Dynamic de-icing distance

摘要

A method for at least partially de-icing an aircraft by applying a de-icing fluid through a nozzle (10) is disclosed. The method involves the steps of: measuring a distance to an outside surface of the aircraft, applying the distance in an evaluation, controlling the position and/or the orientation of the nozzle (10) according to the evaluation, and applying the de-icing fluid at least a part of the outside surface trough the nozzle. In addition, a system for performing the de-icing method is also revealed.

主权项

1. A method for at least partially de-icing an aircraft by automatically applying a de-icing fluid through a nozzle, said method comprising the steps of:
measuring a first distance, using a first sensor, along a measurement direction line from a first location relative to said nozzle to a physical outside surface of said aircraft wherein said physical outside surface is an aircraft wing, the measurement direction line being outside a fan spray zone of de-icing fluid when being expelled through the nozzle,
providing a first reference distance and a second reference distance;comparing the first distance and the first reference distance;comparing the first distance and the second reference distance;moving the nozzle one of a) away from said physical outside surface if said first distance is smaller than said first reference distance or b) towards said physical outside surface if said first distance is larger than said second reference distance; anddetecting a physical edge of said aircraft wing using the first sensor and a second sensor, said second sensor detecting along a detection direction line from a second location relative to the nozzle, the detection direction line being outside the fan spray zone of de-icing fluid when being expelled through the nozzle and on an opposite side of the fan spray zone than the measurement direction line, wherein the edge is at least one of a leading edge or a trailing edge of the aircraft wing, andapplying said de-icing fluid automatically through said nozzle to at least a part of said physical outside surface.