Polyether Urethane Deicer Boots Low-Temperature Elasticity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pneumatic deicer boots for aircraft suffer from poor elasticity and mechanical strength at low temperatures, particularly with neoprene and polyester urethane compositions, which hinder effective ice removal and retraction.
Innovation Solution
The use of polyether urethane elastomers with aligned carbon nanotubes or graphene, formed through electrospinning, to create a non-woven fiber fabric that enhances elasticity, mechanical strength, and conductivity, potentially eliminating the need for natural rubber layers and improving ice shedding performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If neoprene or polyester urethane outer layer is used in deicer boots, then toughness, wind and sand erosion resistance, and chemical resistance are improved, but elasticity and retractability at low temperatures deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polyether urethane elastomer with aligned carbon nanotubes or graphene to create an outer layer that simultaneously achieves toughness, erosion resistance, and improved low-temperature retractability. The composite structure allows the carbon allotrope reinforcement to maintain mechanical strength while the polyether urethane matrix provides elastic recovery at low temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting polyether urethane elastomer with specific glass transition temperature characteristics and incorporating carbon nanotubes/graphene at optimized concentrations and orientations. These parameter changes enable the material to maintain elasticity and retractability at low temperatures while preserving toughness and erosion resistance.
2Ease of operation
If natural rubber inner layer is added to improve elasticity and retractability, then low-temperature retraction is improved, but device complexity and layer structure become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the outer layer and inner layer into a single integrated polyether urethane elastomer layer with aligned carbon nanotubes or graphene. This consolidation eliminates the need for a separate natural rubber inner layer, as the composite outer layer simultaneously provides toughness, erosion resistance, and the elasticity/retractability previously requiring a separate inner layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyether urethane elastomer composite layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the outer layer's protective functions (toughness, erosion resistance, chemical resistance) and the inner layer's elastic recovery functions. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for separate inner and outer layers.
3Strength
If polyether urethane elastomer with aligned carbon nanotubes or graphene is used, then elasticity, mechanical strength, and conductivity are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical mixing and alignment methods with electrospinning technology to align carbon nanotubes or graphene within the polyether urethane elastomer matrix. Electrospinning enables precise control of fiber and filler alignment during the manufacturing process, achieving the desired mechanical properties and conductivity without complex post-processing alignment steps.
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 polyether urethane-based deicer boots demonstrate improved elasticity and mechanical strength at low temperatures, enabling better ice shedding and retraction, while providing enhanced resistance to ozone, hydrolytic degradation, and static discharge.
Implementation Method 1
The polyether urethanes can be electrospun to form a scaffold.
Implementation Method 2
The outer elastomeric layer contains polyether urethane elastomers and aligned carbon nanotubes or graphene.
Data Source
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AI summary
A deicer includes an aircraft structure (10) and an outer layer (14) with a sheet having a brittle point lower than -40 °C (-40 °F). The sheet includes a polyether urethane elastomer. A deicer includes an aircraft structure (10) and an outer elastomer layer (14). The outer elastomer layer (14) includes a non-woven fabric having polyether urethane fibers and one of (1) a carbon allotrope material (26) aligned with at least one of the polyether urethane fibers (24) and (2) a polyester urethane composition located on a portion of the non-woven fabric. A method of forming a layer of a deicer boot includes forming a polyether urethane elastomer sheet having a brittle point lower than -40 °C (-40 °F) and incorporating the polyether urethane elastomer sheet onto an aircraft structure (10).