Ice detection and mitigation device

摘要

A method for deicing an aerostructure includes driving a sensing current through a heater element coated to an aerostructure, the heater element having a resistance that is temperature dependent. A resistance of the heater element is monitored. It is determined whether there is icing at the heater element using the monitored resistance of the heater element. A melting current is driven through the heater element when it is determined that there is icing at the heater element.

主权项

1. A method for deicing an aerostructure, comprising:
driving a sensing current through a heater element coated to an aerostructure, the heater element having a resistance that is temperature dependent; monitoring a resistance of the heater element; determining whether there is icing at the heater element using the monitored resistance of the heater element; and driving a melting current through the heater element when it is determined that there is icing at the heater element, wherein determining whether there is icing at the heater element comprises determining the resistance of the heater element at a first time based on the monitored resistance of the heater element, determining the resistance of the heater element at one or more second times based on the monitored resistance of the heater element, calculating an instantaneous rate of change of the resistance of the heater element based on the determined resistance at the first time and one or more second times, and determining that there is icing on the heater element when the calculated instantaneous rate of change of the resistance of the heater is within a predetermined threshold.