Electro-Active Polymer Wing Ice Dispersion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dispersing matter, such as ice, from aircraft wings are either inefficient, require significant resources, or are limited in their application during flight.
Innovation Solution
A wing assembly incorporating an electro-active polymer (EAP) matter dispersion arrangement, which configures between a relaxed and compressed state to effectively remove ice and other debris without the need for external resources like ground crews or bleed air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heated bleed air is circulated through piping in the wings to prevent ice buildup, then ice prevention is achieved, but the wing weight increases and space is consumed by the piping system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the traditional piping system and implements it through a heating mat that is integrated directly into the wing structure. This eliminates the need for separate piping components while maintaining the ice prevention capability through direct thermal contact with the wing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating mat is merged with the wing structure itself, becoming an integral part of the wing rather than a separate system. This integration eliminates the need for additional piping and reduces overall system weight while maintaining effective heat transfer to the wing surface for ice prevention.
2Reliability
If a heating mat is placed inside the wing to increase surface temperature and prevent ice buildup, then ice prevention is achieved, but the wing structure must accommodate the mat integration
Solution Approach 1:
The heating mat is designed to be integrated directly into the wing structure, merging the thermal management function with the existing wing architecture. This integration approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating separate mounting structures and reducing installation complexity.
3Productivity
If heated liquid is sprayed onto the wings by ground crew to remove ice buildup, then ice removal is effective, but the suppression duration is short and requires frequent reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The heating mat provides continuous thermal protection that prevents ice buildup in the first place, rather than requiring reactive removal. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for frequent reapplication of de-icing liquids and extends the effective protection duration significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating mat provides continuous thermal protection as long as electrical power is supplied, creating an ongoing protective effect rather than the temporary action of sprayed liquids. This continuous action maintains ice-free conditions throughout the flight operation without requiring interruption for reapplication.
4Reliability
If bleed air heating system is used to heat the wing interior surface, then ice prevention during flight is achieved, but heated air may be lost from the wing providing little heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the pneumatic bleed air system and replaces it with an electrical heating mat system. This extraction eliminates the energy loss associated with heated air escaping from the wing, as the electrical system provides direct thermal energy conversion at the required location without fluid transport losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pneumatic/mechanical bleed air heating system with an electrical heating system. This substitution eliminates the need for pressurized air transport and reduces energy loss by directly converting electrical energy to heat at the wing surface where it is needed, rather than transporting heated air through the wing structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The EAP system provides a lightweight, compact, and highly available solution for ice dispersion, capable of operating during flight and reducing the need for frequent ground-based interventions.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-active polymer (EAP) that comprises an elastic polymer positioned between a first and second electrode and configurable between a relaxed state in which the first and second electrodes are electrically disconnected from an electrical power source and a compressed state in which the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to a voltage source
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
There is provided a wing assembly comprising a fixed wing portion (5), a high lift device (7, 9) connected to the fixed wing portion (5) and a matter dispersion arrangement located in at least one of the fixed wing portions and the high lift device. The matter dispersion arrangement comprises an electro-active polymer (EAP) (20) comprising an elastic polymer (11a) positioned between a first and a second electrode (10, 12) and configurable between a relaxed state in which the first and second electrodes (10, 12) are electrically disconnected from an electrical power source (13) and a compressed state in which the first and second electrodes (io, 12) are electrically connected to an electrical power source (13).