Pulse-Electro Thermal De-Icing Using Capacitive Ice Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies are inefficient in rapidly detecting and removing ice, frost, or snow from surfaces, particularly in applications like ice makers, freeze-dryer units, vaporization gas tanks, and aerospace surfaces, leading to reduced efficiency and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a heating track connected to an electrical current source, with capacitive sensing through control tracks and capacitors to determine the presence of ice, and providing a pulse-electro thermal de-icing current to melt the ice via resistive heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heating methods are used to remove ice, then ice removal is achieved, but energy consumption increases and heating time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed heating instead of continuous heating. The controller delivers heating current in controlled pulses only when ice accumulation is detected, allowing the heating element to cool between pulses. This periodic action achieves effective ice removal while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous heating methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves dual functions: it detects ice accumulation through resistance changes and then removes ice through resistive heating. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate detection and removal systems, improving efficiency and reducing energy waste.
2Reliability
If continuous heating is applied to remove ice, then ice removal is ensured, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of ice accumulation using the heating element's resistance changes before initiating heating. This preliminary action allows the system to activate heating only when and where needed, rather than continuously, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining reliable ice removal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements periodic pulsed heating cycles with appropriate duration and intervals. Each pulse is timed to remove ice effectively while allowing cooling periods in between, preventing overheating and reducing total time consumption compared to prolonged continuous heating.
3Productivity
If excessive heating is applied to remove ice, then ice removal is achieved, but surface damage and energy waste occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies heating locally and partially - only to areas where ice is detected and only for the minimum time required to remove it. The pulsed heating approach uses just enough thermal energy to melt the ice layer without excessive heating that would damage the surface or waste energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element continuously monitors its own resistance to detect ice accumulation and tracks the heating process. The controller uses this feedback information to adjust pulse duration and intensity in real-time, stopping heating when ice removal is achieved. This feedback control prevents excessive heating that could damage the surface.
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
Enables rapid and energy-efficient detection and removal of ice, ensuring minimal surface heating to melt only a thin layer, thereby maintaining system efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical current flows through the heating track to heat the heating track and the surface
Implementation Method 2
a first capacitor for providing a first capacitance between the first control track and the heating track
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A system and a method are described for detecting and removing ice from a surface. The system comprises an electrical current source for providing a pulse-electro thermal de-icing electrical current, a heating track provided at the surface and connected to the electrical current source, a first control track provided at the surface spaced from the heating track, a first capacitor for measuring a first capacitance between the first control track and the heating track, a memory for storing a de-icing condition, and a processor that determines, partly from the first capacitance, whether the de-icing condition is satisfied. When the de-icing condition is satisfied, the processor controls the electrical current source to provide the pulse-electro thermal de-icing electrical current to the heating track. When the de-icing condition is not satisfied, the processor controls the electrical current source to not provide the pulse-electro thermal de-icing electrical current to the heating track.