US5467944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detector for indicating ice formation on the wing of an aircraft
Assignee: SOUNDEX Oy
•
Filing: 1993-09-07
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Granted: 1995-11-21
•
Expires: 2013-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A detector indicating ice formation on the wing of an aircraft or any planear surface, based on a thread-like or a tape-like transducer, through which an ultrasonic signal is transmitted at one end. The attenuation of the signal having passed through the thread is measured with a receiver at the opposite end while the thread is simultaneously being heated such that ice that may surround it melts again, the attenuation thus resuming its initial level.
Inventors
- 👤 Mauri Luukkala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/11; B; B64; B64D; B64D15/00; B64D15/20; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/023; G01N2291/025; G01N2291/0251; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A device which uses ultrasonic transmissions to detect ice formation on a material comprising an acoustic waveguide electrically insulated from said material having a first end and a second end, ultrasonic transmitter means for sending at least one ultrasonic pulse through said first end of said acoustic waveguide, ultrasonic receiver means for measuring the intensity of said ultrasonic pulse at the second end of said ultrasonic waveguide and means for detecting damage to said waveguide, said intensity of said ultrasonic pulse being reduced by ice formation on said acoustic waveguide.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A device which uses ultrasonic transmissions to detect ice formation on a material comprising an acoustic waveguide electrically insulated from said material having a first end and a second end, ultrasonic transmitter means for sending at least one ultrasonic pulse through said first end of said acoustic waveguide, ultrasonic receiver means for measuring the intensity of said ultrasonic pulse at the second end of said ultrasonic waveguide and means for detecting damage to said waveguide, said intensity of said ultrasonic pulse being reduced by ice formation on said acoustic waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for detecting damage to said waveguide includes means for detecting electrical resistance through said acoustic waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as defined in claim 2, including means for electrically heating said acoustic waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said acoustic waveguide includes a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel, magnetostrictive nickel and other low acoustic attenuation metals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said metallic acoustic waveguide is selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel, magnetostrictive nickel and other low acoustic attenuation metals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter is selected from the group consisting of a piezoceramic transducer and a magnetostrictive transducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter generates a 150-250 kHz ultrasonic pulse.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 7, including an alarm which activates when said measured ultrasonic pulse is attenuated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as defined in claim 1, including means for electrically heating said acoustic waveguide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said acoustic waveguide is a metallic thread having a diameter of 1-2 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said metallic acoustic waveguide is selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel, magnetostrictive nickel and other low acoustic attenuation metals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 11, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter is selected from the group consisting of a piezoceramic transducer and a magnetostrictive transducer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said acoustic waveguide is a metallic tape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said metallic acoustic waveguide is selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel, magnetostrictive nickel and other low acoustic attenuation metals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter is selected from the group consisting of a piezoceramic transducer and a magnetostrictive transducer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said acoustic waveguide includes a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel, magnetostrictive nickel and other low acoustic attenuation metals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter is selected from the group consisting of a piezoceramic transducer and a magnetostrictive transducer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter generates a 150-250 kHz ultrasonic pulse.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 1, including an alarm which activates when said measured ultrasonic pulse is attenuated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said material is a wing of an aircraft.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
92 words
A device which uses ultrasonic transmissions to detect ice formation on an aircraft by measuring the effect of ice on the strength of said ultrasonic transmissions comprising an acoustic waveguide positioned on the wing of said aircraft and electrically insulated from said wing, ultrasonic transmitter means for sending an ultrasonic signal through said acoustic waveguide and to ultrasonic receiver means, said ultrasonic receiver means detects the intensity of said ultrasonic signal, means for measuring electrically resistance in said waveguide and means for electrically heating said waveguide when ice forms on said waveguide.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
92 words
A device which uses ultrasonic transmissions to detect ice formation on an aircraft by measuring the effect of ice on the strength of said ultrasonic transmissions comprising an acoustic waveguide positioned on the wing of said aircraft and electrically insulated from said wing, ultrasonic transmitter means for sending an ultrasonic signal through said acoustic waveguide and to ultrasonic receiver means, said ultrasonic receiver means detects the intensity of said ultrasonic signal, means for measuring electrically resistance in said waveguide and means for electrically heating said waveguide when ice forms on said waveguide.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device as defined in claim 21, including alarm means for indicating reduced intensity of said ultrasonic signal, said alarm means activating when said ultrasonic signal intensity falls below a predetermined level and said means for electrically heating said waveguide activates when said alarm means activates.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 21, wherein said waveguide is metallic and has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular, semi-circular and rectangular.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as defined in claim 21, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter means includes spindle jaws and a spindle jaw nut to attach and detach said waveguide from said ultrasonic transmitter and said ultrasonic transmitter means includes a piezocrystal located adjacent to said spindle jaws.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as defined in claim 23, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter means includes spindle jaws and a spindle jaw nut to attach and detach said waveguide from said ultrasonic transmitter and said ultrasonic transmitter means includes a piezocrystal located adjacent to said spindle jaws.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 22, wherein said alarm and said electrical heating means are deactivated when said ultrasonic receiver means detects an unattenuated ultrasonic signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as in claim 21, wherein said insulating layer is epoxy paint.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 21, wherein said acoustic waveguide is selected from the group consisting of steel, nickel, magnetostrictive nickel and other low acoustic attenuation metals.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for detecting ice formation on an aircraft comprising: (a) placing an acoustic waveguide on the aircraft, said waveguide having a first end and a second end and electrically insulated from said aircraft; (b) connecting ultrasonic transmitter means to said first end of said waveguide, said transmitter means capable of sending at least one ultrasonic pulse through said waveguide, the intensity of said ultrasonic pulse being reduced by ice formation on said waveguide; (c) connecting ultrasonic receiver means to said second end of said waveguide, said receiver means capable of detecting said intensity of said at least one ultrasonic pulse; (d) connecting waveguide damage detection means to said first end and said second end of said waveguide for detecting electrical resistance through said waveguide; and (e) activating icing alarm when said receiver means detects said at least one ultrasonic pulse having an intensity which is lower than said intensity of said at least one ultrasonic pulse sent by said transmitter means.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for detecting ice formation on an aircraft comprising: (a) placing an acoustic waveguide on the aircraft, said waveguide having a first end and a second end and electrically insulated from said aircraft; (b) connecting ultrasonic transmitter means to said first end of said waveguide, said transmitter means capable of sending at least one ultrasonic pulse through said waveguide, the intensity of said ultrasonic pulse being reduced by ice formation on said waveguide; (c) connecting ultrasonic receiver means to said second end of said waveguide, said receiver means capable of detecting said intensity of said at least one ultrasonic pulse; (d) connecting waveguide damage detection means to said first end and said second end of said waveguide for detecting electrical resistance through said waveguide; and (e) activating icing alarm when said receiver means detects said at least one ultrasonic pulse having an intensity which is lower than said intensity of said at least one ultrasonic pulse sent by said transmitter means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 29, including the step of connecting heating means to said waveguide, said heating means controlling the electrical current level in said waveguide.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 30, including the step of signaling said heating means to increase said current level in said waveguide to heat said waveguide and melt the ice which has formed on said waveguide when said icing alarm activates.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 29, including the step of deactivating said ice alarm when said intensity of said ultrasonic pulse detected by said receiver means is similar to said ultrasonic pulse intensity produced by said transmitter means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 31, including the step of deactivating said ice alarm when said intensity of said ultrasonic pulse detected by said receiver means is similar to said ultrasonic pulse intensity produced by said transmitter means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 33, including the step of signaling said heating means to reduce said current level in said waveguide when said ice alarm is deactivated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 32, including the step of measuring the time intervals between said ice alarm activation and ice alarm deactivation for determining the rate of said ice formation on said aircraft.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 34, including the step of measuring the time intervals between said ice alarm activation and ice alarm deactivation for determining the rate of said ice formation on said aircraft.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 29, including the step of activating a waveguide damage alarm when said waveguide damage detection means detects a high electrical resistance through said waveguide.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 36, including the step of activating a waveguide damage alarm when said waveguide damage detection means detects a high electrical resistance through said waveguide.
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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) | 1998-11-20 | 1999-05-22 | 1999-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-20 | 2003-05-22 | 2003-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-20 | 2007-05-22 | 2007-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |