METHOD OF, AND APPARATUS FOR, DE-ICING AN AIRCRAFT BY INFRARED RADIATION

摘要

An improved apparatus (11) for emitting infrared radiation of a desired wavelength includes a primary surface (35); a burner (24) for raising the temperature of the primary surface so as to cause the primary surface to emit infrared radiation of a first wavelength; a secondary surface (26) surrounding the primary surface in spaced relation thereto and arranged to be heated by infrared radiation emitted by the first surface and for emitting infrared radiation of a second wavelength toward the object; and an actuator (28) for selectively varying the spacing between the primary and secondary surfaces so that infrared radiation emitted by the secondary surface will be at a desired wavelength and will be focused; whereby the apparatus will emit infrared radiation of a desired wavelength toward the object. The improved apparatus may be used in a method of de-icing a portion of an aircraft which includes the steps of: providing a structure (10) having an infrared heater (23); moving an aircraft relative to the structure to a position adjacent the heater; operating the heater so as to emit radiation toward the object; and controlling the wavelength of radiation emitted by the heater; thereby to melt snow and ice from the aircraft portion.