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Ice protection for aircraft using electroactive polymer surfaces

An electroactive polymer, aircraft technology, used in aircraft parts, deicing devices, transportation and packaging, etc.

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-11-13
THE BOEING CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] Previously described methods and systems for preventing ice formation on and / or removing ice from an aircraft have had less than expected results

Method used

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  • Ice protection for aircraft using electroactive polymer surfaces
  • Ice protection for aircraft using electroactive polymer surfaces
  • Ice protection for aircraft using electroactive polymer surfaces

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0020] The present disclosure relates to the use of electroactive polymers (EAPs), a class of materials well known in the art. The EAP surface contains a compliant capacitor comprising an elastomeric dielectric film between two compliant electrodes. In operation, an electric field is applied to the flexible electrodes to generate an electrostatic voltage (also known as Maxwell stress), which compresses the elastomeric film. Due to the incompressibility of the elastomeric film, compression of the elastomeric film results in elongation of the elastomeric film. Application of an electric field between two oppositely charged electrodes causes mechanical compression between the two electrodes. Likewise, application of an electric field between two oppositely charged electrodes causes a mechanical expansion between the two electrodes.

[0021] The EAP surface may be adapted to create dimples or dimple actuators in the elastomeric film upon application of an electric field to the e...

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PUM

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Abstract

An electro-active polymer (EAP) surface (10) having a plurality of actuators (20) adapted to prevent the formation of ice on an external surface (230), such as a leading edge of an aircraft (100). The EAP surface (10) may also be adapted to remove ice formed on the external surface (260). The actuators of the EAP surface (10) may be oscillated to prevent and / or remove ice from the surface of an aircraft (100). A signal generator (30) may be used to individually oscillate the actuators (20) in a first mode to prevent the formation of ice(230) and a second mode to break up ice formed on the EAP surface (10). The signal generator (30) may oscillate all of the actuators (20) at the same frequency, may individually oscillate the actuators (20) to form a pattern on the EAP surface (10), or may individually oscillate the actuators (20) to form a wave along the EAP surface (10). The actuators (20) may be dimple actuators, wrinkle actuators, and / or bump actuators.

Description

technical field [0001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for preventing the formation of ice on and / or removal from the exterior surfaces of vehicles such as aircraft or other structures using electroactive polymers (EAPs). ice system. Background technique [0002] The formation of ice on the exterior surfaces of vehicles or other structures is problematic. As one example, the formation of ice on the exterior surfaces of an aircraft, such as the leading edge or tail of a wing, is less than ideal. [0003] There are various systems that have been used in an attempt to remove ice from the exterior surfaces of an aircraft, such as the leading edge. One type of system is the deicing boot, which is a thick rubber membrane mounted on the leading edge of the wing. If ice forms on the leading edge, the pneumatic system fills the de-icing boot with compressed air, causing the boot to expand and destroy the ice. Airflow over the leading edge then removes ice from the...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): B64D15/18
CPCB64D15/163
Inventor R·霍夫博格
Owner THE BOEING CO