Electromagnetic Deicing Boot Using Magnetic Fluid Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deicing systems for aircraft wings, such as pneumatic deicers, require complex control valve mechanisms and bleed air from the engine, which can impact engine performance and are inefficient in ice removal.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnetic field generator is used to drive magnetic fluid through inflation regions in a deicing boot, causing ice to break and shed without the need for engine bleed air, utilizing magnetic fluid reservoirs and nanoparticles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pneumatic deicing boots use bleed air from the aircraft engine for inflation, then the boot can effectively remove ice, but engine performance is impacted and the system requires complex control valve mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice removal effectivenessVSAvoidcontrol valve mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional pneumatic inflation system (which requires complex control valves and bleed air from the engine) with an electromagnetic actuation system. Electromagnets are integrated into the boot structure to directly actuate the inflation regions, eliminating the need for mechanical control valves and reducing system complexity while maintaining effective ice removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes inflatable regions within the deicing boot that can be actuated to expand and contract. These inflation regions use fluid pressure (pneumatics) to create the mechanical motion needed to break and shed ice from the aircraft surface, replacing the need for complex external pneumatic control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If pneumatic deicing boots use bleed air from the aircraft engine, then the boot can be inflated to remove ice, but engine performance is negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice removal effectivenessVSAvoidengine performance impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the engine-dependent pneumatic system with an electromagnetic actuation system. Electromagnets integrated into the boot structure provide the actuation force needed for inflation, eliminating the need to extract bleed air from the engine and thus avoiding negative impacts on engine performance while maintaining ice removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If traditional pneumatic deicing systems are used, then ice can be removed from aircraft surfaces, but the system requires complex control mechanisms and engine bleed air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice removal efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with electromagnetic actuation. Electromagnets are positioned to directly actuate the inflation regions, providing precise control of the deicing boot expansion and contraction cycles without requiring complex control valves or mechanical linkages, thereby maintaining ice removal efficiency while reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively removes ice from aircraft wings by using electromagnetic forces to move magnetic fluid and inflate the boot, reducing the complexity and energy requirements of deicing, while maintaining efficient ice removal.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic field generator that generates electromagnetic fields that cause the magnetic fluid to exit the fluid reservoir and travel along a length of the inflation region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

one or more magnetic fluid reservoirs in fluid communication with the first inflation region... a magnetic fluid contained in a combination of the first inflation regions and the one or more magnetic fluid reservoirs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic fluid actuation: Ferrofluid

Data Source

PatentUS11459111B2Deicing boot utilizing electromagnetism and magnetic for boot inflation

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

An aircraft flight surface deicing system includes an electromagnetic field generator and a deicing boot configured for attachment to an aircraft flight surface. The boot includes: one or more inflation regions including a first inflation region; one or more magnetic fluid reservoirs in fluid communication with the first inflation region, the one or more fluid reservoirs including a first fluid reservoir; a magnetic fluid contained in a combination of the first inflation regions and the one or more magnetic fluid reservoirs. In a first state, the magnetic fluid is contained in the first fluid reservoir and, in a deicing state, the electromagnetic field generator generates one or more fields that cause the magnetic fluid to exit the first fluid reservoir and travels along a length of the inflation region.