Pneumatic deicer and deicing method

摘要

An inflatable deicer boot for mounting on an airfoil with at least one leading edge tubular member positioned in the area of the stagnation line of the airfoil. The boot also has a plurality of upper and lower inflatable passages on either side of the leading edge tubular member. In the inflation sequence of the deicing cycle, the leading edge tubular member is inflated before inflation of the upper and lower inflatable passages to crack the ice formed on the outside surface of the boot at the stagnation line of the airfoil. The upper and lower inflatable passages are then inflated to shatter and eject the ice formed on the boot over the upper and lower inflatable passages. Means are then provided to deflate the tubular member for a predetermined time after which the deicing cycle is repeated.