US5140135A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adaptive ice detector circuit
Assignee: Rosemount Inc
•
Filing: 1990-09-28
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Granted: 1992-08-18
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Expires: 2010-09-28
Abstract
Abstract An ice detector circuit controls heating of a probe detecting ice. The circuit generates an icing output as a function of a temperature output generated by the probe. A control circuit cyclically controls a start time of the heating. A time measurement circuit measures a warm-up time to a first temperature threshold below the melting temperature, and measuring a melting time to a second temperature above the melting temperature. A comparator compares the melting time to a stored comparison parameter adjusted by the warm-up time and provides the icing output.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J. Freeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/18; B; B64; B64D; B64D15/00; B64D15/20; G08; G08B; G08B19/00; G08B19/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A circuit for controlling heating of a probe detecting ice having a melting temperature and for generating an icing output indicating icing as a function of a temperature output generated by the probe, comprising: control means coupled to the probe for controlling the duration of cyclical periods of heating and cooling of the probe; measurement means coupled to the temperature output for measuring a warm-up time of the probe from onset of heating to a first temperature threshold below the ice melting temperature, and for measuring an ice melting time to a second temperature threshold above the ice melting temperature; comparing means for comparing the ice melting time to a stored comparison parameter and providing the icing output; and adjusting means for adjusting the duration of the cooling period for subsequent cyclical periods of heating and cooling of the probe as a function of the warm-up time to compensate for non-icing heat loss from the probe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A circuit for controlling heating of a probe detecting ice having a melting temperature and for generating an icing output indicating icing as a function of a temperature output generated by the probe, comprising: control means coupled to the probe for controlling the duration of cyclical periods of heating and cooling of the probe; measurement means coupled to the temperature output for measuring a warm-up time of the probe from onset of heating to a first temperature threshold below the ice melting temperature, and for measuring an ice melting time to a second temperature threshold above the ice melting temperature; comparing means for comparing the ice melting time to a stored comparison parameter and providing the icing output; and adjusting means for adjusting the duration of the cooling period for subsequent cyclical periods of heating and cooling of the probe as a function of the warm-up time to compensate for non-icing heat loss from the probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the adjusting means further adjusts the duration of the heating period as a function of the ice melting time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the adjusting means further adjusts the stored comparison parameter as a function of the warm-up time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit of claim 3 wherein the adjusting means further adjusts the stored comparison parameter as a function of the ice melting time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the detector is mounted to a heatable mount and the adjusting means further adjusts the heating of the mount as a function of the warm-up time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The circuit of claim 5 wherein the adjusting means further adjusts the heating of the mount as a function of the ice melting time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-18 | 1996-02-17 | 1996-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-18 | 2000-02-17 | 2000-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-18 | 2004-02-17 | 2004-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |