Radiation Cooling Sensor for Active Frost Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft operations lack reliable methods to determine active frost conditions, leading to unnecessary use of de-icing fluids, increased costs, and delays, as existing technologies cannot differentiate between active and residual frost, necessitating conservative assumptions that result in excessive anti-icing measures.

Innovation Solution

A radiation cooling/heat transfer-based system comprising sensors and processors that detect active frost conditions by measuring the rate of radiative cooling and predicting frost formation based on ambient temperature, dew point, and relative humidity, providing accurate warnings and indications of impending frost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conservative assumptions are made about frost conditions, then safety is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to excessive de-icing operations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and conservative operational assumptions with an automated optical detection system. The sensor system uses optical radiation detection to automatically identify active frost conditions, eliminating the need for conservative de-icing operations and improving both safety and operational efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If de-icing fluids are applied to remove frost, then aircraft performance is improved, but environmental harm increases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft performanceVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback about active frost conditions through automated detection. This feedback enables operators to apply de-icing fluids only when actually needed rather than using conservative schedules, reducing environmental impact and costs while maintaining aircraft performance when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameter from fixed conservative de-icing schedules to dynamic, condition-based application. By monitoring radiation cooling rates and detecting active frost formation in real-time, the system optimizes de-icing fluid application to match actual environmental conditions, reducing unnecessary chemical use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If visual inspection methods are used to detect frost, then equipment complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to differentiate active and residual frost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system simplicityVSAvoidfrost condition differentiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple visual inspection with an automated optical radiation detection system. This substitution provides precise measurement of radiation cooling rates, enabling differentiation between active and residual frost conditions that are visually indistinguishable, while the system remains relatively simple in implementation.

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 differentiates between active and residual frost, reducing the need for de-icing fluids, minimizing delays, and optimizing aircraft turnaround times by providing precise frost condition assessments, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

The invention pertains to radiation cooling/heat transfer-based methods, sensors and systems for forecasting and/or detecting active frost conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation cooling: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

radiation cooling/heat transfer-based methods, sensors and systems for forecasting and/or detecting active frost conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sub-committee AC-9C defines frost as 'ice crystals formed on a surface by water vapour deposition from the atmosphere'

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3201656B1Radiation cooling/heat transfer-based methods, sensors and systems for forecasting and/or detecting active frost conditions

Publication Date: 2020.07.01 HORRIGAN JOHN

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AI summary

An active frost warning system for the forecasting and/or detection of active frost conditions by determining the rate of radiation heat transfer is provided. The system predicts active frost conditions when the rate of cooling/heat transfer of a sensor suggests items in the sensor's environs will be less than the frost point temperature in the future.