摘要 |
An ice detector 11 is provided for the determination of the thickness of ice 22 on the outer surface 12 on an object (e.g., aircraft 10) independently of temperature or the composition of the ice 22. First capacitive gauge 16, second capacitive gauge 18, and temperature gauge 20 are embedded in embedding material 14 located within a hollowed out portion of outer surface 12. This embedding material 14 is flushed with outer surface 12 to prevent undesirable drag. First capacitive gauge 16, second capacitive gauge 18, and temperature gauge 20 are respectively connected to first capacitance measuring circuit 24, second capacitance measuring circuit 26, and temperature measuring circuit 28. The geometry of first and second capacitive gauges 16 and 18 is such that the ratio of the voltage outputs of first and second capacitance measuring circuits 24 and 26 is proportional to the thickness of ice 22, regardless of ice temperature or composition. This ratio is determined by offset and dividing circuit 29.
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