal transitions from a solid state to a liquid state when the heater element is engaged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.