Low power anti-icing system with partitioned thermal elements and partitioned vibratory elements

Abstract

A target material removal (TMR) element is provided, and the target material removal (TMR) element includes a body region; a thermal element within the body region; and a vibrating element within the body region. The TMR elements are controlled to perform a TMR operation that includes one or more of the thermal elements generating heat that is transferred to a target material through the body region in a manner that defines one or more zones of the target material. The TMR operation further includes, after the one or more of the thermal elements begin to generate the heat transferred to the target material through the bulk region, performing a thermal transfer to the target material through the bulk region. One or more of the vibrating elements generate vibrations that are transmitted through the body region to the one or more regions of the target material.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ice protection systems (IPS), and more particularly, to a novel low power IPS having zoned and individually controllable thermal and vibration elements.

[0002] Aircraft and engine anti-icing systems are generally designed to prevent ice from forming or to remove ice after it has formed. The latter type of system is referred to as a de-icing system, and the former type of system is referred to as an anti-icing system. De-icing systems and anti-icing systems may generally be referred to as anti-icing systems (IPS). Various modes of IPS include pneumatic, electro-thermal, and electromechanical removal systems. A common attribute of known IPS is that its components and anti-icing (e.g., de-icing / anti-icing) operations consume relatively large amounts of power.

[0003] So-called electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) technologies are being developed to enable a new generation of electric aircraft. EAP technologies are designed to make flight more sustainable and include lighter and more efficient motors, electronics, and materials that can help reduce emission levels and improve fuel efficiency. Efficient use and distribution of battery-generated electricity is a design goal in any aircraft design and will be a particularly important design goal in electric aircraft utilizing EAP technologies. Summary of the invention

[0004] A targeted material removal (TMR) system is disclosed, comprising a body region; a thermal element within the body region; and a vibrating element within the body region. The TMR system is controlled to perform a TMR operation, the TMR operation comprising one or more of the thermal elements generating heat that is transferred to a target material through the body region in a manner that defines one or more zones of the target material. The TMR operation also comprises one or more of the vibrating elements generating vibrations that are transferred to the one or more zones of the target material through the body region after the one or more thermal elements begin to generate heat that is transferred to the target material through the body region.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the thermal element includes a first thermal element; the one or more zones of target material include a first zone region of the target material; and the first thermal element transfers at least a first portion of the heat through the body region in a manner that defines a perimeter of the first zone region.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vibration element includes a first vibration element that transmits at least a first portion of the vibration to some or all of the first zone region through the body region.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the thermal element includes a second thermal element; the one or more zones of target material include a second zone region of the target material; the second thermal element transfers a second portion of the heat through the body region in a manner that defines a perimeter of the second zone region; and the vibration element includes a second vibration element that transfers the second portion of the vibration to some or all of the second zone region through the body region.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the target material includes a target frozen material; and at least a first portion of the heat is applied to the frozen material in the first zone region.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, at least a first portion of the vibrations is sufficient to apply shear stress to the first zone region.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the target material includes a target frozen material; at least a first portion of heat is applied to the target frozen material in a first zone region; at least a first portion of the vibration is sufficient to apply shear stress to the frozen material in the first zone region; a second portion of the heat is applied to the target frozen material in a second zone region; and the second portion of the vibration is sufficient to apply shear stress to the frozen material in the second zone region.

[0011] An IPS is also disclosed, which includes a body region; a thermal element within the body region; a vibration element within the body region; and a sensor network within the body region. The IPS is controlled to perform an anti-icing operation, the anti-icing operation including: the sensor network detecting that a target frozen material is formed to a predetermined first thickness; based at least in part on the sensor network detecting that the target frozen material is formed to the predetermined first thickness, one or more thermal elements in the thermal element generate heat, the heat is transferred to the target frozen material through the body region in a manner that defines one or more zones of the target frozen material; and after one or more thermal elements in the thermal element begin to generate heat that is transferred to the target frozen material through the body region, one or more vibration elements generate vibrations that are transferred to the one or more zones of the target frozen material through the body region.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the thermal element includes a first thermal element; the one or more zones of target frozen material include a first zone area of ​​the target frozen material; and the first thermal element transfers at least a first portion of the heat through the body area in a manner that defines a perimeter of the first zone area.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vibrating element includes a first vibrating element that transmits at least a first portion of the vibration to some or all of the first zone region through the main body region; and the anti-icing operation also includes terminating operation of the first vibrating element in response to determining that a first termination criterion has been met.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, determining that the first termination criterion has been met includes determining that an activation duration of the first vibration element has ended.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the thermal element includes a second thermal element; the one or more zones of target frozen material include a second zone region of the target frozen material; the second thermal element transfers a second portion of the heat through the main body region in a manner that defines a perimeter of the second zone region; the one or more vibration elements include a second vibration element; the second vibration element transfers a second portion of the vibration to some or all of the second zone region through the main body region; and the anti-icing operation also includes terminating operation of the second vibration element in response to determining that a second termination criterion has been met.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, determining that the second termination criterion has been met includes determining that an activation duration of the second vibration element has ended.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, at least a first portion of the vibrations is sufficient to apply shear stress to the first zone region; and a second portion of the vibrations is sufficient to apply shear stress to the second zone region.

[0018] A controller is also disclosed that is operable to perform controller operations for controlling a target material removal (TMR) element. The controller operations include sending control instructions to the TMR element to perform TMR operations. The TMR element includes a body region, the body region including a thermal element and a vibration element. The TMR operations include: one or more thermal elements in the thermal elements generating heat that is transferred to the target material through the body region in a manner that defines one or more zones of the target material; and after one or more thermal elements in the thermal elements begin to generate heat that is transferred to the target material through the body region, one or more vibration elements in the vibration element generating vibrations that are transferred to the one or more zones of the target material through the body region.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the thermal element includes a first thermal element; the one or more zones of the target material include a first zone region of the target material; the first thermal element transfers at least a first portion of the heat through the body region in a manner that defines a perimeter of the one or more first zone regions; the vibration element includes a first vibration element; and the first vibration element transfers at least a first portion of the vibration to the first zone region through the body region.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the thermal element includes a second thermal element; the one or more zones of target material include a second zone region of the target material; the second thermal element transfers a second portion of the heat through the body region in a manner that defines a perimeter of the second zone region; and the vibration element includes a second vibration element that transfers the second portion of the vibration to some or all of the second zone region through the body region.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the target material includes a target frozen material; and at least a first portion of the heat is applied to the frozen material in the first zone region.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, at least a first portion of the vibrations is sufficient to apply shear stress to the first zone region.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the target material includes a target frozen material; at least a first portion of heat is applied to the target frozen material in a first zone region; at least a first portion of the vibration is sufficient to apply shear stress to the frozen material in the first zone region; a second portion of the heat is applied to the target frozen material in a second zone region; and the second portion of the vibration is sufficient to apply shear stress to the frozen material in the second zone region.

[0024] Additional features and advantages are achieved through the technology of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be part of the claimed technical concept. For a better understanding of the present disclosure with advantages and features, please refer to the specification and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:

[0026] Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3 is to illustrate the use of embodiments according to the present disclosure Figure 1 A simplified block diagram of the target zone area of ​​the system shown in;

[0029] Figure 4 The present invention is applied to Figure 1 A graph of the power curve of the system shown in ;

[0030] Figure 5 It is to show how the embodiments according to the present disclosure can be implemented Figure 1 A simplified block diagram of a top view and a side view of a non-limiting example of a targeted material removal (TMR) element of the system shown in;

[0031] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment according to the present disclosure Figure 5 A simplified block diagram of how the TMR element performs the TMR operation is shown in;

[0032] Figure 7 It is to show how the embodiments according to the present disclosure can be implemented Figure 1 A simplified block diagram of a non-limiting example of a system shown in ; and

[0033] Figure 8 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a computing system operable to implement embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is presented herein by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a novel IPS, which includes a low-power target material removal (TMR) system operable to remove target materials from the surface of a structure (including but not limited to an aircraft). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the target material is a completely or partially frozen material that responds to thermally induced thawing and vibration-induced removal. The TMR system includes a processor-controlled TMR element, which is formed by a main body area operable to accommodate a partitioned thermal element network and a partitioned vibration element network. The main body area can also accommodate a sensor network. The TMR element can be attached to the inner or outer surface of the structure from which the target material is to be removed. When the TMR element is attached to the inner surface of the structure, the partitioned heat and vibration generated by the TMR element are configured and arranged to take into account that they need to pass through the TMR main body area and the structure. When the TMR element is attached to the outer surface of the structure, the target material is formed on the TMR element, and the partitioned heat and vibration generated by the TMR element are configured and arranged to take into account that they need to be substantially directly transferred to the structure through the TMR main body area. When the TMR element is attached to the outer surface of the structure, an anti-corrosion shield can be added to the TMR body area so that the target material is formed on the anti-corrosion shield of the TMR element, and the zoned heat and vibration generated by the TMR element is substantially directly transmitted to the structure through the TMR body area and the TMR corrosion shield. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the TMR corrosion shield can also be used when the TMR element is attached to the inner surface of the structure. In any of the above situations, the zoned heat and vibration generated by the TMR element are configured and arranged so that the heat and vibration reaching the structure are sufficient to perform the aforementioned heat-induced thawing and vibration-induced removal.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the zoned thermal element and the zoned vibration element can be independently controlled by a separate controller to perform TMR operations. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the zoned thermal element is configured so that each zoned thermal element generates heat, which is transferred to the target material through the TMR element in the form of defining the various heating zones of the target material. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each thermal element does not provide heat in its entire associated zone, but limits its application of heat to (and its corresponding use of electrical power for) some or all of the peripheries of its associated zone. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the TMR operation includes using a TMR sensor network to determine that the thickness of the target material has reached a value that initiates activation of the TMR system. In response to detecting that the thickness of the target material has reached a value that initiates activation of the TMR system, the TMR controller activates the thermal element to provide heat to its associated zone. The TMR operation also includes activating the vibration element to generate vibrations of the zone that is transferred to the target material through the main body area after the thermal element begins to generate heat that is transferred to the target material through the main body area. In this manner, the heat from the thermal element loosens the target material to a certain extent, and then the vibrating element completes the removal of the target material from the structure by applying vibrations to the loosened target material, which vibrations apply shear stress to the loosened target material. A sensor network can be used to detect that the vibrations have removed or substantially removed the target material from a given area.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each thermal element and vibration element can be controlled individually or separately, so that if target material removal is completed in a first zone before target material removal is completed in a second zone, operation of the vibration element associated with the first zone can be deactivated while the vibration element associated with the second zone continues to complete operation, thereby saving electrical power that would be used by the vibration element associated with the first zone.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the target material includes a frozen target material. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the target frozen material includes ice. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the structure is an aircraft, and the TMR element can be applied to any position of the aircraft from which the target material needs to be removed, including, for example, any position on or within the wing of the aircraft. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the structure is a substantially all-electric aircraft. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the thermal element can be a conductive material (e.g., tungsten) operable to achieve Joule heating. Joule heating is the physical effect of electric current generating heat energy through an electrical conductor. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the vibration element can be implemented as a ceramic piezoelectric material, which is operable to generate mechanical motion, such as vibration, in response to electrical power.

[0039] Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a low-power IPS operable to use a collection of novel design techniques and methods to reduce the overall dynamic and static power consumption of the IPS, with the goal of optimizing the battery life of the host of the IPS (e.g., an aircraft). The novel design techniques include zoned and individually controllable heat / vibration zones; relatively simple and low-power components (tungsten filaments, Joule heating, piezoelectric materials, etc.); limiting the area to which heat is applied (e.g., the perimeter of the zone); and controlling the duration of IPS operation so that heat / vibration generation is limited to that required by each individual zone or group of zones.

[0040] Turning now to a more detailed description of various aspects of the present disclosure, Figure 1 A simplified block diagram illustrating a targeted material removal (TMR) system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted. The TMR system 100 includes one or more low-power TMR elements 110 electrically coupled to a controller 150 and a power module 152. The TMR element 110 includes a TMR body region 112 configured and arranged as shown, which houses a distributed thermal element 120, a distributed vibration element 130, and a distributed sensor network 140. The distributed thermal element 120 is operable to generate heat 122, which is transferred to a target 170 including a target material through the TMR body region 112 and an optional intermediate medium 160. Similarly, the distributed vibration element 130 is operable to generate vibrations 132, which are transferred to a target 170 including a target material through the TMR body region 112 and an optional intermediate medium 160. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the intermediate medium 160 is a wall or other portion of an aircraft. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the intermediate medium 160 may be a corrosion shield (e.g., Figure 5 In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the intermediate dielectric 160 may be eliminated and the target 170 may be formed on the TMR element 110.

[0041] The TMR system 100 may be configured according to Figure 2 The flowchart shown in FIG. 200 illustrates the method of operation. Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram showing the zone regions (Z1-Z10) of the target 170 using the TMR system 100. In addition, Figure 4 A graph 400 is depicted showing a power curve applied by the TMR system 100 to the thermal element 120 and the vibrating element 130 during execution of the method 200. Reference will now be made primarily to Figure 2 The method 200 shown in and where appropriate referred to in Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4The operation of the TMR system 200 is described with reference to the corresponding elements, processes, and diagrams in FIG. Although it is assumed in the method 200 that the target 170 is ice, the method 200 is applicable to any specific implementation of the target 170.

[0042] The method 200 starts at block 202 and then moves to block 204, where the controller 150 accesses an initial ice thickness (IT) reading or a next ice thickness (IT) reading for an initial zone or a next zone of the target 170 from the sensor network 140. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, IT readings may be collected and processed for batches or groups of zones by the method 200. Where the zone and IT readings are collected in batches at block 204, the operations at blocks 206-220 are performed substantially in parallel for each zone. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, where the zone and IT readings are collected in batches at block 204, the operations at blocks 206-220 are performed substantially continuously for each zone. In the method 200, the target 170 is implemented as ice 170. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the distributed thermal elements 120 and each of the distributed vibration elements 130 are organized into heat / vibration pairs such that each heat / vibration pair is assigned to a zone on the ice 170 and defines a zone on the ice 170. Figure 3 The target 170A shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of ice 170 that has been organized into zones by heat / vibration. Figure 3 In the example shown, the target 170A includes ten (10) zones labeled Z1-Z10. The thermal element 120 assigned to Z1 is configured to define some or all of the shape of the Z1 perimeter 310, and the vibration element 130 assigned to Z1 is configured to occupy some or all of the shape of the Z1 sub-region 312 located within the Z1 perimeter 310 of Z1. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the thermal element 120 assigned to Z1 may also be configured to form a pattern within Z1 (e.g., an "X" pattern or a single diagonal " / " pattern). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the vibration element 130 assigned to Z1 may also be configured to form a pattern within Z1 that facilitates or optimizes the power used to apply shear stress to Z1 (e.g., an "X" pattern or a single diagonal " / " pattern). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an optimization engine may be used to determine one or more patterns of the vibration element 130.

[0043] Now return to Figure 2, the method 200 moves to decision box 206 to determine whether the IT reading for the initial zone / next zone accessed at box 206 is above a maximum value (Max). In aspects of the present disclosure, the controller 150 is operable to receive a maximum IT that will be used to initiate activation of the thermal element 120 and the vibration element 130 associated with the zone currently being evaluated. If the answer to the inquiry at decision box 206 is no, the method 200 moves to decision box 218 to determine whether the initial zone / next zone being evaluated is the last zone of ice 170. If the answer to the inquiry at decision box 218 is no, the method 200 moves to decision box 220 to determine whether the controller should loop the method 200 through another evaluation of each zone of ice 170. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, additional loops of the method 200 may be performed to maintain the de-icing state or to confirm that previous iterations of the method 200 through each zone were successful. If the answer to the inquiry at decision box 220 is yes, the method 200 moves to box 222 and ends. If the answer to either the inquiry at decision block 218 or the inquiry at decision block 220 is no, the method 200 returns to block 204 to access and evaluate the next IT reading for the next zone.

[0044] Returning now to decision block 206, if the answer to the inquiry at decision block 206 is yes, the method 200 moves to block 208 where the controller 150 coordinates with the power module 152 to activate the thermal element (TE) (e.g., thermal element 120) associated with the zone currently being evaluated by providing electrical power to the TE or thermal elements 120. At block 208, the controller 150 may also use the set of IT readings to determine the activation duration of the thermal element 120 required to partially thaw the ice 170 to a predetermined level (used at decision block 210). At block 208, the controller 150 may also use the set of IT readings and information about the level to which the ice 170 is to be thawed by the thermal element 120 to calculate the activation duration and vibration frequency of the vibration element 130. In an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the vibration element includes a piezoelectric material, the controller 150 uses a set of IT readings and information about the level to which the ice 170 will be thawed by the thermal element 120 to calculate the activation duration (used at decision box 210) and resonant frequency (based on the signal amplitude from the sensor network 140) to be applied by the power module 152 to the piezoelectric element used to implement the vibration element 130.

[0045] The method 200 moves to decision box 210, where the controller 150 determines whether the first termination criterion has been met. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, determining whether the first termination criterion has been met includes determining whether the activation duration of the thermal element 120 has timed out. If the answer to the inquiry at decision box 210 is no, the method 200 waits and then returns to the input to decision box 210. If the answer to the inquiry at decision box 210 is yes, the method 200 uses the controller 150 to deactivate the thermal element 120 (or the thermal element 120 includes sufficient electronic controls to time itself out and deactivate), and then moves to box 212 to activate the vibration element 130. The method 200 moves to decision box 214, where the controller 150 determines whether the second termination criterion has been met. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, determining whether the second termination criterion has been met includes determining whether the activation duration of the vibration element 130 has timed out. If the answer to the inquiry at decision block 214 is no, the method 200 waits and then returns to the input to decision block 214. If the answer to the inquiry at decision block 214 is yes, the method 200 moves to block 216 using the method 200 and deactivates the vibration element 130 (or the vibration element 130 includes sufficient electronic controls to time itself out and deactivate). The operations depicted at blocks 208-216 are Figure 4 The graph 400 shown in FIG. 400 plots the electrical power applied to the thermal element 120 and the vibration element 130 over time, as well as the TE power curve 410 of the thermal element 120 and the VE power curve 420 of the vibration element 420. Figure 4 As shown, at T1, IT is greater than Max (decision box 206), and the thermal element 120 is powered on for its activation duration (box 208). At T4, the activation duration of the thermal element 120 ends (decision box 210), the thermal element 120 is powered off (decision box 210), and the vibration element 130 is powered on (box 212). At T7, the activation duration of the vibration element 130 ends (decision box 214), and the thermal element 120 is powered off (box 216).

[0046] From box 216, method 200 moves to decision box 218 to determine if the initial zone / next zone being evaluated is the last zone of ice 170. If the answer to the inquiry at decision box 218 is no, method 200 moves to decision box 220 to determine if the controller should loop method 200 through another evaluation of each zone of ice 170. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, additional loops of method 200 may be performed to maintain a de-icing state or to confirm that previous iterations of method 200 through each zone were successful. If the answer to the inquiry at decision box 220 is yes, method 200 moves to box 222 and ends. If the answer to the inquiry at decision box 218 or the inquiry at decision box 220 is no, method 200 returns to box 204 to access and evaluate the next IT reading for the next zone.

[0047] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment according to the present disclosure Figure 1 10A. As best shown in the side view, the TMR element 110 of the TMR system 100 shown in FIG. 10A can be implemented as a simplified block diagram of a top view and a side view of a non-limiting example of a TMR element 110A. As best shown in the side view, the TMR element 110A can be attached to any aircraft surface 510 that needs or will need deicing, anti-icing and / or other forms of anti-icing using a suitable attachment mechanism. An optional corrosion shield 520 can be provided on the TMR element 110A. As best shown in the top view, the thermal element 120 is implemented as a plurality of heaters 120A, each of which can be a metal wire or wire that can be operated to exhibit Joule heating in response to an applied current. The vibration element 130 can be implemented as a plurality of piezoelectric patches 130A, each of which has a piezoelectric material that can be operated to convert an electrical signal of a resonant frequency into vibration energy. The sensor network 140 can include a plurality of sensors 140A, each of which can be implemented as a piezoelectric sensor, a FBG (fiber Bragg grating) sensor and / or an acceleration sensor. The body region 112 may be implemented as a plurality of body regions 112A (one example depicted and best shown in a side view), each body region including a dielectric layer 530 (best shown in a top view) that provides electrical isolation for the heater element 120A. The heater element 120A segment defines six (6) zones, one of which is located at Figure 5 It should be understood that each zone includes one or more of a heater 120A, a sensor 140A, and a piezoelectric patch 130A.

[0048] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment according to the present disclosure Figure 5 The TMR element 110A shown in FIG. Figure 16 is a simplified block diagram of how the controller 150 and the power module 152 perform the TMR operations represented by operations 602-608. Figure 6 As shown, at step 602, no ice 170 has accumulated on the TMR element 110A and the aircraft surface. At step 604, ice 170 has accumulated on the TMR element 110A and the aircraft surface. At step 606, the heater 120A is activated to segment the ice 170 into zones corresponding to the zones (e.g., Figure 5 At step 608, the piezoelectric patch 130A has been activated, and the vibrations from the piezoelectric patch have applied shear stress to the segmented ice 170A, which has loosened the segmented ice 170 sufficiently to cause it to fall off the TMR element 110A.

[0049] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment according to the present disclosure Figure 1 100 can be implemented as a simplified block diagram of a non-limiting example of a TMR system 100A. More specifically, the TMR system 100A provides additional details of how the controller 150 and the power module 152 can be implemented as the controller 150A and the power module 152A. The controller 150A can be implemented to include an ice accretion detection module 702, a resonant frequency setting and voltage gain module 704, and an actuator and heater control module 706 configured and arranged as shown. Modules 702, 704, 706 receive signals (including IT (ice thickness) readings) from the sensor 140A, and use the signals to generate signals provided to the power module 152A and provided to the piezoelectric actuator 130A and the heater element 120A through the power module. The power module 152A is operable to receive power input from a host structure, which in this example is an aircraft power supply. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the aircraft power supply is a battery, a generator, etc. The power module 152A includes a partitioned piezoelectric control module 710, a piezoelectric driver control module 712, a heater power control module 714, an input protection module 716, a boost power module 718, and an internal power supply 720 configured and arranged as shown. The modules 704, 706, 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, and 720 cooperate using known signal processing and power generation techniques to perform the TMR operations described herein (e.g., Figure 2 200 ), thereby generating and providing a piezoelectric power signal to the piezoelectric actuator 130A and a heater power signal to the heater element 120A.

[0050] In embodiments of the present disclosure, sensor 140A continuously detects ice formation on the associated surface and sends the data to controller 150A. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, based on the signal amplitude of the sensor reading from sensor 140A, controller 150A calculates the ice formation on each zone (e.g., Figure 5 1) shown in . The controller 150A monitors all zone sensor data and activates each zone in order from zone 1 to zone n. The controller 150A energizes the heater 120A for "th" seconds to segment the ice, thereby making the shedding action of the piezoelectric patch 130A easier. The controller 150A commands the zone control of the piezoelectric patch 130A so that the corresponding zone actuator can last at the resonant frequency for "tp" seconds. The controller 150A dynamically configures and adjusts the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric patch 130A (or piezoelectric actuator). Once the ice detection drops to the low threshold limit, the zone is turned off and the TMR action will continue on the zones where the ice detection has not yet dropped to the low threshold limit.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in response to an appropriate control signal (e.g., Figure 4 The generation of the control logic (as shown) may be configured as a machine learning task, and the controller 150A may be configured to include a machine learning algorithm configured and arranged to perform the thermally induced thawing control operation and the vibration-induced removal control operation described herein as machine learning tasks. In general, machine learning techniques operate on so-called "neural networks," which may be implemented as programmable computers configured to run a collection of machine learning algorithms and / or natural language processing algorithms. Neural networks combine knowledge from a variety of disciplines, including neurophysiology, cognitive science / psychology, physics (statistical mechanics), control theory, computer science, artificial intelligence, statistics / mathematics, pattern recognition, computer vision, parallel processing, and hardware (e.g., digital / analog / VLSI / optical).

[0052] The basic function of a neural network and its machine learning algorithm is to interpret unstructured sensor data through a machine perception to identify patterns. Unstructured real-world data in its native form (e.g., from sensor 140A) is converted into a numerical form (e.g., a vector with size and direction) that a computer can understand and manipulate. The machine learning algorithm performs multiple iterations of learning-based analysis on the real-world data vector until the pattern (or relationship) contained in the real-world data vector is discovered and learned. The learned pattern / relationship is used as a predictive model, which can be used to perform various tasks, including, for example, classification (or labeling) of real-world data and clustering of real-world data. Classification tasks typically rely on training neural networks (i.e., models) using labeled data sets to identify the correlation between labels and data. This is called supervised learning. Examples of classification tasks include identifying objects in images (e.g., stop signs, pedestrians, lane markings, etc.), recognizing gestures in videos, detecting speech, detecting speech in audio, identifying specific speakers, transcribing speech into text, etc. Clustering tasks identify similarities between objects, and clustering tasks group these objects according to these common characteristics and distinguish them from other groups of objects. These groups are called "clusters".

[0053] Figure 8 An example of a computer system 800 that can be used to implement computer-based components in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The computer system 800 includes an exemplary computing device ("computer") 802 that is configured to perform various aspects of the content-based semantic monitoring operations described herein in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In addition to the computer 802, the exemplary computer system 800 also includes a network 814 that connects the computer 802 to additional systems (not depicted) and may include one or more wide area networks (WANs) and / or local area networks (LANs), such as the Internet, an intranet, and / or a wireless communication network. The computer 802 and the additional systems communicate via the network 814, for example, to transfer data between them.

[0054] The exemplary computer 802 includes a processor core 804, a main memory ("memory") 810, and input / output components 812 that communicate via a bus 803. The processor core 804 includes a cache memory ("cache") 806 and a control 808, which includes a branch prediction structure and associated search, hit, detection, and update logic, which will be described in more detail below. The cache 806 may include multiple cache levels (not depicted) located on the chip or off the chip of the processor 804. The memory 810 may include various data stored therein, such as instructions, software, routines, etc., which may be transferred to / from the cache 806 by the control 808 for execution by the processor 804. The input / output components 812 may include one or more components that facilitate local and / or remote input / output operations to / from the computer 802, such as a display, keyboard, modem, network adapter, etc. (not depicted).

[0055] The cloud computing system 50 is in wired or wireless electronic communication with the computer system 800. The cloud computing system 50 can supplement, support or replace some or all functions (in any combination) of the computing system 800. In addition, some or all functions of the computer system 800 can be implemented as nodes of the cloud computing system 50.

[0056] Many functional units of the system described in this specification have been marked as modules. The embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to various module implementations. For example, a module can be implemented as a hardware circuit, which includes a custom VLSI circuit or gate array, a ready-made semiconductor such as a logic chip, a transistor or other discrete components. A module can also be implemented in a programmable hardware device such as a field programmable gate array, a programmable array logic, a programmable logic device, etc. A module can also be implemented with software executed by various types of processors. The identified module of an executable code can, for example, include one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, which can, for example, be organized as an object, a procedure or a function. However, the executable file of the identified module does not need to be physically located together, but can include different instructions stored in different locations, which are used as a module and realize the described purpose for the module when these instructions are logically combined together.

[0057] For ease of illustration and explanation, the various components / modules / models of the systems shown herein are depicted separately. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the functions performed by the various components / modules / models may be distributed differently than shown without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure described herein, unless otherwise specifically noted.

[0058] Aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as systems, methods, and / or computer program products at any possible level of technical detail integration. A computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium (or medium) having computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to perform various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0059] A computer-readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of computer-readable storage media includes the following: a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device (such as a punch card or a raised structure in a groove on which instructions are recorded) and any suitable combination of the foregoing. The computer-readable storage medium used herein should not itself be interpreted as a transient signal, such as a radio wave or other freely propagating electromagnetic wave, an electromagnetic wave propagated by a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., a light pulse by a fiber optic cable), or an electrical signal transmitted by a wire.

[0060] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to a corresponding computing / processing device, or downloaded to an external computer or external storage device via a network (e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network). The network may include copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmissions, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. The network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network, and forwards the computer-readable program instructions to be stored in a computer-readable storage medium in the corresponding computing / processing device.

[0061] The terms "about," "substantially," and their equivalents are intended to include the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time the application was filed.

[0062] The terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, and / or combinations thereof.

[0063] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for the elements of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the basic scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode for implementing the present disclosure, but the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A targeted material removal (TMR) element comprising: Main area; a thermal element within the body region; as well as a vibrating element within the body region; The TMR element is controlled to perform a TMR operation, the TMR operation comprising: One or more of the thermal elements generate heat that is transferred through the body region to the target material in a manner that defines one or more zones of the target material; as well as After the one or more of the thermal elements begin to generate the heat that is transferred to the target material through the body region, one or more of the vibration elements generate vibrations that are transferred to the one or more zones of the target material through the body region.

2. The TMR element according to claim 1, wherein: The thermal element comprises a first thermal element; The one or more regions of the target material include a first region of the target material; and The first thermal element transfers at least a first portion of the heat through the body region in a manner that defines a perimeter of the first zone area.

3. The TMR element of claim 2, wherein the vibration element comprises a first vibration element that transmits at least a first portion of the vibration to some or all of the first zone region through the body region.

4. The TMR element according to claim 3, wherein: The thermal element includes a second thermal element; The one or more regions of the target material include a second region area of ​​the target material; the second thermal element transfers a second portion of the heat through the body region in a manner defining a perimeter of the second zone area; and The vibration element includes a second vibration element that transmits a second portion of the vibration to some or all of the second zone region through the body region.

5. The TMR element according to claim 3, wherein: The target material includes a target frozen material; and The at least a first portion of the heat is applied to the frozen material in the area of ​​the first zone.

6. The TMR element of claim 5, wherein the at least a first portion of the vibration is sufficient to apply shear stress to the first zone region.

7. The TMR element according to claim 4, wherein: the target material comprises a target frozen material; applying the at least a first portion of the heat to the target frozen material in the region of the first zone; said at least a first portion of said vibrations being sufficient to impart shear stress to said frozen material in the region of said first zone; applying the second portion of the heat to the target frozen material in the second zone area; and The second portion of the vibrations is sufficient to apply shear stress to the frozen material in the region of the second zone.

8. An ice protection system (IPS), comprising: Main area; a thermal element within the body region; a vibrating element within the body region; as well as a sensor network within the subject area; The IPS is controlled to perform an anti-icing operation, the anti-icing operation comprising: The sensor network detects that the target frozen material is formed to a predetermined first thickness; based at least in part on the sensor network detecting formation of the target frozen material to the predetermined first thickness, one or more of the thermal elements generating heat that is transferred to the target frozen material through the body region in a manner that defines one or more zones of the target frozen material; and After the one or more of the thermal elements begin to generate the heat that is transferred to the target frozen material through the body region, one or more vibration elements generate vibrations that are transferred to the one or more zones of the target frozen material through the body region.

9. The IPS of claim 8, wherein: The thermal element comprises a first thermal element; The one or more zones of the target frozen material include a first zone region of the target frozen material; and The first thermal element transfers at least a first portion of the heat through the body region in a manner that defines a perimeter of the first zone area.

10. The IPS of claim 9, wherein: The vibration element comprises a first vibration element that transmits at least a first portion of the vibration to some or all of the first zone region through the body region; and The anti-icing operation further includes terminating operation of the first vibratory element in response to determining that a first termination criterion has been met.

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