Coupling Strip De-Icing Using Skin-Effect Surface Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive surfaces on aircraft, cars, and satellites face inefficiencies and safety risks due to ice accumulation, often requiring bulky heating systems that are cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing higher frequency alternating electric current to induce Joule heating in conductive materials by shaping current density through mechanisms like the skin and proximity effects, reducing the need for bulky equipment and improving heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional heating systems are used to prevent ice accumulation on conductive surfaces, then heating function is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical heating systems with a electromagnetic field-based heating solution. By applying high-frequency AC current to the conductive surface, the system utilizes electromagnetic induction to generate heat directly in the surface material, eliminating the need for bulky heating elements, insulation layers, and complex control mechanisms while maintaining effective ice protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using high-frequency AC current (typically above 1 kHz) instead of traditional low-frequency or DC heating. This parameter change enables the skin effect to concentrate current near the surface, generating heat precisely where needed for ice protection while reducing overall system complexity and size
2Productivity
If high frequency AC current is used to induce Joule heating in conductive materials, then heating efficiency is improved, but current and voltage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the heating effect specifically at the conductive surface where ice accumulation occurs. The high-frequency AC current generates heat locally through the skin effect, ensuring that energy is deposited precisely where needed rather than being distributed throughout the entire structure, thus improving heating efficiency without excessive energy consumption
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 achieves localized and efficient heating with reduced current and voltage usage, enhancing safety, reliability, and ease of installation, while being less invasive and potentially faster for de-icing.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing higher frequency alternating electric current to induce Joule heating in conductive materials by shaping current density through mechanisms like the skin and proximity effects
Implementation Method 2
shaping current density through mechanisms like the skin and proximity effects
Implementation Method 3
shaping current density through mechanisms like the skin and proximity effects
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure can be embodied in a systems for heating an exterior surface of a bulk medium. In one example, the system includes two or more coupling strips spaced apart from one another and attached to the bulk medium. Each of the coupling strips has a multi-layer structure extending along a surface of the bulk medium that forms, in combination with the bulk medium, an electrical transmission line. The multi-layer structure includes a first dielectric layer over the bulk medium, a conductive layer over the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer over the conductive layer, and a conductive shielding layer over the second dielectric layer. A power control system is coupled to the conductive layer of each of the coupling strips and to the bulk medium. The power control system is configured to heat the bulk medium by providing current to the coupling strips.