Aircraft Inlet Lip De-Icing at Splice Plates for Uniform Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft air intake de-icing systems fail to provide uniform de-icing across the lip due to non-uniform thickness caused by splices, leading to uneven temperature distribution and suboptimal de-icing performance.
Innovation Solution
A secondary de-icing system is integrated, comprising a heat exchanger with a thermally conductive main layer and electrically insulated heating elements, positioned between panels and splices to compensate for thickness variations and ensure uniform de-icing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pneumatic de-icing system is used to inject hot air into the annular duct, then de-icing capability is provided, but non-uniform temperature distribution occurs due to varying lip thickness at splice areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing a secondary de-icing system specifically at splice plate locations where thickness variations cause temperature non-uniformity. This localized approach targets the problematic areas (splice regions with increased thickness) with additional heating elements, while the main de-icing system continues to serve the entire lip structure. The secondary system compensates for the reduced de-icing efficiency at splice areas by providing supplementary heat where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The de-icing system is segmented into two independent components: a main de-icing system that serves the entire lip, and a secondary de-icing system positioned at splice plates. This segmentation allows each subsystem to address specific requirements - the main system provides overall de-icing coverage while the secondary system targets localized thickness variation problems at splice joints, enabling independent optimization of each segment.
2Ease of manufacture
If splice plates are used to connect lip panels, then structural assembly is enabled, but lip thickness becomes non-uniform reducing de-icing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural function of splice plates with a dual de-icing system. The splice plates continue to perform their primary structural assembly function while simultaneously serving as mounting platforms for secondary de-icing systems. This integration allows the splice plates to fulfill both structural and thermal management roles, combining manufacturing simplicity with improved de-icing reliability at critical joint locations.
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 secondary de-icing system ensures homogeneous de-icing capacity over the entire air intake lip surface, enhancing de-icing performance and maintaining consistent temperature distribution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat exchanger (64) having a main layer (70) of a thermally conductive material
Implementation Method 2
electrically insulated heating elements
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an air intake of an aircraft propulsion assembly comprising a lip (42) which comprises juxtaposed panels (52, 54) connected by at least one splice plate (56). This air intake combines a main de-icing system and at least one secondary de-icing system (60) which comprises at least one main layer (70) made of a thermally conductive material comprising a through-orifice (70.1) for each fixing element (58) passing through it, said main layer (70) being interposed at least partially between the splice plate (56) and at least one panel among the first and second panels (52, 54). This solution makes it possible to compensate for the reduction in the de-icing or anti-icing capacity of the main de-icing system due to the increase in the thickness of the lip at the right of each splice plate.