METHOD FOR INFLIGHT DEICING OF LANDING GEAR AND WHEEL BAYS IN AIRCRAFT WITH ONBOARD DRIVE MEANS

摘要

A method is provided for removing ice, snow, slush, and frozen contaminants from landing gear, wheel wells, and associated structures while an aircraft is in flight and preventing the accumulation of frozen contaminants during flight in an aircraft equipped with onboard drive means powered to drive at least one landing gear wheel and selectively controllable to move the aircraft on the ground during taxi in winter and other weather conditions.

主权项

1. A method for inflight deicing to remove frozen contaminants from landing gear and wheel bays in an aircraft with onboard drive means comprising:
a. providing one or more onboard drive means selectively controllable to power one or more aircraft landing gear wheels to move the aircraft during taxi without reliance on the aircraft main engines; b. locating the one or more drive means in direct or indirect thermal contact with one or more aircraft landing gear wheels or landing gear structures; and c. selectively controlling the one or more drive means to operate the drive means and power the one or more aircraft landing gear wheels to autonomously taxi the aircraft on a treated or untreated snow or ice-covered surface from a departure location to a take off location, and operating the one or more drive means to produce sufficient heat to remove ice, snow, or frozen contaminants from the landing gear wheels or landing gear support structures in thermal contact with the drive means and to prevent the accumulation of ice, snow, or frozen contaminants on structures in thermal contact with the drive means after the aircraft takes off and is in flight.