US4745804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Accretion type ice detector
Assignee: Dataproducts New England Inc
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Filing: 1986-12-08
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Granted: 1988-05-24
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Expires: 2006-12-08
Abstract
Abstract An atmospheric probe for detecting the occurrence and measuring the extent of ice accretion upon the probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Joshua I. Goldberg
- 👤 Kenneth M. Harley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:44
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D15/00; B64D15/20; G; G08; G08B; G08B19/00; G08B19/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A device for detecting the accretion of ice upon a surface exposed to an atmosphere calculated to produce ice upon said surface comprising: a protrusion having a surface exposed to the atmosphere, power means for stressing the protrusion under a predetermined compressive load sufficient to deform the protrusion in ice free and in ice accreted conditions, and measuring means for measuring the extent of deformation in each of said conditions whereby a comparison of said deformation measurements is useful as a measure of the occurrence and of the extent of ice accretion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A device for detecting the accretion of ice upon a surface exposed to an atmosphere calculated to produce ice upon said surface comprising: a protrusion having a surface exposed to the atmosphere, power means for stressing the protrusion under a predetermined compressive load sufficient to deform the protrusion in ice free and in ice accreted conditions, and measuring means for measuring the extent of deformation in each of said conditions whereby a comparison of said deformation measurements is useful as a measure of the occurrence and of the extent of ice accretion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 in which said protrusion is metallic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 2 in which said protrusion has an interior surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 3 in which said exposed surface is immobile and is sealed relative to said interior surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 4 in which the power means is disposed adjacent the interior surface of said protrusion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 5 in which the power means is driven electromagnetically.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 6 in which the protrusion is connected to a support member which together with said protrusion forms an enclosure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 7 in which the power means includes a magnetic core having an energizing coil fixed to one of said support member and said protrusion and an armature is fixed to the other of said support member and said protrusion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 8 in which the armature is recessed in the protrusion and the magnetic core is fixed to the support member, said armature being spaced from said magnetic core.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 8 in which one end of the magnetic core is in threaded engagement with the protrusion and the opposite end thereof is in sliding contact with a guide pin fixed to said support member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 10 in which the armature is fixed to said support member at said opposite end of said magnetic core.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 7 in which the support member is sandwiched between the protrusion on one side and a circuitry housing on the opposite side.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 12 in which the circuitry housing is sealed from exposure to the atmosphere.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 3 in which the measuring means for measuring deformation is a strain gauge mounted on the interior surface of said protrusion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 3 in which heat means is disposed adjacent the interior surface and is generally co-extensive with said interior surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 2 in which the metallic protrusion defines surface hardened aluminum and said hardened surface is the surface exposed to the atmosphere.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 2 in which the surface of the protrusion exposed to the atmosphere is coated with a corrosion and wear resistant protective skin or plating.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 in which the measuring means for measuring deformation is a strain gauge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 in which the protrusion includes a wall element having heat means incorporated therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 in which the measuring means for measuring deformation comprises a plurality of strain gauges disposed in circular array.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 20 in which there is a first array of strain gauges and a second array of strain gauges.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of detecting and measuring accretion of ice upon a surface exposed to an atmosphere calculated to produce ice upon said surface comprising the steps of: stressing said surface compressively under a given load in an ice free condition to produce strain or deformation, measuring said strain, stressing said surface compressively under the same load in an ice accreted condition to produce strain or deformation, measuring said strain in said ice accreted condition, comparing the strain measured in the ice free condition to the strain measured in the ice accreted condition, and utilizing the results of the comparison as an indication of the occurrence of ice accretion and as an indication of the degree of ice accretion.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of detecting and measuring accretion of ice upon a surface exposed to an atmosphere calculated to produce ice upon said surface comprising the steps of: stressing said surface compressively under a given load in an ice free condition to produce strain or deformation, measuring said strain, stressing said surface compressively under the same load in an ice accreted condition to produce strain or deformation, measuring said strain in said ice accreted condition, comparing the strain measured in the ice free condition to the strain measured in the ice accreted condition, and utilizing the results of the comparison as an indication of the occurrence of ice accretion and as an indication of the degree of ice accretion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 in which the strains are measured by use of a strain gauge.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 22 in which the stresses are developed electromagnetically.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24 in which the strain measuring steps are synchronized with periodic stressing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22 plus the step of removing ice from said surface when a predetermined degree of ice accretion has occurred.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of removing accreted ice is effected by heating.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 plus the step of shaping said surface in the form of a hollow protrusion or probe.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the steps of stressing said surface are effected by utilizing power means disposed in the interior of said hollow protrusion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the strain measuring steps are effected by utilizing a strain gauge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3541540A
Cited
US4553137A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-24 | 1991-11-23 | 1992-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-24 | 1995-11-23 | 1996-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-24 | 1999-11-23 | 2000-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |