Measuring ice distribution profiles on a surface with attached capacitance electrodes
Patent 5551288 Issued on September 3, 1996. Estimated Expiration Date: 
March 20, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
March 20, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 2412626 2789281 2800647 3240054 3491292 3811087 Vibration measuring and the apparatus therefor Water depth measuring device Non-intrusive ice detector Ice deposition detector employing impedance change of a vibratory body InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 407940 filed on 03/20/1995US Classes:73/170.26, Icing condition (e.g., accretion)324/671, To determine dimension (e.g., dielectric thickness)324/688, Including a guard or ground electrode324/689, To determine water content340/580, Ice formation340/962Icing indicatorExaminersPrimary: Chilcot, RichardAssistant: Felber, Joseph L. Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesG08B 019/02G01R 027/26 AbstractThe present invention is an improved ice sensor which is particularly effective in measuring and quantifying non-uniform, heterogeneous ice typically found on aircraft leading edges and top wing surfaces.In one embodiment, the ice sensor comprises a plurality of surface mounted capacitive sensors, each having a different electrode spacing. These sensors measure ice thickness by measuring the changes in capacitance of the flush electrode elements due to the presence of ice or water. Electronic guarding techniques are employed to minimize baseline and parasitic capacitances so as to decrease the noise level and thus increase the signal to noise ratio. Importantly, the use of guard electrodes for selective capacitive sensors also enables distributed capacitive measurements to be made over large or complex areas, independent of temperature or location, due to the capability of manipulating the electric field lines associated with the capacitive sensors.Other References
Field of SearchIcing condition (e.g., accretion)WIND TUNNEL: AERODYNAMIC WING AND PROPELLER STUDY Ice formation Icing indicator To determine dimension (e.g., dielectric thickness) Including a guard or ground electrode To determine water content Including a probe type structure Electric Initiators and indicators | |
