US4628736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measurement of ice thickness employing ultra-sonic pulse echo technique
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1985-01-14
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Granted: 1986-12-16
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Expires: 2005-01-14
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for measurement of ice thickness employing ultra-sonic pulse echo technique, wherein an ultra-sonic pulse is emitted from a transducer at the ice-accreting surface of a structure, the pulse is reflected at the periphery of the accreted ice and the reflection is detected. The time delay is calibrated and related to ice thickness and accretion rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark S. Kirby
- 👤 Robert J. Hansman, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/11; B; B64; B64D; B64D15/00; B64D15/20; G01B; G01B17/00; G01B17/02; G01B17/025; G01N29/07; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/023; G01N2291/025; G01N2291/0251; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02854
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for measurement of the thickness of ice on an ice-accreting surface employing an ultra-sonic pulse echo technique, comprising: an ice-accreting surface; transducer means mounted at said surface for transmitting an ultra-sonic signal into said ice and for receiving a reflected signal; and means for evaluating the time delay between transmission and reception of the ultra-sonic signal, the time delay indicative of the thickness of the ice.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for measurement of the thickness of ice on an ice-accreting surface employing an ultra-sonic pulse echo technique, comprising: an ice-accreting surface; transducer means mounted at said surface for transmitting an ultra-sonic signal into said ice and for receiving a reflected signal; and means for evaluating the time delay between transmission and reception of the ultra-sonic signal, the time delay indicative of the thickness of the ice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transducer means comprises at least one transducer mounted flush at said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transducer is mounted behind said surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transducer is mounted on said surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pulse transmitter and receiver operatively coupled to said transducing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a signal processor operatively coupled to said transducing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display operatively coupled to said transducing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said display comprises means for indicating ice thickness and accretion rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said display comprises an ice warning indicator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transducing means comprises a broadband, highly damped contact transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said transducing means has a center frequency range of 1-20 MHz.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said center frequency is approximately 5 MHz.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transducing means comprises a piezo electric element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said element has a diameter of approximately 0.25 inches.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for detection of the presence of ice on a surface, comprising the steps of: (a) transmission of an ultra-sonic pulse into said ice via transducing means mounted at said surface; (b) propagation of said pulse through said ice to its periphery and reflection of said pulse back to said transducing means; and (c) evaluating the time between transmission of said pulse and reception by said transducing means of said reflected pulse to obtain ice thickness.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for detection of the presence of ice on a surface, comprising the steps of: (a) transmission of an ultra-sonic pulse into said ice via transducing means mounted at said surface; (b) propagation of said pulse through said ice to its periphery and reflection of said pulse back to said transducing means; and (c) evaluating the time between transmission of said pulse and reception by said transducing means of said reflected pulse to obtain ice thickness.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for detection of the presence of ice on a surface, comprising the steps of: (a) transmission of an ultra-sonic pulse into said ice via transducing means mounted at said surface; (b) propagation of said pulse through said ice to its periphery and reflection of said pulse back to said transducing means; and (c) evaluating the time between transmission of said pulse and reception by said transducing means of said reflected pulse to obtain ice accretion rate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for detection of the presence of ice on a surface, comprising the steps of: (a) transmission of an ultra-sonic pulse into said ice via transducing means mounted at said surface; (b) propagation of said pulse through said ice to its periphery and reflection of said pulse back to said transducing means; and (c) evaluating the time between transmission of said pulse and reception by said transducing means of said reflected pulse to obtain ice accretion rate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for controlling ice protection devices comprising the steps of determining the presence and thickness of ice on a surface protected by said protection devices, by means of ultra-sonic pulse echo detection according to claim 16, and directing said devices to protectively operate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-15 | 1990-06-16 | 1990-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-15 | 1994-06-16 | 1994-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-15 | 1998-06-16 | 1998-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |